Abstract: Inventive systems (e.g., turbines) for harnessing hydroelectric energy are described. The turbines include: (1) a central longitudinal shaft configured to mount and to rotate on a central axis perpendicular to a direction of fluid flow; (2) a plurality of substantially circularly arcing blades designed to couple to the shaft, each of the substantially circularly arcing blades having defined at one end one or more blade apertures; and (3) a fastening sub-assembly including fasteners, the fastening sub-assembly used for coupling the circularly arcing blades to the shaft.

Abstract: A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.

Abstract: Inventive systems (e.g., turbines) for harnessing hydroelectric energy are described. The turbines, includes: (1) a central longitudinal shaft configured to mount and to rotate on a central axis perpendicular to a direction of fluid flow; (2) a plurality of arcing blades coupled with the shaft, the blades extending radially outwardly from the shaft, and the blades including an airfoil cross-section along a substantial length of the blades; and (3) a hydrodynamic cap covering a location where the arcing blades couple with the shaft such that in an operating state of the turbine, presence of the hydrodynamic cap reduces an amount of bypass area, which is area outside a region that is swept by the arcing blades.

Abstract: A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.

Abstract: A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.

Abstract: A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.

Abstract: A helical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce work or electricity. The twisted blades of the turbine define a right circular cylinder when the shaft mounting them rotates under the influence of fluid flow through the pipe. In one embodiment, baffles are provided at least upstream of the cylindrical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the cylindrical turbine. The twisted blades of the helical turbine are airfoil in cross section, as are the radial struts or spokes that mount the twisted blades to the rotatable shaft, thereby to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.

Abstract: Flexible composites which are ballistic and stab resistant. The composites are formed from at least one, and preferably a plurality of, fibrous layer comprising a network of high tenacity fibers. A stack of a plurality of fibrous layers is consolidated in a desired pattern over a substantial portion of its surface area which results in areas which are consolidated and areas that are unconsolidated. The unconsolidated areas provide flexibility to the overall composite structure and the structure is resistant to ballistic projectiles and/or sharp objects. Body armor formed from the composites is comfortable to wear and reduces the degree of trauma to the wearer as a result of impact by the ballistic projectile or sharp object.

Abstract: Barrier units and articles made therefrom, particularly constraining bands of high strength and low weight for containing articles, especially in blast resistant container assemblies, are disclosed. The barrier unit comprises a surface having a regular polygonal perimeter with a plurality of substantially parallel sides, each of which terminates in at least one loop integral with the surface. The surface comprises at least one network of high strength fiber with at least about 50 weight percent of the fiber comprising substantially contianuous lengths of fiber aligned in the hoop direction of the loops. The barrier units have utility as constraining bands for loads of articles like logs, and as doors/closures for access openings to the interior of aircraft blast resistant cargo containers. They are also useful as fences and window protectors.

Abstract: Barrier units and articles made therefrom, particularly constraining bands of high strength and low weight for containing articles, especially in blast resistant container assemblies, are disclosed. The barrier unit comprises a surface having a regular polygonal perimeter with a plurality of substantially parallel sides, each of which terminates in at least one loop integral with the surface. The surface comprises at least one network of high strength fiber with at least about 50 weight percent of the fiber comprising substantially continuous lengths of fiber aligned in the hoop direction of the loops. The barrier units have utility as constraining bands for loads of articles like logs, and as doors/closures for access openings to the interior of aircraft blast resistant cargo containers. They are also useful as fences and window protectors.

Abstract: Blast resistant and blast directing container assemblies for receiving explosive articles and preventing or minimizing damage in the event of an explosion. The container assembly comprises a container of blast resistant material and a blast mitigating material located within the container. The container is collapsible for storage when empty. The container assemblies have utility in aircraft, where weight is an important consideration, as cargo holders or containment devices in the passenger cabin. They also are useful as transport devices for hazardous materials such as gunpowder and explosives, e.g., bombs and grenades.

Abstract: A method for depositing an encapsulation layer onto a surface of polymeric fibers and ballistic resistant fabrics. More particularly, the atomic layer deposition of materials onto non-semiconductive polymeric fibers and fabrics, and to fabrics having an conformal encapsulation layer that has been applied by atomic layer deposition.

Abstract: Flexible composites which are ballistic and stab resistant. The composites are formed from at least one, and preferably a plurality of, fibrous layer comprising a network of high tenacity fibers. A stack of a plurality of fibrous layers is consolidated in a desired pattern over a substantial portion of its surface area which results in areas which are consolidated and areas that are unconsolidated. The unconsolidated areas provide flexibility to the overall composite structure and the structure is resistant to ballistic projectiles and/or sharp objects. Body armor formed from the composites is comfortable to wear and reduces the degree of trauma to the wearer as a result of impact by the ballistic projectile or sharp object.

Abstract: A composite having a plurality of filaments arranged in a fibrous web that is held together in a unitary structure by a domain matrix. The domain matrix comprises a plurality of matrix islands that individually connect, or bond, at least two filaments, to thereby hold the filaments in a unitary structure. Portions of the filament lengths within the unitary structure are free of matrix islands, causing the domain matrix to be discontinuous. The composite possesses a greater flexibility than coated structures. The composite may be formed into cross-plied structures. A method of making the composite also is disclosed.

Abstract: Barrier units and articles made therefrom, particularly constraining bands of high strength and low weight for containing articles, especially in blast resistant container assemblies, are disclosed. The barrier unit comprises a surface having a regular polygonal perimeter with a plurality of substantially parallel sides, each of which terminates in at least one loop integral with the surface. The surface comprises at least one network of high strength fiber with at least about 50 weight percent of the fiber comprising substantially contianuous lengths of fiber aligned in the hoop direction of the loops. The barrier units have utility as constraining bands for loads of articles like logs, and as doors/closures for access openings to the interior of aircraft blast resistant cargo containers. They are also useful as fences and window protectors.

Abstract: Improved blast resistant container assemblies and processes for their formation using a special band-winding technique around the corner areas of each band. High performance fibrous materials are continuously wound around a mandrel having edges that meet at indented corner areas, to create a multilayered rectangular band. These indented corner areas have a small radius of curvature to reduce the stress concentration and avoid excessive bending of the band material during winding. This winding procedure gives a slack for the internal band layers at the corners that is not provided using the conventional straight winding technique, achieving a uniform tension of the inner and outer band layers upon an explosion and minimizing blast related damage.

Abstract: A reactive turbine, each blade of which approximates a helical shape that is constructed with readily available conventional manufacturing techniques. The blades are constructed in discrete straight sections that, when joined, approximate a helix or any other efficient turbine shape. Each section is manufactured with the well known and readily available machine shop techniques of shaping, forming, and joining with welds or fasteners.

Abstract: Blast resistant and blast directing containers, as well as doors and closures therefor, for receiving explosive articles and preventing or minimizing damage in the event of an explosion. The container comprises at least three nested bands of material wherein the bands are oriented relative to one another to substantially enclose a volume and to form a container wall having a thickness substantially equivalent to the sum of the thicknesses of at least two of the bands. The containers have utility as cargo holders, particularly in aircraft where weight is an important consideration, and as transport devices for hazardous materials such as gunpowder and explosives, e.g., bombs and grenades.

Abstract: A reactive turbine, each blade of which approximates a helical shape that is constructed with readily available conventional manufacturing techniques. The blades are constructed in discrete straight sections that, when joined, approximate a helix or any other efficient turbine shape. Each section is manufactured with the well known and readily available machine shop techniques of shaping, forming, and joining with welds or fasteners.

Abstract: Fiber spinning of two polymer compositions wherein one of the compositions contains carbon nanotubes produces structures such as fibers, ribbons, yarns and films of carbon nanotubes. The polymers are removed and stabilization of the carbon nanotube material is achieved by post-spinning processes. The advances disclosed herein enable the carbon nanotube composites to be used in actuators, supercapacitors, friction materials and in devices for electrical energy harvesting.