Abstract: An air vehicle incorporating a hybrid propulsion system. The system includes a gas turbine engine as a first motive power source, and one or more battery packs as a second motive power source. Through selective coupling to a DC electric motor that can in turn be connected to a bladed rotor or other lift-producing device, the motive sources provide differing ways in which an aircraft can operate. In one example, the gas turbine engine can provide operation for a majority of the flight envelope of the aircraft, while the battery packs can provide operation during such times when gas turbine-based motive power is unavailable or particularly disadvantageous. In another example, both sources of motive power may be decoupled from the bladed rotor such that the vehicle can operate as an autogyro.

Abstract: A vehicle incorporating a hybrid propulsion system. In one form, the vehicle may be an aircraft such that the system includes gas turbine engines as a first motive power source, and one or more battery packs as a second motive power source. Through selective coupling to an electric motor that can in turn be connected to a bladed rotor or other lift-producing device, the motive sources provide differing ways in which an aircraft can operate. In one example, the gas turbine engines can provide operation for a majority of the flight envelope of the aircraft, while the battery packs can provide operation during such times when gas turbine-based motive power is unavailable or particularly disadvantageous. In another example, both sources of motive power may be decoupled from the bladed rotor such that the vehicle can operate as an autogyro.

Abstract: An air vehicle incorporating a hybrid propulsion system. The system includes a gas turbine engine as a first motive power source, and one or more battery packs as a second motive power source. Through selective coupling to a DC electric motor that can in turn be connected to a bladed rotor or other lift-producing device, the motive sources provide differing ways in which an aircraft can operate. In one example, the gas turbine engine can provide operation for a majority of the flight envelope of the aircraft, while the battery packs can provide operation during such times when gas turbine-based motive power is unavailable or particularly disadvantageous. In another example, both sources of motive power may be decoupled from the bladed rotor such that the vehicle can operate as an autogyro.

Abstract: A vehicle incorporating a hybrid propulsion system. In one form, the vehicle may be an aircraft such that the system includes gas turbine engines as a first motive power source, and one or more battery packs as a second motive power source. Through selective coupling to an electric motor that can in turn be connected to a bladed rotor or other lift-producing device, the motive sources provide differing ways in which an aircraft can operate. In one example, the gas turbine engines can provide operation for a majority of the flight envelope of the aircraft, while the battery packs can provide operation during such times when gas turbine-based motive power is unavailable or particularly disadvantageous. In another example, both sources of motive power may be decoupled from the bladed rotor such that the vehicle can operate as an autogyro.

Abstract: An air vehicle incorporating a hybrid propulsion system. The system includes a gas turbine engine as a first motive power source, and one or more battery packs as a second motive power source. Through selective coupling to a DC electric motor that can in turn be connected to a bladed rotor or other lift-producing device, the motive sources provide differing ways in which an aircraft can operate. In one example, the gas turbine engine can provide operation for a majority of the flight envelope of the aircraft, while the battery packs can provide operation during such times when gas turbine-based motive power is unavailable or particularly disadvantageous. In another example, both sources of motive power may be decoupled from the bladed rotor such that the vehicle can operate as an autogyro.

Abstract: Devices and methods for producing purified water. The device includes a reverse osmosis subsystem, a dehumidification subsystem and a purified water storage tank fluidly coupled to the subsystems such that purified water produced by each can be locally stored. A vehicular platform, such as a ship, can be used to locate the device adjacent a supply of saline water and humid air. A saline water inlet, membrane and purified water outlet cooperate in the reverse osmosis subsystem to allow preferential passage of water relative to salt in a saline water supply, while the dehumidification subsystem includes a heat exchanger that extracts moisture from the ambient humid air. Purified water produced by each of the subsystems can be used as a potable water source.

Abstract: Devices and methods for producing purified water. The device includes a reverse osmosis subsystem, a dehumidification subsystem and a purified water storage tank fluidly coupled to the subsystems such that purified water produced by each can be locally stored. A vehicular platform, such as a ship, can be used to locate the device adjacent a supply of saline water and humid air. A saline water inlet, membrane and purified water outlet cooperate in the reverse osmosis subsystem to allow preferential passage of water relative to salt in a saline water supply, while the dehumidification subsystem includes a heat exchanger that extracts moisture from the ambient humid air. Purified water produced by each of the subsystems can be used as a potable water source.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided which includes a primary heat exchanger including heat exchange pipes filled with a phase change material comprising water. The heat exchange pipes are in heat transfer relation with a coolant fluid, which, upon cooling, is transferred to a separate liquid to air heat exchanger for conversion into cool air, for example, for use in air conditioning or refrigeration.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided for use in heating and cooling applications. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange fluid, at least one heating element for heating the heat exchange fluid, and a plurality of heat exchange pipes positioned in the heat exchanger. The heat exchange pipes are filled with an uncrosslinked high density polyethylene phase change material. The heat exchanger may be used in combination with separate shell and tube type heat exchangers to provide residential heating and hot water heating. The heat exchanger may also be used in combination with an absorption air conditioning unit to provide residential cooling.

Abstract: A water heater is provided which includes a heat exchange unit including heat exchange pipes filled with a phase change material. The phase change material has a freezing/melting temperature from about 58° C. to about 62° C. The water heater provides significantly greater thermal energy storage than conventional water heaters, and the excess heating capacity may be used for residential heating applications by using the water heater in combination with a liquid to air heat exchanger.

Abstract: Devices and methods for producing purified water. The device includes a reverse osmosis subsystem, a dehumidification subsystem and a purified water storage tank fluidly coupled to the subsystems such that purified water produced by each can be locally stored. A vehicular platform, such as a ship, can be used to locate the device adjacent a supply of saline water and humid air. A saline water inlet, membrane and purified water outlet cooperate in the reverse osmosis subsystem to allow preferential passage of water relative to salt in a saline water supply, while the dehumidification subsystem includes a heat exchanger that extracts moisture from the ambient humid air. Purified water produced by each of the subsystems can be used as a potable water source.

Abstract: A composition and method of storing and releasing fuel gas such as hydrogen, methane or natural gas is provided which utilizes lightly crosslinked high density polyethylene pellets. Fuel gas is stored by placing the pellets in a reaction chamber which is heated to a temperature slightly above the crystalline melting point of the pellets, followed by the introduction of fuel gas into the chamber. The fuel gas permeates the pellets and becomes contained therein upon cooling of the pellets under pressure. The fuel gas may be stored indefinitely in the pellets at ambient temperature. When release of the fuel gas is desired, the pellets are incrementally metered into a discharge chamber and are heated to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the pellets under a pressure from about 5 to 200 psi such that the fuel gas is released from the pellets for use. The expended pellets may then be recycled for further fuel gas storage.

Abstract: Devices and methods for producing purified water. The device includes a reverse osmosis subsystem, a dehumidification subsystem and a purified water storage tank fluidly coupled to the subsystems such that purified water produced by each can be locally stored. A vehicular platform, such as a ship, can be used to locate the device adjacent a supply of saline water and humid air. A saline water inlet, membrane and purified water outlet cooperate in the reverse osmosis subsystem to allow preferential passage of water relative to salt in a saline water supply, while the dehumidification subsystem includes a heat exchanger that extracts moisture from the ambient humid air. Purified water produced by each of the subsystems can be used as a potable water source.

Abstract: An air vehicle incorporating a hybrid propulsion system. The system includes a gas turbine engine as a first motive power source, and one or more battery packs as a second motive power source. Through selective coupling to a DC electric motor that can in turn be connected to a bladed rotor or other lift-producing device, the motive sources provide differing ways in which an aircraft can operate. In one example, the gas turbine engine can provide operation for a majority of the flight envelope of the aircraft, while the battery packs can provide operation during such times when gas turbine-based motive power is unavailable or particularly disadvantageous. In another example, both sources of motive power may be decoupled from the bladed rotor such that the vehicle can operate as an autogyro.

Abstract: A composition and method of storing and releasing fuel gas such as hydrogen, methane or natural gas is provided which utilizes lightly crosslinked high density polyethylene pellets. Fuel gas is stored by placing the pellets in a reaction chamber which is heated to a temperature slightly above the crystalline melting point of the pellets, followed by the introduction of fuel gas into the chamber. The fuel gas permeates the pellets and becomes contained therein upon cooling of the pellets under pressure. The fuel gas may be stored indefinitely in the pellets at ambient temperature. When release of the fuel gas is desired, the pellets are incrementally metered into a discharge chamber and are heated to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the pellets under a pressure from about 5 to 200 psi such that the fuel gas is released from the pellets for use. The expended pellets may then be recycled for further fuel gas storage.

Abstract: A micropore open cell foam composite and a method for manufacturing a micropore open cell foam composite wherein the micropore open cell foam composites comprise a micropore open cell foam having an open cell content of greater than about 80% volume and an average pore size of about 200 microns or less and a phase change material in the open cell foam in the amount of 80% volume or greater.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water heater which includes a phase change material having a freezing/melting temperature from about 30° C. to about 90° C. The water heater include a source of water, a heating element for heating the water, a heat exchange unit which contains the material, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes positioned in the heat exchange unit, which tubes are in heat transfer relation to the phase change material so that heat stored in the material can be transferred to the water. The phase change material is preferably heated from the top down to accommodate the changes in volume during thermocycling.

Abstract: A micropore open cell foam composite and a method for manufacturing a micropore open cell foam composite wherein the micropore open cell foam composites comprise a micropore open cell foam having an open cell content of greater than about 80% volume and an average pore size of about 200 microns or less and a phase change material in the open cell foam in the amount of 80% volume or greater.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water heater which includes a material having a thermal energy capacity of at least about 25 cal/g and having a freezing/melting temperature from about 20° C. to about 100° C. The water heater include a source of water, a heating element for heating the water, a heat exchange unit which contains the material, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes positioned in the heat exchange unit, which tubes are in heat transfer relation to the material so that heat stored in the material can be transferred to the water.

Abstract: A phase change composition is provided which includes a nucleating agent to reduce supercooling of the composition. The phase change composition may comprise a eutectic mixture of water and sodium chloride. The nucleating agent may comprise calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, or pentaerythritol. The phase change composition may also include silica particles such that it is provided in the form of a gel or powder. The phase change composition may be used in a variety of applications including thermal shipping containers.