Abstract: A particle heat exchanger comprising: a housing including an inlet located at the top of the housing, and an outlet located below the inlet, the housing configured to enclose a flow of heat transfer particles which flows downwardly from the inlet to the outlet within the housing; at least one heat transfer tube enclosed in the housing and in contact with the flow of heat transfer particles therein, each heat transfer tube extending substantially parallel to an axis extending between the inlet and outlet of the housing; and at least one divider located between the inlet and outlet of the housing, the at least one heat transfer tube extending through each divider, each divider including at least one opening configured to form at least one flow constriction in the flow of heat transfer particles between the inlet and outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A solid particle solar receiver comprising: a housing which includes at least one opening for receiving concentrated solar irradiance; and an inclined receiver surface about and along which particles fall downwardly from a particle inlet, the receiver surface being located in the housing in a position through which concentrated solar irradiance can incident through the at least one opening, wherein the receiver surface comprises at least two particle falling stages, each stage separated by at least one particle retention formation configured to receive, accumulate and progressively discharging particles into a subsequent stage. and wherein the receiver surface is configured with a frustoconical shaped curve.

Abstract: A particle heat exchanger comprising: a housing including an inlet located at the top of the housing, and an outlet located below the inlet, the housing configured to enclose a flow of heat transfer particles which flows downwardly from the inlet to the outlet within the housing; at least one heat transfer tube enclosed in the housing and in contact with the flow of heat transfer particles therein, each heat transfer tube extending substantially parallel to an axis extending between the inlet and outlet of the housing; and at least one divider located between the inlet and outlet of the housing, the at least one heat transfer tube extending through each divider, each divider including at least one opening configured to form at least one flow constriction in the flow of heat transfer particles between the inlet and outlet of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accessory system simulating the biomechanical motion of manual paddling such as with a canoe or small boat. The system comprises: a watercraft attaching portion having width-adjusting members, an array of levers and members, paddle attaching members, a pedal system, and linkage therebetween, all forming a mechanical structure adapted to simulate the biomechanical motion commonly used by manual-propulsion watercraft operators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accessory system simulating the biomechanical motion of manual paddling such as with a canoe or small boat. The system comprises: a watercraft attaching portion having width-adjusting members, an array of levers and members, paddle attaching members, a pedal system, and linkage therebetween, all forming a mechanical structure adapted to simulate the biomechanical motion commonly used by manual-propulsion watercraft operators.