Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in which a primary water loop is used as a heat transfer reservoir for both heating and cooling. A plurality of micro chillers are provided, with each micro chiller being connected to the primary water loop. Each micro chiller includes its own heat engine. Each micro chiller includes one or more fan coil units that exchange heat between the micro chiller and the air in a building. In a first mode a micro chiller transfers heat from the air in the building to the water circulating within the primary water loop. In a second mode the micro chiller transfers heat from the water circulating in the primary water loop to the air in the building. A primary water loop regulation system is provided to control the temperature of the water circulating in the primary water loop.

Abstract: A multi-stage compressor where the refrigerant is transferred from stage to stage internally. The compressor uses a first stage impeller mounted on a first end of motor shaft and a second stage impeller mounted on a second end of the same motor shaft. The motor shaft and both impellers rotate in unison. Refrigerant discharged from the first stage impeller is transferred to the intake of the second state impeller through passages within the compressor itself.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in which a primary water loop is used as a heat transfer reservoir for both heating and cooling. A plurality of micro chillers are provided, with each micro chiller being connected to the primary water loop. Each micro chiller includes its own heat engine. Each micro chiller includes one or more fan coil units that exchange heat between the micro chiller and the air in a building. In a first mode a micro chiller transfers heat from the air in the building to the water circulating within the primary water loop. In a second mode the micro chiller transfers heat from the water circulating in the primary water loop to the air in the building. A primary water loop regulation system is provided to control the temperature of the water circulating in the primary water loop.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in which a primary water loop is used as a heat transfer reservoir for both heating and cooling. A plurality of micro chillers are provided, with each micro chiller being connected to the primary water loop. Each micro chiller includes its own heat engine. Each micro chiller includes one or more fan control units that exchange heat between the micro chiller and the air in a building. In a first mode a micro chiller transfers heat from the air in the building to the water circulating within the primary water loop. In a second mode the micro chiller transfers heat from the water circulating in the primary water loop to the air in the building. A primary water loop regulation system is provided to control the temperature of the water circulating in the primary water loop.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in which a primary water loop is used as a heat transfer reservoir for both heating and cooling. A plurality of micro chillers are provided, with each micro chiller being connected to the primary water loop. Each micro chiller includes its own heat engine. Each micro chiller includes one or more fan control units that exchange heat between the micro chiller and the air in a building. In a first mode a micro chiller transfers heat from the air in the building to the water circulating within the primary water loop. In a second mode the micro chiller transfers heat from the water circulating in the primary water loop to the air in the building. A primary water loop regulation system is provided to control the temperature of the water circulating in the primary water loop.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an audio authoring method that provide a set authoring tools for specifying rules for combining sections of a first song to generate a second song. The set of authoring tools allow an array of cells to be arranged in first and second directions, and allow each body section to be associated with one set of cells that are arranged in the first direction and another set of cells that are arranged in the second direction. At each cell that belongs to one set of cells arranged in the first direction for a first body section and another set of cells arranged in the second direction for a second body section, the set of tools also allow the user to specify whether the second body section is allowed to follow the first body section.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an audio authoring method that provide a set authoring tools for specifying rules for combining sections of a first song to generate a second song. The set of authoring tools allow an array of cells to be arranged in first and second directions, and allow each body section to be associated with one set of cells that are arranged in the first direction and another set of cells that are arranged in the second direction. At each cell that belongs to one set of cells arranged in the first direction for a first body section and another set of cells arranged in the second direction for a second body section, the set of tools also allow the user to specify whether the second body section is allowed to follow the first body section. Some embodiments provide a method for compositing audio.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an audio authoring method that provide a set authoring tools for specifying rules for combining sections of a first song to generate a second song. The set of authoring tools allow an array of cells to be arranged in first and second directions, and allow each body section to be associated with one set of cells that are arranged in the first direction and another set of cells that are arranged in the second direction. At each cell that belongs to one set of cells arranged in the first direction for a first body section and another set of cells arranged in the second direction for a second body section, the set of tools also allow the user to specify whether the second body section is allowed to follow the first body section. Some embodiments provide a method for compositing audio.

Abstract: Devices and methods for using phase-change-materials to store and retrieve energy. Specifically, the invention discloses various containment devices that may be used to enclose a mass of phase-change-material. The disclosure describes ways it which these devices may be manufactured and ways in which they may be used. The storage devices preferably create an enclosed volume that eliminates any mixing between the phase-change material and any surrounding material such as thermal oil. Further, the invention minimizes the inclusion of unwanted materials such as air.

Abstract: A heat engine including a novel method for transferring working fluid from the low pressure side of the cycle back to the high pressure side. The invention includes one or more transfer tanks connecting the condenser to the boiler. Each transfer tank is connected to the condenser by a fill line and connected to the boiler by a dump line. Gravity and/or small transfer pumps are used to transfer the working fluid horn the low pressure side, through the transfer tank or tanks, and then to the high pressure side.

Abstract: A method for improving phase balance in a three-phase power system, such as a three-phase system feeding Single Wire Earth Return distribution networks. The inventive system can take power from a suitable source—including the three-phase distribution itself—and feed it to a “weaker” phase to improve balance. In addition, the system can store energy taken from the three-phase power system during off-peak periods and use this to boost a weaker phase during periods of phase imbalance. The inventive system preferably uses an organic Rankine cycle heat engine to extract stored thermal energy and use it to boost a weak phase or phases. The organic Rankine cycle heat engine may also take power from renewable sources such as solar collectors.

Abstract: A method for improving grid power quality despite the presence of rapidly changing loads and a rapidly changing supply. The inventive method includes an energy generation mode that is used when grid demand is relatively high and an energy storage mode that is used when the energy supply exceeds the grid demand. The method is able to rapidly switch between the two modes. In the energy storage mode some of the energy available from a source is transferred to a storage unit. In the energy generation mode, available energy and stored energy is transferred to the grid.

Abstract: A modular energy harvesting system. The system preferably uses an organic Rankine cycle heat engine to recover energy from relatively low-temperature heat sources. The system is both modular and scalable. The components are preferably housed within shipping containers so that they may be easily transported by sea and over land. Two or more power harvesting modules may be assembled on a single site to increase the production capacity in a scalar fashion. Each of the integrated units preferably includes an oil-less turbine and motor.

Abstract: A heat engine including a novel method for transferring working fluid from the low pressure side of the cycle back to the high pressure side. The invention includes one or more transfer tanks connecting the condenser to the boiler. Each transfer tank is connected to the condenser by a fill line and connected to the boiler by a dump line. Gravity and/or small transfer pumps are used to transfer the working fluid horn the low pressure side, through the transfer tank or tanks, and then to the high pressure side.

Abstract: A modular energy harvesting system. The system preferably uses an organic Rankine cycle heat engine to recover energy from relatively low-temperature heat sources. The system is both modular and scalable. The components are preferably housed within shipping containers so that they may be easily transported by sea and over land. Two or more power harvesting modules may be assembled on a single site to increase the production capacity in a scalar fashion. Each of the integrated units preferably includes an oil-less turbine and motor.

Abstract: A system and a method for adding and subtracting stages of compression to a compressor as and when the compressor requires them. If the compressor needs only a low pressure ratio, then the system and method allow the compressor to operate with only a primary pumping circuit spinning, while available additional stages, forming a secondary pumping circuit, and which may be required at other times when the needed pressure ratios increase, are decoupled from the rotating shaft, so that the compressor pumps at its most efficient and flexible point. Further, a system and method for adding and subtracting stages of compression to a compressor in order to increase and decrease the pumping capacity as and when required to satisfy a given load requirement.

Abstract: A method for cooling power electronic devices such as IGBT's. The method comprises placing the IGBT board in a containment structure and flooding the containment with circulating liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is boiled within the containment and the resulting gas is then removed for continued circulation within a heat engine. The phase change of the refrigerant provides excellent cooling properties. In addition, the ability to place the cooling medium directly over the IGBT's themselves represents a significant advantage.

Abstract: An integrated expansion turbine/electrical generator assembly (collectively referred to as a “turbo-generator”) suitable for use in waste heat recovery and similar applications. The turbo-generator uses a common shaft mounting a one or more stage expansion turbine and a homopolar electrical generator. Magnetic levitating axial and thrust bearings are used to hold the common shaft in its proper position with a fixed housing. The magnetic bearings minimize frictional losses, allowing the common shaft to spin at a very high rotational velocity. Sensor rings continually monitor the common shaft's position. This information is used by control electronics to regulate the magnetic bearings in order to hold the rotating shaft's position. Electrical energy is extracted from the rotating shaft in the form of a direct current. Preferably integrated power-switching electronics are used to generate single or three-phase AC power, which can be phase-matched to an existing power grid or other application.

Abstract: In systems comprising at least two compressors, the present invention provides an adequately sized vessel or tank in either or both the suction line or the discharge line of multiple compressors, in such a fashion that if the conditions of the first compressor change, it does not have an immediate effect on the other compressors, the vessel acting as a means of dampening the change.

Abstract: A compact and efficient compressor is provided, based on using magnetic bearing technology, which can operate at high speed and comprises a reliable control system. The compressor of the present invention makes use of two separate compressors mounted on a single common motor, thus sharing a single drive. The balancing of the thrust at high RPM is improved by using a pair of electromagnetic bearings.