Abstract: A blade for a propeller including a blade composite structure includes a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) or an Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometric (EFPI) sensor embedded in the blade composite structure. The sensor is configured to receive a signal from a controller operatively connected to the FBG or EFPI sensor, and transmit a signal, responsive to the received signal, to a processor operatively connected to the sensor. The signal response is indicative of a stress measurement indicating a structural characteristic of the blade composite structure. The signal response provides information to determine, based on the signal response, whether the structural characteristic of the blade composite structure is within a predetermined limit indicative of structural integrity of the blade composite structure.

Abstract: A blade for a propeller including a blade composite structure includes a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) or an Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometric (EFPI) sensor embedded in the blade composite structure. The sensor is configured to receive a signal from a controller operatively connected to the FBG or EFPI sensor, and transmit a signal, responsive to the received signal, to a processor operatively connected to the sensor. The signal response is indicative of a stress measurement indicating a structural characteristic of the blade composite structure. The signal response provides information to determine, based on the signal response, whether the structural characteristic of the blade composite structure is within a predetermined limit indicative of structural integrity of the blade composite structure.

Abstract: An energy recovery heat exchanger (100) includes a housing (102). The housing has a first flowpath (144) from a first inlet (104) to a first outlet (106). The housing has a second flowpath (146) from a second inlet (108) to a second outlet (110). Either of two cores may be in an operative position in the housing. Each core has a number of first passageways having open first and second ends and closed first and second sides. Each core has a number of second such passageways interspersed with the first passageways. The ends of the second passageways are aligned with the sides of the first passageways and vice versa. A number of heat transfer member sections separate adjacent ones of the first and second passageways. An actuator is coupled to the carrier to shift the cores between first and second conditions. In the first condition, the first core (20) is in the operative position and the second core (220) is not. In the second condition, the second core is in the operative position and the first core is not.

Abstract: An absorption chiller assembly (20) includes a low-stage generator (42) that utilizes heat from vapor resulting from operation of a high-stage generator (26) and heat from another hot liquid such as coolant fluid associated with a prime mover (22). An example low-stage generator (42) includes an arrangement of conduits for directing flow of the two heat sources through the low-stage generator in a manner that both sources simultaneously interact with a refrigerant solution within the low-stage generator. A disclosed example includes an integrated diverter valve that is preassembled and packaged within an absorption chiller assembly. A disclosed heating mode in one example includes using an absorber (60) and a condenser (56) for heating fluid useful for heating operations.

Abstract: An energy recovery heat exchanger (100) includes a housing (102). The housing has a first flowpath (144) from a first inlet (104) to a first outlet (106). The housing has a second flowpath (146) from a second inlet (108) to a second outlet (110). Either of two cores may be in an operative position in the housing. Each core has a number of first passageways having open first and second ends and closed first and second sides. Each core has a number of second such passageways interspersed with the first passageways. The ends of the second passageways are aligned with the sides of the first passageways and vice versa. A number of heat transfer member sections separate adjacent ones of the first and second passageways. An actuator is coupled to the carrier to shift the cores between first in and second conditions. In the first condition, the first core (20) is in the operative position and the second core (220) is not. In the second condition, the second core is in the operative position and the first core is not.

Abstract: An absorption chiller assembly (20) includes a low-stage generator (42) that utilizes heat from vapor resulting from operation of a high-stage generator (26) and heat from another hot liquid such as coolant fluid associated with a prime mover (22). An example low-stage generator (42) includes an arrangement of conduits for directing flow of the two heat sources through the low-stage generator in a manner that both sources simultaneously interact with a refrigerant solution within the low-stage generator. A disclosed example includes an integrated diverter valve that is preassembled and packaged within an absorption chiller assembly. A disclosed heating mode in one example includes using an absorber (60) and a condenser (56) for heating fluid useful for heating operations.

Abstract: A method that redistributes light from a light source. The controller can redistribute light to make an irradiance profile of the light source more uniform or make the irradiance profile match a fluid flow profile. The irradiance profile may be controlled by modifying light leakage from a plurality of waveguides or changing the light-directing properties of reflectors and/or lenses.

Abstract: A braze-free connector suitable for use in a refrigeration system that includes a connector body having a circular opening passing therethrough. The opening has a converging section that tapers downwardly from the entrance to the opening toward the back of the opening. A ferrule is slidably mounted upon a refrigerant tube which is inserted into the opening to place a tapered collapsible section of the ferrule in contact with the tapered section of the opening. The non-collapsible section of the ferrule is keyed to a nut which in turn is mated with a male thread formed on the connector body whereby the collapsible section of the ferrule is forced into engagement with the refrigerant tube. A pressure sensitive sealant is pre-coated upon at least the collapsible section of the ferrule which is activated as the ferrule is forced into engagement with the refrigerant tube.

Abstract: A concentrated solar energy system includes a photovoltaic cell, an optical concentrator, a heat removal system, and means for providing thermal contact between the photovoltaic cell and the heat removal system. The optical concentrator is configured to direct concentrated solar energy to the photovoltaic cell such that the photovoltaic cell generates electricity and heat. The heat removal system removes heat from the photovoltaic cell. The means for providing thermal contact provides an effective thermal conductivity per unit length between the photovoltaic cell and the heat removal system of greater than about 50 kilowatts per square meter per degree Celsius.

Abstract: A braze-free connector suitable for use in a refrigeration system that includes a connector body having a circular opening passing therethrough. The opening has a converging section that tapers downwardly from the entrance to the opening toward the back of the opening. A ferrule is slidably mounted upon a refrigerant tube which is inserted into the opening to place a tapered collapsible section of the ferrule in contact with the tapered section of the opening. The non-collapsible section of the ferrule is keyed to a nut which in turn is mated with a male thread formed on the connector body whereby the collapsible section of the ferrule is forced into engagement with the refrigerant tube. A pressure sensitive sealant is pre-coated upon at least the collapsible section of the ferrule which is activated as the ferrule is forced into engagement with the refrigerant tube.

Abstract: A system and method that redistributes light from a light source. The controller can redistribute light to make an irradiance profile of the light source more uniform or make the irradiance profile match a fluid flow profile. The irradiance profile may be controlled by modifying light leakage from a plurality of waveguides or changing the light-directing properties of reflectors and/or lenses.

Abstract: A lamp including a reflective portion is utilized in a fluid purification system to maximize the light delivery to a photocatalytic coating that oxidizes gaseous contaminants that adsorb onto the surface to form carbon dioxide, water, and other substances. An ultraviolet light source positioned proximate to the honeycomb activates the titanium dioxide coating. In one example, the reflective portion is a reflective coating. Light directed out of the non-reflective portion of the lamp travels towards the honeycomb and absorbs onto the photocatalytic coating. Light directed towards the reflective portion on the lamp is reflected off the surface of the reflective portion and passes through the non-reflective portion of the lamp to also absorb onto the photocatalytic coating. The reflective portion reflects light towards the honeycomb that would otherwise be misdirected away from the honeycomb, increasing efficiency of the fluid purification system.

Abstract: An air purification including a reaction zone for receiving a volume of air; and an excimer source of ultra-violet radiation adapted to expose the one to the ultra-violet radiation whereby photocatalytic oxidation of compounds in the air is accomplished.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a power harvesting subsystem, a control subsystem, a sensor subsystem and a communication subsystem. Electromechanical systems generate and dissipate multiple forms of waste energy as a by-product of system operation. Waste energy in the system may lead to destructive side effects which adversely affect the life of system elements. The sensor system is powered above a predetermined level and communicates the sensed information to a remote processor for system diagnosis.