Abstract: A submersible device submersible within an algae slurry contained within a pond of an algae bioreactor, the submersible device including a drive motor operable to actuate one or more driven devices that move the submersible device within the pond, a circulation device operable to circulate the algae slurry through the submersible device and discharge the algae slurry back into the pond from a discharge port provided on the submersible device, and a computer system that controls operation of the drive motor and the circulation device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to algae cultivation including the integration of liners for large-scale open algal biomass to facilitate algae facility commercial scale-up operations. Liners include those having a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion comprising a second thickness, wherein the first thickness and the second thickness are different. Liners also include those having a first portion having a first thickness, a second portion comprising a second thickness, and a third portion comprising a third thickness, wherein the first thickness, the second thickness, and the third thickness are different.

Abstract: A system includes an algae bioreactor that contains an algae slurry, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the algae bioreactor to receive the algae slurry from the algae bioreactor and heat and increase a pressure of the algae slurry, and one or more valves and a flash vessel in fluid communication with a discharge of the heat exchanger to flash the algae slurry and create steam and algae biomass. A separator receives the algae biomass from the flash vessel and separates oils from the algae biomass to generate a biofuel.

Abstract: A system for growing algae includes a pivot arm pivotally coupled to a pivot connection positioned in a pond containing water and algae, and a mixing device coupled to the pivot arm and extending into the pond to mix the water and the algae as the pivot arm rotates.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to algae cultivation including the integration of liners for large-scale open algal biomass to facilitate algae facility commercial scale-up operations. Liners include those having a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion comprising a second thickness, wherein the first thickness and the second thickness are different. Liners also include those having a first portion having a first thickness, a second portion comprising a second thickness, and a third portion comprising a third thickness, wherein the first thickness, the second thickness, and the third thickness are different.

Abstract: A submersible device submersible within an algae slurry contained within a pond of an algae bioreactor, the submersible device including a drive motor operable to actuate one or more driven devices that move the submersible device within the pond, a circulation device operable to circulate the algae slurry through the submersible device and discharge the algae slurry back into the pond from a discharge port provided on the submersible device, and a computer system that controls operation of the drive motor and the circulation device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cultivating and harvesting algal biomass using cultivation vessels having integrated therewith one or more harvesting systems. Algae cells are cultivated in a cultivation system and concentrated algal biomass is collected using the integrated one or more harvesting systems. The integrated cultivating and harvesting systems reduce costs, energy, and time compared to traditional harvesting methods.

Abstract: A method includes containing an algae slurry within a cultivation vessel, introducing the algae slurry into a dissolved air floatation (DAF) system, and operating the DAF system in a low-recovery mode and thereby selectively removing impurities from the algae slurry. Algal biomass is then harvested from the algae slurry after removing the impurities from the algae slurry.

Abstract: At least one elongated photobioreactor, at a small angle relative to horizontal and mixed substantially or entirely by large bubble flow, is used for contained cell culture, e.g., microalgae cultivation. Elongated, flexible, transparent, polymeric photobioreactor tubes, in near-grade and near-horizontal (e.g. sloped 1 degree to 3 degrees) orientation, and use of low-pressure air mixing, allow very inexpensive construction and operation. Multiple elongated tubes may be used for an independent operation of the multiple photobioreactor tubes for the same or different cells, e.g., microalgae and different applications. Low-pressure air is delivered near the low end of the bioreactor at less than 10 psig and without sparging, to produce large air bubbles that travel from the low end to the high end of the bioreactor, for turbulent mixing and gas exchange.

Abstract: A system includes an algae bioreactor that contains an algae slurry, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the algae bioreactor to receive the algae slurry from the algae bioreactor and heat and increase a pressure of the algae slurry, and one or more valves and a flash vessel in fluid communication with a discharge of the heat exchanger to flash the algae slurry and create steam and algae biomass. A separator receives the algae biomass from the flash vessel and separates oils from the algae biomass to generate a biofuel.

Abstract: A system for growing algae includes a pivot arm pivotally coupled to a pivot connection positioned in a pond containing water and algae, and a mixing device coupled to the pivot arm and extending into the pond to mix the water and the algae as the pivot arm rotates.

Abstract: Scale-up evaluation methods for algal biomass cultivation are provided, and more particularly, simultaneous scale-up evaluation methods for outdoor algal biomass cultivation are provided. The methods control various process variables to isolate the impact of scaling algal biomass cultivation, thereby permitting enhanced scale-up operation design to optimize the quality and quantity of algal biomass.

Abstract: A sensor package which is reliable, low cost, simple, robust, and usable to input additional seat occupant information to an airbag controller to control airbag deployment, and which is insensitive to cross axis loading of a seat belt. A second housing member is internally interfaced with the first housing member, wherein a suspension system frictionlessly suspends the first housing member springably with respect to the second housing member. A pressure sensor is mounted to one of the first and second housings, and a biasing spring is mounted to the other of the first and second housings in axial abutment with the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A seat belt system (10) comprises a seat belt (15) and a tongue assembly (22). A buckle (26) engageable with the tongue assembly (22) secures the system (10) in a buckled condition in which the belt (15) is divided into a torso portion (28) and a lap portion (29). The system (10) also includes an inflatable device (100) comprising an inflatable portion (98) of the belt (15). An inflation fluid source (40) provides inflation fluid to the inflatable device (100) only when the tongue assembly (22) is engaged with the buckle (26). A cinch mechanism (130) has a cinched condition resisting movement of the belt (15) through the tongue assembly (22). The inflatable device (100), when inflated, causes the cinch mechanism (130) to move to the released condition and causes the torso portion (28) and the lap portion (29) of the belt (15) to be tensioned about the vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A seat belt system (10) comprises a seat belt (15) and a tongue assembly (22). A buckle (26) engageable with the tongue assembly (22) secures the system (10) in a buckled condition in which the belt (15) is divided into a torso portion (28) and a lap portion (29). The system (10) also includes an inflatable device (100) comprising an inflatable portion (98) of the belt (15). An inflation fluid source (40) provides inflation fluid to the inflatable device (100) only when the tongue assembly (22) is engaged with the buckle (26). A cinch mechanism (130) has a cinched condition resisting movement of the belt (15) through the tongue assembly (22). The inflatable device (100), when inflated, causes the cinch mechanism (130) to move to the released condition and causes the torso portion (28) and the lap portion (29) of the belt (15) to be tensioned about the vehicle occupant.

Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant comprises a vehicle seat belt system (14) including a buckle (20), a tongue assembly (90), and an inflatable seat belt portion (12) connected with the tongue assembly. An inflation mechanism (10) connected with the buckle (20) includes an actuatable inflator (60) and a first conduit (70) in fluid communication with the inflator. A second conduit (110) is in fluid communication with the inflatable seat belt portion (12). The first conduit (70) has a rupturable portion (82) blocking fluid flow out of the first conduit toward the second conduit (110). The first conduit (70), upon actuation of the inflator (60), moves from a first position in which the first conduit is not in fluid communication with the second conduit (110) to a second position in which the first conduit is in fluid communication with the second conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lockable element (16) and a buckle (12) that includes a base (28), a latch (42), a Hall effect device (60), and a pair of magnets (68) and (74). The base (28) defines a passage (32) into which the lockable element (16) is insertable. The latch (42) is made of a ferromagnetic material and is movable from a non-locking position to a locking position in which it engages the lockable element (16). The Hall effect device (60) is disposed between the magnets (68) and (74). The magnetic fields of the magnets (68) and (74) oppose each other. In the locking position, the magnets (68) and (74) provide a net magnetic field of a first magnitude that acts on the Hall effect device (60). In the non-locking position, the magnets (68) and (74) provide a magnetic field of a second magnitude acting on the Hall effect device (60) that is different than the net magnetic field of a first magnitude.

Abstract: An energy management device (10) for seat belt webbing (18) for restraining a vehicle occupant includes a base (40) for attachment to the vehicle. The device (10) also includes a plastically deformable torsion bar (60) having a first portion (66) fixed relative to the base (40) and a second portion (72) rotatable relative to the first portion and the base. The torsion bar (60) twists upon rotation of the second portion (72) relative to the first portion (66). A spool (80) is supported on the base (40) and is fixed for rotation with the second portion (72) of the torsion bar (60) relative to the first portion (66) of the torsion bar. The spool (80) has an outer peripheral surface (90). A flexible member (100) is wound on the outer peripheral surface (90) of the spool (80). The flexible member (100) has a first end portion (104) connected with the spool (80) and a second end portion (110) extending from the spool (80) for connection with the seat belt webbing (14) of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a crash sensor (49) which senses a crash event and provides a signal (50) indicative of the crash event. A transmitter (54) transmits a signal (58) in response to the crash sensor signal (50). A receiver (60), which is separated from the transmitter (54), receives the transmitter signal (58) and provides a control signal (80) upon receiving the transmitter signal (58). A buckle switch (34) is operable to detect a belted or an unbelted condition of a seat belt system (18). The apparatus (10) also includes an actuatable pretensioner device (49) which actuates to help to protect a vehicle occupant during a crash event. A power switch (82) receives the control signal (80) to connect the pretensioner device (49) electrically with a power source (35, 84) in response to the power switch (82) receiving the control signal (80) while the buckle switch 34 is detecting a belted condition.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises seat belt webbing (12) for restraining movement of a vehicle occupant. The apparatus also comprises a pretensioner (10) for pretensioning the belt webbing (12). The belt webbing (12) has a portion (84) extending through the pretensioner (10). The pretensioner (10) includes an air bag (52) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The air bag (52) when in the inflated condition acts on the belt webbing portion (84) to draw belt webbing into the pretensioner (10) to tension the seat belt webbing, and causes the belt webbing portion to be blocked from being pulled out of the pretensioner. The pretensioner (10) includes an inflation fluid source (54) actuatable to supply inflation fluid to inflate the air bag (52) into the inflated condition.