An occupant support includes a framework with a frame and an orientation adjustable deck section that is supported by the frame. A lockable gas spring includes 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 isolated and non-isolated compartments. The non-isolated compartment has an inlet and an outlet. An outflow check valve operates to resist fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment and to admit ambient fluid into the non-isolated compartment. An inflow check valve operates to resist fluid flow into the non-isolated compartment and to enable fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment. A turbine receives fluid that flows out of the non-isolated compartment. An electrical generator is coupled to the turbine.

An occupant support includes a framework with a frame and an orientation adjustable deck section that is supported by the frame. A lockable gas spring includes 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 isolated and non-isolated compartments. The non-isolated compartment has an inlet and an outlet. An outflow check valve operates to resist fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment and to admit ambient fluid into the non-isolated compartment. An inflow check valve operates to resist fluid flow into the non-isolated compartment and to enable fluid flow out of the non-isolated compartment. A turbine receives fluid that flows out of the non-isolated compartment. An electrical generator is coupled to the turbine.

A compressed air energy storage power generation apparatus includes a power demand receiving unit that receives a power demand value of a consumer facility. The apparatus includes a first air supply valve that adjusts a flow rate of compressed air to be supplied from a low-pressure tank to an expander, a second air supply valve that adjusts a flow rate of compressed air to be supplied from a high-pressure tank to the expander, and a control device configured to open the first air supply valve according to the power demand value in a state where the second air supply valve is closed when the power demand value is less than a predetermined threshold, and to open the second air supply valve according to the power demand value when the power demand value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold.

A compressed air energy storage power generation apparatus includes a power demand receiving unit that receives a power demand value of a consumer facility. The apparatus includes a first air supply valve that adjusts a flow rate of compressed air to be supplied from a low-pressure tank to an expander, a second air supply valve that adjusts a flow rate of compressed air to be supplied from a high-pressure tank to the expander, and a control device configured to open the first air supply valve according to the power demand value in a state where the second air supply valve is closed when the power demand value is less than a predetermined threshold, and to open the second air supply valve according to the power demand value when the power demand value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold.

An expander and motor-compressor unit is disclosed. The unit includes a casing and an electric motor arranged in the casing. A compressor is arranged in the casing and drivingly coupled to the electric motor through a central shaft. Furthermore, a turbo-expander is arranged for rotation in the casing and is drivingly coupled to the electric motor and to the compressor through the central shaft.

An expander and motor-compressor unit is disclosed. The unit includes a casing and an electric motor arranged in the casing. A compressor is arranged in the casing and drivingly coupled to the electric motor through a central shaft. Furthermore, a turbo-expander is arranged for rotation in the casing and is drivingly coupled to the electric motor and to the compressor through the central shaft.

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.

A first turboexpander generator defines a portion of a first conduit flow passage. The first turboexpander generator is configured to decrease a temperature or pressure of a process stream flowing through the first turboexpander generator by generating electrical power from the process stream. A second turboexpander generator defines a portion of a second conduit flow passage. The second turboexpander generator is configured to decrease a temperature or pressure of a process stream flowing through the second turboexpander generator by generating electrical power from the process stream. The first and second conduit flow passages are arranged to carry fluid flow in parallel to one another. The first and the second turboexpander generator are substantially identical in critical dimensions and performance.

A first turboexpander generator defines a portion of a first conduit flow passage. The first turboexpander generator is configured to decrease a temperature or pressure of a process stream flowing through the first turboexpander generator by generating electrical power from the process stream. A second turboexpander generator defines a portion of a second conduit flow passage. The second turboexpander generator is configured to decrease a temperature or pressure of a process stream flowing through the second turboexpander generator by generating electrical power from the process stream. The first and second conduit flow passages are arranged to carry fluid flow in parallel to one another. The first and the second turboexpander generator are substantially identical in critical dimensions and performance.

A blower including: a forward end; an aft end located opposite the forward end; a shaft located at the aft end; a flange located at the forward end; an internal surface defining an axial passageway within the blower; an external surface radially outward of the internal surface; one or more radial passageway formed within the flange and fluidly connected to the axial passageway, the radial passageway extending from the internal surface to the external surface; and a plurality of blower blades located within the flange and defining the radial passageway.