Abstract: In a Boundaryless Control High Availability (“BCHA”) system (e.g., industrial control system) comprising multiple computing resources (or computational engines) running on multiple machines, technology for computing in real time the overall system availability based upon the capabilities/characteristics of the available computing resources, applications to execute and the distribution of the applications across those resources is disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed technology can dynamically manage, coordinate recommend certain actions to system operators to maintain availability of the overall system at a desired level. High Availability features may be implemented across a variety of different computing resources distributed across various aspects of a BCHA system and/or computing resources. Two example implementations of BCHA systems described involve an M:N working configuration and M:N+R working configuration.

Abstract: A fuel distribution system for a gas turbine powerplant. A fuel injector with a cylindrical body defines a single internal plenum sealed at an engagement end, having multiple axial openings in a midsection, and injection ports in an injection end. A fuel manifold defines a hollow annular fuel chamber with substantially parallel and opposing top and bottom surfaces. One chamber wall includes multiple cylindrical channels extending between the top and bottom surfaces. Each channel is connected through the wall to the fuel chamber. Each channel has securing features to engage corresponding securing features of the fuel injectors. When a fuel injector is inserted through the top surface into one of the channels in the manifold and the securing features engage, the engaging feature protrudes from the top surface, the injection ports protrude from the bottom surface, and the axial openings are in fluid communication with the fuel chamber.

Abstract: A fuel distribution system for a gas turbine powerplant. A fuel injector with a cylindrical body defines a single internal plenum sealed at an engagement end, having multiple axial openings in a midsection, and injection ports in an injection end. A fuel manifold defines a hollow annular fuel chamber with substantially parallel and opposing top and bottom surfaces. One chamber wall includes multiple cylindrical channels extending between the top and bottom surfaces. Each channel is connected through the wall to the fuel chamber. Each channel has securing features to engage corresponding securing features of the fuel injectors. When a fuel injector is inserted through the top surface into one of the channels in the manifold and the securing features engage, the engaging feature protrudes from the top surface, the injection ports protrude from the bottom surface, and the axial openings are in fluid communication with the fuel chamber.

Abstract: A linear compressor and methods of operation, for example, to control extension of the linear compressor, are provided herein. A method may include supplying a time varying voltage to a motor of the linear compressor, determining an uneven fatigue condition at the linear compressor, and applying a limiting force at the motor in a negative axial direction in response to the determining step.

Abstract: A trim system for an airboat having a hull and a deck comprises an engine support carriage elevated from the deck and having a first end pivotably mounted to the deck via a rigid frame, and at least one remotely operated hydraulic ram with each including a first end braced upon the deck or an intervening structure and a second end coupled to a free moving second end of the engine support carriage opposite the first end. In a method of adjusting trim on an airboat, during operation of an engine mounted to the engine support carriage, a thrust line of the engine is selectively changed by remotely causing the at least one linearly actuated lift to selectively extend and retract.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly evaporating liquid includes an exhaust flow channel having opposing openings including an upstream opening and a downstream opening. The channel defines an exhaust path proceeding from the upstream opening through the exhaust flow channel and through the downstream opening. Within the exhaust flow channel, a conduit path includes repeated passes transverse to the exhaust path. Attached to the exhaust flow channel proximate the downstream opening, a spray fixture is coupled to an exit port of the conduit. The spray fixture includes a divider to divide fluid from the exit port into multiple streams and an aimer to direct the multiple streams into the exhaust path.

Abstract: A method for operating a linear compressor includes establishing a set of predictors, and establishing a model for an estimated head clearance of the linear compressor with the set of predictors. Coefficients of the model for the estimated head clearance of the linear compressor may also be established. The model for the estimated head clearance of the linear compressor may be used to calculate an estimated head clearance during operation of the linear compressor.

Abstract: A method of operating a rolling piston rotary compressor includes obtaining an angular position and an angular speed of a rolling piston of the compressor, for example, using a tachometer or shaft encoder or observer. The method further includes obtaining an electromagnetic torque applied by an electric motor that is mechanically coupled to the rolling piston. The method further includes calculating a load torque exerted on the rolling piston based on these obtained values by using a load torque observer model that is formulated using known geometries of the compressor and thermodynamic models for the gas compression process. The operation of the electric motor is then adjusted such that the electromagnetic torque applied by the motor is equivalent to the calculated load torque such that noise and vibrations are minimized.

Abstract: An exhaust baffle apparatus includes an enclosure having longitudinal, lateral, and anterior dimensions. The apparatus defines an internal volume defining an airflow path proceeding from an intake opening to an exhaust opening. There are a multiplicity of mixers within the enclosure. Each mixer includes a length spanning the lateral dimension of the enclosure. Each mixer further comprises a hollow airfoil substantially open at lateral ends of the mixer and at least one vent oriented toward the exhaust opening. A different feature involves a method of dampening noise and heat form engine exhaust.

Abstract: A method for detecting head crashing in a linear compressor includes sampling a rolling average of a peak applied voltage and a desired peak current each time that a current controller adjusts the desired peak current. The method also includes calculating a linear regression for a predicted peak applied voltage as a function of the desired peak current, calculating the predicted peak voltage for the motor of the linear compressor with the linear regression and a current value for the desired peak current from the current controller, and establishing that a piston of the linear compressor is soft crashing when the predicted peak voltage is different than the current value for the rolling average of the peak applied voltage by more than a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for operating a linear compressor includes substituting a first observed velocity, a bounded integral of the first observed velocity, an estimated clearance, an estimated discharge pressure, and an estimated suction pressure into the mechanical dynamic model for the motor, calculating an observed acceleration for the piston with the mechanical dynamic model for the motor, calculating a second observed velocity for the piston by integrating the observed acceleration for the piston, calculating an observed position of the piston by integrating the second observed velocity for the piston, and updating an estimated clearance, an estimated discharge pressure, and an estimated suction pressure based upon an error between the first and second observed velocities and an error between the bounded integral of the first observed velocity and the observed position.

Abstract: A linear compressor and methods of operation, for example, to detect polarity for the linear compressor are provided herein. The method may include supplying an initial time varying voltage to the motor of the linear compressor at an assumed polarity; estimating a first acceleration of the motor of the linear compressor when the motor is at a bottom dead center position; estimating a second acceleration of the motor of the linear compressor when the motor is at a top dead center position; comparing the first acceleration to the second acceleration; and determining whether the assumed polarity is correct based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for operating a linear compressor includes providing a dynamic model for a motor of the linear compressor, estimating values for each unknown constant of a plurality of unknown constants of the dynamic model for the motor and repeatedly updating the estimate for each unknown constant of the plurality of unknown constants of the dynamic model for the motor in order to reduce an error between a measured value for the electrical dynamic model and an estimated valve for the electrical dynamic model.

Abstract: A linear compressor and methods of operation, for example, to control extension of the linear compressor, are provided herein. A method may include supplying a time varying voltage to a motor of the linear compressor, determining an uneven fatigue condition at the linear compressor, and applying a limiting force at the motor in a negative axial direction in response to the determining step.

Abstract: A linear compressor and methods of operation, for example, to detect polarity for the linear compressor are provided herein. The method may include supplying an initial time varying voltage to the motor of the linear compressor at an assumed polarity; estimating a first acceleration of the motor of the linear compressor when the motor is at a bottom dead center position; estimating a second acceleration of the motor of the linear compressor when the motor is at a top dead center position; comparing the first acceleration to the second acceleration; and determining whether the assumed polarity is correct based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of operating a rolling piston rotary compressor includes obtaining an angular position and an angular speed of a rolling piston of the compressor, for example, using a tachometer or shaft encoder or observer. The method further includes obtaining an electromagnetic torque applied by an electric motor that is mechanically coupled to the rolling piston. The method further includes calculating a load torque exerted on the rolling piston based on these obtained values by using a load torque observer model that is formulated using known geometries of the compressor and thermodynamic models for the gas compression process. The operation of the electric motor is then adjusted such that the electromagnetic torque applied by the motor is equivalent to the calculated load torque such that noise and vibrations are minimized.

Abstract: A method of operating a synchronous motor includes using a rotor angle observer model to calculate an observed rotor angle and a speed estimator model to calculate an observed angular speed of the rotor. The observed rotor angle may be used to ensure that the stator magnetic field generated by the stator is oriented 90° ahead of the rotor magnetic field. The observed angular speed may be used to regulate the motor operation to achieve the desired speed.