Abstract: An energy storage system is disclosed. The energy storage system includes a turbo train drive, a hot heat sink, and a reservoir. The turbo train drive is in mechanical communication with a compressor and an expander. The hot heat sink is in thermal communication between an output of the compressor and an input of the expander. The reservoir is in thermal communication between an output of the expander and an input of the compressor. The compressor and the expander, via the turbo train drive, are operable between a charging function for charging the hot heat sink and a discharging function for discharging the hot heat sink.

Abstract: A heat sink vessel is disclosed herein. The heat sink vessel includes a body and one or more heating media. The body defines an inner volume. The body includes an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion. The upper portion has a conical entrance for incoming flow of fluid. The middle portion has a first side and a second side. The middle portion interfaces with the upper portion of the first side. The lower portion interfaces with the middle portion on the second side. The lower portion includes an inverted perforated conical liner and a perforated plate. The inverted perforated conical liner and the perforated plate control the flow of fluid exiting the vessel. The one or more heating media is disposed in the inner volume. The one or more heating media is configured to store heat during processing.

Abstract: An energy storage system is disclosed. The energy storage system includes a turbo train drive, a hot heat sink, and a reservoir. The turbo train drive is in mechanical communication with a compressor and an expander. The hot heat sink is in thermal communication between an output of the compressor and an input of the expander. The reservoir is in thermal communication between an output of the expander and an input of the compressor. The compressor and the expander, via the turbo train drive, are operable between a charging function for charging the hot heat sink and a discharging function for discharging the hot heat sink.

Abstract: An energy storage system is disclosed. The energy storage system includes a turbo train drive, a hot heat sink, and a reservoir. The turbo train drive is in mechanical communication with a compressor and an expander. The hot heat sink is in thermal communication between an output of the compressor and an input of the expander. The reservoir is in thermal communication between an output of the expander and an input of the compressor. The compressor and the expander, via the turbo train drive, are operable between a charging function for charging the hot heat sink and a discharging function for discharging the hot heat sink.

Abstract: An energy storage system is disclosed. The energy storage system includes a turbo train drive, a hot heat sink, and a reservoir. The turbo train drive is in mechanical communication with a compressor and an expander. The hot heat sink is in thermal communication between an output of the compressor and an input of the expander. The reservoir is in thermal communication between an output of the expander and an input of the compressor. The compressor and the expander, via the turbo train drive, are operable between a charging function for charging the hot heat sink and a discharging function for discharging the hot heat sink.

Abstract: A heat sink vessel is disclosed herein. The heat sink vessel includes a body and one or more heating media. The body defines an inner volume. The body includes an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion. The upper portion has a conical entrance for incoming flow of fluid. The middle portion has a first side and a second side. The middle portion interfaces with the upper portion of the first side. The lower portion interfaces with the middle portion on the second side. The lower portion includes an inverted perforated conical liner and a perforated plate. The inverted perforated conical liner and the perforated plate control the flow of fluid exiting the vessel. The one or more heating media is disposed in the inner volume. The one or more heating media is configured to store heat during processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a shrouded fluid turbine that generates large wake expansion to generate power coefficients greater than the Betz power coefficient of 16/27 based on maximum system area. The Virtual Diffuser Wind Turbine (VDWT) system operates differently with, and without power extraction. With power extraction the VDWT system includes a high rotor thrust coefficient combined with an annular shroud system that uses bypass flow to form an annular, high-energy bypass flow stream that flows outward at the exit plane of the VDWT generating an observable virtual diffuser downstream therefrom. This outward, high-energy flow reduces exit plane pressure generating large wake expansions. The large wake expansion increases the flow rate through the rotor. Without rotor power extraction, separation takes place which reduces some of aerodynamic loads on the VDWT at extreme winds.

Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to fluid turbines that include a turbine shroud, a rotor and an ejector shroud. The turbine shroud includes an inlet, an outlet, a leading edge and a trialing edge. The leading edge of the turbine shroud can be round and the trialing edge of the turbine shroud can include linear faceted segments. The rotor can be disposed within the turbine shroud and can define a rotor plane. The turbine shroud can provide a first portion of a fluid stream to the rotor plane via the inlet of the turbine shroud. The ejector shroud can provide a second portion of the fluid stream to the outlet of the turbine shroud via an open area. An example method of operating a fluid turbine is also provided.

Abstract: A shrouded fluid turbine includes a ringed airfoil having a leading edge, a trailing edge, an outer surface, an inner surface, and a body extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The shrouded turbine further includes a rotor surrounded by the ringed airfoil. The rotor is disposed downstream of the leading edge and about a central axis of the fluid turbine. The shrouded turbine further includes an aperture extending through the body of the ringed airfoil between the outer surface and the inner surface. The aperture is configured to mix a first fluid flow adjacent to the outer surface of the ringed airfoil and a second fluid flow downstream of the rotor.

Abstract: A ring airfoil with a voluminous leading edge region, an intermediate region, a trailing edge region including a flap. The ringed structural leading edge region combined with a rigid trailing edge region having intermediate discrete support portions extending therebetween provides sufficient rigidity to support the flap on the trailing edge region while using a membrane intermediate surface to form a portion of the intermediate region of the airfoil.

Abstract: Example embodiments described herein relate an integral and/or multi-piece airfoil and a shrouded fluid turbine having the same. The airfoil can have a generally circumferential body extending circumferentially about a central axis, and can be referred to herein as a “ringed airfoil.” The airfoil can have a front portion defining a leading edge of the airfoil and a rear portion defining a trailing edge of the air foil. A cross-sectional thickness of the front portion can be non-uniform and vary along a mean camber line of the airfoil from the leading edge to a transition area. A cross-sectional thickness of the rear portion can be uniform and constant along the mean camber line of the airfoil from the transition area to the trailing edge of the airfoil.