Abstract: A hybrid insulation product and related method for making the insulation product. The insulation product includes one or more feedstock components that may include one or more cellulosic feedstock components, wherein a first portion of the one or more feedstock components is treated with wet fire retardancy material, and a second portion of the one or more feedstock components is treated with dry fire retardancy material. The one or more feedstock components may include in addition to one or more cellulose feedstocks. one or more agricultural fiber sources.

Abstract: A cellulose precursor material for making cellulose-based products including cellulose insulation. The cellulose precursor material for insulation includes a plurality of fibers, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of fibers are cellulose fibers and a binder that joins the fibers together while the precursor material is transported while also allowing at least a portion of the plurality of fibers to be separated from each other to form cellulose insulation. The cellulose insulation may be made at a remote location and the use of the precursor material reduces insulation transportation costs. An apparatus and method for making the insulation from the precursor material are disclosed. An apparatus and method for making the precursor material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making cellulose-based fire resistant insulation. The insulation includes a plurality of superstructures that establish voids in the insulation. The insulation may be blown in place while the superstructures maintain the void portion of the insulation. The insulation is made with fiber residuals, either alone or in combination with other cellulosic materials. The method of making the insulation includes the steps of treating the cellulosic materials with a fire retardancy chemical or chemicals and creating bonds between the fibers to form the superstructures.

Abstract: A cellulose-based fire resistant insulation and related method for making the same. The insulation includes a plurality of superstructures that establish voids in the insulation. The insulation may be blown in place while the superstructures maintain the void portion of the insulation. The insulation is made with fiber residuals, either alone or in combination with other cellulosic materials. The method of making the insulation includes the steps of treating the cellulosic materials with a fire retardancy chemical or chemicals and creating bonds between the fibers to form the superstructures.

Abstract: Methods for making fire retardant material including fire retardant cellulosic insulation are described. The methods include arrangements for partitioning fibers derived from fiber feedstocks and adding at least a portion of fibers of one or more feedstocks and a fire retardancy chemical compound to a mixer prior to fiber drying. The fibers may be disentangled and/or partitioned prior to mixing with the fire retardancy chemical compound. The fibers may be partially dewatered prior to the drying or other steps of the methods. The feedstock may include old newsprint (ONP), old corrugated containers (OCC), and/or other cellulose-based materials. The method further includes retaining the fibers feedstock and the chemical compound together for enough time to ensure adherence and impregnation of enough of the chemical to and in the fibers after the drying process. Fibers may be partitioned and disentangled prior to, during, and/or after treatment with the fire retardancy compound.

Abstract: An insulation composition including a biomass-derived polymer, a cellulose component, and a fire retardant applied to at least a portion of either or both of the biomass-derived polymer and the cellulose component. The biomass-derived polymer may be used to bind the cellulose component. The cellulose component may be fibers, cellulose dust, nanocrystalline structure, or a combination. The insulation composition may be formed into batts, assemblies, or boards. The insulation composition may be processed in the field by shredding to form loose fill insulation. The composition may be treated with one or more additives, including an expansion component selected to reduce the density of the composition.

Abstract: A cellulose-based laminate product including a first skin, a second skin, and a mat matrix positioned between the first skin and the second skin. The mat matrix includes a plurality of cellulosic fibers formed into agglomerations with voids contained therebetween. The plurality of cellulosic fibers may be Short Fiber Residuals alone or in combination with other fibers, including flexible organic fibers and nanocellulose fibers. The mat matrix may be formed in place between the first and second skins. The first and second skins may be treated for moisture resistance. The laminate product of the present invention can be used to provide thermal and/or impact insulation for a wide array of applications.

Abstract: A method for making fire retardant material including fire retardant cellulosic insulation. The method includes an arrangement for adding fibers of one or more feedstocks and a fire retardancy chemical compound to a mixer prior to fiber drying. The fibers are separated prior to or during mixing with the fire retardancy chemical compound. The feedstock may include old newsprint (ONP), old corrugated containers (OCC), and/or other cellulose-based materials. The method further includes retaining the separated fibers feedstock and the chemical compound together for enough time to ensure adherence and impregnation of enough of the chemical to and in the fibers after the drying process. Separated fibers may be partitioned/classified prior to and/or after treatment.

Abstract: A cellulose-based fire resistant insulation and related method for making the same. The insulation includes a plurality of superstructures that establish voids in the insulation. The insulation may be blown in place while the superstructures maintain the void portion of the insulation. The insulation is made with fiber residuals, either alone or in combination with other cellulosic materials. The method of making the insulation includes the steps of treating the cellulosic materials with a fire retardancy chemical or chemicals and creating bonds between the fibers to form the superstructures.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system and method may include a station to identify a vehicle and to determine a characterizing feature of the vehicle. An imager that is located remotely from the station is configured to acquire an image of the vehicle that includes the characterizing feature. A processor is configured to detect the characterizing feature in the acquired image and to associate the detected characterizing feature with the identified vehicle so as to predict a location of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An external combustion engine having an exhaust flow diverter for directing the flow of an exhaust gas. The external combustion engine has a heater head having a plurality of heater tubes through which a working fluid is heated by conduction. The exhaust flow diverter is a cylinder disposed around the outside of the plurality of heater tubes and includes a plurality of openings through which the flow of exhaust gas may pass. The exhaust flow diverter directs the exhaust gas past the plurality of heater tubes. The external combustion engine may also include a plurality of flow diverter fins coupled to the plurality of heater tubes to direct the flow of the exhaust gas. The heater tubes may be U-shaped or helical coupled shaped.

Abstract: An improvement is provided to a pressurized close-cycle machine that has a cold-end pressure vessel and is of the type having a piston undergoing reciprocating linear motion within a cylinder containing a working fluid heated by conduction through a heater head by heat from an external thermal source. The improvement includes a heat exchanger for cooling the working fluid, where the heat exchanger is disposed within the cold-end pressure vessel. The heater head may be directly coupled to the cold-end pressure vessel by welding or other methods. A coolant tube is used to convey coolant through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A thermal cycle engine having a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy across the heater head from a heated external fluid to the working fluid. The heat exchanger has a set of heat transfer pins each having an axis directed away from the cylindrical wall of the expansion cylinder. The height and density of the heat transfer pins may vary with distance in the direction of the flow path, and the pin structure may be fabricated by stacking perforated rings in contact with a heater head. Ribs are provided interior to the heater head to enhance hoop strength and thermal transfer.

Abstract: An external combustion engine having an exhaust flow diverter for directing the flow of an exhaust gas. The external combustion engine has a heater head having a plurality of heater tubes through which a working fluid is heated by conduction. The exhaust flow diverter is a cylinder disposed around the outside of the plurality of heater tubes and includes a plurality of openings through which the flow of exhaust gas may pas. The exhaust flow diverter directs the exhaust gas past the plurality of heater tubes. The external combustion engine may also include a plurality of flow diverter fins coupled to the plurality of heater tubes to direct the flow of the exhaust gas. The heater tubes may be U-shaped or helical coiled shaped.