Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic cavitation fusion energy generator comprising an internal armature rotatably arranged within a reactor vessel. The generator further comprises a lithium-ammonia fuel dispersed between the internal armature and the reactor vessel. The reactor vessel further comprises a plurality of external magnets and at least one extraction electrode configured to extract current from fusion reactions in the fuel. The internal armature further comprises a plurality of cavitation cavities, a plurality of internal magnets, and at least one facilitation electrode configured to arc for the facilitation of fusion. The plurality of internal magnets and the plurality of external magnets are arranged relative to one another to create a magnetic field within the reactor vessel when the internal armature is rotated relative to the reactor vessel.

Abstract: An atmospheric water harvesting apparatus includes a post, a water capturing unit, a drive bearing, a motor, a water collecting member, and a power source. The water capturing unit comprises a cylindric wall. The cylindric wall is positioned concentrically with the post. The cylindric wall comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The cylindric wall forms an air passageway having an air inlet and an air outlet. The inner surface of the cylindric wall is coated with a layer of triboelectric material. The drive bearing is rotatably mounted about the post. The drive bearing is provided with a plurality of radial bars. The water collecting member is located beneath the water capturing unit to collect water captured by the water capturing unit. The power source is electrically connected to the motor.

Abstract: An aneutronic fusion apparatus is disclosed that uses a lithium ammonia fuel mixture as a supercritical fusion fuel of solvated electrons thereby lowering the coulomb barrier to achieve small scale fusion. The integration of alpha sources, magnetic confinement, electrical arcing, and pressure allow for fusion events and chain reactions. The process operates in a cyclical fashion fusing atoms then fizzling creating a diamagnetic pressure in the plasma whose output energy is inductively harvested. A typical embodiment device includes: a chamber; a magnetic confinement coil surrounding at least a portion of the chamber; electrodes extending into the chamber defining a gap. A device having bidirectional electrode rod arrays has a first array with rods extending in a first direction, a last electrode rod array having rods extending in a second direction opposite the first direction, and one or more intervening electrode rod arrays each having rods extending in both directions.

Abstract: Ventilated disc brake rotors are presented that have significantly increased surface areas for cooling in comparison with currently manufactured disc brake rotors. In an embodiment, the rotors utilize a matric of cooling channels disposed between opposing outside surfaces of friction rings of the rotors. The plurality of cooling channels may be in the form of a three-dimensional lattice or matrix (e.g., repeating or stacked rows of cooling channels). When utilizing such a lattice or matrix, at least a portion of the cooling channels do not directly interface with either friction ring. Rather, at least a portion of the cooling channels interface with (e.g., are surrounded by) other cooling channels. As a result, the total cooling surface area of the rotor may be greatly increased compared to existing rotors.

Abstract: Ventilated disc brake rotors are presented that have significantly increased surface areas for cooling in comparison with currently manufactured disc brake rotors. In an embodiment, the rotors utilize a matric of cooling channels disposed between opposing outside surfaces of friction rings of the rotors. The plurality of cooling channels may be in the form of a three-dimensional lattice or matrix (e.g., repeating or stacked rows of cooling channels). When utilizing such a lattice or matrix, at least a portion of the cooling channels do not directly interface with either friction ring. Rather, at least a portion of the cooling channels interface with (e.g., are surrounded by) other cooling channels. As a result, the total cooling surface area of the rotor may be greatly increased compared to existing rotors.

Abstract: An external concentrator is disclosed for use in concentrating reflected solar radiation (e.g., beams or rays) onto a heat collection element (HCE) located at a focal point of a parabolic mirror. The external concentrator includes at least first and second elongated ribs that are adapted to extend radially outward from the outside surface of an HCE and along a linear length (e.g., a portion or all) of the HCE to redirect stray/spilled light into the absorber tube of the HCE. The radial extension of the ribs above the outside surface of the HCE allows a reflective surface of the rib to redirect stray reflected beams/rays that would otherwise bypass the HCE back onto the HCE.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods (“utilities”) for use in “internally” cooling an centrifugal compressor of a gas turbine engine so as to approximate isothermal compression and thereby increase the power and/or efficiency of the engine. In one arrangement, a centrifugal housing having fluid or coolant paths is provided to absorb heat or thermal energy generated while compressing intake air.

Abstract: An external concentrator is provided for use with heat collection elements (HCE's of a solar parabolic trough power plant. In one arrangement, the concentrator includes a plurality of ribs that are adapted to extend radially outward from the outside surface of an HCE and along the linear length of the HCE to help redirect stray/spilled light into the absorber tube of the HCE. In another arrangement, the concentrator includes a shield placed on or near a surface of the HCE opposite of the parabolic reflective trough. The reflective shield includes ribs or brims that are disposed adjacent to one or both lateral edges of a reflective shield applied to the outside surface of a HCE tube to increase the collection of stray light reflected by the reflective trough.

Abstract: An external concentrator is disclosed for use in concentrating reflected solar radiation (e.g., beams or rays) onto a heat collection element (HCE) located at a focal point of a parabolic mirror. The external concentrator includes at least first and second elongated ribs that are adapted to extend radially outward from the outside surface of an HCE and along a linear length (e.g., a portion or all) of the HCE to redirect stray/spilled light into the absorber tube of the HCE. The radial extension of the ribs above the outside surface of the HCE allows a reflective surface of the rib to redirect stray reflected beams/rays that would otherwise bypass the HCE back onto the HCE.

Abstract: An aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing is provided. The aircraft includes a fuselage having a forward portion and an aft portion. A lift fan extends though a duct, which extends through the fuselage. The aircraft further includes a pair of wing sets where each set of wings include first and second wings. Each set of wings has a first wing with a first wing root interconnected to the fuselage forward of a central axis of the lift fan and a second wing having a second wing root interconnected to the fuselage aft of the central axis of the lift fan. The tips of each set of wings are connected. The aircraft further includes a pusher fan.

Abstract: A recuperator for use in transferring heat from gas turbine exhaust gases to compressed air inlet gases before combustion. The recuperator utilizes a plurality of stacked foils that define microchannels to form a recuperator having high effectiveness and low pressure drop while maintaining a low weight. Accordingly, the recuperator presented herein may be incorporated into light aircraft and helicopters without significantly compromising the performance thereof.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods (“utilities”) for use in “internally” cooling the compressor of a gas turbine engine so as to approximate isothermal compression and thereby increase the power and/or efficiency of the engine. In one arrangement, a “cooling jacket” or heat exchanger having coolant circulating or passing therethrough may be mounted around an outer surface of the compressor to absorb heat or thermal energy generated from the compressor. In another arrangement, the stator blades of the compressor may include passages through which a coolant may be circulated or passed to absorb heat from air passing through the compressor.

Abstract: A vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, which may be a UAV aircraft, is disclosed. The VTOL is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, hovering and traveling of slow speeds. In addition the VTOL permits high-speed forward flight that allows for increasing the range of the aircraft.

Abstract: A recuperator for use in transferring heat from gas turbine exhaust gases to compressed air inlet gases before combustion. The recuperator utilizes a plurality (e.g., thousands) of microtubes or microchannels to form a heat exchanger having high effectiveness and low pressure drop while maintaining a low weight. Accordingly, the recuperator presented herein may be incorporated into light aircraft and helicopters without significantly compromising the performance thereof.

Abstract: Wind turbine devices are presented that use counter rotating rotor assemblies in a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) arrangement. This reduces the torque applied to the HAWT thereby reducing the structural requirements of a wind energy generation system. Additionally, the counter rotating rotor assemblies cooperatively rotate an output shaft. In one arrangement, this shaft is a vertical shaft which allows removing power generation equipment from the axis of rotation of a HAWT to a position below the wind turbine and/or located on the ground.

Abstract: A recuperator for use in transferring heat from gas turbine exhaust gases to compressed air inlet gases before combustion. The recuperator utilizes a plurality (e.g., thousands) of microtubes or microchannels to form a heat exchanger having high effectiveness and low pressure drop while maintaining a low weight. Accordingly, the recuperator presented herein may be incorporated into light aircraft and helicopters without significantly compromising the performance thereof.