Witricity Corporation

Loci Controls, Inc.

Andrew J Campanella

Morris P Kesler

Katherine L Hall

Aristeidis Karalis

Andre B Kurs

Marin Soljacic

Konrad J Kulikowski

Ian Martin

Nathan Andrew Pallo

Peter A Quigley

Joseph G Michels

Melinda Sims

David A Schatz

Eric R Giler

Ron Fiorello

Qiang Li

Herbert Toby Lou

Simon Verghese

Alexander Patrick McCauley

Volkan Efe

Frank J Pergal

Frank Pergal

Steven Joseph Ganem

Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with 10 the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.

Devices and techniques relating to landfill gas extraction

An apparatus for sampling landfill gas from a landfill flowing through a pipe. The apparatus may comprise: an enclosure configured to receive a section of the pipe; a gas sampling port in the section of the pipe; at least one sensor device disposed in a region of the enclosure, the at least one sensor being coupled to the section of the pipe through the gas sampling port; and thermal insulation positioned to retain heat from the section of the pipe in the region of the enclosure. A method of operating a landfill gas recovery system. The method may comprise: flowing gas from a well riser pipe through a sampling subsystem to a collection system; and heating a portion of the sampling subsystem with the gas flowing from the well riser pipe to the collection system.

Enhanced reliability and calibration of landfill gas measurement and control devices

Techniques are provided for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill. The techniques include obtaining a measurement of concentrations of oxygen, carbon, and methane in a sample of landfill gas. At least one processor may be used to determine based on the measurement of the concentration of oxygen in the sample, the measurement of the concentration of methane in the sample, and the measurement of the concentration of carbon dioxide in the sample, a balance gas concentration in the sample. Further, the at least one processor may be used to determine whether the determined balance gas concentration in the sample is greater than a balance gas concentration threshold. Responsive to determining that the determined balance gas concentration in the sample is greater than the balance gas concentration threshold, an actuator controls the flow control mechanism to decrease the flow rate of the landfill gas being extracted from the landfill.

Techniques are provided for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill. The techniques include receiving user input indicating an upper methane concentration threshold and a lower methane concentration threshold, and obtaining a measurement of the concentration of methane in the sample of landfill gas. At least one processor may be used to determine whether to control an actuator to control the flow control mechanism to adjust the flow rate of the landfill gas being extracted from the landfill. The determining whether to adjust the flow rate may be performed by determining whether the measurement of the concentration of methane in the sample is greater than the upper methane concentration threshold and determining whether the measurement of the concentration of methane in the sample is less than the lower methane concentration threshold. The flow rate of landfill gas being extracted from the landfill may be adjusted based on the determining.

Wireless power receivers include a first inductive element featuring a planar coil occupying a first plane and having first and second terminals, a first capacitive element connected to the first terminal, a second capacitive element connected to the first capacitive element at a third terminal and to the second terminal, a rectifier connected to the second terminal and third terminal such that an oscillating magnetic field will induce a current in the first inductive element, resulting in a voltage across the input of the rectifier, a communications modulation circuit, and a layer of magnetic material centered over the planar coil in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

Wireless power system modules

Techniques are provided for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill. The techniques include obtaining a measure of pressure in the gas extraction system upstream of a flow control mechanism, wherein the measure of pressure is obtained at a point between at least one well and the at least one flow control mechanism. Further, at least one processor may be used to determine that the measure of pressure in the gas extraction system relative to a measure of atmospheric pressure outside of the gas extraction system is not negative. In response to determining that the measure of pressure in the gas extraction system relative to the measure of atmospheric pressure is not negative, the flow rate of landfill gas being extracted from the at least one well is adjusted using the at least one flow control mechanism to achieve a negative pressure in the gas extraction system.

Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.

Designs for enhanced reliability and calibration of landfill gas measurement and control devices

A wireless power transmitter includes a first inductive element featuring a planar coil occupying a first plane and having first and second terminals, a first capacitive element connected to the first terminal, an inverter configured to provide an oscillating voltage signal to the first inductive element, through the first capacitive element, such that the first inductive element generates an oscillating magnetic field for transmitting power in response to the oscillating voltage signal, and a layer of magnetic material, disposed over the planar coil in a second plane parallel to the first plane.

A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.

Growing community of inventors

Somerville, MA, United States of America

Andrew J Campanella