Abstract: A rotary device includes a shaft, a rotor coupled to the shaft, and a stator having a cam surface. Vanes reside within slots of the rotary device and engage with the cam surface. A first seal couples to the rotor and includes first grooves that extend in a direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the shaft. A second seal couples to the stator and includes second grooves extending in the direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis. A third seal couples to the rotor and includes third grooves extending in the direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis. A fourth seal couples to the stator and includes fourth grooves extending in the direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis. The first grooves and the second grooves, as well as the third grooves and the fourth grooves, from labyrinth seals for the chambers of the rotary device.

Abstract: A modified two-phase refrigeration cycle compresses a working fluid, condenses the working fluid into a saturated or supercooled liquid, expands the saturated or supercooled liquid into a two-phase fluid, and evaporates the two-phase working fluid. The modified two-phase refrigeration cycle reduces irreversibilities imposed by conventional refrigeration cycles and extracts energy from the working fluid during the expansion process. For instance, a system that employs the modified two-phase refrigeration cycle includes a two-phase expander to reduce irreversibilities during an expansion process and extract energy. In some instances, the system includes a two-phase compressor to compress two-phase fluids for varying loads and environmental conditions of the system.

Abstract: A rotary device includes a shaft, a rotor coupled to the shaft, and a stator having a cam surface. Vanes reside within slots of the rotary device and engage with the cam surface. A first seal couples to the rotor and includes first grooves that extend in a direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the shaft. A second seal couples to the stator and includes second grooves extending in the direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis. A third seal couples to the rotor and includes third grooves extending in the direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis. A fourth seal couples to the stator and includes fourth grooves extending in the direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis. The first grooves and the second grooves, as well as the third grooves and the fourth grooves, from labyrinth seals for the chambers of the rotary device.

Abstract: A system including a pump, a boiler coupled to the pump, a turbine coupled to the boiler, a two-phase expander coupled to the turbine, and a condenser coupled to the two-phase expander and the pump.

Abstract: Prime movers are provided that can include: a fixed member in operational relationship to a rotating member; a reciprocating vane assembly operationally engaged with the rotating member; and a track member about the rotating member and engaging the reciprocating vane assembly. Engines are provided that can include: a stator in operational relationship to a rotor; a reciprocating vane assembly operationally engaged with the rotor; and a track member about the rotor and engaging the reciprocating vane assembly. Processes for powering a prime mover are also provided, the processes can include engaging vanes between a fixed member and rotating member to create compression and expansion zones, the engaging comprising guiding the vanes from a track member about the rotating member.

Abstract: Prime movers are provided that can include: a pair of cylindrical members about a center rod, a fixed member about the center rod between the pair of cylindrical members; wherein the pair of cylindrical members rotate with the center rod in relation to the fixed member; a housing extending between the cylindrical members; and a plurality of chambers between the opposing bases of the cylindrical members and the fixed member. Methods for rotating members in relation to a fixed member are also provided. The methods can include rotating a pair of cylindrical members in relation to a fixed member about a center rod along a shared axis within a housing extending between the pair of cylindrical members.

Abstract: Electricity generators are provided that can include: members having opposing bases that include chambers to facilitate the conversion of source energy to mechanical energy with one of the members rotating in relation to another of the members and a housing about the rotating member. Generator components can be operably engaged to the housing and rotating member to generate electricity. Methods for generating electricity are also provided. The methods can include: rotating a first cylindrical member in relation to a fixed second member about a center rod along a shared axis within a housing; and generating electricity between conductive components along both the sidewalls of the first cylindrical member and the housing.

Abstract: A system including a pump, a boiler coupled to the pump, a turbine coupled to the boiler, a two-phase expander coupled to the turbine, and a condenser coupled to the two-phase expander and the pump.

Abstract: Electricity generators are provided that can include: members having opposing bases that include chambers to facilitate the conversion of source energy to mechanical energy with one of the members rotating in relation to another of the members and a housing about the rotating member. Generator components can be operably engaged to the housing and rotating member to generate electricity. Methods for generating electricity are also provided. The methods can include: rotating a first cylindrical member in relation to a fixed second member about a center rod along a shared axis within a housing; and generating electricity between conductive components along both the sidewalls of the first cylindrical member and the housing.

Abstract: Prime movers are provided that can include: a pair of cylindrical members about a center rod, a fixed member about the center rod between the pair of cylindrical members; wherein the pair of cylindrical members rotate with the center rod in relation to the fixed member; a housing extending between the cylindrical members; and a plurality of chambers between the opposing bases of the cylindrical members and the fixed member. Methods for rotating members in relation to a fixed member are also provided. The methods can include rotating a pair of cylindrical members in relation to a fixed member about a center rod along a shared axis within a housing extending between the pair of cylindrical members.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for reserve allocation of event data. A request event is received. The request event is associated with memory storing request event data. Memory for response event data is allocated from a first pool. The response event data is associated with a response, and the response is associated with the request. Upon failure of the allocation of memory for the response event data, memory is obtained for out-of-memory response event data. The out-of-memory response event data is associated with the response event. The request event is completed using the response event.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biologic-chemical herbicide compositions (BCHs) for controlling or preventing weeds that include one or more chemical herbicides and microorganisms including gram-negative bacteria and yeast. The addition of a biological microbial component to one or more chemical herbicides significantly increases the efficacy of the chemical herbicide thereby permitting lower amounts to be used to achieve a desired level of weed control. Any chemical herbicide or combination of herbicides can be used, including fatty acid herbicides like Round-UP®. The BCHs typically also include an optional nutrient component in an amount sufficient to support the growth and replication of the microorganisms. If the BCH is applied to soil rich in nutrients, or if the crops would support the growth of the microorganisms in the BCHs, then the nutrients can be omitted.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biologic-chemical herbicide compositions (BCHs) for controlling or preventing weeds that include one or more chemical herbicides and microorganisms including gram-positive and/or gram-negative bacteria and yeast. The addition of a biologic microbial component to one or more chemical herbicides significantly increases the efficacy of the chemical herbicide thereby permitting lower amounts to be used to achieve a desired level of weed control. Any chemical herbicide or combination of herbicides can be used, including fatty acid herbicides like Round-UP®. The BCHs typically also include an optional nutrient component in an amount sufficient to support the growth and replication of the microorganisms. If the BCH is applied to soil rich in nutrients, or if the crops would support the growth of the microorganisms in the BCHs, then the nutrients can be omitted.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for reserve allocation of event data. A request event is received. The request event is associated with memory storing request event data. Memory for response event data is allocated from a first pool. The response event data is associated with a response, and the response is associated with the request. Upon failure of the allocation of memory for the response event data, memory is obtained for out-of-memory response event data. The out-of-memory response event data is associated with the response event. The request event is completed using the response event.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biologic-chemical fungicide compositions (BCFs) that include one or more chemical fungicides, and microorganisms including gram-positive and/or gram-negative bacteria and yeast. Any chemical fungicide or combination of fungicides can be used. The BCFs typically also include an optional nutrient component in an amount sufficient to support the growth and replication of the microorganisms. If the BCF is applied to soil rich in nutrients, or if the crops would support the growth of the microorganisms in the BCFs, then the nutrients can be left out. Compositions having a biologic component of microorganisms in addition to one or more chemical fungicides are significantly more effective than chemical fungicides applied without microorganisms. The invention is also directed to chemical-free biologic fungicides that contain microorganisms with suppressive activity against pathogenic fungi, and nutrients.

Abstract: A method of feeding a ruminant that entails providing a feed that comprises sugar alcohol and at least one additional feed component, where the feed is free of rumen-protected fatty acid or comprises less than 10 weight percent rumen-protected fatty acid, based on the total weight of the feed and further entails orally supplying the feed to the ruminant during a pre-partum period when the ruminant is pregnant, where the ruminant ingests the feed and sugar alcohol during the pre-partum period.

Abstract: A fall arrest belt assembly attaches to the body belt of a climber who climbs wooden utility poles or trees. The belt assembly has an outer strap to fit around the pole, an elastic cross strap to pull the outer belt against the pole, and a safety device on the outer strap. The safety device has a large tooth that is normally latched in a recessed or closed position. If the climber falls, a barb on the tooth pulls the tooth to an open position, assisted by a spring which helps deploy the tooth and hold it open. The tooth penetrates the pole and prevents falling. A pair of balls on the cross strap prevent abrasion of the cross strap on the pole.