An apparatus comprising a meter device with a rotating component configured to rotate in response to a flowing fluid, an indexing unit coupled with the meter device and configured to process signals from the meter device resulting in values for measured parameters of a flowing fluid, and an energy harvester coupled to the pair of impellers, the energy harvester comprising a first harvesting unit and a second harvesting unit that co-operate to generate an electrical signal, the first harvesting unit configured to co-rotate with the pair of impellers, the second harvesting unit comprising a hollow, magnetic core disposed proximate the first harvesting unit.

A fluid flow actuated tool including a housing, a tool and an actuating mechanism. The housing includes a housing interior. The housing interior receives a flow of fluid. The actuating mechanism includes a fluid wheel structure. The fluid wheel structure is connected to the tool. At least a portion of the fluid wheel structure is arranged in the flow of fluid for rotating the fluid wheel structure. The tool is actuated based on rotation of the fluid wheel structure.

This heat recovery device replaces the floor drain in a common residential shower. A large circular pan joins flush with the shower stall floor and funnels greywater into the drain piping. The circular pan contains the heat transfer device which preheats the incoming cold water and recovers approximately half of the heat that would otherwise be lost. The incoming cold water travels through a water turbine where it rotates an impeller. The impeller is magnetically coupled with a rotary whisk. The rotary motion continuously washes the draining greywater over a spiral warming coil. The spiral coil transfers the heat to the incoming fresh water as it travels to the shower's mixing valve.

The invention relates to a method of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy wherein a working liquid such as is evaporated to generate a stream of a working fluid. According to the invention, the stream of the working fluid is a stream of pressurized distillate produced by evaporation and condensation using a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) unit, said stream of pressurized distillate having a pressure of at least one bar, and a converter such as a turbine is used for generating mechanical energy from said stream of said pressurized distillate. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the method.

A system for use with a fluid-containing body having a body wall with an opening and defining a body interior, and for use with a device to be inserted and extracted by said system via said opening into the fluid-containing body, said system having a central axis and comprising: a proximal portion configured for being attached to the body wall when mounting the system in said opening, and having a first chamber configured for receiving said device therein; a sealable interface having a first side facing said first chamber and a second side in a direction opposite said first chamber and defining a distal area configured for receiving said device from said first chamber; said sealable interface, when unsealed, being configured to allow passage therethrough of the device along said central axis between the first chamber and the distal area; a pressure regulating mechanism configured for regulating pressure within said first chamber between pressure at an upper exterior of the proximal portion and pressure at the distal area; and a second chamber encompassing at least a part of the distal area and configured for receiving the device therein; said sealable interface, when unsealed, being configured to allow passage therethrough of the device along said central axis between the first and the second chambers.

An energy harvester is provided. The energy harvester includes a permanent magnet and a coil. At least one of the permanent magnet and coil rotate completely about an axis such that relative movement between the permanent magnet and the coil is realized to generate an electrical current for use in powering a device.

A transient liquid pressure power generation system can include a liquid source and a transient pressure drive device fluidly coupled to the liquid source. The transient pressure drive device can include a drive component, and a valve to cause a high pressure transient wave in the liquid traveling toward the liquid source to operate the drive component. The system can also include a liquid velocity continuation component downstream of the transient pressure drive device and a bypass conduit. Additionally, the system can include a heat source to receive liquid from the transient pressure drive device and heat liquid returning to the liquid source. The liquid velocity continuation component can operate to maintain continuous liquid flow from the liquid source to the heat source from the transient pressure drive device or the bypass conduit to cause immediate maximum liquid flow velocity from the transient pressure drive device upon opening the valve.

A transient liquid pressure power generation system and associated devices and methods is disclosed. The system can include a liquid source and a transient pressure drive device fluidly coupled to the liquid source to receive liquid from the liquid source. The transient pressure drive device can include a drive component, and a transient wave or pressure producing element to cause a high pressure transient wave in the liquid traveling toward the liquid source to operate the drive component. Additionally, the system can include a heat source fluidly coupled to the transient pressure drive device and the liquid source to receive liquid from the transient pressure drive device and heat liquid returning to the liquid source.

An electrical generator, comprising a rotatable impeller locatable within a flow path of a conduit. The impeller is rotated by fluid flowing along said flow path. The impeller comprises a magnetic portion, the generator further including a stator located external of the flow path. The stator generating electrical power in response to rotation of the magnetic portion.

A cold bathing water to toilet diverting apparatus includes a diverter that is configured to be fluidly couplable to a bathing water conduit. The diverter is positionable between a shut off valve and a spout each fluidly coupled to the bathing water conduit. An outlet conduit is fluidly coupled to the diverter. The diverter diverts water from the bathing water conduit and into the outlet conduit when the diverter detects water in the diverter having a temperature less than a threshold temperature. A storage tank is fluidly coupled to the outlet conduit to receive water from the diverter. An auxiliary conduit is fluidly coupled to the storage tank and is configured to be fluidly coupled to a toilet's water tank to allow the storage tank to supply water to the water tank through the auxiliary conduit.