A hydropower installation includes a water supply and an energy generating station, with the supply at a higher level than the energy generating station; and a duct extending between the supply and the energy generating station. The energy generating station of the hydropower installation is configured based on high water velocity and low pressure. The duct may comprise plastic pipes. The duct may be arranged on a foam support and enclosed by a foam embedment. The duct may comprise at least two duct sections, with an intermediate energy generating station arranged between the duct sections of the duct. The duct may comprise internally extending protrusions, such as dimples to promote a laminar flow of fluid through the pipe. The duct may taper. Water pressure inside the duct may be maintained at atmospheric level. The proposed features all contribute to a pressure free velocity based system.

An innovative hexagonet provides a unique surface structure to achieve optimal tribological performance of any solid objects. The hexagonet comprises fractal hexagons and each fractal hexagon include regular hexagons in fractal form that can reduce friction and improve interactions of an object with any other objects and environment, thereby increasing the performance and reliability of the object by increasing balance and consistency in motion and at rest. Once integrated to the object, the hexagonet can form a protective surface which is repellent to other matter, thus, providing slippery, anti-fouling and anti-bacterial properties. Additionally, the protective surface creates a tribological effect which significantly reduces heat and disturbance, contamination and wear and tear resulting in reduction of energy consumption of the object. Further, the versatile and effective hexagonet can provide various applications to the object in solid-to-solid, solid-to-liquid, solid-to-air interactions, etc.

A water flow deflection device to enhance a watercraft's wake. An elongated base with two ends is aligned along the side of the watercraft. The base has a deflector interface with concentrically arranged teeth. A deflector assembly is operably attached to the base between the two ends, with a face that deflects water. The deflector's leading end is closer to the watercraft than the trailing end. The deflector assembly has a base interface with concentrically arranged teeth. Two or more suction cup assemblies attach to the elongated base to provide removable attachment, with one attached between a first end and the deflector interface and another attached between a second end and the deflector interface. The concentrically arranged teeth of the deflector interface and the base interface operably interlock, allowing rotational adjustment of the deflector relative to the base.

A magnetic insertion meter is disclosed herein. Disclosed insertion meters include in some examples, a sensor head tube cylinder having a textured front surface and at least two electrodes. Disclosed insertion meters include a textured front surface adapted to move the separation point of a fluid flowing over the sensor head tube towards the upstream surface as compared to the same sensor head tube without the textured front surface. Methods of measuring flow are also disclosed herein using example magnetic insertion meters.

An apparatus and method for an engine component having a hot surface adjacent a hot combustion gas flow and a cooling surface adjacent a cooling fluid flow can include at least one dimple for enhancing the cooling along the cooling surface. The dimple can be shaped having a head and a tail with the head disposed upstream of the tail to provide for reduced dust collection along the engine component.

A profiled element used is disclosed for generating a force, the profiled element comprising a material having an active surface; a plurality of cavities located on the active surface of the material, the plurality of cavities comprising pin holes, each pin hole having an opening of a micrometric size on the active surface and a depth of a micrometric size greater than its diameter; wherein each pin hole is hermetically sealed on the opposite side of the cavity; and further wherein an airflow circulation against the active surface of the material causes a pressure change on the active surface and inside each of the plurality of cavities thereby generating a force.

A vehicle including an embossed surface for improving aerodynamic characteristics includes a front bumper member provided at a lower portion of a front surface of a vehicle body of the vehicle. On a surface of a side surface portion of the front bumper member, the embossed surface having a directional pattern for assisting an airflow to direct in one direction along the surface is formed. The one direction is raised rearward relative to a front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

A water flow deflection device to enhance a watercraft's wake. An elongated base with two ends is aligned along the side of the watercraft. The base has a deflector interface with concentrically arranged teeth. A deflector assembly is operably attached to the base between the two ends, with a face that deflects water. The deflector's leading end is closer to the watercraft than the trailing end. The deflector assembly has a base interface with concentrically arranged teeth. Two or more suction cup assemblies attach to the elongated base to provide removable attachment, with one attached between a first end and the deflector interface and another attached between a second end and the deflector interface. The concentrically arranged teeth of the deflector interface and the base interface operably interlock, allowing rotational adjustment of the deflector relative to the base.

Microstructured surface development three dimensional form solutions that provide multiple functional benefits when applied to an object. Microstructured surface development three dimensional form solutions that provide efficiency gains to an object in dynamic motion in a fluid medium through aerodynamic/hydrodynamic skin friction drag reduction. Microstructured surface development three dimensional form solutions that additionally provide functional benefits to an object in a static, non-moving state as well as a dynamic state—namely super-hydrophobicity, light absorption, sound/radar absorption and heat dissipation. Microstructured surface development three dimensional form solutions that can be molded into the surface of an object. Microstructured surface development three dimensional form solutions that can be added to the surface of an object though a secondary forming operation (ie machining, laser engraving). Microstructured surface development three dimensional form solutions that can be attached to the surface of an object using an adhesive backed thin film that has been molded/cast with unique microstructured surfaces. Microstructured surface development three dimensional form solutions that are composed of unique tile-like individual elements that can be assembled as a unique continuous array on an object.

A magnetic insertion meter is disclosed herein. Disclosed insertion meters include in some examples, a sensor head tube cylinder having a textured front surface and at least two electrodes. Disclosed insertion meters include a textured front surface adapted to move the separation point of a fluid flowing over the sensor head tube towards the upstream surface as compared to the same sensor head tube without the textured front surface. Methods of measuring flow are also disclosed herein using example magnetic insertion meters.