Abstract: A shale pyrolysis system includes a retort with a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side and the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Corners of the retort that change direction of the shale are rounded. The system includes steam distributors coupled to the first side and collectors coupled to the second side to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale from the first side to the second side, and a steam temperature control subsystem coupled to the steam distributors and configured to deliver higher-temperature steam to one or more upper sections of the retort and lower-temperature steam to one or more lower sections of the retort.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Steam distributors may be coupled to the first side, with collectors coupled to the second side, to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale. A steam temperature control subsystem may be coupled to the steam distributors and may deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.

Abstract: A shale pyrolysis system includes a retort with a first side and a second side. The second side is opposite the first side and the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Corners of the retort that change direction of the shale are rounded. The system includes steam distributors coupled to the first side and collectors coupled to the second side to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale from the first side to the second side, and a steam temperature control subsystem coupled to the steam distributors and configured to deliver higher-temperature steam to one or more upper sections of the retort and lower-temperature steam to one or more lower sections of the retort.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Steam distributors may be coupled to the first side, with collectors coupled to the second side, to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale. A steam temperature control subsystem may be coupled to the steam distributors and may deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer is disclosed, with associated apparatuses. A tractor may include a tractor air duct disposed underneath a cab. The tractor air duct may extend between a front opening at a front of the tractor and a rear opening at a rear of the tractor. A trailer may include a duct system that receives airflow from the rear opening of the tractor air duct and directs the airflow to a location behind a cargo compartment. An air distributor may be disposed behind the cargo compartment. An air distributor may include a fairing with openings, so that airflow from the duct system enters a space between the cargo compartment and the fairing, and exits the openings behind the trailer.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Steam distributors may be coupled to the first side, with collectors coupled to the second side, to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale. A steam temperature control subsystem may be coupled to the steam distributors and may deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort may include a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side and the second side include descending angled surfaces at alternating angles to produce zig-zag motion of shale descending through the retort. Steam distributors may be coupled to the first side, with collectors coupled to the second side, to produce crossflow of steam and heat across the descending shale. A steam temperature control subsystem may be coupled to the steam distributors and may deliver higher-temperature steam to an upper portion of the retort and lower-temperature steam to a lower portion of the retort.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort for shale pyrolysis may include a pyrolysis zone, a combustion zone, and a cool down zone. The pyrolysis zone may include one or more pyrolysis zone heat exchangers that transfer heat from a working fluid to shale for heating and pyrolyzing the shale. The combustion zone may include one or more injectors that inject oxygen to combust coke residue in the pyrolyzed shale. The cool down zone may include one or more cool down zone heat exchangers that cool the shale by transferring heat to the working fluid. In a further embodiment, the working fluid is circulated to heat the pyrolysis zone heat exchangers.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer is disclosed, with associated apparatuses. A tractor may include a tractor air duct disposed underneath a cab. The tractor air duct may extend between a front opening at a front of the tractor and a rear opening at a rear of the tractor. A trailer may include a duct system that receives airflow from the rear opening of the tractor air duct and directs the airflow to a location behind a cargo compartment. An air distributor may be disposed behind the cargo compartment. An air distributor may include a fairing with openings, so that airflow from the duct system enters a space between the cargo compartment and the fairing, and exits the openings behind the trailer.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for shale pyrolysis. A retort for shale pyrolysis may include a pyrolysis zone, a combustion zone, and a cool down zone. The pyrolysis zone may include one or more pyrolysis zone heat exchangers that transfer heat from a working fluid to shale for heating and pyrolyzing the shale. The combustion zone may include one or more injectors that inject oxygen to combust coke residue in the pyrolyzed shale. The cool down zone may include one or more cool down zone heat exchangers that cool the shale by transferring heat to the working fluid. In a further embodiment, the working fluid is circulated to heat the pyrolysis zone heat exchangers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle including a tractor having a lower tractor duct that receives air from the front of the tractor and channels the air through a center area of the tractor and down between a set of rear wheels, a trailer having a lower trailer duct positioned below a cargo space that channels the air in the lower trailer duct between each set of trailer rear wheels and a lower articulation duct positioned near the set of tractor rear wheels that receives air from the lower tractor duct and communicates air to the lower trailer duct. An upper duct channels air through ductwork at the top of the trailer and tractor. A rear trailer louver system enables air in each duct to be channeled and pulled out of each respective duct, reducing drag and eddy currents using the vacuum at the rear of the trailer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle including a tractor having a lower tractor duct that receives air from the front of the tractor and channels the air through a center area of the tractor and down between a set of rear wheels, a trailer having a lower trailer duct positioned below a cargo space that channels the air in the lower trailer duct between each set of trailer rear wheels and a lower articulation duct positioned near the set of tractor rear wheels that receives air from the lower tractor duct and communicates air to the lower trailer duct. An upper duct channels air through ductwork at the top of the trailer and tractor. A rear trailer louver system enables air in each duct to be channeled and pulled out of each respective duct, reducing drag and eddy currents using the vacuum at the rear of the trailer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tractor-trailer including a tractor having a lower tractor duct that receives first air from a front of the tractor and channels the first air through a center area of the tractor and down between a set of rear wheels, a trailer having a lower trailer duct positioned below a cargo space and that channels the first air in the lower trailer duct between each set of trailer rear wheels and a lower articulation duct positioned near the set of rear wheels in the tractor that receives air from the lower tractor duct and communicates air to the lower trailer duct. An upper duct is also provided with an articulation duct that channels air through a ductwork at the top of the trailer and tractor. A louver system at the rear of the trailer enables the air in each duct to be channeled and pulled out of the respective duct in such a manner as to reduce drag and eddy currents using the vacuum at the rear of the trailer.

Abstract: A system is provided that draws heat from an open-loop engine cycle into a closed-loop working fluid circulatory system that utilizes computer-aided feedback mechanisms. The closed-loop working fluid draws engine heat from multiple sources: exhaust stack gases, the engine block, the engine transmission, and the engine headers and exhaust manifold near the valves. Heat exchangers are arranged in an ascending pattern according to the temperature of the heat at each heat generating location of the open-loop engine cycle. A wankel or similar type engine receives the heated working fluid and rotates a shaft connected to a generator to generate electricity. An electrolysis unit is powered by the generated electricity and separates water into hydrogen and oxygen. A reformation unit receives fuel such as diesel and the generated hydrogen to reform the fuel prior to injection into the engine for combustion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tractor-trailer including a tractor having a lower tractor duct that receives first air from a front of the tractor and channels the first air through a center area of the tractor and down between a set of rear wheels, a trailer having a lower trailer duct positioned below a cargo space and that channels the first air in the lower trailer duct between each set of trailer rear wheels and a lower articulation duct positioned near the set of rear wheels in the tractor that receives air from the lower tractor duct and communicates air to the lower trailer duct. An upper duct is also provided with an articulation duct that channels air through a ductwork at the top of the trailer and tractor. A louver system at the rear of the trailer enables the air in each duct to be channeled and pulled out of the respective duct in such a manner as to reduce drag and eddy currents using the vacuum at the rear of the trailer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tractor-trailer including a tractor having a lower tractor duct that receives first air from a front of the tractor and channels the first air through a center area of the tractor and down between a set of rear wheels, a trailer having a lower trailer duct positioned below a cargo space and that channels the first air in the lower trailer duct between each set of trailer rear wheels and a lower articulation duct positioned near the set of rear wheels in the tractor that receives air from the lower tractor duct and communicates air to the lower trailer duct. An upper duct is also provided with an articulation duct that channels air through a ductwork at the top of the trailer and tractor. A louver system at the rear of the trailer enables the air in each duct to be channeled and pulled out of the respective duct in such a manner as to reduce drag and eddy currents using the vacuum at the rear of the trailer.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable media are disclosed for providing a hydraulic system for a vehicle. The system includes at least one accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid and may also include a flywheel or other storage mechanism for storing energy. Energy may be stored either in one of the accumulators or the flywheel. A control system controls fluid flow to and from the at least one accumulator and, if included, the flow of energy to and from the flywheel such that: in a steady state mode, a first hydraulic pump/motor is energized by an engine to cause hydraulic fluid to flow and actuate a drive line attached to a second hydraulic pump/motor; in a deceleration mode, the second pump/motor is operates as a pump to transfer energy to the at least one flywheel and/or accumulator; and in an acceleration mode, energy is transferred from the at least one flywheel and/or accumulator to the second hydraulic pump/motor to actuate the driveline and accelerate the vehicle.

Abstract: A system is provided that draws heat from an open-loop engine cycle into a closed-loop working fluid circulatory system that utilizes computer-aided feedback mechanisms. The closed-loop working fluid draws engine heat from multiple sources: exhaust stack gases, the engine block, the engine transmission, and the engine headers and exhaust manifold near the valves. Heat exchangers are arranged in an ascending pattern according to the temperature of the heat at each heat generating location of the open-loop engine cycle. A wankel or similar type engine receives the heated working fluid and rotates a shaft connected to a generator to generate electricity. An electrolysis unit is powered by the generated electricity and separates water into hydrogen and oxygen. A reformation unit receives fuel such as diesel and the generated hydrogen to reform the fuel prior to injection into the engine for combustion.

Abstract: A system is provided that draws heat from an open-loop engine cycle into a closed-loop working fluid circulatory system that utilizes computer-aided feedback mechanisms. The closed-loop working fluid draws engine heat from multiple sources: exhaust stack gases, the engine block, the engine transmission, and the engine headers and exhaust manifold near the valves. Heat exchangers are arranged in an ascending pattern according to the temperature of the heat at each heat generating location of the open-loop engine cycle. A wankel or similar type engine receives the heated working fluid and rotates a shaft connected to a generator to generate electricity. An electrolysis unit is powered by the generated electricity and separates water into hydrogen and oxygen. A reformation unit receives fuel such as diesel and the generated hydrogen to reform the fuel prior to injection into the engine for combustion.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable media are disclosed for providing a hydraulic system for a vehicle. The system includes at least one accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid and may also include a flywheel or other storage mechanism for storing energy. Energy may be stored either in one of the accumulators or the flywheel. A control system controls fluid flow to and from the at least one accumulator and, if included, the flow of energy to and from the flywheel such that: in a steady state mode, a first hydraulic pump/motor is energized by an engine to cause hydraulic fluid to flow and actuate a drive line attached to a second hydraulic pump/motor; in a deceleration mode, the second pump/motor is operates as a pump to transfer energy to the at least one flywheel and/or accumulator; and in an acceleration mode, energy is transferred from the at least one flywheel and/or accumulator to the second hydraulic pump/motor to actuate the driveline and accelerate the vehicle.