A closed dual-bladder wave energy system that is capable of capturing a continuous supply of energy derived from wave movements for nearshore implementations. Rather than employing an onshore bladder in communication with an offshore bladder, and rather than focusing on capturing more incremental potential energy derived from tidal movement, the system accomplishes continuous captures potential energy from waves via a dual-bladder system employed offshore. Fluid within the system translates between a first offshore bladder and a second offshore bladder based on a pressure differential between a crest and a trough of a wave external to the system. By utilizing compliant bladders, the system is capable of capturing energy even during inclement weather conditions without the risk of faults resulting from strong waves. As such, the system provides for the efficient and effective capture of potential energy from waves in any weather condition and in any water environment that experiences waves.

A vacuum pump includes a hollow container that has a vacuum port and internal chamber walls. The vacuum port opens to an exterior of the container and the chamber walls define chambers that are in fluid communication with the vacuum port. There are flexible bladders disposed in the chambers. The flexible bladders include vents that open through the container to the exterior. A plunger in the container includes arms that extend into the chambers such that each of the flexible bladders is situated between one of the arms and one of the chamber walls. The plunger is moveable between a home position and an upstroke position to compress and deflate the flexible bladders via the vents and thereby change the volume of the flexible bladders. The change in the volume draws a vacuum through the vacuum port.

The present invention is inherent to a shape memory alloy actuated fluidic subassembly (10) and to an equipment incorporating it as dispensing device, wherein actuation of the shape memory alloy wires (16, 16′) causes a fluid-tight reservoir (17″) to e compressed by a lid (18) so as to reduce its volume from a maximum volume Vo to a minimum volume V1, this reduction resulting in a pressure increase that causes the opening of an outlet flap (13″) and the dispensing of a fluid through an outlet channel (13).

This invention concerns a contractile device. The device includes a body, which has a wall including a tessellation of elements. The body is deformable through pressurisation of fluid within the body between a first, extended state and a second, contracted state in which the axial length of the body is reduced and the internal volume increased compared to the first, normal state. The tessellation of elements includes a series of protruding and intruding formations which are arranged such that the body remains substantially cylindrical through its deformation between its normal and deformed states. The protruding and intruding formations of the tessellation of elements may be in the form of protruding and intruding pyramids.

A vacuum pump includes a hollow container that has a vacuum port and internal chamber walls. The vacuum port opens to an exterior of the container and the chamber walls define chambers that are in fluid communication with the vacuum port. There are flexible bladders disposed in the chambers. The flexible bladders include vents that open through the container to the exterior. A plunger in the container includes arms that extend into the chambers such that each of the flexible bladders is situated between one of the arms and one of the chamber walls. The plunger is moveable between a home position and an upstroke position to compress and deflate the flexible bladders via the vents and thereby change the volume of the flexible bladders. The change in the volume draws a vacuum through the vacuum port.

An air blowing device includes a duct portion and a passage variable device. The duct portion forms a main passage through which an air flow passes, and an outlet is defined downstream of the main passage to blow out the air flow. The passage variable device is configured to change a passage area of the main passage so that the air flow becomes a pulsating flow and is blown out from the outlet.

An air blowing device includes a duct portion and a passage variable device. The duct portion forms a main passage through which an air flow passes, and an outlet is defined downstream of the main passage to blow out the air flow. The passage variable device is configured to change a passage area of the main passage so that the air flow becomes a pulsating flow and is blown out from the outlet.

A pump body assembly, a pump, a sprinkler system, and an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided, the pump body assembly including a drainage outlet on a pump housing and a valve body portion of a valve core member, where the valve body portion is elastic, and the valve body portion changes from a natural state to an elastic deformation state under an action of liquid in the pump housing, such that when the valve body portion is in the natural state, the valve body portion seals the drainage outlet of the pump housing, and when the valve body portion is in the elastic deformation state, the valve body portion does not seal the drainage outlet of the pump housing.

A pump body assembly, a pump, a sprinkler system, and an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided, the pump body assembly including a drainage outlet on a pump housing and a valve body portion of a valve core member, where the valve body portion is elastic, and the valve body portion changes from a natural state to an elastic deformation state under an action of liquid in the pump housing, such that when the valve body portion is in the natural state, the valve body portion seals the drainage outlet of the pump housing, and when the valve body portion is in the elastic deformation state, the valve body portion does not seal the drainage outlet of the pump housing.

An inflation needle includes a first end for insertion into an inflatable object, a second end for connection to a pump and an elongated member having a conduit for air therethrough and connecting the first end and the second end, where at least a portion of the elongated member includes a flexible portion. The flexible portion may include a flexible bellows.