Abstract: A smart susceptor assembly including an electromagnetic flux source such as one or more inductors, a geometrically complex-shaped susceptor having one or more contours, and a cladding on or over the susceptor. The cladding can alter both the thermal performance and the electrical operation of the smart susceptor assembly. With regard to thermal performance, the cladding can function as a passive heat exchanger to dissipate thermal energy across the surface of the susceptor. With regard to electrical operation, the cladding can provide a current path after portions of the susceptor heat and become low or non-magnetic.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a system for operation in a generator mode comprises a cryocooler to cool a superconducting coil. The system further comprises a flux pump to provide flux to the superconducting coil. Also, the system comprises a shaft of a prime mover to receive torque to rotate a rotor. In addition, the system comprises the superconducting coil to electrically interact with a main stator coil through a rotating magnetic field. Further, the system comprises a control stator coil to receive a current from a controller and to electrically interact with a non-superconducting coil. In one or more embodiments, a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of rotating magnetic fields of the superconducting coil and the non-superconducting coil is varied in comparison to a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of the magnetic field produced by the superconducting coil alone to control a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of an output voltage.

Abstract: A system for operation in a motor mode comprises a cryocooler to cool a superconducting coil of a rotor. The system further comprises a flux pump to provide flux to the superconducting coil to produce-a persistent current. Also, the system comprises a main stator coil. An alternating current within the main stator coil generates a rotating magnetic field, which interacts with the persistent current to generate an electromagnetic torque to rotate the rotor. The system also comprises a control stator coil to generate a current at a non-superconducting coil of the rotor. In one or more embodiments, a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of the rotating magnetic field of the main stator coil and a magnetic field of the non-superconducting coil is varied in comparison a magnitude, phase, and/or frequency of the rotating magnetic field produced by the main stator coil alone to control a speed of the rotor.

Abstract: A system for acoustically detecting dielectric breakdown of, or partial discharge within, or on, an electrical device includes at least one electroacoustic (EA) transducer configured to detect an acoustic vibration of the electrical device, and a controller electrically connected to the at least one EA transducer. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the at least one EA transducer, and analyze the signal to determine whether the signal includes data associated with an acoustic vibration in a frequency range of dielectric breakdown and/or partial discharge of the electrical device. The applicability of such a system includes, but is not limited to, electronic parts or assembly screening, life characterization testing for materials and processes, diagnostic methods or aides, augmenting testing of components, assemblies or systems, and in service monitoring to support preventative or condition based maintenance to avert an in-service issues.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an additively manufactured component include an additive manufacturing head configured to form a component layer-by-layer, and an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) configured to inspect one or more layers of the component.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are described for a flywheel system incorporating a rotor made from a high-strength material in an open-core flywheel architecture with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology to achieve the desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices, to obtain superior results and performance, and that eliminates the material growth-matching problem and obviates radial growth and bending mode issues that otherwise occur at various high frequencies and speeds.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for molding systems that have a low thermal mass. One embodiment is a first tool that includes a first frame. The first frame includes a first set of plates of magnetically permeable material, and a material disposed between plates of the first set. The first tool also includes a first set of induction coils that are disposed within the first frame and that generate a first electromagnetic field, and a first susceptor that extends from the first set of plates. The first susceptor generates heat in response to the first electromagnetic field. The first tool further includes a mold that extends from the first susceptor and receives heat via conductive heat transfer from the first susceptor. Each plate of the first set is thinner than a skin depth at which the first electromagnetic field would generate an electrical induction current.

Abstract: A scramjet includes a converging inlet, a combustor configured to introduce a fuel stream into an air stream in a combustion chamber and to combust the fuel air mixture stream to create an exhaust stream, and a diverging exit nozzle configured to accelerate the exhaust stream. The combustor includes a fuel injection system including at least one arcjet. A method of creating thrust for an aircraft includes compressing a supersonic incoming air stream in a converging inlet, injecting a fuel stream into the air stream in a combustion chamber to create a fuel air mixture stream, igniting the fuel air mixture stream to create an exhaust stream, and exhausting the exhaust stream from a diverging exit nozzle. The injecting the fuel stream into the air stream includes injecting the fuel stream at a fuel speed sufficient to create shear between the fuel stream and the air stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic field compression includes a plurality of tubes of different dimensions. Each smaller tube extends within a larger tube and each tube includes an electrically conductive material for generating a magnetic field in response to electric current flowing in the conductive material. A longitudinal slot is formed in each tube. The longitudinal slot in each tube is aligned to form an aperture in which the magnetic field is compressed or has a highest magnetic flux in the aperture in response to the electric current flowing in the conductive material of each tube.

Abstract: A system for generating an energy beam based laser includes an apparatus for receiving an energy beam and for generating an energy beam based laser. The apparatus is configurable or controllable for tuning an output wavelength of the laser generated by the apparatus using the energy beam. The apparatus includes a first component for producing a first magnetic field oriented in a first direction and a second component for producing a second magnetic field oriented in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. A channel through the apparatus is defined by the first component and the second component through which the energy beam passes to generate the laser at an output of the apparatus. The apparatus is configurable or controllable for modifying at least one of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field for tuning the output wavelength of the laser.

Abstract: A smart susceptor assembly includes a plurality of susceptor elements and a plurality of conductor elements. Each susceptor element can be paired with one conductor element to form a susceptor tab. When exposed to a magnetic flux field, the plurality of susceptor elements heat to a leveling temperature. During the heating, the plurality of conductor elements alter both a thermal performance and an electrical operation of the smart susceptor assembly and, more particularly, the susceptor elements. Various configurations of the susceptor elements and conductor elements are described.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic field compression includes a toroid and a plurality of separate coils wound around the toroid. The coils are spaced about a circumference of the toroid and each coil generates a magnetic field in response to electric current flowing in the coil. The toroid and a group of the coils each include a size that respectively gradually decreases over a predetermined portion of the toroid. The magnetic field is compressed or has a highest magnetic flux density proximate a central region of the coils around the toroid.

Abstract: Magnetic fiber structures include a fiber and a plurality of permanent magnet particles carried by the fiber.

Abstract: A system for generating an energy beam based laser includes an apparatus for receiving an energy beam and for generating an energy beam based laser. The apparatus is configurable or controllable for tuning an output wavelength of the laser generated by the apparatus using the energy beam. The apparatus includes a first component for producing a first magnetic field oriented in a first direction and a second component for producing a second magnetic field oriented in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. A channel through the apparatus is defined by the first component and the second component through which the energy beam passes to generate the laser at an output of the apparatus. The apparatus is configurable or controllable for modifying at least one of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field for tuning the output wavelength of the laser.

Abstract: A rotating machine is disclosed and includes a stator defining a circumference, a plurality of first magnet arrays, a rotor, and a first piston. The first magnet arrays are comprised of a plurality of discrete magnets arranged around the circumference of the stator in a first magnetic pattern. The rotor is rotatable about an axis of rotation and defines a main body. The main body defines a first passageway. The first piston includes a plurality of first magnetic elements and is actuated within the first passageway of the rotor. The plurality of discrete magnets are arranged in the first magnetic pattern and are positioned to interact with the magnetic elements of the first piston to create a first magnetic force as the rotor rotates about the axis of rotation. The first magnetic force represents a first amount of force required to actuate the first piston.

Abstract: A honeycomb thermal insulation structure may comprise a first facesheet, a second facesheet, and a honeycomb core between the first facesheet and the second facesheet. The honeycomb core may include a plurality of honeycomb unit cells each composed of walls having a height and spaced by a distance. The walls of the honeycomb cells may have perforations. The honeycomb thermal insulation structure may further comprise a non-convective gas loaded in the honeycomb unit cells between the walls. A flow of the gas through the perforations may be substantially absent.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first electrode exhibiting a first Seebeck coefficient, a second electrode exhibiting a second Seebeck coefficient greater than the first Seebeck coefficient, and particles between the first and second electrodes exhibiting a third Seebeck coefficient between the first and second Seebeck coefficients. An alternating current power supply is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes. Heat is generated due to the Peltier effect at a junction between the first electrode and the particles and at a junction between the second electrode and the particles. Heat is removed due to the Peltier effect at the junction between the first electrode and the particles and at the junction between the second electrode and the particles. The particles are densified due to heating and cooling phase transitions between a higher-temperature solid phase and a lower-temperature solid phase while compressing the particles.

Abstract: Provided is a low-weight, high-efficiency inductor design for use with or in electrical power equipment, such as inverters. A toroidal power inductor includes a support structure comprising an outer shell, an inner shell, and one or more coolant channels formed therebetween, a plurality of conductors wrapped around and supported by an exterior surface of the outer shell, and an interior cavity substantially enclosed by the inner shell of the toroidal support structure. The plurality of conductors are configured to provide an inductance for the toroidal power inductor, and the one or more coolant channels are distributed beneath the exterior surface of the outer shell to cool the plurality of conductors. An air-core power inductor may implement the conductors using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes cooled by cryogenic fluid flowing within the coolant channels.

Abstract: A method includes a first electrode exhibiting a first Seebeck coefficient, a second electrode exhibiting a second Seebeck coefficient greater than the first Seebeck coefficient, and particles between the first and second electrodes exhibiting a third Seebeck coefficient between the first and second Seebeck coefficients. Heat is generated due to the Peltier effect at a junction between the first electrode and the particles and at a junction between the second electrode and the particles. Heat is removed due to the Peltier effect at the junction between the first electrode and the particles and at the junction between the second electrode and the particles. The particles are densified due to heating and cooling phase transitions between a higher-temperature solid phase and a lower-temperature solid phase while compressing the particles. An apparatus includes the first and second electrodes and an alternating current power supply electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A smart susceptor assembly includes a plurality of susceptor elements and a plurality of conductor elements. Each susceptor element can be paired with one conductor element to form a susceptor tab. When exposed to a magnetic flux field, the plurality of susceptor elements heat to a leveling temperature. During the heating, the plurality of conductor elements alter both a thermal performance and an electrical operation of the smart susceptor assembly and, more particularly, the susceptor elements. Various configurations of the susceptor elements and conductor elements are described.