Abstract: A thermal marine propulsion system is disclosed as an alternative to ordinary marine propulsion systems that utilize mechanical thrusters, i.e. propellers or impellers. The invented system utilizes a solid-state approach and employs a plate-type electric heating-element with a heat-emitting surface, which through boiling and displacing the surrounding water, creates a pressure difference between itself and the opposite-surface. Consequently, a thrust is generated along the (inward-pointing) normal-vector of the heat-emitting surface.

Abstract: A distributed fuel module includes a fuel pressure vessel with a gas port and a fuel port, a hydraulic circuit breaker connected to the fuel port, and a gaseous circuit breaker. The gaseous circuit breaker is connected to the gas port, is fluidly coupled to the hydraulic circuit breaker through the fuel pressure vessel, and is cooperatively associated with the gaseous circuit breaker to isolate the fuel pressure vessel from a compressed gas header and a fuel header according to pressure differential within the hydraulic circuit breaker and pressure differential within the gaseous circuit breaker. Power modules and methods of controlling fuel flow in fuel modules are also described.

Abstract: A fluid driven motor device is provided, which does not use a magnet or an armature coil, includes a motor casing chamber containing a fluid mixture, a shaft disposed within the chamber, and a plurality of ray guns arranged on the periphery of the chamber, and a unidirectional gear assembly. The shaft has a plurality of cell holders, onto which a corresponding plurality of membrane cells is attached. Each membrane cell holds a predetermined quantity of a liquid. The membrane cells expand continuously based on the firing of the subatomic rays by the plurality of ray guns causing the shaft to rotate. The device has several advantages such as being very energy and heat efficient, having lesser weight as compared to conventional electromagnetic coil based motors.

Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body having a base and sides; a propulsion system for guiding the AUV to a final target on the ocean bottom; a pump-jet connected to an inlet and plural base outlets, wherein the plural base outlets are distributed on the base; a processor connected to the pump-jet and configured to activate the pump-jet when the base in on the ocean bottom; and a seismic sensor configured to record seismic signals. The pump-jet has a first low speed so that water jets expelled at the plural base outlets fluidize the ocean bottom underneath the base and buries the AUV.

Abstract: A propulsion system for watercraft that uses steam generated from low energy reactor to enable long range high power propulsion. The system preferably uses steam generated from a low energy reactor to provide on-demand steam generated without external power.

Abstract: A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.

Abstract: A particulate matter control system includes: an electrode that is provided in an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine; a power supply that is connected to the electrode and that applies voltage; a particle number detecting unit that detects the particle number of particulate matter on a downstream side of the electrode; a calculation unit that calculates a reduction rate of the particle number at the time when voltage is applied on the basis of the particle number detected by the particle number detecting unit at the time when voltage is applied and the particle number detected by the particle number detecting unit at the time when no voltage is applied; and a determination unit that determines that there is a failure when the reduction rate of the particle number, calculated by the calculation unit, is smaller than a threshold.

Abstract: This invention is a piston in cylinder engine using water injection into a relative vacuum heated to steam by expanding in the cylinder and by an electric arc or other heat source. The resulting steam explosion applies a work force on the piston. The piston has jet nozzles uncovered at the end of its work stroke to jet the piston to help propel it during the return stroke and to form a vacuum in place of the usual compression stroke. The piston has a cover plate with tapered pins depending into jet nozzles through the piston to block the jet nozzles during the main work stroke.

Abstract: The hydrogen gas generator for jet engines includes a device that utilizes photons and a catalyst to disassociate hydrogen gas from water. The generated hydrogen gas is directed to the combustion chamber of a jet engine and combined with air therein for burning and powering the jet engine. The device is connected to a source of electric energy and pressurized water. The electric energy is supplied to an anode and a surrounding cathode. The cathode is designed to glow white-hot and emit photons and heat when an electric current is supplied thereto. The anode is fabricated from a catalytic material and is designed to become red-hot when supplied with electric energy. Water is supplied through a conduit and to is converted to superheated steam, which is thermolytically decomposed to form hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: In an engine, a rotor having a folded jet pipe is rotatably supported in a sealed container filled with a liquid. A heating portion is inserted in a center cylinder at the center of the rotor, and a fluid of a high temperature is passed therethrough to vaporize the liquid sucked through the suction pipe of the rotor. A mixture of steam and liquid is jetted from the jet pipe due to the pressure of the steam that is vaporized to rotate the rotor. A check valve for jetting and a check valve for suction are disposed at the ends of the jet pipe and the suction pipe. The jetted steam is guided to a condenser disposed on the sealed container, and is condensed and is refluxed into the sealed container. A vacuum pump is connected to the condenser, and the pressure in the sealed container is held at the saturated steam pressure.

Abstract: A simply constituted steam engine efficiently obtains mechanical energy not only from a heat source of a high temperature but also from the exhaust heat of an internal combustion engine and various kinds of heat sources of a low-temperature state such as the solar heat. In the engine, a rotor (5) having a folded jet pipe (51) is rotatably supported in a sealed container (1) filled with a liquid. A heating portion (9) is inserted in a center cylinder (50) at the center of the rotor, and a fluid of a high temperature is passed therethrough to vaporize the liquid sucked through the suction pipe (52) of the rotor (5). A mixture of steam and liquid is jetted from the jet pipe (51) due to the pressure of the steam that is vaporized to rotate the rotor (5). A check valve (53) for jetting and a check valve (54) for suction are disposed at the ends of the jet pipe (51) and the suction pipe (52).

Abstract: The high efficient heat engine process can use either water or liquefied gases for its working fluid to extract thermal energy from the ambient or non-ambient heat sources to increase its heat transfer rate and its power generation efficiency. The slower-speed two-phase turbine has a high ratio gear reducer to increase a generator's speed and produce power at about 50% efficiency. A high ratio gear reducer is used to increase its generator's speed and meet its power generation requirements (3,600 RPM). The two-phase separator and compressor/pump substitute the cooling condenser's position and compress the waste streams directly back to the boiler and allow the process to run at temperatures lower than room temperature, with no need for a conventional cooling condenser. Owing to these two-phase separator/compressor/pump processes, this new heat engine process will not discharge thermal pollution and/or radioactive/hazardous wastes into the heat sink and global environment.

Abstract: A simply constituted steam engine efficiently obtains mechanical energy not only from a heat source of a high temperature but also from the exhaust heat of an internal combustion engine and various kinds of heat sources of a low-temperature state such as the solar heat. In the engine, a rotor (5) having a folded jet pipe (51) is rotatably supported in a sealed container (1) filled with a liquid. A heating portion (9) is inserted in a center cylinder (50) at the center of the rotor, and a fluid of a high temperature is passed therethrough to vaporize the liquid sucked through the suction pipe (52) of the rotor (5). A mixture of steam and liquid is jetted from the jet pipe (51) due to the pressure of the steam that is vaporized to rotate the rotor (5). A check valve (53) for jetting and a check valve (54) for suction are disposed at the ends of the jet pipe (51) and the suction pipe (52).

Abstract: To provide a power generation system that prevents a reduction in the efficiency of a steam turbine due to an aperture adjustment of a turbine governing valve. There is provided a power generation system comprising: a furnace in which a solid fuel or a liquid fuel is combusted; a steam turbine that generates electric power by rotating a turbine rotor using steam generated by the furnace; a superheater that is provided between the furnace and the steam turbine and that superheats the steam; a first steam piping that connects the furnace to the superheater; a second steam piping that connects the superheater to the steam turbine; a first valve provided in the first steam piping; a turbine governing valve provided in the second steam piping; and a control section that adjusts an aperture of the first valve according to a load of the steam turbine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and method for using unmixed fuel processors. In one embodiment, a system for using an unmixed fuel processor comprises: an unmixed fuel processor and a power generating unit. The unmixed fuel processor comprises: a gasification reactor, an oxidation reactor and a regeneration reactor. The gasification reactor comprises a CO2 sorbent material. The oxidation reactor comprises an oxygen transfer material. The regeneration reactor is configured to receive spent CO2 sorbent material from the gasification reactor and to return regenerated CO2 sorbent material to the gasification reactor, and configured to receive oxidized oxygen transfer material from the oxidation reactor and to return reduced oxygen transfer material to the oxidation reactor. The power generating unit configured to receive an oxygen depleted stream from the oxidation reactor and to produce electricity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a uniform pressure unequal surface engine and an engine for power generators using the same. The uniform pressure unequal surface engine includes a kernel cylinder having a fuel supply unit. A kernel piston is airtightly provided in the kernel cylinder and reciprocated by explosive force when fuel is burnt, thus providing rotating force to a rotating shaft. A pressure reducing cylinder is connected to the kernel cylinder via an openable exhaust gas pipe, has a relatively larger inner diameter than the kernel cylinder, and has no fuel supply unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for routing fluid in a steam turbine is provided. The steam turbine includes a stage comprising a plurality of buckets secured to a rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate in response to a first volume of fluid flowing from an inlet passageway past the plurality of buckets. The apparatus includes a member having a fluid passageway extending therethrough. The fluid passageway includes a first end in fluid communication with a discharge side of the stage of the steam turbine. A second volume of fluid comprising a portion of the first volume of fluid is received into the fluid passageway at the discharge side of the stage and is discharged out of an outlet of the fluid passageway. The outlet is in fluid communication with a region between an upstream side of the stage and a sealing member disposed against the rotor. The region receives a third volume of leakage fluid from the upstream side of the stage.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a vehicle exhaust system may include (1) measuring exhaust-gas temperature at an outlet side of an exhaust pipe section which is intended to accommodate a component with a purifying activity, (2) measuring exhaust-gas temperature at an inlet side of the exhaust pipe section, and (3) comparing a time curve of the outlet-side temperature with a time curve of the inlet-side temperature, wherein the comparison comprises determining a time derivative of the outlet-side temperature or of the inlet-side temperature. Alternatively, the method may include (1) measuring exhaust-gas temperature at an outlet side of an exhaust pipe section which is intended to accommodate a component with a purifying activity, (2) determining a calculated value for the exhaust-gas temperature at the outlet side based on at least one of the heat-storing and fluid-dynamic action of the component, and (3) comparing a time curve of the measured outlet-side temperature with a time curve of the calculated value.

Abstract: A rocket includes: 1) an air-breathing external combustion rocket engine including: a fuel tank configured to contain a fuel combustible with air; a working medium tank configured to contain a working medium; a combustor connected to the fuel tank and configured to combust the fuel with air to form a hot product gas; a heat exchanger connected to the combustor and configured to heat the working medium with the hot product gas via heat conducting walls of the heat exchanger so as to generate a high-energy working medium having a high pressure; and a nozzle connected to at least one of the working medium tank and the heat exchanger and configured to expand the high-energy working medium so as to generate thrust; and 2) accommodations for a human passenger sufficient to allow the human passenger to fly on the rocket.

Abstract: A method for designing and assembling a high performance catalyst bed gas generator for use in decomposing propellants, particularly hydrogen peroxide propellants, for use in target, space, and on-orbit propulsion systems and low-emission terrestrial power and gas generation. The gas generator utilizes a sectioned catalyst bed system, and incorporates a robust, high temperature mixed metal oxide catalyst. The gas generator requires no special preheat apparatus or special sequencing to meet start-up requirements, enabling a fast overall response time. The high performance catalyst bed gas generator system has consistently demonstrated high decomposition efficiency, extremely low decomposition roughness, and long operating life on multiple test articles.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a flying craft uses an air and water fuel source to provide propulsion thrust. The system includes two steam generating units, one attached directly to a compact turbine and the other connected to a compressor. The compressor compresses the steam from the latter steam generator, including excess steam from the turbine generator, and pumps it to a super-heated steam compression chamber. At the same time, the turbine generator powers another compressor to take in air from the atmosphere and pumps it into a super chilled compression chamber. After both the compressed super-heated steam and the compressed super chilled air have attained required pressure, volume and temperature, both gases are fed into an expansion chamber under appropriate control. The expansion chamber operates as a rocket booster and is equipped with an exhaust system made up of a main nozzle and several auxiliary thrust vectoring nozzles.

Abstract: A waterjet drive engine for the propulsion of large ships includes an elongated water conduit having a rearwardly directed exhaust portal, a forward extremity having a water intake portal, and a middle portion of larger diameter than the diameter of the exhaust portal. A hollow axially symmetrical chamber is centrally positioned within the middle portion, defining therewith an annular interstitial zone through which ambient water is caused to flow. A shaft driven by the ship's power system extends into the chamber and is provided with a circular array of propulsion blades positioned within the interstitial zone and adapted to force water rearwardly. A plurality of nozzles enter the chamber and direct high pressure steam toward the exhaust portal. The effect of the steam is to add an augmenting force to the rotative motion of the shaft.

Abstract: Process of producing power comprising:providing a turbine adapted to generate shaft work, said turbine having a combustor; and a rocket engine having a nozzle and a compressor means;feeding fuel and oxidant to the rocket engine and the rocket engine compressor means;feeding carbonaceous matter and steam into the rocket engine nozzle;processing the output of the rocket engine nozzle into fuel for the turbine;introducing said fuel and oxidant for the turbine to the turbine combustor; andrecycling a substantial portion of the hot exhaust from the turbine to the rocket engine compressor means; andcontrolling the inlet temperature to the turbine.Apparatus for producing power comprising a rocket engine and a turbine adapted to generate shaft work is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automobile engine has a pressure transducer in its exhaust system, and misfires are identified by the pressure drop accompanying the misfire, and the timing of the pressure drop relative to the cylinder identification signal. This may be accomplished digitally, sampling the pressure level at a rate of 1,000 cycles per second or more, and statistically analyzing the samples representing relative pressure. The sharp pressure drop and the range of pressures are important parameters in identifying the misfiring cylinder.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and the fuel therefor for creating a hot gas jet hydrogen peroxide in a maximum aqueous solution of 55% to which is added a burnable substance. The mixture is passed through a permeable mass of catalytic material such as manganese dioxide in the form of granules of natural pyroluside where the hydrogen peroxide is broken down into water and oxygen. The oxygen thus formed is combined with the burnable substance which may be sugar, coal dust, alcohol, gasoline or other common fuels. Water is added to the mixture to insure storage stability of the hydrogen peroxide.