A boundary layer turbomachine can include a housing (10) defining an interior space and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening to facilitate movement of a fluid through the housing (10). The boundary layer turbomachine can also include a rotor assembly (20) disposed in the rotor chamber and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (1). The rotor assembly (20) can have a plurality of disks (21) spaced apart along the axis of rotation (1) to provide gaps (54) between the disks (21). The plurality of disks (21) can also define an interior opening (26) along the axis of rotation (1). The rotor assembly (20) can have a disk carrier (46) disposed at least partially in the interior opening (26) in support of the plurality of disks (21). The disk carrier (46) can have a fluid passageway (47) exposed to two or more of the gaps (54) between the disks (21). The fluid can pass through gaps (54) between the disks (21) and the interior opening (26) as the fluid moves through the housing (10).

A boundary layer turbomachine can include a housing (10) defining an interior space and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening to facilitate movement of a fluid through the housing (10). The boundary layer turbomachine can also include a rotor assembly (20) disposed in the rotor chamber and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (1). The rotor assembly (20) can have a plurality of disks (21) spaced apart along the axis of rotation (1) to provide gaps (54) between the disks (21). The plurality of disks (21) can also define an interior opening (26) along the axis of rotation (1). The rotor assembly (20) can have a disk carrier (46) disposed at least partially in the interior opening (26) in support of the plurality of disks (21). The disk carrier (46) can have a fluid passageway (47) exposed to two or more of the gaps (54) between the disks (21). The fluid can pass through gaps (54) between the disks (21) and the interior opening (26) as the fluid moves through the housing (10).

Systems and methods for generating electricity from a hydroelectric turbine are provided. In one aspect, the system employs a Tesla turbine to rotate a drive shaft, the drive shaft providing torque to operate an electrical generator. The incoming fluid flow that operates the Tesla turbine enters a hollow portion of the drive shaft and exists the system as an exhaust flow. The system may operate from standard water supplies provided to a residence or business, thereby reclaiming excess water pressure energy.

Systems and methods for generating electricity from a hydroelectric turbine are provided. In one aspect, the system employs a Tesla turbine to rotate a drive shaft, the drive shaft providing torque to operate an electrical generator. The incoming fluid flow that operates the Tesla turbine enters a hollow portion of the drive shaft and exists the system as an exhaust flow. The system may operate from standard water supplies provided to a residence or business, thereby reclaiming excess water pressure energy.

An electrical energy generating element includes a first porous electrode, an eggshell membrane, and a second porous electrode. The first porous electrode, the eggshell membrane, and the second porous electrode are stacked on each other in that order. The present application also relates to an electrical energy generating device, a method for generating electrical energy, and a decorative ring.

A device for use in extracting energy from an incoming fluid flow is presented. The device comprises: an oscillator assembly mounted on a base, the oscillator assembly comprising: a main body for exposing to an incoming fluid flow; and a joining element attached to the main body and configured for anchoring the main body to the base and enabling oscillation of the main body with respect to the base; an operative flow affecting unit comprising at least one flow interacting element located in at least one location respectively on a surface of the main body, the operative flow affecting unit being configured and controllably operable for affecting a separation of streams of the fluid flowing over the surface of the main body; a control unit in communication with the operative flow affecting unit, the control unit being configured and operable for activating and deactivating of each of the at least one flow interacting element of the operative flow affecting unit according to a certain time pattern, the time pattern being selected such that interaction between the flow interacting element and fluid streams creates vortices in the fluid streams at a selected vortex formation frequency causing an increase in oscillation of the main body, thereby enabling conversion of motion from the oscillation into useful energy.

A device for use in extracting energy from an incoming fluid flow is presented. The device comprises: an oscillator assembly mounted on a base, the oscillator assembly comprising: a main body for exposing to an incoming fluid flow; and a joining element attached to the main body and configured for anchoring the main body to the base and enabling oscillation of the main body with respect to the base; an operative flow affecting unit comprising at least one flow interacting element located in at least one location respectively on a surface of the main body, the operative flow affecting unit being configured and controllably operable for affecting a separation of streams of the fluid flowing over the surface of the main body; a control unit in communication with the operative flow affecting unit, the control unit being configured and operable for activating and deactivating of each of the at least one flow interacting element of the operative flow affecting unit according to a certain time pattern, the time pattern being selected such that interaction between the flow interacting element and fluid streams creates vortices in the fluid streams at a selected vortex formation frequency causing an increase in oscillation of the main body, thereby enabling conversion of motion from the oscillation into useful energy.

A continuous slag processing system includes a rotating parallel disc pump, coupled to a motor and a brake. The rotating parallel disc pump includes opposing discs coupled to a shaft, an outlet configured to continuously receive a fluid at a first pressure, and an inlet configured to continuously discharge the fluid at a second pressure less than the first pressure. The rotating parallel disc pump is configurable in a reverse-acting pump mode and a letdown turbine mode. The motor is configured to drive the opposing discs about the shaft and against a flow of the fluid to control a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure in the reverse-acting pump mode. The brake is configured to resist rotation of the opposing discs about the shaft to control the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure in the letdown turbine mode.

A continuous slag processing system includes a rotating parallel disc pump, coupled to a motor and a brake. The rotating parallel disc pump includes opposing discs coupled to a shaft, an outlet configured to continuously receive a fluid at a first pressure, and an inlet configured to continuously discharge the fluid at a second pressure less than the first pressure. The rotating parallel disc pump is configurable in a reverse-acting pump mode and a letdown turbine mode. The motor is configured to drive the opposing discs about the shaft and against a flow of the fluid to control a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure in the reverse-acting pump mode. The brake is configured to resist rotation of the opposing discs about the shaft to control the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure in the letdown turbine mode.

The VEHICLE WITH TRAVELING WAVE THRUST MODULE APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include force or forces applied to an arc-like flexible sheet-like material to create a deformed crenated strip fin with strained-deformations. The strained-deformations take on a sinusoid-like form that express the internal energy state of the flexible sheet-like material after it has been configured into a crenated strip fin. After being incorporated into a mechanism with couplings that prevent the crenated strip fin from returning to its un-strained state, the strained-deformations persist. Actuators may be used to sequentially rotate vertebrae attached to the fins causing the travel of sinusoid-like deformations along the fins. The fin, fin actuator or actuators, power source and central controller may be incorporated into a thrust module. Two thrust modules couple to each other via roll actuators and flexible coupling members may form a vehicle with exceptional maneuverability.