Abstract

The present invention consists of a system that enhances and allows for the isolation and prevention of contamination, by diffusion, of two distinct gases separated by a membrane. The present invention is of particular use in aerostats. The present invention is characterized by the establishment of a capture volume (3) of the gases diffused by the introduction of a component (for example, a screen of porous material), and allows extraction of the gas that results from mixture of the interior gas (1) (typically lighter than air) and the exterior gas (5) (typically air) by a sub-pressure subsystem (6). The gas that results from mixture due to diffusion is removed by said sub-pressure subsystem (6) (for example, a vacuum pump), and can then be separated into the initial gases which are returned to the original sources. The capture volume (3) must be filled with a material that allows for extraction of the gas mixture without the membranes that separate the interior gas (2) from the exterior gas (4) collapsing or adhering to one another.

IPC Classes  ?

• B01D 53/22 - Separation of gases or vapoursRecovering vapours of volatile solvents from gasesChemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases or aerosols by diffusion
• B64B 1/40 - Balloons
• B64B 1/58 - Arrangements or construction of gas-bagsFilling arrangements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a catalytic system that is able to produce different chemical products by direct electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide by controlling easily tunable parameters, such as applied current/potential, pressure, temperature, electrolyte composition and nature of the cathode at temperatures from room temperature up to 100°C, and pressures from atmospheric pressure up to 100 bar. These chemical products are alcohols with one to ten carbon atoms, ketones up to four carbon atoms and syngas. The catalytic system comprises a catalytic cathode coupled to a hydrophilic ionic liquid-based electrolyte containing water and dissolved C02. Preferably the invention envisages the use of carbon dioxide captured from industrial emissions and the use of electricity from renewable resources.

IPC Classes  ?

• C25B 3/04 - Electrolytic production of organic compounds by reduction
• C25B 1/00 - Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
• C25B 1/04 - Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water
• C25B 11/04 - ElectrodesManufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by the material
• H01M 8/06 - Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues

Abstract

The present invention in the field of mechanical engineering consists of an improved chemical propulsion system in which at least one of the reactants is stored in the liquid phase (10). The invention includes a conventional reaction chamber (1) and nozzle (2) and re¬ uses waste heat from the refrigeration of said reaction chamber and nozzle, transferred to, for example piping (5) containing reactant that is adjacent to them, in order to vaporize and pressurize said reactant (s) (11) in the reservoirs (3, 12). The reactant (s) are then fed, in gaseous phase to the reaction chamber (1), with their flow controlled by valves (4). The liquid and gaseous phases in each reservoir may be physically separated by a separation element (13). This invention presents a simpler constructive solution for chemical propulsion systems, and is applicable especially to liquid or hybrid rocket motors.

IPC Classes  ?

• F02K 9/64 - Combustion or thrust chambers having cooling arrangements
• F02K 9/68 - Decomposition chambers
• F02K 9/72 - Rocket-engine plants, i.e. plants carrying both fuel and oxidant thereforControl thereof using liquid and solid propellants, i.e. hybrid rocket-engine plants

Abstract

The present invention is an improvement to waterborne platforms that are used to anchor aerial and airborne systems deployed over water. The system basically consists of a fully submerged main body (1), which is immersed in a body of water and anchored through one or more cables (3) to the bed (8) of said body of water. The platform includes one or more tubes (5) connected to it through watertight articulated joints (6) at one end, and with the other end above the free surface (7) of the water. The tube houses one or more structural elements (9) which connect to the airborne platform located above the water's surface. The submerged platform represents a better way to house and protect any necessary ground equipment related to the airborne system anchored, safer from waves and other undesirable phenomena occurring on the free surface of the water.

IPC Classes  ?

• B63B 22/04 - Anchoring arrangements
• B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use

Abstract

The invention pertains to aeronautical engineering and consists of an airborne platform that can be built to large sizes without requiring a rigid structure of comparable dimensions and which uses both buoyancy and the aerodynamic Magnus effect for lift. The aerodynamic lift is generated in lifting bodies (1), which also contain buoyant gas. The" lifting bodies (1) are stacked in a column, at the bottom of which there is a structural anchoring module (2) which also contains buoyant gas. ^The lifting bodies (1) and anchoring modules (2) are connected by slender structural elements which, when taken together as a whole form a non-rigid assembly. The platform may be tethered or configured as an aircraft, for which purpose other features may be added, such as a propulsion system (11), a crew gondola (6), cables to (7) and from (8) a swivel (12) and a payload (10) connected to said cables.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64B 1/02 - Non-rigid airships

Abstract

The invention pertains to aeronautical engineering and consists of an airborne platform that can be built to large sizes without requiring a rigid structure of comparable dimensions and which uses both buoyancy and the aerodynamic Magnus effect for lift. The aerodynamic lift is generated in lifting bodies (1), which also contain buoyant gas. The" lifting bodies (1) are stacked in a column, at the bottom of which there is a structural anchoring module (2) which also contains buoyant gas. ^The lifting bodies (1) and anchoring modules (2) are connected by slender structural elements which, when taken together as a whole form a non-rigid assembly. The platform may be tethered or configured as an aircraft, for which purpose other features may be added, such as a propulsion system (11), a crew gondola (6), cables to (7) and from (8) a swivel (12) and a payload (10) connected to said cables.

IPC Classes  ?

• B64B 1/02 - Non-rigid airships
• B64C 39/00 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for
• B64C 39/02 - Aircraft not otherwise provided for characterised by special use

Abstract

A process for the selective electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons, namely C2 hydrocarbons is presented. The process is carried out in an electrochemical cell where the cathode is a modified electrode with copper electrodeposits in order to improve the catalytic activity and selectivity of the system. The formation of a mixture of C2 hydrocarbons (C2H4 and C2H6) without methane is successfully obtained on specific higher surface area electrodeposits. Additionally, ethylene is selectively produced in detriment of ethane. The ex-situ copper electrodeposit leads to the steadiness of carbon dioxide reduction process, i.e., the stability of hydrocarbons production due to the weak deactivation of the cathode.

IPC Classes  ?

• C25B 3/04 - Electrolytic production of organic compounds by reduction
• C25D 1/00 - Electroforming
• C25D 7/00 - Electroplating characterised by the article coated

Abstract

This invention refers to a process of plastic deformation for production of thin wall revolution shells from tubular billets. The process consists in end-forming a hollow circular section billet, which can be composed of a multi- layered assembly, by using sharp edge internal domed shaped molds (1) that are guided externally by a constraining sleeve (3).This mold-sleeve tool can be assembled in a press in order to generate the pressure forces necessary for the forming process. The plastic deformation can result in thin walled spheres or cylinders with domed ends. The resultant revolution shells have two opposite (polar) circular openings. Both the shell's length as the polar hole diameter is mainly determined by the billet's initial dimensions and mold (1) domed geometry. An innovative flexible inner mandrel may be introduced to considerably improve overall shell characteristics, allowing reduction of shell polar opening diameter, giving control of along-meridian thickness, solving typical thin wall forming problems such as buckling, wrinkling and ruptures and improve both outer and inner surface quality. This mandrel can be discarded and/or recycled after forming. This invention enables a low-cost and high-rate process for production of structural revolution shells capable of being used as high-pressure vessels.

IPC Classes  ?

• B21D 51/24 - Making hollow objects characterised by the use of the objects high-pressure containers, e.g. boilers, bottles
• B21D 51/08 - Making hollow objects characterised by the structure of the objects ball-shaped objects