Abstract: A compressor system includes a compressor having a discharge port; and a shell and tube heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the discharge port. The heat exchanger includes a shell and a tube bundle disposed inside the shell. The shell includes a first flat portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the shell from a first end of the shell to a second end of the shell, and a second flat portion parallel to the first flat portion and extending along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. The tube bundle is positioned between the first flat portion and the second flat portion, and extends along the longitudinal axis between the first end of the shell and the second end of the shell.

Abstract: A system for forming a woody biomass component and a binder component into a solid fuel element having a predetermined density. The system includes a first compression assembly for compressing an uncompressed mixture of the woody biomass component and the binder component to provide a first compressed mixture formed into a preliminary element having a preliminary density. The system also includes a second compression assembly for compressing the preliminary element to form the solid fuel element having the predetermined density, which is greater than the preliminary density.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3-methacryloxypropyldimethylchlorosilane by reaction of allylmethacrylate with dimethylchlorosilane in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst, characterized in that the reaction is carried out in the absence of a peroxide is provided. The process includes providing a first stream containing allylmethacrylate. A a second stream containing dimethylchlorosilane is provided. The streams contact in a continuous flow reactor in the presence of the hydrosilylation catalyst, thereby producing 3-methacryloxypropyldimethylchlorosilane. A product stream is continuously removed from the continuous flow reactor.

Abstract: An impeller including a hub body, a shroud surrounding the hub body, and a plurality of impeller blades extending from the hub body to the shroud, wherein the hub body, the shroud, and the plurality of impeller blades are a one-piece structure.

Abstract: Provided in some embodiments is a gas compression system that includes a gas compressor having a drive shaft, an impeller drive shaft magnetically coupled to the drive shaft, and a shroud disposed between the drive shaft and the impeller drive shaft. In other embodiments provided is method that includes magnetically coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft, receiving a rotational torque at the first drive shaft, transmitting the rotational torque from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft via the magnetic coupling, and rotating a gas compressor impeller coupled to the second drive shaft.

Abstract: The volute is cast integrally with the gearbox base to allow closer radial tolerances to be used to improve efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, compressors for multi-stage compression are assembled with intercoolers and the integral volute is cast together with the impeller housing and the lower gearbox housing and the associated intercooler. Efficiency increases of 2% or more are achievable. In multistage applications, efficiency gains in the early stages are compounded in each subsequent stage. Speed changes that change center distance between bull gear and pinion are accommodated by an offset opening in the inlet and diffuser that can line up with the impeller shaft as well as an offset opening in the fluid seal despite a pinion gear change, by reorientation and remounting of those parts.

Abstract: An impeller including a hub body, a shroud surrounding the hub body, and a plurality of impeller blades extending from the hub body to the shroud, wherein the hub body, the shroud, and the plurality of impeller blades are a one-piece structure.

Abstract: An artificial heart with a centrifugal pump is disclosed. In one embodiment, the artificial heart includes an impeller disposed in a housing. The impeller is configured to rotate to circulate blood through the housing. The impeller may include a set of blades on a first side of the impeller and a set of vanes on a second side opposite the first. The blades on the first side and the vanes on the second side allow blood circulation from both the first and the second sides of the impeller. The artificial heart may also or instead include a diffuser with adjustable vanes that enable variation in the output characteristics of the artificial heart pump. Various other artificial hearts, pumps, systems, and methods, including control systems and methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An artificial heart with a centrifugal pump is disclosed. In one embodiment, the artificial heart includes an impeller disposed in a housing. The impeller is configured to rotate to circulate blood through the housing. The impeller may include a set of blades on a first side of the impeller and a set of vanes on a second side opposite the first. The blades on the first side and the vanes on the second side allow blood circulation from both the first and the second sides of the impeller. The artificial heart may also or instead include a diffuser with adjustable vanes that enable variation in the output characteristics of the artificial heart pump. Various other artificial hearts, pumps, systems, and methods, including control systems and methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The volute is cast integrally with the gearbox base to allow closer radial tolerances to be used to improve efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, compressors for multi-stage compression are assembled with intercoolers and the integral volute is cast together with the impeller housing and the lower gearbox housing and the associated intercooler. Efficiency increases of 2% or more are achievable. In multistage applications, efficiency gains in the early stages are compounded in each subsequent stage. Speed changes that change center distance between bull gear and pinion are accommodated by an offset opening in the inlet and diffuser that can line up with the impeller shaft as well as an offset opening in the fluid seal despite a pinion gear change, by reorientation and remounting of those parts.

Abstract: An anthropomorphic vehicle accessory is disclosed and described. The anthropomorphic vehicle accessory can include an interface portion to attach the accessory to a vehicle. Additionally, the anthropomorphic vehicle accessory can include a plurality of elongate strips resembling eyelashes coupled to and extending away from the interface portion.

Abstract: Provided in some embodiments is a gas compression system that includes a gas compressor having a drive shaft, an impeller drive shaft magnetically coupled to the drive shaft, and a shroud disposed between the drive shaft and the impeller drive shaft. In other embodiments provided is method that includes magnetically coupling a first drive shaft to a second drive shaft, receiving a rotational torque at the first drive shaft, transmitting the rotational torque from the first drive shaft to the second drive shaft via the magnetic coupling, and rotating a gas compressor impeller coupled to the second drive shaft.

Abstract: Portions of the drive system for a piece of rotating equipment are pre-assembled into a subassembly. The subassembly can be held together by a carrier that is fabricated to accept the components in a proper alignment so that the carrier can be installed as a unit. In one embodiment, the carrier becomes a gearbox housing component that is installed, saving the need for individual component alignment. This modular approach allows an assembly having a single part number to apply to a given compressor unit and further allows standardization of air ends of compressors with specific impellers and inlets added to meet requirements of a specific application.

Abstract: Portions of the drive system for a piece of rotating equipment are pre-assembled into a subassembly. The subassembly can be held together by a carrier that is fabricated to accept the components in a proper alignment so that the carrier can be installed as a unit. In the preferred embodiment the carrier becomes a gearbox housing component that is installed saving the need for individual component alignment. Using the modular approach. The modular approach allows an assembly having a single part number to apply to a given compressor unit and further allows standardization of air ends of compressors with specific impellers and inlets added to meet requirements of a specific application.

Abstract: A wind turbine having at least one air foil with a leading edge and a trailing edge and in which the air foil is rotatably mounted about an axis. A thermoelectric film is disposed over at least a portion of the leading edge of the air foil and this thermoelectric film generates heat upon application of a voltage differential across the thermoelectric film. A control unit is electrically connected to and controls the application of the voltage differential across the thermoelectric film to deice the air foil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for enhancing the aesthetic appearance of lamps. A support structure may be provided for attaching to the lamp. The support structure may be attached in a manner such that the support structure may be hidden from view by the lamp shade. The support structure may be versatile to be attached to lamps of various different configurations. One or more decorative ornaments may be attached to the support structure for enhancing the appearance of the lamp. The ornaments may be removed and interchanged with other decorations such that the lamp may be decorated differently for different occasions.

Abstract: The volute is cast integrally with the gearbox base to allow closer radial tolerances to be used to improve efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, compressors for multi-stage compression are assembled with intercoolers and the integral volute is cast together with the impeller housing and the lower gearbox housing and the associated intercooler. Efficiency increases of 2% or more are achievable. In multistage applications, efficiency gains in the early stages are compounded in each subsequent stage. Speed changes that change center distance between bull gear and pinion are accommodated by an offset opening in the inlet and diffuser that can line up with the impeller shaft as well as an offset opening in the fluid seal despite a pinion gear change, by reorientation and remounting of those parts.

Abstract: A device for dispensing an infusible substance, and a method for using the device are disclosed. The device may include a bag for holding the infusible substance. A cord may be attached to the bag for manipulating the bag. The bag and cord may be sealed in a pouch to maintain the infusible substance fresh. The device may be used by opening an upper portion and a lower portion of the pouch such that the cord extends out the top and the bag extends below the pouch. The bag may be placed in a liquid to dispense the infusible substance. The bag may then be drawn into the pouch with the cord and the pouch may be squeezed to compress excess fluid out of the bag. The bag may be discarded inside the pouch to further enhance the cleanliness of the dispensing procedure.