Spiral drive mechanism, particularly for mechanical vehicles, land and water machines, comprises of deformable spiral (1) of spindle shape, on one side resting on a rocker arm (2) with bearing, attached to the vehicle through a moving joint, through an axle (3) that moves the front part of the spiral in vertical, longitudinal and transverse axis. On the other side, it rests on a pendulum-moving driving axle of the vehicle (4), propelling rotating motion of the spiral and thus causing movement of the vehicle.

A propeller has a number of blade surfaces or winglets extending helically around its rotational axis in the most streamlined manner. The winglets gradually project at an increasing distance outward with an arcuate shape, each defining a rearwardly concave channel that increases in volume and degree of encirclement rearward on the propeller. In the front of the propeller, the winglets are shaped so that they have edges angled obliquely and diagonally that conformingly and without cavitation cut into the water and cause it to flow smoothly in the channels. In the middle of the propeller, the winglet edges extend rearward so that water entrained in the channel is directed rearward without centrifugal loss. In the rear portion of the propeller, the channels narrow and reduce in volume so as to expel the water from the concavity.

A propeller has a number of blade surfaces or winglets extending helically around its rotational axis in the most streamlined manner. The winglets gradually project at an increasing distance outward with an arcuate shape, each defining a rearwardly concave channel that increases in volume and degree of encirclement rearward on the propeller. In the front of the propeller, the winglets are shaped so that they have edges angled obliquely and diagonally that conformingly and without cavitation cut into the water and cause it to flow smoothly in the channels. In the middle of the propeller, the winglet edges extend rearward so that water entrained in the channel is directed rearward without centrifugal loss. In the rear portion of the propeller, the channels narrow and reduce in volume so as to expel the water from the concavity.

An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 900? C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, thermal energy storage systems are used to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions associated with processing materials or other industrial applications.

A robotic device for inspecting a pipe includes at least one pair of propulsion elements each including a rotary drum, an outer surface of which has a screw thread. The device also includes a body associated with at least one pair of propulsion elements and in which are inserted sensor, at least one pair of electric motors each capable of rotating a rotary drum, and at least one pair of electric power sources each capable of powering an electric motor. The body is shaped such that a ventral portion and a dorsal portion of the device are symmetrical with one another relative to a median frontal plane of the device, thus allowing the device to move indistinctly on the belly or on the back.

A robotic device for inspecting a pipe includes at least one pair of propulsion elements each including a rotary drum, an outer surface of which has a screw thread. The device also includes a body associated with at least one pair of propulsion elements and in which are inserted sensor, at least one pair of electric motors each capable of rotating a rotary drum, and at least one pair of electric power sources each capable of powering an electric motor. The body is shaped such that a ventral portion and a dorsal portion of the device are symmetrical with one another relative to a median frontal plane of the device, thus allowing the device to move indistinctly on the belly or on the back.

A turbine system includes a shaft extending along an axis. A first spoke has a first end, attached to the shaft, and a second end. A second spoke has a first end, attached to the shaft, and a second end. A third spoke has a first end, attached to the shaft, and a second end. A turbine blade is attached to the second end of the first spoke, the second end of the second spoke, and the second end of the third spoke. The turbine blade extends continuously circumferentially about the axis. The turbine blade is spaced a distance apart from the axis and in non-contact with the shaft.

A thermal energy storage system with fluid flow insulation, the system including heated thermal storage blocks positioned within a housing, and a method for operating the thermal energy storage system, including providing a flow of fluid into the housing, the fluid convectively extracting heat from a top region, a side region and a bottom region of the thermal energy storage system, to generate heated fluid that insulates the thermal storage blocks from the housing and a foundation of the thermal energy storage system.

An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000? C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

A propeller has a number of blade surfaces or winglets extending helically around its rotational axis in the most streamlined manner. The winglets gradually project at an increasing distance outward with an arcuate shape, each defining a rearwardly concave channel that increases in volume and degree of encirclement rearward on the propeller. In the front of the propeller, the winglets are shaped so that they have edges angled obliquely and diagonally that conformingly and without cavitation cut into the water and cause it to flow smoothly in the channels. In the middle of the propeller, the winglet edges extend rearward so that water entrained in the channel is directed rearward without centrifugal loss. In the rear portion of the propeller, the channels narrow and reduce in volume so as to expel the water from the concavity.