Abstract: Fuel cell assemblies comprising at least one thermally compensated coolant channel are provided. The thermally compensated coolant channel has a cross-sectional area that decreases in the coolant flow direction along at least a portion of the channel length. In some embodiments, such thermally compensated coolant channels can be used to provide substantially uniform heat flux, and substantially isothermal conditions, in fuel cells operating with substantially uniform current density.

Abstract: A barrier operator feature enhancement device is designed to provide one or more features found in modern barrier operator devices and to incorporate those features into a previously installed barrier operator system. To facilitate ease of use, the barrier operator feature enhancement device can communicate with a large variety of barrier operators. Such communication may be wireless or wired, depending on the communication protocol implemented by a particular previously installed barrier operator. To facilitate the ease of installation, the device is designed to configure itself to operate with the communication protocol of the previously installed barrier operator. Once configured to be able to communicate with the previously installed barrier operator, the feature enhancement device works with the barrier operator to provide one or more additional features to enhance the capabilities of the previously installed barrier operator.

Abstract: A rotary machine, for directing a quantity of fluid from an inlet to an outlet, comprises one or more elliptical or near-elliptical rotors having planetary rotation within a housing. The interior cavity of the housing comprises an inverse apex region that is in contact with the rotor during its rotation. In various embodiments the rotor and housing can be symmetric or asymmetric in cross-section. Features are described that can improve the operation of the machine for various end-use applications. Such features include cut-outs that are fluidly connected to the inlet or outlet ports of the machine, mechanisms for reducing variation in output flow rate from the rotary machine, linings for the interior cavity of the housing, pressure relief mechanisms, dynamic apex seals and other sealing mechanisms.

Abstract: A rotary machine, for directing a quantity of fluid from an inlet to an outlet, comprises one or more elliptical or near-elliptical rotors having planetary rotation within a housing. The interior cavity of the housing comprises an inverse apex region that is in contact with the rotor during its rotation. In various embodiments the rotor and housing can be symmetric or asymmetric in cross-section. Features are described that can improve the operation of the machine for various end-use applications. Such features include cut-outs that are fluidly connected to the inlet or outlet ports of the machine, mechanisms for reducing variation in output flow rate from the rotary machine, linings for the interior cavity of the housing, pressure relief mechanisms, dynamic apex seals and other sealing mechanisms.

Abstract: A barrier operator feature enhancement device is designed to provide one or more features found in modern barrier operator devices and to incorporate those features into a previously installed barrier operator system. To facilitate ease of use, the barrier operator feature enhancement device can communicate with a large variety of barrier operators. Such communication may be wireless or wired, depending on the communication protocol implemented by a particular previously installed barrier operator. To facilitate the ease of installation, the device is designed to configure itself to operate with the communication protocol of the previously installed barrier operator. Once configured to be able to communicate with the previously installed barrier operator, the feature enhancement device works with the barrier operator to provide one or more additional features to enhance the capabilities of the previously installed barrier operator.

Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic apparatus 200 for converting wave energy comprises a pump 201 for pumping a fluid through the apparatus 200. The pump 201 includes a body 202 defining a chamber 203, and a piston 207 that partitions the chamber 203 into a working side 208 and a blind side 209. A buoyant actuator is connected to the piston 207. An inlet 64 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the inlet 64 and into the working side 208 of the chamber 203. An outlet 63 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the working side 208 of the chamber 203 to the outlet 63. A hydraulic controller 102 is operable to control the pump 201 by controlling the pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 so as to optimise the output of the pump 201 in response to tidal variations and/or sea state. The pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 is controlled in accordance with a control algorithm.

Abstract: An electrolyzer or unitized regenerative fuel cell has a flow field with at least one channel, wherein the cross-sectional area of the channel varies along at least a portion of the channel length. In some embodiments the channel width decreases along at least a portion of the length of the channel according to a natural exponential function. The use of this type of improved flow field channel can improve performance and efficiency of operation of the electrolyzer device.

Abstract: Synergistic Energy Ecosystem using a co-generation system and method wherein waste energy from waste heat producers within an enclosure including an electric generator is reclaimed to supply heat to the cold end of a heat pump within the enclosure for optimized use in space heating a habitat and to the management of the distribution of electricity from the generator so as to supply electricity to the habitat and to neighbouring habitats when efficient, cost-effective or required to do so by distribution policies managing the energy eco-system.

Abstract: A grinder for reducing particle size of an organic matter, for example herbs, includes a housing assembly supporting a gauge screen therein to define a cutting chamber thereabove and a receiving chamber therebelow. A plurality of fixed blades are mounted in the cutting chamber in fixed relation to the housing assembly and a plurality of rotating blades rotate relative to the fixed blades to reduce size of the organic matter by cutting, shearing and/or grinding. The gauge screen is replaceable with other screens of different gauge independently of the fixed and rotating blades. The blades are bidirectional and include guide surfaces on the fixed blades which guide material downwardly and into the direction of rotation relative to respective cutting edges of the blades as the rotating blades are rotated relative to the fixed blades in either direction.

Abstract: An electrolyzer or unitized regenerative fuel cell has a flow field with at least one channel, wherein the cross-sectional area of the channel varies along at least a portion of the channel length. In some embodiments the channel width decreases along at least a portion of the length of the channel according to a natural exponential function. The use of this type of improved flow field channel can improve performance and efficiency of operation of the electrolyzer device.

Abstract: Exemplary media content watch list systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a media content watch list subsystem maintaining media content watch list data representing a plurality of media content instances available for experiencing by a user, receiving a request for a media content watch list from a media content access device associated with the user, generating the media content watch list based on the media content watch list data and the request, and transmitting data representative of the media content watch list to the media content access device for presentation to the user. The maintaining of the media content watch list data includes updating the media content watch list data based on at least one predetermined non-watch-list-specific operation performed by the media content access device associated with the user. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Synergistic Energy Ecosystem using a co-generation system and method wherein waste energy from waste heat producers within an enclosure including an electric generator is reclaimed to supply heat to the cold end of a heat pump within the enclosure for optimized use in space heating a habitat and to the management of the distribution of electricity from the generator so as to supply electricity to the habitat and to neighboring habitats when efficient, cost-effective or required to do so by distribution policies managing the energy eco-system.

Abstract: A closed-loop hydraulic apparatus 200 for converting wave energy comprises a pump 201 for pumping a fluid through the apparatus 200. The pump 201 includes a body 202 defining a chamber 203, and a piston 207 that partitions the chamber 203 into a working side 208 and a blind side 209. A buoyant actuator is connected to the piston 207. An inlet 64 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the inlet 64 and into the working side 208 of the chamber 203. An outlet 63 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the working side 208 of the chamber 203 to the outlet 63. A hydraulic controller 102 is operable to control the pump 201 by controlling the pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 so as to optimise the output of the pump 201 in response to tidal variations and/or sea state. The pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 is controlled in accordance with a control algorithm.

Abstract: A power system includes a power semiconductor devices; a control circuit outputting first firing signals each being for a corresponding power semiconductor device, and outputting first activation response signals each being associated with a corresponding power semiconductor device. A first interface circuit cooperates with the control circuit to input a first serial signal and output the first firing signals, and to input the first activation response signals and output a second serial signal. A second interface circuit cooperates with a controller to input the second serial signal, to output to the controller second activation response signals corresponding to the first activation response signals, to input from the controller second firing signals corresponding to the first firing signals, and to output the first serial signal. The controller controls the power semiconductor devices with the second firing signals, and monitors the power semiconductor devices with the second activation response signals.

Abstract: The disclosed concept pertains to systems and methods for improving diagnostics in preventing inverter faults and determining the likelihood or occurrence of inverter faults. The disclosed concept includes employing one or more sensors capable of sensing and measuring one or more of magnetic field, temperature, vibration and humidity of the inverter. The measured values of these parameters are compared to previously obtained values or threshold values to determine whether action is required to preclude an inverter fault or cease operation in response to the occurrence of an inverter fault.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a radial configuration of time based information is displayed by a computing system in a graphical user interface. The radial configuration includes a graphical timeline spirally disposed about at least one axis point in the graphical user interface. In certain examples, the graphical timeline represents a time period and includes a first section representing a first portion and a second section representing a second portion of the time period. In certain other embodiments, a radial configuration of time based information is displayed by a computing system in a graphical user interface. The radial configuration represents a time period and includes a first radial section and a second radial section disposed about an axis point at different radial distances from the axis point. The first radial section represents a first portion and the second radial section represents a second portion of the time period.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for harnessing ocean wave energy, wherein the apparatus relieves excessive loadings on components to avoid damage thereof in adverse wave conditions. The apparatus includes a buoyant actuator and a pump anchored within the body of water. Fluid at high pressure is pumped ashore by the pump, energy is extracted as useful work at an on-shore plant, and the resultant reduced pressure fluid is returned to the offshore pump to be re-energized. The buoyant actuator is operably connected to the pump by tether and is buoyantly suspended within the body of water above the pump. The buoyant actuator is provided with a connector that includes a damping mechanism configured to maintain a substantially rigid connection between the hollow body and the tether until such time as loading therebetween exceeds a prescribed load whereupon the damping mechanism facilitates limited relative movement therebetween to relieve the loading.

Abstract: Novel games, aka, “Wordsmith Wars™”, playable by one or more participants are disclosed comprising individual game modules that have assigned value accruing to the module-winning player(s), as a unique “game platform.” Modules are selected preferably by a chance or random indicator mechanism, such as a chance wheel, cards, dice, spinning globe with indicia, balls that roll into indented platforms out of cages, tubes or boards with indicia, as in Bingo game apparatuses, et al. These modules are collectively arranged or sequenced into game segments before or during the game play with a predetermined content and duration. The modules are thusly unified into a unique, composite, single “Wordsmith Wars™” game, which further may have a common theme(s) associated within the game content modules. As well, letter(s) or word(s), and/or their correct word or phrase positions, in addition to points or money won, may also be won throughout play.

Abstract: An electrolyzer or unitized regenerative fuel cell has a flow field with at least one channel, wherein the cross-sectional area of the channel varies along at least a portion of the channel length. In some embodiments the channel width decreases along at least a portion of the length of the channel according to a natural exponential function. The use of this type of improved flow field channel can improve performance and efficiency of operation of the electrolyzer device.

Abstract: A power system includes a power semiconductor devices; a control circuit outputting first firing signals each being for a corresponding power semiconductor device, and outputting first activation response signals each being associated with a corresponding power semiconductor device. A first interface circuit cooperates with the control circuit to input a first serial signal and output the first firing signals, and to input the first activation response signals and output a second serial signal. A second interface circuit cooperates with a controller to input the second serial signal, to output to the controller second activation response signals corresponding to the first activation response signals, to input from the controller second firing signals corresponding to the first firing signals, and to output the first serial signal. The controller controls the power semiconductor devices with the second firing signals, and monitors the power semiconductor devices with the second activation response signals.