Abstract: A hinge assembly and a method of additively manufacturing the same are provided. The hinge assembly includes a hub defining a body and a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm each projecting from the body. The first mounting arm and the second mounting arm are spaced from one another and define a hinge axis. The hinge assembly also includes a rotatable member or vane rotatably coupled with the hub and positioned between the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm. The rotatable member defines a vane hinge member or hinge member having a first nesting feature shaped complementary to a portion the first mounting arm and a second nesting feature shaped complementary to a portion of the second mounting arm of the hub to nest the hinge member between the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm. The hub and the rotatable member are simultaneously additively manufactured as distinct, but inseparable monolithic components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting energy are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a closed cycle engine having a piston body and a piston assembly movable within the piston body. An electric machine is operatively coupled with the piston assembly and operable to generate electrical power. An electrical device is in communication with the electric machine. The system includes a control system having sensors, a controllable device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a load change on the electric machine is anticipated based at least in part on received data indicative of a load state of the electrical device; in response to whether the load change is anticipated, determine a control command for adjusting an output of at least one of the engine and the electric machine; and cause the controllable device to adjust the output based at least in part on the control command.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for energy conversion. The system includes a closed cycle engine containing a volume of working fluid. The engine includes an expansion chamber and a compression chamber each separated by a piston attached to a connection member of a piston assembly. The engine further includes a plurality of heater conduits extended from the expansion chamber. The engine includes a plurality of chiller conduits extended from the compression chamber. The expansion chamber and heater conduits are fluidly connected to the compression chamber and chiller conduits via a walled conduit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting energy are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a closed cycle engine defining a cold side. The system also includes a bottoming-cycle loop. A pump is operable to move a working fluid along the bottoming-cycle loop. A cold side heat exchanger is positioned along the bottoming-cycle loop in a heat exchange relationship with the cold side of the closed cycle engine. A constant density heat exchanger is positioned along the bottoming-cycle loop downstream of the cold side heat exchanger and upstream of an expansion device. The constant density heat exchanger is operable to hold a volume of the working fluid flowing therethrough at constant density while increasing, via a heat source, the temperature and pressure of the working fluid. The expansion device receives the working fluid at elevated temperature and pressure and extracts thermal energy from the working fluid to produce work.

Abstract: An engine apparatus including at least four piston assemblies is provided. Each piston assembly includes a piston attached to a connection member at a first end and a second end. Each piston of the piston assembly defines a first chamber and a second chamber separated by the piston. The first chamber and the second chamber are each defined at the first end and at the second end. Each first chamber of one piston assembly is fluidly connected to the second chamber at a different piston assembly. At least one first chamber at the first end is fluidly connected to a respective second chamber at the second end. At least one first chamber at the second end is fluidly connected to a respective second chamber at the first end. At least one first chamber at one end is fluidly connected to a respective second chamber at the same end.

Abstract: A nested segment assembly and a method of additively manufacturing the same are provided. In one example aspect, the nested segment assembly includes a first component segment and a segment component segment positioned adjacent the first component segment. The first component segment has an end face and a tongue projecting outwardly from the end face. The second component segment defines a groove. The groove is defined at an end face of the second component segment that is adjacent the end face of the first component segment. The first component segment and the second component segment are additively printed such that at least a portion of the tongue of the first component segment is nested within the groove defined by the second component segment. Segmented components having a tesla valve formed therebetween are also provided.

Abstract: A hinge assembly and a method of additively manufacturing the same are provided. The hinge assembly includes a hub defining a body and a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm each projecting from the body. The first mounting arm and the second mounting arm are spaced from one another and define a hinge axis. The hinge assembly also includes a rotatable member or vane rotatably coupled with the hub and positioned between the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm. The rotatable member defines a vane hinge member or hinge member having a first nesting feature shaped complementary to a portion the first mounting arm and a second nesting feature shaped complementary to a portion of the second mounting arm of the hub to nest the hinge member between the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm. The hub and the rotatable member are simultaneously additively manufactured as distinct, but inseparable monolithic components.

Abstract: A shrouded impeller and a method of additively manufacturing the same are provided. In one example aspect, the shrouded impeller includes a hub and a shroud spaced from the hub. The shrouded impeller also includes a plurality of vanes extending between and connecting the hub and the shroud. The vanes are spaced circumferentially apart from one another. Flow passages are defined between adjacent vanes. In some implementations, the shrouded impeller is additively manufactured. During printing, one or more support structures are formed within and fill a portion of one or more of the flow passages to support the unsupported walls of the shrouded impeller, e.g., the shroud. Further, the support structures are removable from the shrouded impeller, e.g., after the shrouded impeller has been printed.