Abstract: An atmospheric re-entry vehicle includes a main body defining a forward end of the vehicle, a base defining an aft end of the vehicle, and a heat shield at the base. The heat shield includes a heat shield outer surface. The main body and the heat shield are configured such that a centerline of the heat shield is offset relative to a centerline of the main body. At least a portion of the heat shield outer surface is at least substantially axisymmetric relative to the centerline of the heat shield.

Abstract: A heat shield for protecting a windward side of a vehicle from a high enthalpy flow is disclosed. The heat shield includes a centerbody sidewall and a centerbody base extending aft of the centerbody sidewall. The centerbody sidewall and the centerbody base define a heat shield outer surface that is non-axisym metric. Also disclosed is an aerospike nozzle defined at least partially by the heat shield, an engine including a high pressure chamber and the aerospike nozzle, and a vehicle including the engine.

Abstract: A reusable upper stage rocket or other atmospheric re-entry vehicle includes a nose, a base opposite the nose, and a propulsion engine toward the base. The propulsion engine includes a high pressure chamber and a nozzle configured to exhaust gas generated by the high pressure chamber. The nozzle includes an initial nozzle portion, a secondary nozzle portion downstream of the initial nozzle portion, and a nozzle exit at a downstream end of the secondary nozzle portion. The secondary nozzle portion includes an inner expansion surface, an outer expansion surface outboard of the inner expansion surface, and an expansion cavity defined between the inner expansion surface and the outer expansion surface.

Abstract: An annular aerospike nozzle for a vehicle, such as an upper stage rocket, is disclosed. The annular aerospike nozzle includes a centerbody and a plurality of thrust chambers spaced around the centerbody. Each thrust chamber has a throat and a nozzle portion extending aft of the throat. The nozzle portion has an exit dimension Dexit at an aft end. Each thrust chamber is spaced away from adjacent thrust chambers by a spacing distance Dspace, such that Dspace?M*Dexit, where M?1.

Abstract: An aerospike nozzle for an upper stage rocket of a multi-stage rocket system includes a throat, a centerbody extending aft of the throat, and an expansion surface defined by the centerbody, wherein the centerbody is an annular aerospike having a base that at least partially defines an aft end of the upper stage rocket. An engine includes a high pressure chamber and the aerospike nozzle. A vehicle for supersonic flight includes the engine with the aerospike nozzle.

Abstract: An augmented aerospike nozzle includes a throat, a centerbody extending aft of the throat, an inner expansion surface defined by the centerbody, an outer expansion surface outboard of the inner expansion surface, and an expansion cavity defined between the inner expansion surface and the outer expansion surface. An engine includes a high pressure chamber and the augmented aerospike nozzle. A vehicle for supersonic flight includes the engine with the augmented aerospike nozzle.

Abstract: A heat shield for protecting a windward side of a vehicle from a high enthalpy flow is disclosed. The heat shield includes a centerbody sidewall and a centerbody base extending aft of the centerbody sidewall. The centerbody sidewall and the centerbody base define a heat shield outer surface that is non-axisym metric. Also disclosed is an aerospike nozzle defined at least partially by the heat shield, an engine including a high pressure chamber and the aerospike nozzle, and a vehicle including the engine.

Abstract: An annular aerospike nozzle for a vehicle, such as an upper stage rocket. is disclosed. The annular aerospike nozzle includes a centerbody and a plurality of thrust chambers spaced around the centerbody. Each thrust chamber has a throat and a nozzle portion extending aft of the throat. The nozzle portion has an exit dimension Dexit at an aft end. Each thrust chamber is spaced away from adjacent thrust chambers by a spacing distance Dspace, such that Dspace?M*Dexit, where M?1.

Abstract: An augmented aerospike nozzle includes a throat, a centerbody extending aft of the throat, an inner expansion surface defined by the centerbody, an outer expansion surface outboard of the inner expansion surface, and an expansion cavity defined between the inner expansion surface and the outer expansion surface. An engine includes a high pressure chamber and the augmented aerospike nozzle. A vehicle for supersonic flight includes the engine with the augmented aerospike nozzle.

Abstract: An actively-cooled heat shield system includes a heat shield, a tank, a pump, a heat exchanger, and a turbine. The heat shield defines a windward side of a vehicle. The tank stores a coolant. The pump receives the coolant from the tank and outputs a pressurized coolant. The heat exchanger is integrally connected with the heat shield. The heat exchanger receives the pressurized coolant from the pump, transfers heat from the heat shield to the pressurized coolant to generate a heated fluid, and outputs the heated fluid. The turbine includes an inlet, a shaft, and an outlet. The inlet receives the heated fluid output from the heat exchanger. The shaft is coupled to the pump and includes turbine blades. The shaft rotates and powers the pump when the heated fluid received from the heat exchanger acts on the turbine blades. The outlet outputs the heated fluid.

Abstract: An aerospike nozzle for an upper stage rocket of a multi-stage rocket system includes a throat, a centerbody extending aft of the throat, and an expansion surface defined by the centerbody, wherein the centerbody is an annular aerospike having a base that at least partially defines an aft end of the upper stage rocket. An engine includes a high pressure chamber and the aerospike nozzle. A vehicle for supersonic flight includes the engine with the aerospike nozzle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a modular hydrokinetic turbine. An apparatus includes modular vertically floating units tethered to shore with a generator residing above water and vertically oriented blades submerged in water to convert a latent kinetic energy of a moving waterway into electricity.

Abstract: A family of organometallic liquid absorbents that can have their thermophysical properties tailored for specific applications. Processes to manufacture these liquid absorbents and methods to optimize their thermodynamic properties are included. These organometallic liquid absorbents are used in compressor driven and heat driven heat pumps (50) and cryocoolers (99). With optimum thermodynamic properties, these heat pumps systems are highly efficient. These liquid absorbents are not damaging to the environment, are non-toxic and non-corrosive and are applicable to environmentally clean and highly efficient heat pumps, refrigerators, air conditioners, process heating and cooling systems, electronics cooling systems, cryocoolers and gas separation processes.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for carrying a weight-bearing object, such as a golf bag, has a hip belt member for supporting the weight bearing object and reducing the load on the user's back and shoulders. An attachment member is coupled to the hip belt member for attaching the hip belt member to the weight-bearing object, and a belt fastener connects the hip belt member about the user's waist. Additional shoulder straps can be utilized to lift the object and stabilize and reduce movement of the weight-bearing object about the user. Hip belt members and shoulder pads can have vent slots for ventilation and improved comfort, while being worn in hot weather. Hip belt members and shoulder pads can have heat storage material added to cool the user, while being worn in hot weather.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for carrying a weight-bearing object, such as a golf bag, has a hip belt member for supporting the weight-bearing object and reducing the load on the user's back and shoulders. An attachment member is coupled to the hip belt member for attaching the hip belt member to the weight-bearing object, and a belt fastener connects the hip belt member about the user's waist. Additional shoulder straps can be utilized to stabilize and reduce movement of the weight-bearing object about the user.