Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system and method are disclosed. The system include a pulse-inducing system configured to deliver pulses of fluid to a fluid stream upstream of the wellbore. The pulse-inducing system can include at least one supplemental pump, at least one pulsation valve, and at least one pressure storage vessel. A hydraulic fracturing method can comprise generating a fluid stream via a primary pumping system, generating a pulsed output via a pulse-inducing system, and directing the pulsed output into the fluid stream upstream of a wellbore.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system and method are disclosed. The system can include a manifold having a first fluid outlet, a second fluid outlet, and a plurality of fluid inlets. The system can also include primary pumps, which are fluidically coupled to one of the fluid inlets, wherein the primary pumps are configured to deliver a first fluid stream to the first fluid outlet and a second fluid stream to the second fluid outlet. The system can further include a supplemental pump fluidically coupled to the second fluid outlet, wherein the supplemental pump is configured to deliver pulses of fluid to the first fluid stream.

Abstract: Pulsed plasma engine and method in which a noncombustible gas is introduced into an explosion chamber, the gas is ionized to form a plasma within the chamber, an electrical pulse is applied to the plasma to heat the plasma, the pulse is turned off to produce an explosive pressure pulse in the plasma, and the plasma is confined in the chamber by a magnetic field that directs the pressure pulse toward an output member which is driven by the pressure pulse.

Abstract: Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.

Abstract: A shockwave-actuated power device includes a cylinder, a regulating module, and a piston assembly. The cylinder includes a chamber and a filling port in communication with the chamber. The regulating module includes first and second partitioning members and a driving member. The first and second partitioning members are received in the chamber, dividing the chamber into a high-pressure filling section, a shockwave train developing/actuating section, and a high-energy shockwave producing section located between the high-pressure filling section and the shockwave train developing/actuating section, with the filling port located in the high-pressure filling section. The driving member drives the first and second partitioning members to control communication between the high-pressure filling section, the high-energy shockwave producing section, and the shockwave train developing/actuating section.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for Hydraulic Transient Energy Generation, based on the principle of hydraulic transients involving conversion of kinetic energy into potential (pressure) energy, which will serve as a reliable, renewable, inexpensive and green source of energy, and provide good environmental benefits (and CO2 credit) by substantially minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. To utilize the potential (pressure) energy developed in the system, the invention makes the transient pressure surge continuous and steady. Rapid response valves with appropriate and compatible instrumentation systems make it possible to periodically and continuously induce pressure surges to maintain high pressure at the outlet of the system. The steady pressure rise at the outlet of the system can be used to drive a turbine for generating electrical power, or for pumping liquid from lower pressure to a higher pressure, wherein it can be used for driving pumps, compressors and the like which require energy input for their operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus generates kinetic and electrical energy using sound waves and is believed to be particularly useful in high efficiency motors and electrical generators. In particular, the method and apparatus uses sound waves as a catalyst to convert ambient heat energy into kinetic and/or electrical energy. In one embodiment, sound waves at particular frequencies are propagated across one side of a plate or other barrier element, causing flow of fluid (e.g. air) across the surface of the plate which, in turn, causes a reduction in the ambient fluid (air) pressure near the surface of the plate. The difference in fluid pressure on opposite sides of the plate results in net positive thrust on the plate, thereby causing movement of the plate. This movement can be harnessed using, for example, a windmill type of rotor and stator arrangement to generate useful kinetic and electrical energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pressurizing a fluid within a combustion chamber and storing that pressurized fluid in a reservoir for later use to power a motor or do other work. The invention includes the apparatus to achieve the method. The method comprises the steps of determining and selecting the particular material or compound to be used as a fuel; one the type of fuel is selected the method involves selecting the reagents necessary to create the fuel; storing the reagents and raw materials; reacting the reagents and raw materials together; conditioning the output from the reacting process; purifying, separating and reusing the reagents from the finished fuel produced by the reacting process; conditioning the material; delivering the material or compound to the combustion chamber; combusting the fuel to produce a high pressure gas; recycling waste of the combustion; and storing the high pressure gas in a vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulse generator (18) in an impulse generator (2) for a cutting tool (12), which pulse generator (18) is intended to transfer energy from a propulsion device (14) to impulses in the tool (12), where the pulse generator (18) comprises a rotatable cylinder drum (28) comprising at least one piston cylinder (30, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98), in which piston cylinder (30, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98) is arranged at least one piston (32, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99), which piston (32, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99) is arranged to compress fluid (29) during rotation of the cylinder drum (28) , and that the cylinder drum (28) is arranged to discharge the fluid (29) to the propulsion chamber (6) in the discharge position of the piston (32, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99) via at least one opening (31, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84) opening into the piston cylinder in order to produce an impulse in the tool (12). The invention also relates to an impulse machine comprising an impulse generator (2).

Abstract: A system (10) for generating high pressure pulses has a source (12, 16) of a pressurized working fluid (14). The working fluid is supplied to two conduits (22,24). A valve (26) has an input connected to each of the conduits (22, 24). The valve has a valve member (29) that is movable between two positions. In one position the valve member allows working fluid to flow from the first conduit (22) to an outlet and blocks the second conduit (24). In the other position the valve member allows working fluid to flow from the first conduit (22) to the outlet and blocks the first conduit (22). Flow of the working fluid causes the valve member to reciprocate and thereby generate water hammers in conduits (22) and (24). Energy from the water hammers may be harnessed for various applications.

Abstract: An improved diode energy converter for chemical kinetic electron energy transfer is formed using nanostructures and includes identifiable regions associated with chemical reactions isolated chemically from other regions in the converter, a region associated with an area that forms energy barriers of the desired height, a region associated with tailoring the boundary between semiconductor material and metal materials so that the junction does not tear apart, and a region associated with removing heat from the semiconductor.

Abstract: A device and method for stimulating pulsed chemical reactions in a small volume of gaseous reactants. An emitter stimulates the reactions of a fuel oxidizer mixture and a collector converts the vibrational energy of the resulting products into useful energy. The device may also include a reaction region, a collector, and reactants such as fuel and oxidizer. In one embodiment, air including exhausts is made to flow into and out of the reaction region, and fuel is made to flow into the reaction region. The device may be configured in several geometries, including but not limited to, a V-channel, a box and a plane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that converts energy provided by a chemical reaction into energy for charging a quantum well device. The disclosed apparatus comprises a catalyst layer that catalyzes a chemical reaction and captures hot electrons and hot phonons generated by the chemical reaction, and an interface layer placed between the catalyst layer and a quantum well. The interface layer facilitates the transfer of hot electrons and hot phonons from the catalyst layer into the quantum well layer. The interface layer can also convert hot electrons into hot phonons, and vice versa, depending upon the needs of the particular quantum well device. Because the hot electrons and the hot phonons are unstable and readily degrade into heat energy, the dimensions of the catalyst layer and the interface layer are very small. To improve the efficiency of the transfer of hot electrons and hot phonons to the quantum well, other interface layers, such as a catalyst interlayer and a catalyst interface, may be utilized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting energy is provided. In one aspect the method includes using chemical reactions to generate vibrationally excited molecules, such as high-quantum-number-vibrationally-excited gas molecules in a region. The vibration energy in the vibrationally excited molecules is converted into hot electrons when the excited molecules contact a conductor. A geometry is provided so that the excited molecules may travel, diffuse or wander into a conductor before loosing a useful fraction of the vibrational energy. Optionally, the generating and the converting process may be thermally separated, at least in part. The short lived hot electrons are converted into longer lived entities such as carriers and potentials in a semiconductor, where the energy is converted into a useful form.

Abstract: The use of newly discovered chemical reaction products, created when reactants combine to form products on the surface of a catalyst, to generate electricity, beams of radiation or mechanical motion. The invention also provides methods to convert the products into electricity or motion. The electric generator consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate consisting of a semiconductor diode, and a semiconductor diode on the surface of the substrate near the catalyst. The device to generate mechanical motion consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate, and a hydraulic fluid in contact with the non-reaction side of the substrate, with the surfaces of both the catalyst and substrate mechanically formed to enhance the unidirectional forces on the fluid. Both devices use a fuel-oxidizer mixture brought in contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting energy is provided. In one aspect the method includes using chemical reactions to generate vibrationally excited molecules, such as high-quantum-number-vibrationally-excited gas molecules in a region. The vibration energy in the vibrationally excited molecules is converted into hot electrons when the excited molecules contact a conductor. A geometry is provided so that the excited molecules may travel, diffuse or wander into a conductor before loosing a useful fraction of the vibrational energy. Optionally, the generating and the converting process may be thermally separated, at least in part. The short lived hot electrons are converted into longer lived entities such as carriers and potentials in a semiconductor, where the energy is converted into a useful form.

Abstract: A drive system has a load, a driven surface which is spaced from the load, and a mechanical connection which connects the driven surface with the load and is operative for oscillating the driven surface and the load relative to one another, so that the mechanical connection displaces the driven surface with respect to the load with a force selected such that the driven surface obtains a velocity which is at least equal to a local sonic velocity and therefore a sonic shock is created and opposes the displacement of the driven surface away from the load, and thereafter the mechanical connection displaces the load away from its initial location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting energy is provided. In one aspect the method includes using chemical reactions to generate vibrationally excited molecules, such as high-quantum-number-vibrationally-excited gas molecules in a region. The vibration energy in the vibrationally excited molecules is converted into hot electrons when the excited molecules contact a conductor. A geometry is provided so that the excited molecules may travel, diffuse or wander into a conductor before loosing a useful fraction of the vibrational energy. Optionally, the generating and the converting process may be thermally separated, at least in part. The short lived hot electrons are converted into longer lived entities such as carriers and potentials in a semiconductor, where the energy is converted into a useful form.

Abstract: A housing (2) for mounting a gas generatot (7) in a pyrotechnic pretensioner, the housing comprising a hollow container for supporting the gas generator, the container having an opening through which the gas generator (7) may be inserted and having a tapered end section (20) arranged to be adjacent and to co-operate with a gas outlet end of the gas generator to provide a seal around the gas outlet, and the hpusing having a cover (8) for closing the container opening, the cover having a tapered wedge member (22) extending into the container in use at the opposite end to the tapered end section (20) to urge the gas generator (7) towards the tapered end section (20) of the container, in a close fit manner. The wedge(22) is preferably integral with the housing cover (8). This housing makes fitting of the gas generator easier and improves the seal between it and the pretensioner thus improving performance.

Abstract: The use of newly discovered chemical reaction products, created when reactants combine to form products on the surface of a catalyst, to generate electricity, beams of radiation or mechanical motion. The invention also provides methods to convert the products into electricity or motion. The electric generator consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate consisting of a semiconductor diode, and a semiconductor diode on the surface of the substrate near the catalyst. The device to generate mechanical motion consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate, and a hydraulic fluid in contact with the non-reaction side of the substrate, with the surfaces of both the catalyst and substrate mechanically formed to enhance the unidirectional forces on the fluid. Both devices use a fuel-oxidizer mixture brought in contact with the catalyst.

Abstract: A device for controlling a hydrostatic drive (1) having a resonator (2) which is connected on the one hand to the hydrostatic drive (1) and on the other hand to a pressurized-fluid supply line (4) and to a return line (5), and having a periodically actuatable switch valve (3) which connects the resonator (2) alternately with the pressurized-fluid supply line (4) and the return line (5). In order to assure advantageous control conditions, the resonator (2) has at least one pressure chamber (6) with a movable, oscillatable chamber limitation (7) for changing the chamber volume movable chamber limitation (7) form a part of a single-mass oscillator comprising mass and spring (10). The pressure chamber (6) which can be connected alternately with the pressurized-fluid supply line (4), the return line (5) and the hydrostatic drive (1) can be acted on via the switch valve (3) with a switch frequency which lies in the supraresonance region of the single-mass oscillator.

Abstract: A device for the operation of a hydrostatic drive (1) having a periodically operable switch valve (2) which connects a resonant pipe (4) connected with the hydrostatic drive (1) for the formation of standing pressure waves in the hydraulic fluid under resonant conditions alternately to a pressure-fluid supply line (5) and to a return line (6). In order to create advantageous control condition, the resonant pipe (4) has a pressure outlet (7) in an oscillation node in the standing pressure waves, and that the switch times of the switch valve (2) be controllable with constant switch frequency.

Abstract: The invention provides a vibrator which may be used to vibrate industrial apparatus such as a conveyor, hopper, bin, screen, shaker table, or to agitate a fluid. The vibrator has a element comprising a concave outer skin on one side and a convex outer skin on the other side which define between them a cavity. The cavity is connected to a hydraulic driving circuit which provides a continuous series of high pressure pulses. Each pulse causes the deformable element to change shape. The continuous application of a series of pulses causes the deformable element to continuously vibrate. The high pressure pulses are generated by creating a water hammer within a conduit by means of a valve which can be rapidly opened and closed to allow fluid to flow through the conduit and then suddenly block the fluid flow. The vibrating apparatus may be used to shake industrial structures such as shaking screens, shaking tables, hoppers, bins or the like.

Abstract: A device for producing thrust has a variety of uses, such as pumping liquid, compressing or blowing air, or powering an aircraft. The device has a chamber with a sound driver located therein. The sound driver creates a compression standing wave in the chamber which will have at least one low pressure node and at least two high pressure peaks. An intake port extends through the chamber and is located adjacent the low pressure node for drawing in a fluid into the chamber. A discharge port extends through the chamber and is located adjacent the high pressure peak for discharging fluid from the chamber.

Abstract: An energy converter for converting a sound energy into a kinetic energy is comprised of a source device for radiating the sound energy, and a body having a cover member for absorbing the sound energy and a reflecting member mounted thereon with the cover member in such a manner that the sound energy after passing through the cover member reaches the reflecting member so as to be tangential thereto.

Abstract: An energy converter includes a resonator adapted for generating a sound wave in a medium, and a movable member disposed in a progressive direction of the sound wave generated by the resonator, and adapted for being driven by an acoustic radiation pressure resulting from the progression of the sound wave. Since the vibrational energy of the resonator is conveyed to the movable member as the acoustic radiation pressure by way of the medium, the present energy converter exhibits an excellent energy conversion efficiency. Namely, the loss is reduced during the conversion of the vibration of the resonator into the driving force for the movable member, and accordingly the present energy converter exhibits a high conversion efficiency. The present energy converter may further include a stator adapted for holding the stator thereto and disposing the liquid therein. If such is the case, the energy converter can be applied to liquid media.