Abstract: In a method, an electrical grid is monitored. Based on monitoring the electrical grid, it is determined that one or more criteria are satisfied at a first time. In response to determining that the one or more criteria are satisfied at the first time, water is moved from an aquifer located at a first elevation to a reservoir located at a second elevation. The first elevation is lower than the second elevation. The water is moved from the reservoir through a heat exchanger, and heat is transferred using the water. Subsequent to moving the water through the heat exchanger, the water is moved into the aquifer.

Abstract: In an energy time-shifting process, an electrical grid is monitored. Based on monitoring the electrical grid, it is determined that one or more criteria are satisfied at a first time. In response to determining that the one or more criteria are satisfied at the first time, water is directed from an aquifer located at a first elevation to a reservoir located at a second elevation. The first elevation is lower than the second elevation. Subsequent to directing the water from the aquifer to the reservoir, water is directed from the reservoir to a turbine generator located at a third elevation. The third elevation is lower than the second elevation and higher than the first elevation. Electrical power is generated using the turbine generated based on the water flowing through the turbine generator. Water is directed from the turbine generator into the aquifer.

Abstract: An energy generation system includes an excess water drain disposed at a first elevation, an aquifer disposed at a second elevation lower than the first elevation, a conduit in fluid communication with the excess water drain and the aquifer, and a turbine generator disposed in the conduit. The turbine generator is configured to convert kinetic energy of excess water flowing through the conduit from the excess water drain to the aquifer into electrical energy.

Abstract: In an example method, first electrical power is generated using one or more solar panels, and a water level rise of a sea is mitigated, at least in part, using a water processing system that is at least partially powered by the first electrical power. Mitigating the water level rise of the sea includes extracting saline water from the sea, desalinating the saline water, directing the desalinated water to one or more turbine generators, generating second electrical power using the one or more turbine generators, and directing the desalinated water from the one or more turbine generators into one or more aquifers. The one or more aquifers are hydraulically isolated from the sea.

Abstract: In an example method, first electrical power is generated using one or more solar panels, and a water level rise of a sea is mitigated, at least in part, using a water processing system that is at least partially powered by the first electrical power. Mitigating the water level rise of the sea includes extracting saline water from the sea, desalinating the saline water, directing the desalinated water to one or more turbine generators, generating second electrical power using the one or more turbine generators, and directing the desalinated water from the one or more turbine generators into one or more aquifers. The one or more aquifers are hydraulically isolated from the sea.

Abstract: In an example method, first electrical power is generated using one or more solar panels. Saline water is desalinated using a desalination facility powered, at least in part, by the first electrical power. The desalinated water is stored in a reservoir located at a first elevation. A usage of an electrical grid is monitored, and a determination is made that one or more criteria are satisfied at a first time. In response, the desalinated water is directed from the reservoir to a turbine generator located at a second elevation, second electrical power is generated using the turbine generator, the desalinated water is directed from the turbine generator into an aquifer located at a third elevation, and at least a portion of the second electrical power is provided to the electrical grid.

Abstract: A transmission assembly including a housing, an electric motor, and a baffle is provided. The housing may include first and second drainage channels. The electric motor may be disposed within the housing adjacent the drainage channels and a torque converter. The baffle may be disposed within the housing upon a housing inner surface, and may define an opening to the first and second drainage channels. The baffle may include a baffle flange sized for positioning adjacent the torque converter to minimize contact of oil within the housing to the torque converter. The housing may define first and second partition walls each partially extending over one of the first and second drainage channels. The baffle may further include first and second seal features each disposed at one of two baffle ends.

Abstract: A transmission assembly including a housing, an electric motor, and a baffle is provided. The housing may include first and second drainage channels. The electric motor may be disposed within the housing adjacent the drainage channels and a torque converter. The baffle may be disposed within the housing upon a housing inner surface, and may define an opening to the first and second drainage channels. The baffle may include a baffle flange sized for positioning adjacent the torque converter to minimize contact of oil within the housing to the torque converter. The housing may define first and second partition walls each partially extending over one of the first and second drainage channels. The baffle may further include first and second seal features each disposed at one of two baffle ends.

Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft, a transmission pump, a transmission sump and a pump-driving element, which is preferably a drive gear. The drive gear and the transmission pump are located in the transmission sump. Power is transmitted from the input shaft to the transmission pump through the drive gear. In a preferred embodiment, power is transmitted from the input shaft to the drive gear through at least one gear, and from the drive gear to the transmission pump through a pump shaft. The drive gear is preferably at least partially enclosed by a shroud, coupled to the transmission pump, in order to separate the drive gear from transmission fluid located in the transmission sump and thereby reduce drag on the drive gear. The shroud preferably also includes a discharge port so that transmission fluid located in the shroud is expelled through the discharge port when the drive gear rotates.

Abstract: In an example method, saline water is desalinated, and the desalinated water is directed to an aquifer. As the desalinated water is directed to the aquifer, kinetic energy associated with the desalinated water is converted into electrical energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for lifting one or more persons, such as a person having a mobility restriction, from a first level to a second level, such as onto a raised level of a play structure. In some embodiments, the system may also be configured so that an able-bodied person may enter and exit the platform even while the platform is being raised or lowered. In this way, the system may also comprise a play element by which able-bodied children are provided with a continuous play pathway. In some embodiments, the system is configured so that the platform rotates, thereby providing a fun experience that may be shared by persons having mobility restrictions and able-bodied persons.

Abstract: An arc-resistant electrical switchgear racking system includes arc-resistant electrical switchgear that has a chamber and an arc-resistant door configured to enclose the chamber. The arc-resistant electrical switchgear racking system further includes an internal racking mechanism disposed inside the chamber, the internal racking mechanism configured to facilitate connection and disconnection of electrical components inside the chamber. The arc-resistant electrical switchgear racking system further includes a door component disposed in the arc-resistant door, wherein the door component is configured to engage the racking mechanism to provide an arc-resistant interface for accessing the internal racking mechanism.

Abstract: A transmission in a vehicle includes a gearbox and a differential. Torque is transferred from an output of the gearbox to an input of the differential via a drive member. This transfers torque to enable the differential to distribute the torque amongst wheels of the vehicle. A transmission housing and a torque converter housing are mounted to one another to at least partially house the gearbox and the differential, respectively. A transmission fluid sump is provided between the housings where transmission fluid gathers. A fluid pump pressurizes the fluid and distributes it amongst working parts in the transmission. A baffle assembly partially contains the drive member and segregates the fluid sump from the drive member. One of the baffles in the assembly includes a lip engaging a portion of an outer flange of the pump to provide a seal between the fluid pump and components within the transmission.

Abstract: A transmission in a vehicle includes a gearbox and a differential. Torque is transferred from an output of the gearbox to an input of the differential via a drive member. This transfers torque to enable the differential to distribute the torque amongst wheels of the vehicle. A transmission housing and a torque converter housing are mounted to one another to at least partially house the gearbox and the differential, respectively. A transmission fluid sump is provided between the housings where transmission fluid gathers. A fluid pump pressurizes the fluid and distributes it amongst working parts in the transmission. A baffle assembly partially contains the drive member and segregates the fluid sump from the drive member. One of the baffles in the assembly includes a lip engaging a portion of an outer flange of the pump to provide a seal between the fluid pump and components within the transmission.

Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes an input shaft, a transmission pump, a transmission sump and a pump-driving element, which is preferably a drive gear. The drive gear and the transmission pump are located in the transmission sump. Power is transmitted from the input shaft to the transmission pump through the drive gear. In a preferred embodiment, power is transmitted from the input shaft to the drive gear through at least one gear, and from the drive gear to the transmission pump through a pump shaft. The drive gear is preferably at least partially enclosed by a shroud, coupled to the transmission pump, in order to separate the drive gear from transmission fluid located in the transmission sump and thereby reduce drag on the drive gear. The shroud preferably also includes a discharge port so that transmission fluid located in the shroud is expelled through the discharge port when the drive gear rotates.

Abstract: A hydroelectric and geothermal system includes a fluid communication channel that includes a first portion that extends from the earth's surface toward a subterranean hot area, a second portion connected to the first portion and in thermal communication with the subterranean hot area, and a third portion connected to the second portion and that extends to the earth's surface. A first turbine generator is configured to convert kinetic energy of a fluid flowing substantially under the influence of gravity in the first portion of the fluid communication channel into electrical energy. A second turbine generator is configured to convert kinetic energy of a vapor flowing within or out from the third portion of the fluid communication channel into electrical energy. The system also includes a valve arrangement configured for manipulation to hold the fluid in the second portion of the fluid communication channel in thermal communication with the subterranean hot area to produce the vapor.

Abstract: A hydroelectric and geothermal system includes a fluid communication channel that includes a first portion that extends from the earth's surface toward a subterranean hot area, a second portion connected to the first portion and in thermal communication with the subterranean hot area, and a third portion connected to the second portion and that extends to the earth's surface. A first turbine generator is configured to convert kinetic energy of a fluid flowing substantially under the influence of gravity in the first portion of the fluid communication channel into electrical energy. A second turbine generator is configured to convert kinetic energy of a vapor flowing within or out from the third portion of the fluid communication channel into electrical energy. The system also includes a valve arrangement configured for manipulation to hold the fluid in the second portion of the fluid communication channel in thermal communication with the subterranean hot area to produce the vapor.

Abstract: An electronically actuated valve assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve stem, and a plurality of shape memory alloy segments in operative communication with the valve stem, wherein each shape memory alloy segment is individually actuatable, and wherein actuation of different shape memory alloy segments is configured to cause different valve lifts.

Abstract: A method of operating a multiple-use, aquifer-based system includes pumping fluid out of an aquifer (or multiple aquifers) with a pump and selectively diverting the pumped fluid to a pumped-storage reservoir for subsequent return to the aquifer through a turbine to generate electricity hydroelectrically or to a fluid-utilizing system configured to utilize the pumped fluid in an application that is not related to the hydroelectric generation.

Abstract: A system includes a collection of water at a first elevation, an aquifer at a second elevation lower than the first elevation and one or more fluid communication channels that facilitate fluid communication between the collection of water and the aquifer. A turbine-generator is in one of the fluid communication channels to convert kinetic energy of fluid that has flown out of the collection of water into electrical energy. A fluid collection area is downstream of the turbine-generator that at least temporarily collects fluid that has passed through the turbine-generator. An injection pump is provided to pump fluid that has accumulated in the collection area into the aquifer.