Abstract: A force-absorbing barrier includes a plurality of chambers at least partially filled with fluid. The walls defining the chambers are flexible. Fluid passages in the interior walls between chambers allow fluid flow between the chambers. Alternatively, the chambers are filled with structures instead of or in addition to a fluid. The fluid flow from chamber to chamber and/or the deformation of the structures will absorb energy from the impact a motor vehicle, preventing the vehicle from impacting the terminal of a guardrail.

Abstract: A hybrid composite discharge electrode (HCDE) (20) includes at least one metal layer (22) and at least one carbon fiber layer (26). The HCDE (20) improves the stability and uniformity of the corona while being corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and compact. Additionally, a method of making a HCDE (20) is provided. In another aspect, an electrostatic precipitator (60) is provided and includes a hybrid composite discharge electrode (62).

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing pad includes a composite laminate including at least one ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in at least one direction, and a bearing surface configured to confront a rotating thrust surface of a rotating shaft for transmitting axial thrust loads from the rotating shaft to the composite laminate. The bearing pad also includes a support surface configured to confront a stationary surface of a stationary housing for transmitting the axial thrust loads from the composite laminate to the stationary housing, and at least one side surface extending between the bearing and support surfaces. The at least one ply is configured to expand non-uniformly when heated from a first temperature to a second temperature for causing the composite laminate to warp from an unstressed state to a stressed state.

Abstract: A force-absorbing barrier includes a plurality of chambers at least partially filled with fluid. The walls defining the chambers are flexible. Fluid passages in the interior walls between chambers allow fluid flow between the chambers. Alternatively, the chambers are filled with structures instead of or in addition to a fluid. The fluid flow from chamber to chamber and/or the deformation of the structures will absorb energy from the impact a motor vehicle, preventing the vehicle from impacting the terminal of a guardrail.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing pad includes a composite laminate including at least one ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in at least one direction, and a bearing surface configured to confront a rotating thrust surface of a rotating shaft for transmitting axial thrust loads from the rotating shaft to the composite laminate. The bearing pad also includes a support surface configured to confront a stationary surface of a stationary housing for transmitting the axial thrust loads from the composite laminate to the stationary housing, and at least one side surface extending between the bearing and support surfaces. The at least one ply is configured to expand non-uniformly when heated from a first temperature to a second temperature for causing the composite laminate to warp from an unstressed state to a stressed state.

Abstract: A force-absorbing barrier 10 includes a plurality of concentric chambers 21, 23, 25 and 27 at least partially filled with fluid 42. The walls 22, 24, 26 and 28 defining the chambers are flexible. Fluid passages 30 in the interior walls 24, 26 and 28 between chambers allow fluid flow between the chambers. The fluid flow from chamber to chamber will absorb energy from the impact a motor vehicle, preventing the vehicle from impacting the terminal of a guardrail.

Abstract: A fluid processing system and method of processing a fluid includes a tank having an outer wall, a heating element, and an insulating element. The heating element is situated within the tank and includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The insulating element is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. As such, powering the heating element directs an electric current through the fluid within the tank for heating the fluid, while the insulating element provides electrical and thermal insulation to the outer wall of the tank.

Abstract: A vibrating wet precipitator is designed to remove particulates from particulate-laden hot gas. The precipitator includes an array of vertical wet cords stretched within a duct. The cords are tuned to vibrate due to the gas flow by controlling key parameters such as gas flow, velocity, cord length and diameter so that particulate collection and heat transfer efficiency are maximized. The cords are part of sieves. A plurality of these sieves are arranged to define a plurality of gaps, through which the exhaust flows. The sieves and thus the cords are space so that a vortex from a first cord affects an adjacent cord and subsequently cord. The particles are then absorbed in liquid, which can be passed through a heat exchanger filtered and subsequently reused. Preferably the cord arrangement is designed to allow the cords to vibrate at high frequencies, typically 10 to 100 Hz, to maximize particulate collection.

Abstract: A hybrid composite discharge electrode (HCDE) (20) includes at least one metal layer (22) and at least one carbon fiber layer (26). The HCDE (20) improves the stability and uniformity of the corona while being corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and compact. Additionally, a method of making a HCDE (20) is provided. In another aspect, an electrostatic precipitator (60) is provided and includes a hybrid composite discharge electrode (62).

Abstract: A ballistic body armor damage sensing system having a body armor ballistic plate including at least one ballistic layer and at least one damage sensing layer coupled to the at least one ballistic layer and including a plurality of electrically conductive members which are positioned throughout said damage sensing layer, wherein when a fired projectile impacts the body armor ballistic plate and damages one or more of the electrically conductive members, the damaged electrically conductive members exhibit a measurable change in electrical resistance.

Abstract: A discharge electrode with equal or better performance to conventional discharge electrodes, but at significantly lower cost uses carbon fiber composite tapes suspended around support rings attached to a support at the top and a bias at the bottom. The tape is in a loop and extends around the support rings, causing the rings to be pulled apart in tension by the bias to keep the tape taut. The tape, and preferably the top ring, and alternatively the lower ring, are conductively connected to a power supply.

Abstract: A vibrating wet precipitator is designed to remove particulates from particulate-laden hot gas. The precipitator includes an array of vertical wet cords stretched within a duct. The cords are tuned to vibrate due to the gas flow by controlling key parameters such as gas flow, velocity, cord length and diameter so that particulate collection and heat transfer efficiency are maximized. The cords are part of sieves. A plurality of these sieves are arranged to define a plurality of gaps, through which the exhaust flows. The sieves and thus the cords are space so that a vortex from a first cord affects an adjacent cord and subsequently cord. The particles are then absorbed in liquid, which can be passed through a heat exchanger filtered and subsequently reused. Preferably the cord arrangement is designed to allow the cords to vibrate at high frequencies, typically 10 to 100 Hz, to maximize particulate collection.

Abstract: A discharge electrode using carbon fibers, nanofibers and/or nanotubes to generate the corona discharge. The invention contemplates conductive fiber, such as carbon strands with or without a polymer matrix to form a composite, and a supporting configuration in which the strand is extended along or wrapped helically around a supporting rod that extends along the length of the electrode. A mechanical bias is applied to each strand to maintain tension on the strand. Preferably this includes coil springs extending between bushings mounted on the rod and moveable hemispherical supports slidably mounted on the rod that seat against the strand.

Abstract: A ballistic body armor damage sensing system having a body armor ballistic plate including at least one ballistic layer and at least one damage sensing layer coupled to the at least one ballistic layer and including a plurality of electrically conductive members which are positioned throughout said damage sensing layer, wherein when a fired projectile impacts the body armor ballistic plate and damages one or more of the electrically conductive members, the damaged electrically conductive members exhibit a measurable change in electrical resistance.

Abstract: A fluid processing system and method of processing a fluid includes a tank having an outer wall, a heating element, and an insulating element. The heating element is situated within the tank and includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The insulating element is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. As such, powering the heating element directs an electric current through the fluid within the tank for heating the fluid, while the insulating element provides electrical and thermal insulation to the outer wall of the tank.

Abstract: A discharge electrode with equal or better performance to conventional discharge electrodes, but at significantly lower cost uses carbon fiber composite tapes suspended around support rings attached to a support at the top and a bias at the bottom. The tape is in a loop and extends around the support rings, causing the rings to be pulled apart in tension by the bias to keep the tape taut. The tape, and preferably the top ring, and alternatively the lower ring, are conductively connected to a power supply.

Abstract: A discharge electrode using carbon fibers, nanofibers and/or nanotubes to generate the corona discharge. The invention contemplates conductive fiber, such as carbon strands with or without a polymer matrix to form a composite, and a supporting configuration in which the strand is extended along or wrapped helically around a supporting rod that extends along the length of the electrode. A mechanical bias is applied to each strand to maintain tension on the strand. Preferably this includes coil springs extending between bushings mounted on the rod and moveable hemispherical supports slidably mounted on the rod that seat against the strand.

Abstract: A discharge electrode using carbon fibers, nanofibers and/or nanotubes to generate the corona discharge. The invention contemplates carbon fiber electrodes with or without a polymer matrix to form a composite, and a supporting configuration in which the fibers are wrapped helically around a supporting rod that extends along the length of the electrode. Another supporting configuration includes the fibers stretched across the gas flow path. Yet another supporting configuration includes mounting the fibers along the length of the support rod substantially parallel to the rod.

Abstract: A discharge electrode using carbon fibers, nanofibers and/or nanotubes to generate the corona discharge. The invention contemplates carbon fiber electrodes with or without a polymer matrix to form a composite, and a supporting configuration in which the fibers are wrapped helically around a supporting rod that extends along the length of the electrode. Another supporting configuration includes the fibers stretched across the gas flow path. Yet another supporting configuration includes mounting the fibers along the length of the support rod substantially parallel to the rod.

Abstract: The invention is a discharge electrode in an electrostatic precipitator having a power supply connected to at least one collection electrode and a flow of gas across the collection electrode. The discharge electrode has a plurality of conductive fibers electrically connected to the power supply and fiber tips exposed to the flow of gas. The fiber tips preferably extend from a composite in which the fibers reinforce a matrix material, but alternatively can be a large number of filaments extending from a composite rod.