A gradient energy system includes a membrane module including a first section, a second section, and a membrane separating the first section and the second section. A first gas may be provided within the first section. A second gas may be provided within the second section. The membrane module may be configured such that a differential associated with the first gas and the second gas generates a fluid pressure force or an electrical current. A method of recovering energy from gradients of gas mixtures may include providing a first gas to a first section of a membrane module, providing a second gas to a second section of the membrane module, which may be separated from the first section by a membrane, and/or recovering energy generated via a differential between the first gas and the second gas.

The present disclosure describes methods and systems for generating electricity. A method of generating electricity can include evaporating water with a low grade heat source to form low-temperature steam. The low-temperature steam can be superheated to a superheated temperature by transferring heat to the low-temperature steam from a thermal energy storage that is at a temperature higher than the superheated temperature. A steam turbine generator can be powered with the superheated steam to generate electricity. The thermal energy storage can be recharged using electricity from an intermittent electricity source.

A magnetic motor apparatus provides increased mechanical output. The apparatus includes a propulsion unit positioned in a guide sleeve adjacent a stabilizer section. A stabilizer section frame houses a drive gear and gearbox positioned on opposite interior surfaces of the frame. The gear and gearbox receive mechanical input from a drive shaft rotationally disposed in the gear and gearboxes. The mechanical input is then transferred to first and second threaded gears of the propulsion unit. Each of the first and second threaded gears are affixed to a respective one of a first and second translatable cylinder. Sets of magnets each impregnated on faces of the first and second translatable cylinders are disposed facing one another. Rotation of the drive shaft provides a mechanical input to the first and second translatable cylinders that are configured to actuate continuous propulsion from the interactions of the magnets while travelling along a threaded shaft.

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 thermally powered fan assembly for blowing heated air from a fireplace includes a screen that is positionable in front of a fireplace. A blower is coupled to the screen and the blower urging air through the screen when the blower is turned on. In this way the blower urges heated air outwardly from the fireplace to enhance heating an area. A thermoelectric power supply is coupled to the screen wherein the thermoelectric power and the thermoelectric power supply produces an electrical current when the thermoelectric power supply is exposed to a thermal gradient. It this way the thermoelectric power supply converts heat from the fireplace into electrical current. The blower is electrically coupled to the thermoelectric power supply.

A magnetic motor apparatus provides increased mechanical output. The apparatus includes a propulsion unit positioned in a guide sleeve adjacent a stabilizer section. A stabilizer section frame houses a drive gear and gearbox positioned on opposite interior surfaces of the frame. The gear and gearbox receive mechanical input from a drive shaft rotationally disposed in the gear and gearboxes. The mechanical input is then transferred to first and second threaded gears of the propulsion unit. Each of the first and second threaded gears are affixed to a respective one of a first and second translatable cylinder. Sets of magnets each impregnated on faces of the first and second translatable cylinders are disposed facing one another. Rotation of the drive shaft provides a mechanical input to the first and second translatable cylinders that are configured to actuate continuous propulsion from the interactions of the magnets while travelling along a threaded shaft.

Disclosed are a thermoacoustic engine with high conversion efficiency from heat energy to acoustic energy and a designing method for the thermoacoustic engine. A stack of the thermoacoustic engine has a plurality of flow passages extending through a thermoacoustic piping section. A hot heat exchanger is coupled to one end in a longitudinal direction of the stack. A cold heat exchanger is coupled to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the stack. And a length in the longitudinal direction of the hot heat exchanger is greater than a length in the longitudinal direction of the stack, and is greater than a length in the longitudinal direction of the cold heat exchanger.

An example apparatus includes: a plate configured to move along an underlying surface via a layer of fluid disposed in a gap between the plate and the underlying surface, where pressurized fluid forms the layer of fluid in the gap; a first rack gear coupled to the plate and meshing with a first gear; and a second rack gear coupled to a second gear. The second rack gear is fixed, and the second gear is coupled to the first gear. The pressurized fluid in the gap repels the plate away from the underlying surface, thereby causing (i) the first rack gear to move linearly and the first gear to rotate, (ii) the second gear to rotate and move along the second rack gear, and (iii) the plate to move along the underlying surface.

Disclosed are oligomeric machines for energy harvesting having a first oligomeric module having a first end and a second end, a second oligomeric module having a first end and a second end, and at least one electric generating element. Exemplary oligomeric machines are configured to exhibits stochastic resonance and/or spontaneous vibrations and are configured such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing the mechanical action of the second oligomeric module on the electric generating element to produce an electrical voltage and/or current.

A thermoacoustic electric generator system includes: a turbine including a turbine blade provided in an inside of a branched tube in a tube component and rotating by thermoacoustic oscillation of working gas in a thermoacoustic engine, and a turbine rotational shaft configured to be coupled to the turbine blade, penetrate a tube wall of the branched tube, and extend from the inside to an outside thereof; and a generator provided on the outside of the branched tube in the tube component, coupled to the turbine rotational shaft of the turbine, and converting rotational energy of the turbine blade to electric energy.