Abstract: A junction box cover assembly for attachment over an opening in an electrical junction box allows for a concealed connection to avoid detracting from the lighting fixture. The assembly includes a cover plate capable of being mounted to a junction box, the cover plate having an opening there through defined by a first threaded collar extending from the cover plate, a hub having a flange radially extending from a periphery of a second threaded collar defining a passage and configured to attach to the first threaded collar of the cover plate, and a circular insert detachably connected within the passage defined by the threaded collar, the circular insert having an opening for passing electrical wiring from the junction box through the passage, out the insert opening and to a light fixture. The cover plate and the radially extending flange somewhat sandwich a surface, such as drywall or wallboard, and the flange is configured to permit covering with spackling paste or joint compound to conceal the flange.

Abstract: A heat exchanger may include a main body with an inlet plenum and an outlet plenum at a first end, and a header at a second end. At least one elongated shaft may extend from the outlet plenum to the header. At least one heat pipe may be coupled to the header and a portion of each heat pipe may be positioned within a corresponding elongated shaft defining an annular space between each heat pipe and each corresponding elongated shaft. A flow skirt may include a manifold located between the inlet plenum and the outlet plenum of the main body. At least one elongated tube may extend from the manifold. Each elongated tube may be positioned within a corresponding annular space between each heat pipe and each corresponding elongated shaft, dividing the annular space into two concentric annular channels comprising an inner annular channel and an outer annular channel.

Abstract: A junction box cover assembly for attachment over an opening in an electrical junction box allows for a concealed connection to avoid detracting from the lighting fixture. The assembly includes a cover plate capable of being mounted to a junction box, the cover plate having an opening there through defined by a first threaded collar extending from the cover plate, a hub having a flange radially extending from a periphery of a second threaded collar defining a passage and configured to attach to the first threaded collar of the cover plate, and a circular insert detachably connected within the passage defined by the threaded collar, the circular insert having an opening for passing electrical wiring from the junction box through the passage, out the insert opening and to a light fixture. The cover plate and the radially extending flange somewhat sandwich a surface, such as drywall or wallboard, and the flange is configured to permit covering with spackling paste or joint compound to conceal the flange.

Abstract: A junction box cover assembly for attachment over an opening in an electrical junction box allows for a concealed connection to avoid detracting from the lighting fixture. The assembly includes a cover plate capable of being mounted to a junction box, the'cover plate having an opening there through defined by a first threaded collar extending from the cover plate, a hub having a flange radially extending from a periphery of a second threaded collar defining a passage and configured to attach to the first threaded collar of the cover plate, and a circular insert detachably connected within the passage defined by the threaded collar, the circular insert having an opening for passing electrical wiring from the junction box through the passage, out the insert opening and to a light fixture. The cover plate and the radially extending flange somewhat sandwich a surface, such as drywall or wallboard, and the flange is configured to permit covering with spackling paste or joint compound to conceal the flange.

Abstract: A heat exchanger may include a main body with an inlet plenum and an outlet plenum at a first end, and a header at a second end. At least one elongated shaft may extend from the outlet plenum to the header. At least one heat pipe may be coupled to the header and a portion of each heat pipe may be positioned within a corresponding elongated shaft defining an annular space between each heat pipe and each corresponding elongated shaft. A flow skirt may include a manifold located between the inlet plenum and the outlet plenum of the main body. At least one elongated tube may extend from the manifold. Each elongated tube may be positioned within a corresponding annular space between each heat pipe and each corresponding elongated shaft, dividing the annular space into two concentric annular channels comprising an inner annular channel and an outer annular channel.

Abstract: Methods for producing syngas (e.g., H2 and CO) include introducing a stream comprising H2O and CO2 to a high-temperature co-electrolysis (HTCE) unit. A CO2 sweep gas is also introduced to the HTCE unit. Both H2O and CO2 are reduced in the HTCE unit to form the syngas and to form O2 that is swept away from the HTCE unit by the CO2 sweep gas, and the O2 and CO2 are then introduced to a combustion device (e.g., a gasifier), which may be configured to generate electrical power, as a result of combusting a carbonaceous fuel in the presence of the O2 and CO2. The HTCE unit is powered at least in part by power from an electricity-generating sub-system (e.g., at least one nuclear power plant). Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Energy storage systems include a heat source and a thermal energy storage system to store thermal energy produced by the heat source. The thermal energy storage system includes a first tank containing a first salt having a first melting temperature and a second tank containing a second salt having a second melting temperature. At least one input conduit is configured for transferring thermal energy from the heat source to the first tank and second tank. A first output conduit is in thermal communication with the first tank. A second output conduit is in thermal communication with the second tank. Additional energy storage systems include a heat booster positioned and configured to add thermal energy to a heated heat transfer fluid prior to reaching a tank containing at least one thermal storage material. Methods include transferring thermal energy from a thermal energy source to a plurality of thermal energy storage tanks.

Abstract: A junction box cover assembly for attachment over an opening in an electrical junction box allows for a concealed connection to avoid detracting from the lighting fixture. The assembly includes a cover plate capable of being mounted to a junction box, the'cover plate having an opening there through defined by a first threaded collar extending from the cover plate, a hub having a flange radially extending from a periphery of a second threaded collar defining a passage and configured to attach to the first threaded collar of the cover plate, and a circular insert detachably connected within the passage defined by the threaded collar, the circular insert having an opening for passing electrical wiring from the junction box through the passage, out the insert opening and to a light fixture. The cover plate and the radially extending flange somewhat sandwich a surface, such as drywall or wallboard, and the flange is configured to permit covering with spackling paste or joint compound to conceal the flange.

Abstract: An angled connector which allows connection between two LED lighting strips without the creation of an undesirable dark gap at connecting corners. The angled connector has a plurality of terminal pairs arranged such that when two LED light strips are connected, a distance between an end LED on one strip and an end LED on the other strip is approximately the same as a distance between adjacent equally-spaced LEDs on surfaces of the two strips. Used in a lighting fixture, a non-linear light source is retained within a housing having an opening through which light from LEDs can be directed. At least first and second adjacent LED light strips are connected at an angle to one another and a distance between end LEDs is approximately the same as a distance between equally-spaced LEDs on the surface of both the first and second LED strips. This configuration eliminates dark gaps at the corners of the fixture.

Abstract: An angled connector which allows connection between two LED lighting strips without the creation of an undesirable dark gap at connecting corners. The angled connector has a plurality of terminal pairs arranged such that when two LED light strips are connected, a distance between an end LED on one strip and an end LED on the other strip is approximately the same as a distance between adjacent equally-spaced LEDs on surfaces of the two strips. Used in a lighting fixture, a non-linear light source is retained within a housing having an opening through which light from LEDs can be directed. At least first and second adjacent LED light strips are connected at an angle to one another and a distance between end LEDs is approximately the same as a distance between equally-spaced LEDs on the surface of both the first and second LED strips. This configuration eliminates dark gaps at the corners of the fixture.

Abstract: An angled connector which allows connection between two LED lighting strips without the creation of an undesirable dark gap at connecting corners. The angled connector has a plurality of terminal pairs arranged such that when two LED light strips are connected, a distance between an end LED on one strip and an end LED on the other strip is approximately the same as a distance between adjacent equally-spaced LEDs on surfaces of the two strips. Used in a lighting fixture, a non-linear light source is retained within a housing having an opening through which light from LEDs can be directed. At least first and second adjacent LED light strips are connected at an angle to one another and a distance between end LEDs is approximately the same as a distance between equally-spaced LEDs on the surface of both the first and second LED strips. This configuration eliminates dark gaps at the corners of the fixture.

Abstract: Methods for producing syngas (e.g., H2 and CO) include introducing a stream comprising H2O and CO2 to a high-temperature co-electrolysis (HTCE) unit. A CO2 sweep gas is also introduced to the HTCE unit. Both H2O and CO2 are reduced in the HTCE unit to form the syngas and to form O2 that is swept away from the HTCE unit by the CO2 sweep gas, and the O2 and CO2 are then introduced to a combustion device (e.g., a gasifier), which may be configured to generate electrical power, as a result of combusting a carbonaceous fuel in the presence of the O2 and CO2. The HTCE unit is powered at least in part by power from an electricity-generating sub-system (e.g., at least one nuclear power plant). Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Energy storage systems include a heat source and a thermal energy storage system to store thermal energy produced by the heat source. The thermal energy storage system includes a first tank containing a first salt having a first melting temperature and a second tank containing a second salt having a second melting temperature. At least one input conduit is configured for transferring thermal energy from the heat source to the first tank and second tank. A first output conduit is in thermal communication with the first tank. A second output conduit is in thermal communication with the second tank. Additional energy storage systems include a heat booster positioned and configured to add thermal energy to a heated heat transfer fluid prior to reaching a tank containing at least one thermal storage material. Methods include transferring thermal energy from a thermal energy source to a plurality of thermal energy storage tanks.

Abstract: A lighting system having a light element, a first connector, a second connector and an electrically coupled power source is described. The light element has a light source, a surface for emitting light. The first connector is fixed to an end of the light element and includes a cylindrical housing defining a cylindrical cavity, the cylindrical cavity having a plug positioned therein, the plug being electrically coupled to the light source within the light element, while the second connector couples to the first connector and has an outer housing and a cylindrical cavity defined therein. The first cylindrical housing is configured to frictionally engage an inner wall of the second cylindrical cavity when connected.

Abstract: A lighting system having a light element, a first connector, a second connector and an electrically coupled power source is described. The light element has a light source, a surface for emitting light. The first connector is fixed to an end of the light element and includes a cylindrical housing defining a cylindrical cavity, the cylindrical cavity having a plug positioned therein, the plug being electrically coupled to the light source within the light element, while the second connector couples to the first connector and has an outer housing and a cylindrical cavity defined therein. The first cylindrical housing is configured to frictionally engage an inner wall of the second cylindrical cavity when connected.

Abstract: A beverage holder attachment securable to a boat seat is provided. The beverage holder attachment includes (1) a flat plate having a length greater than its width, (2) at least one fastener opening adjacent a first end, each sized for a fastener to secure to the boat seat, (3) a cylinder attached via its base end, having diameter suitable for a specified size beverage container, (4) a hole centered within the base end to provide drainage, having diameter less than the cylinder diameter, and (5) first and second flection lines parallel each other extending across the width of the flat plate, providing for bending at the first and second flection lines to situate the base end of the cylinder offset from the flat plate via the specified distance, wherein the beverage holder attachment is securable to an underside of the boat seat to provide for placement of a beverage within the cylinder.