Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-step fastening device, a process for creating a fastener utilizing such a device, and the end fastener produced thereby. In this regard, the invention uses an outer, hollow fastener material that can be partially compressed under tension at designated areas (i.e., a compression member) and an inner activation or tensioning member. The compression of the outer fastener material occurs at one or more flexible areas or compression features specifically located on the longitudinal axis of the material. As a result, the outer compression member is capable of being distorted or bent under tension to produce a predetermined configuration. The device described herein has the ability to form specific and controllable fasteners of designated shapes and configurations. Methods for fastening, snaring, gripping, cutting, and manipulating material using the device in a confined space are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-step fastening device, a process for creating a fastener utilizing such a device, and the end fastener produced thereby. In this regard, the invention uses an outer, hollow fastener material that can be partially compressed under tension at designated areas (i.e., a compression member) and an inner activation or tensioning member. The compression of the outer fastener material occurs at one or more flexible areas or compression features specifically located on the longitudinal axis of the material. As a result, the outer compression member is capable of being distorted or bent under tension to produce a predetermined configuration. The device described herein has the ability to form specific and controllable fasteners of designated shapes and configurations. Methods for fastening, snaring, gripping, cutting, and manipulating material using the device in a confined space are also provided.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a prime mover subsystem and a Rankine-cycle heat energy utilization subsystem. The waste heat stream from the prime mover subsystem provides sufficient thermal content to power the heat energy utilization subsystem. The heat energy utilization subsystem can include a hermetically sealed scroll device, which can expand the working fluid through a single or dual scroll pair configuration. The heat energy utilization subsystem may also include a load-splitting controller, quick-start features and a capacity control module to facilitate rapid response to variable load conditions, as well as provide stand-alone operational capability. The load-splitting controller may incorporate a fuzzy logic controller to coordinate operation between the two subsystems. Energy generated by the heat energy utilization subsystem can be in the form of heat for various domestic and process needs, or can provide supplemental electric current.

Abstract: A micro combined heat and power system includes at least a heat source, an expander, a pump, a staged, counterflow condenser and a conduit for transporting a working fluid. The heat source can be, for example, a burner, while the expander is preferably a scroll expander. The heat source superheats the working fluid, which is preferably an organic working fluid. The superheated organic working fluid passes through the expander, which is coupled to a generator to produce electricity. After the working fluid is expanded, its gives up at least a portion of its excess heat first to the condenser. By placing the condenser in a counterflow arrangement, the fluid receiving the heat from the condensing working fluid can be of a higher temperature, thus allowing more system variation in the heat to power output ratio. The fluid receiving heat from the condenser may include circulating air, water or related fluid to provide space heat or domestic hot water.

Abstract: A micro combined heat and power system includes at least a heat source, an expander, a condenser, a pump, recuperator and conduit for circulating a working fluid. After the working fluid is expanded, its thermodynamic properties allow it to remain in a superheated state so that it selectively can give up at least a portion of its excess heat first to the recuperator and then to the condenser, which can then subsequently exchange heat with a circulating air, water or related loop to provide space heat or domestic hot water that can be used, for example, to heat a dwelling. The amount of heat exchange in the recuperator can be adjusted to allow the output ratio of heat to electricity to be varied while maximizing overall system efficiency. Additional componentry, such as an accumulator, enhances system operability by smoothing out working fluid flow rates during transitional operation, such as start-up and shut-down.

Abstract: An evaporator for a micro combined heat and power system. The evaporator includes a heat source, an enclosure made up of at least a heating chamber and a primary fluid flowpath, and tubing that intersects the primary fluid flowpath. In one embodiment, the heat source is a burner such that the primary fluid is an exhaust gas formed by a combustion process at the burner, and the primary fluid flowpath is for the transport of the exhaust gas. The tubing defines a secondary fluid flowpath with a proximal portion adjacent the heat source and a distal portion downstream in the flowpath from the proximal portion. Working fluid first flows through the distal portion in counterflow relationship with the exhaust gas, then flows through the proximal portion in co-flow relationship with the exhaust gas. This circuiting avoids the excessive working fluid temperature of traditional counterflow heat exchangers, while providing better heat transfer efficiency than traditional co-flow heat exchangers.

Abstract: An evaporator for a micro combined heat and power system. The evaporator includes a heat source, an enclosure with a heating chamber and a primary fluid flowpath, and tubing that can carry a working fluid through a secondary fluid flowpath that intersects the primary fluid flowpath. The tubing is grouped into stages, including a first, or proximal, stage situated closest to the heat source, a second, or intermediate, stage downstream of the heat source relative to the proximal stage, and a third, or distal, stage downstream of the heat source relative to the proximal and intermediate stages. The stages of the evaporator tubing, while preferably circuited in a hybrid co-flow and counterflow arrangement, can also be used with purely co-flow or purely counterflow configuration. The proximal stage can be made from a first, relatively robust material, while the distal stage can be made from a second, relatively high thermal conductivity material.

Abstract: The present invention is a power supply (10) that starts a load (20) with a heavy start-up power draw from a power grid (12) and then switches the load to a generator (22) for lower power draw operation thereby avoiding the need for a large capacity generator capable of initial start-up of the load (20). The power supply comprises a conductor (15) for connecting to a power grid, an electrical power generation device (30), an electrical power using device or load (20) and a switching mechanism (40) for 1) isolating the power grid (12) from the power generation device (30), 2) connecting the power grid conductor (15) to the electrical power using device (20) for the initial start-up of the power using device (20), and 3) connecting the power generation device (30) to the power using device (20) after initial start-up.

Abstract: The present invention is a fundamental method and apparatus of a microcomponent assembly that overcomes the inherent limitations of state of the art chemical separations. The fundamental element enabling miniaturization is the porous contactor contained within a microcomponent assembly for mass transfer of a working compound from a first medium to a second medium. The porous contactor has a thickness, and a plurality of pores extending through the thickness. The pores are of a geometry cooperating with a boundary tension of one or the other or both of the media thereby preventing migration of one, other or both through the microporous contactor while permitting passage of the working compound. In the microcomponent assembly, the porous contactor is placed between a first laminate such that a first space or first microplenum is formed between the microporous contactor and the first laminate. Additionally, a cover sheet provides a second space or second plenum between the porous contactor and the cover sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering refrigerant from a refrigeration system having a high pressure liquid side and a low pressure vapor side comprises a storage receptacle for receiving recovered refrigerant, a liquid flow circuit for recovering liquid from the high pressure side of the system, a vapor flow circuit for recovering vapor from the low pressure side of the system, and a vapor feedback flow circuit from the receptacle to the inlet side of a vapor reducing section of the vapor flow circuit. The apparatus is operable in a liquid recovery mode and in a vapor recovery mode, and an arrangement for automatically purging non-compressible gases from liquid refrigerant is provided in the vapor flow circuit on the downstream side of the vapor reducing section thereof.

Abstract: A generator absorber heat exchanger (GAX) heat pump, such as may be used for heating and cooling an inhabited space, having a valving arrangement for converting from a GAX cycle operation to a liquid heat exchanger (LHE) cycle operation when the ambient temperature drops below a predetermined ambient temperature, and for returning to GAX cycle operation when the ambient temperature increases above a predetermined ambient temperature.

Abstract: An absorption refrigeration/heat pump system of the four chamber multiple subsystem type in which an absorption power module is employed having a desorber, condenser, and second desorber combined for more effective heat transfer and thermal efficiency.

Abstract: Countercurrent flow absorber and desorber devices are provided for use in absorption cycle refrigeration systems and thermal boosting systems. The devices have increased residence time and surface area resulting in improved heat and mass transfer characteristics. The apparatuses may be incorporated into open cycle thermal boosting systems in which steam serves both as the refrigerant vapor which is supplied to the absorber section and as the supply of heat to drive the desorber section of the system.

Abstract: Sensible waste heat from industrial or other sources is boosted to useful temperature levels by combining at least one Rankine vapor generation cycle with at least one solution heat pump cycle. Waste heat is first utilized to boil off refrigerant in the Rankine cycle evaporator to provide a source of relatively high pressure vapor to an absorber in the solution heat pump. In the absorber, the vapor is contacted with a working solution of absorbent and refrigerant. As the refrigerant vapor is absorbed into solution, its latent heats of condensation and solution are given off at a temperature higher than the temperature of to a process (boosted output) stream the waste heat source. The working solution is then throttled to a relatively low pressure desorber where a portion of the refrigerant is desorbed as vapor from the solution by the further use of waste heat. The desorbed refrigerant vapor is then condensed and pumped to the evaporator for reuse.