A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.

A collector assembly for use with a spin chuck includes a base component, a top component and a first intermediate component configured to be fitted between the base component and the top component. The base, top and first intermediate components are configured so as to be interconnectable to form a process enclosure and so as to be separable from one another. The base component and the intermediate component each comprise collector wall segments such that when the base, top and first intermediate components are interfitted, the wall segments together define an outer side wall of the collector assembly.

Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a water management system for use on board a passenger transport vehicle. The water management system may be used to address and manage excess humidity, water leaks, or any other instance when water or other liquid may collect at a certain location. The disclosure provides a system for managing excess water and for optionally delivering the water to another location. The removal location may be a disposal outlet or it may be a beneficial use of the collected water on-board the vehicle.

Materials, components, and methods consistent with the present invention are directed to the fabrication and use of micro-scale channels with a fluid, where the temperature and flow of the fluid is controlled through the geometry of the micro-scale channel and the configuration of at least a portion of the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles that make up the fluid. Moreover, the wall of the micro-scale channel and the constituent particles are configured such that collisions between the constituent particles and the wall are substantially specular.

A mixing valve that includes a housing having a first outlet, a second outlet, and a mixing chamber; a first flow control valve for controlling flow through the first outlet to the mixing chamber; and a second flow control valve for controlling flow through the second outlet to the mixing chamber; wherein the housing has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, and the largest of these dimensions is no more than approximately 65 millimeters.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for displacing fluid from a pipe. The method includes engaging a fluid-displacement system with the pipe. A displacement agent is pumped into the pipe via the fluid-displacement system. Fluid present within the pipe is displaced by the displacement agent. The pipe is manipulated in a desired manner.

A method including configuring a valve so that an operating force to actuate the valve when in an open position is substantially independent of water flow. The valve includes a first valve member assembly comprising a spool having a connector portion; a first valve member mounted on the spool at a first location and configured to seat against a first valve outlet in a closed position of the valve; and a second valve member mounted on the spool at a second location spaced apart from the first location and configured to seat against a second valve outlet in the closed position of the valve. The method also includes controlling the valve to output a flow of the water having a desired flow rate by moving the spool in a linear direction with a portion of a stepper motor coupled directly to the connector portion of the spool.

An apparatus employing pressure transients for transporting fluids from a first reservoir to a second reservoir, includes at least one partly enclosed space and a body. The body is movable relative to the interior of the space. The apparatus also includes at least one first conduit and at least one second conduit in fluid communication with the opening via a third conduit, and connected to the first and second reservoir, respectively. An opening in the enclosed space allows a fluid to flow alternately in the direction into and out of the space and which opening is connected to a third conduit. At least one solid object is arranged to fall onto and collide with the body so as to generate pressure transients in the space to produce a flow of fluid in the direction from the space towards the second reservoir, and to produce a flow of fluid in the direction from the first reservoir towards the space.

A method for delivering water through a fire hydrant is disclosed and includes unlocking a sprinkler cap control lock on the fire hydrant, removing the sprinkler cap control lock to access an operating nut of the fire hydrant and activating the operating nut to deliver water through a plurality of sprinkler ports in at least one of a plurality of caps on the fire hydrant. Also disclosed are fire hydrant with a lubricant channel and a method of lubricating a fire hydrant operation nut. Also disclosed is a fire hydrant that does not need a lubricant disposed between the operation nut and the fire hydrant body due to an operating nut sleeve being disposed between the operation nut and the fire hydrant body.