An energy recapturing apparatus is disclosed. The energy recapturing apparatus is housed within a frame that is configured to fit within a preexisting fluid passageway. The frame is further attached to a sliding mechanism, which enables the frame to be easily removed from the preexisting fluid passageway. Further, the frame is configured to accept at least one turbine that contains a plurality of blades. The turbine is able to convert the energy of fluid movement into electricity.

A pneumatic power generator configured for generating less than about 100 W for providing on demand power to a device connected to the power generator includes a pneumatic motor coupled to an alternator with a coupling member. The pneumatic motor has an inlet port configured to receive pressurized gas to rotate an output shaft. Rotation of the output shaft is transmitted to an inlet shaft of the alternator via the coupler member. As the pressurized gas causes the pneumatic motor, the inlet shaft of the alternator rotates to produce AC power. An electronics housing is coupled to the alternator and has an electronic board and at least one power storage device. The electronic board includes a rectifier configured to convert the AC power output from the alternator into DC power for storage in a power storage device, with power being provided from the power storage device on an on-demand basis.

A pneumatic power generator configured for generating less than about 100 W for providing on demand power to a device connected to the power generator includes a pneumatic motor coupled to an alternator with a coupling member. The pneumatic motor has an inlet port configured to receive pressurized gas to rotate an output shaft. Rotation of the output shaft is transmitted to an inlet shaft of the alternator via the coupler member. As the pressurized gas causes the pneumatic motor, the inlet shaft of the alternator rotates to produce AC power. An electronics housing is coupled to the alternator and has an electronic board and at least one power storage device. The electronic board includes a rectifier configured to convert the AC power output from the alternator into DC power for storage in a power storage device, with power being provided from the power storage device on an on-demand basis.

An occupant support includes a framework which includes a frame, an orientation adjustable deck section supported by the frame, and a lockable gas spring whose components include a piston assembly coupled to one of the frame and the deck section and a cylinder coupled to the other of the frame and the deck section. The piston assembly includes a piston and a connecting rod. The piston divides the interior of the cylinder into an isolated compartment and a non-isolated compartment. The non-isolated compartment has an inlet and an outlet. An outflow check valve resists fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment and admits ambient fluid into the non-isolated compartment. An inflow check valve resists fluid flow into the non-isolated compartment and enables fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment. A turbine receives fluid which flows out of the non-isolated compartment. An electrical generator is coupled to the turbine.

An occupant support includes a framework which includes a frame, an orientation adjustable deck section supported by the frame, and a lockable gas spring whose components include a piston assembly coupled to one of the frame and the deck section and a cylinder coupled to the other of the frame and the deck section. The piston assembly includes a piston and a connecting rod. The piston divides the interior of the cylinder into an isolated compartment and a non-isolated compartment. The non-isolated compartment has an inlet and an outlet. An outflow check valve resists fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment and admits ambient fluid into the non-isolated compartment. An inflow check valve resists fluid flow into the non-isolated compartment and enables fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment. A turbine receives fluid which flows out of the non-isolated compartment. An electrical generator is coupled to the turbine.

A man-portable backup power generation method including introducing a compressed nitrogen gas stream into an expander turbine, expanding the compressed nitrogen gas stream within the expander turbine, thereby producing a rotational mechanical output, and introducing the rotational mechanical output into a power generator coupled to the expander turbine, thereby producing an electrical output.

An air powered engine assembly for improving efficiency includes a housing, which has an axle rotationally engaged thereto and extending through a front and a rear thereof. A turbine and a cam are engaged to the axle and positioned within the housing proximate to the front and the rear, respectively. The cam is bilobal. A plate engaged to the housing defines a chamber therein. The plate has a plurality of apertures positioned therein. Each of a set of reciprocating compressors is engaged to the housing and is fluidically engaged to the chamber. The reciprocating compressor comprises a piston rotationally engaged to an arm, which is rotationally engaged the housing. The reciprocating compressor forces air through the apertures to turn the turbine to rotate the axle. The cam is rotated to selectively engage alternatingly positioned arms as the axle rotates to actuate associated reciprocating compressors.

An air powered engine assembly for improving efficiency includes a housing, which has an axle rotationally engaged thereto and extending through a front and a rear thereof. A turbine and a cam are engaged to the axle and positioned within the housing proximate to the front and the rear, respectively. The cam is bilobal. A plate engaged to the housing defines a chamber therein. The plate has a plurality of apertures positioned therein. Each of a set of reciprocating compressors is engaged to the housing and is fluidically engaged to the chamber. The reciprocating compressor comprises a piston rotationally engaged to an arm, which is rotationally engaged the housing. The reciprocating compressor forces air through the apertures to turn the turbine to rotate the axle. The cam is rotated to selectively engage alternatingly positioned arms as the axle rotates to actuate associated reciprocating compressors.

A system includes a generator using a fluid mixture obtained via a generator inlet, a compressor having a compressor inlet that is connected to a generator outlet by a first set of conduits, a second set of conduits connected to the compressor outlet and the generator inlet, and a sensor in communication with the second set of conduits, where a portion of the fluid mixture includes gas from a hydrocarbon well, and where exhaust fluid of the generator is provided to the compressor. A process includes obtaining a target fluid property and a fluid measurement using the sensor and modifying a parameter of a fluid control device to modify a first flow rate of the flow of the exhaust fluid through the second set of conduits relative to a second flow rate of the flow of the gas provided by the hydrocarbon well through the first set of conduits.

A filtering apparatus formed by a plurality of channel systems. Each of the channel systems include an inlet port formed on an inlet side of the plate; no more than one outlet port formed on an outlet side of the plate; and a channel formed in the plate, the channel coupled to the inlet port and to the outlet port, wherein the ratio of the product of the capture area of the inlet ports of a channel system with the first transmissivity associated with the inlet ports to the product of the capture area of the outlet ports of a channel system with the second transmissivity associated with the outlet ports is greater than one. The channel system is configured to interact with objects of interest on a scale which is smaller than a value several orders of magnitude larger than the mean free path of an object of interest. Some plate embodiments are configured to interact with particles, such as air molecules, water molecules, or aerosols. Other plate embodiments are configured to interact with waves or wavelike particles, such as electrons, photons, phonons or acoustic waves.