Abstract: A hydrokinetic turbine system with dynamic tuning capabilities is disclosed. Individual hydrokinetic turbine units are dynamically tuned to accommodate changes in height and flow velocity corresponding to water in a waterway. Dynamically tuning the turbine units to accommodate waterway changes optimizes power generation output. Dynamically tuning a turbine system includes raising or lowering turbine blade height, extending or retracting turbine blade length, and narrowing or widening a turbine mouth, channel, and exit through which water flows. The hydrokinetic turbines may be arranged in an array along a waterway, and each hydrokinetic turbine in the array is connected over a controls system configured to adjust turbine characteristics at each turbine unit in the array for optimizing power generation output for the waterway in which the turbine array is installed.

Abstract: A hydro-kinetic power generation system is disclosed. The system includes a structure to be positioned in shallow or deep waterways, such as canals and rivers. The structure may be modular, such that the structure may be composed of one or more structural units that are each substantially the same. In various embodiments, each unit includes one or more curved walls for accelerating water through the unit, or through the structure as a whole. In one embodiment, the accelerator walls are curved for optimizing water flow through the structure without generating undue head loss. In certain embodiments, the units may be configured such that the accelerator walls are positioned on opposite sides of the structure, or the accelerator walls may be adjacently positioned. Coupled to the structure are turbines and gear box systems for harnessing energy from the moving water and converting the energy into electric power.

Abstract: A hydro-kinetic power generation system is disclosed. The system includes a structure to be positioned in shallow or deep waterways, such as canals and rivers. The structure may be modular, such that the structure may be composed of one or more structural units that are each substantially the same. In various embodiments, each unit includes one or more curved walls for accelerating water through the unit, or through the structure as a whole. In one embodiment, the accelerator walls are curved for optimizing water flow through the structure without generating undue head loss. In certain embodiments, the units may be configured such that the accelerator walls are positioned on opposite sides of the structure, or the accelerator walls may be adjacently positioned. Coupled to the structure are turbines and gear box systems for harnessing energy from the moving water and converting the energy into electric power.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hydro-electric power generation are disclosed. The system includes a frame or structure positioned in a waterway or channel, with one or more hydro-transition units secured to corners of the frame. The hydro-transition units include a body of reinforced fabric for redirecting water flow towards the inlet of the frame, effectively increasing the current of the water and allowing for turbines within the frame to generate power at an increased rate. Anchors and bracket systems may secure the hydro-transition units to both the waterway and the frame, thereby allowing the body of reinforced fabric to withstanding force from water-flow within the waterway. The system includes various failsafe mechanisms for disengaging or detaching the hydro-transition units from the frame and/or anchor for reacting to high water flow or volumes (e.g., flooding).

Abstract: An exemplary turbine system for generating hydroelectric power. The exemplary turbine system is generally installed in shallow waterways and accelerates water flowing therein. The accelerated water generates power via spinning one or more turbine rotors of the system. An exemplary method for installing the turbine system is disclosed. The method includes first lowering a turbine system base into the shallow waterway, where the base includes a depression for accepting a mortise insert. The mortise insert includes one or more sockets for accepting notches in a base plate, where the base plate is coupled to one or more turbine rotors. The base plate mates with the mortise insert for ease of installation and securely positioning the one or more turbine rotors within the system.

Abstract: A speed planning device is disclosed. The speed planning device may perform a method including obtaining elevation information associated with a route for a vehicle; identifying a section of the route based on the elevation information, wherein the section is associated with a change in elevation; determining subsections of the section; determining respective slopes of the subsections and respective lengths of the subsections; obtaining information identifying a mass associated with the vehicle; generating a speed plan for the vehicle to traverse the section, wherein the speed plan indicates one or more speeds at which the vehicle is to correspondingly traverse the subsections based on the respective slopes of the subsections, the respective lengths of the subsections, and the mass associated with the vehicle; and providing the speed plan to permit the vehicle to be controlled to traverse the section according to the one or more speeds of the speed plan.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hydro-electric power generation are disclosed. The system includes a frame or structure positioned in a waterway or channel, with one or more hydro-transition units secured to corners of the frame. The hydro-transition units include a body of reinforced fabric for redirecting water flow towards the inlet of the frame, effectively increasing the current of the water and allowing for turbines within the frame to generate power at an increased rate. Anchors and bracket systems may secure the hydro-transition units to both the waterway and the frame, thereby allowing the body of reinforced fabric to withstanding force from water-flow within the waterway. The system includes various failsafe mechanisms for disengaging or detaching the hydro-transition units from the frame and/or anchor for reacting to high water flow or volumes (e.g., flooding).

Abstract: A cycloidal magnetic gear system for a turbine system is disclosed. The system includes a first stator magnet ring, a second stator magnet ring positioned opposite the first stator magnet ring, and a rotor positioned between the first and second stator rings of magnets. The rotor may include a first side positioned adjacent the first stator magnet ring, and a second side positioned adjacent the second stator magnet ring. The system may include a first rotor magnet ring affixed to the first side of the rotor, adjacent the first stator magnet ring. Additionally, the system may include a second rotor magnet ring affixed to the second side of the rotor, adjacent the second stator magnet ring. The rotor may be configured to rotate eccentrically about a center-axis of the first and/or second stator magnet ring.

Abstract: A hydro-kinetic power generation system is disclosed. The system includes a structure to be positioned in shallow or deep waterways, such as canals and rivers. The structure may be modular, such that the structure may be composed of one or more structural units that are each substantially the same. In various embodiments, each unit includes one or more curved walls for accelerating water through the unit, or through the structure as a whole. In one embodiment, the accelerator walls are curved for optimizing water flow through the structure without generating undue head loss. In certain embodiments, the units may be configured such that the accelerator walls are positioned on opposite sides of the structure, or the accelerator walls may be adjacently positioned. Coupled to the structure are turbines and gear box systems for harnessing energy from the moving water and converting the energy into electric power.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hydro-electric power generation are disclosed. The system includes a frame or structure positioned in a waterway or channel, with one or more hydro-transition units secured to corners of the frame. The hydro-transition units include a body of reinforced fabric for redirecting water flow towards the inlet of the frame, effectively increasing the current of the water and allowing for turbines within the frame to generate power at an increased rate. Anchors and bracket systems may secure the hydro-transition units to both the waterway and the frame, thereby allowing the body of reinforced fabric to withstanding force from water-flow within the waterway. The system includes various failsafe mechanisms for disengaging or detaching the hydro-transition units from the frame and/or anchor for reacting to high water flow or volumes (e.g., flooding).

Abstract: A speed planning device is disclosed. The speed planning device may perform a method including obtaining elevation information associated with a route for a vehicle; identifying a section of the route based on the elevation information, wherein the section is associated with a change in elevation; determining subsections of the section; determining respective slopes of the subsections and respective lengths of the subsections; obtaining information identifying a mass associated with the vehicle; generating a speed plan for the vehicle to traverse the section, wherein the speed plan indicates one or more speeds at which the vehicle is to correspondingly traverse the subsections based on the respective slopes of the subsections, the respective lengths of the subsections, and the mass associated with the vehicle; and providing the speed plan to permit the vehicle to be controlled to traverse the section according to the one or more speeds of the speed plan.

Abstract: Hydrokinetic fluid turbines utilize a flowing body of liquid to translate the kinetic energy of the fluid into electric power or other useful energy. The available kinetic energy is proportional to the squared fluid velocity in an open channel with a fixed cross-sectional area. The proposed twin turbine system coupled with a cycloidal magnetic gear exploits the hydrokinetic energy existing in open-channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hydro-electric power generation are disclosed. The system includes a frame or structure positioned in a waterway or channel, with one or more hydro-transition units secured to corners of the frame. The hydro-transition units include a body of reinforced fabric for redirecting water flow towards the inlet of the frame, effectively increasing the current of the water and allowing for turbines within the frame to generate power at an increased rate. Anchors and bracket systems may secure the hydro-transition units to both the waterway and the frame, thereby allowing the body of reinforced fabric to withstanding force from water-flow within the waterway. The system includes various failsafe mechanisms for disengaging or detaching the hydro-transition units from the frame and/or anchor for reacting to high water flow or volumes (e.g., flooding).

Abstract: An idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine is disclosed. The machine can include an engine operably connected to a drivetrain including ground engaging propulsion members. The drivetrain can be configured to transmit mechanical energy between the engine and the ground engaging propulsion members. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can include a starter operatively associated with the engine and configured to effectuate ignition of the engine. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can further include an idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller electronically and controllably connected to the engine and configured to shut down the engine in an engine shutdown mode.

Abstract: A cycloidal magnetic gear system for a turbine system is disclosed. The system includes a first stator magnet ring, a second stator magnet ring positioned opposite the first stator magnet ring, and a rotor positioned between the first and second stator rings of magnets. The rotor may include a first side positioned adjacent the first stator magnet ring, and a second side positioned adjacent the second stator magnet ring. The system may include a first rotor magnet ring affixed to the first side of the rotor, adjacent the first stator magnet ring. Additionally, the system may include a second rotor magnet ring affixed to the second side of the rotor, adjacent the second stator magnet ring. The rotor may be configured to rotate eccentrically about a center-axis of the first and/or second stator magnet ring.

Abstract: A fluid heating system may be installed for residential and commercial use, and may deliver fluid at consistent high temperatures for cooking, sterilizing tools or utensils, hot beverages and the like, without a limit on the number of consecutive discharges of fluid. The fluid heating system is installed with a tankless fluid heating that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a drain port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve manifold connected to the at least one heat source, the drain port, and the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve manifold. The valve manifold is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature (including near boiling fluid) on demand, for every demand occurring over a short period of time.

Abstract: A fluid heating system may be installed for residential and commercial use, and may deliver fluid at consistent high temperatures for cooking, sterilizing tools or utensils, hot beverages and the like, without a limit on the number of consecutive discharges of fluid. The fluid heating system is installed with a tankless fluid heating that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a drain port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve manifold connected to the at least one heat source, the drain port, and the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve manifold. The valve manifold is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature (including near boiling fluid) on demand, for every demand occurring over a short period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to analyze fluid degradation in a closed system is disclosed. The method includes collection of a sample fluid from the closed system. The sample fluid collected is maintained at a sample fluid pressure, which is substantially equivalent to a pressure of the closed system. Thereafter, a change of a volume of the sample fluid is caused, which generates a change in the sample fluid pressure. A series of sample fluid pressures and volumes of the sample fluid are taken. Next, a bulk modulus of the sample fluid is determined. The bulk modulus of the sample fluid is compared with a baseline bulk modulus. Lastly, the method involves generation of a communication when the bulk modulus of the sample fluid breaches a tolerance.

Abstract: A fluid heating system may be installed for residential and commercial use, and may deliver fluid at consistent high temperatures for cooking, sterilizing tools or utensils, hot beverages and the like, without a limit on the number of consecutive discharges of fluid. The fluid heating system is installed with a tankless fluid heating that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a drain port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve manifold connected to the at least one heat source, the drain port, and the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve manifold. The valve manifold is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature (including near boiling fluid) on demand, for every demand occurring over a short period of time.

Abstract: An idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine is disclosed. The machine can include an engine operably connected to a drivetrain including ground engaging propulsion members. The drivetrain can be configured to transmit mechanical energy between the engine and the ground engaging propulsion members. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can include a starter operatively associated with the engine and configured to effectuate ignition of the engine. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can further include an idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller electronically and controllably connected to the engine and configured to shut down the engine in an engine shutdown mode.