Motorola Corporation

National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC

Engelhard Corporation

Chowdary Ramesh Koripella

Joseph W Bostaph

David Wilcox

William J Ooms

Stephen P Rogers

Jeremy W Burdon

Neil J Adams

Dominic Francis Gervasio

Allison M Fisher

Daniel A Young

Christopher K Dyer

Adam Moya

Daniel Roman Gamota

Ramkumar Krishnan

Gerald Stephen Koermer

Bernard F Coll

Frederic Zenhausern

Kurt W Eisenbeiser

Linda Hratko

Karl W Wyatt

Craig R Markyvech

Jeffrey D Naber

Patrick W Blosser

Wang-Chang A Gu

Charles R Bryan

Ross A Miesem

Chao-pin Yeh

Thomas Dewers

Sean Xin Wu

Jason E Heath

Wen Xu Zhou

Adam D Moya

Jay Neutzler

Stephen R Samms

Edward Balko

Jie Xue

Adam Miller

Jeff Naber

A system and method for powering a borehole sensor with thermal energy is disclosed. The system includes a tubular pipe inserted into a subsurface borehole. A borehole casing is coaxially disposed with the tubular pipe. An annular space between the casing and the tubular pipe has a power source placed in the borehole to power a sensor in response to a temperature gradient between a surface of the casing and a surface of the tubular pipe. The method includes attaching thermopiles on the borehole casing or tubing; placing the thermopile in the annulus between the casing and the tubing; inducing a thermal gradient across the thermopile; generating an electrical energy in response to the temperature gradient; powering the sensor from the generated energy; and monitoring vertical expansion of a COplume.

System and method thermopile energy harvesting for subsurface well bore sensors

A method is provided for fabricating an integrated micro fuel cell that derives power from a three-dimensional fuel/oxidant interchange having increased surface area and that is positioned on a second substrate that may be either porous or flexible with gas access holes, thereby avoiding precise alignment requirements of the openings providing fuel thereto. The method comprises forming on a first substrate, a plurality of pedestals including an anode and a cathode each comprising a porous metal; positioning an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; and forming first metal contacts on the anode and cathode. The first substrate is removed and a second substrate is positioned against the fuel cell wherein the first metal contacts are selectively positioned to make electrical contact with second metal contacts on the second substrate.

Method for forming a micro fuel cell

A ceramic fuel processor () including a solid oxide fuel cell () provides a high power output while maintaining a small size and minimizing heating issues. A fuel reformer () comprising a reaction zone () including a reforming catalyst. A heat source () is thermally coupled to the reaction zone for providing heat thereto. An inlet channel () conducts liquid fuel to the reaction zone, and an outlet channel () conducts hydrogen enriched gas from the reaction zone to the solid oxide fuel cell.

Solid oxide fuel cell portable power source

An apparatus () is provided for determining the flow rate of a gas. The apparatus comprises a housing () forming a vaporization chamber () for converting a fluid into a gas vapor when subjected to heat (). An oscillation flow meter is formed within the housing (), thereby being integrated with the vaporization chamber, for receiving the gas vapor and providing a frequency signal () indicative of the rate of flow of the gas vapor.

Fuel cell system having fluidic oscillation flow meter

A hydrogen generator including a three-dimensional multilayer ceramic carrier structure defining a fuel reformer. The reformer includes a vaporization zone and a reaction zone including a catalyst. The reformer is operational as either a steam reformer, a partial oxidation reformer or an autothermal reformer. The fuel reformer, or processor, further includes an inlet channel for liquid fuel and an outlet channel for hydrogen enriched gas. The fuel processor is formed utilizing multi-layer ceramic technology in which thin ceramic layers are assembled then sintered to provide miniature dimensions in which the encapsulated catalyst converts or reforms inlet fuel into a hydrogen enriched gas.

Hydrogen generator utilizing ceramic technology

A fuel cell system and method of forming the fuel cell system including a base portion, formed of a singular body, and having a major surface. At least one fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is formed on the major surface of the base portion. A fluid supply channel including a mixing chamber is defined in the base portion and communicating with the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly for supplying a fuel-bearing fluid to the membrane electrode assembly. A methanol concentration sensor is positioned to communicate with the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly and the fuel-supply channel for regulating the mixture of fuel to the electrode assembly. An exhaust channel including a water recovery and recirculation system is defined in the base portion and communicating with the membrane electrode assembly.

Direct methanol fuel cell system including an integrated methanol sensor and method of fabrication

A method for forming an electrically isolated via in a multilayer ceramic package and an electrical connection formed within the via are disclosed. The method includes punching a first via in a first layer, filling the first via with a cross-linkable paste, curing the paste to form an electrical insulator precursor and forming the via in the insulator precursor. The electrical connection formed includes an insulator made from a cross-linked paste supported by a substrate of a multilayer ceramic package and a conductive connection supported by the insulator.

Electrically isolated via in a multilayer ceramic package

A microhollow cathode discharge (MHCD) cavity and microfluidic channel are combined for interrogation of samples. The apparatus includes a dielectric body and layers of conductive material defining a MHCD cavity containing an environment for carrying a gas discharge within the MHCD cavity. The gas discharge generates gas based electromagnetic waves. Electrical connections apply a cathode discharge potential to the layers of conductive material. A microfluidic channel is integrated on the substrate, and a path extends from the MHCD cavity laterally through a portion of the microfluidic channel. A detector, which may be integrated on the common substrate, is positioned to receive electromagnetic waves from the path and electronic circuitry is coupled to the detector for acquiring and processing data.

MHCD and microfluidic apparatus and method

A fuel processor and integrated fuel cell including a monolithic three-dimensional multilayer ceramic carrier structure defining a fuel reformer and including an integrated fuel cell stack. The reformer includes a vaporization zone, a reaction zone including a catalyst, and an integrated heater. The integrated heater is thermally coupled to the reaction zone. The fuel processor further includes an inlet channel for liquid fuel and an outlet channel for hydrogen enriched gas. The fuel processor is formed utilizing multi-layer ceramic technology in which thin ceramic layers are assembled then sintered to provide miniature dimensions in which the encapsulated catalyst converts or reforms inlet fuel into a hydrogen enriched gas.

Fuel processor with integrated fuel cell utilizing ceramic technology

A fuel cell device and method of forming the fuel cell device including a base portion, formed of a singular body, and having a major surface. At least one fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is formed on the major surface of the base portion. A fluid supply channel including a mixing chamber is defined in the base portion and communicating with the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly for supplying a fuel-bearing fluid to the membrane electrode assembly. An exhaust channel is defined in the base portion and communicating with the membrane electrode. A multi-dimensional fuel flow field is defined in the multi-layer base portion and in communication with the fluid supply channel, the membrane electrode assembly and the exhaust channel.

Direct methanol fuel cell including integrated flow field and method of fabrication

A fuel cell array apparatus and method of forming the fuel cell array apparatus including a base portion, formed of a singular body, and having a major surface. At least two spaced apart membrane electrode assemblies formed on the major surface of the base portion. A fluid supply channel is defined in the base portion and equally communicating with each of the at least two spaced apart membrane electrode assemblies for supplying a fuel-bearing fluid to each of membrane electrode assemblies. An exhaust channel is defined in the base portion and equally communicating with each of the membrane electrode assemblies. Each of membrane electrode assemblies and the cooperating fluid supply channel and cooperating exhaust channel forms a single fuel cell assembly. There is additionally included a top portion characterized as providing for the exposure of a portion of each fuel cell assembly to ambient air and a plurality of electrical components for electrical integration of the plurality of formed fuel cell assemblies.

Fuel cell array apparatus and method of fabrication

A fuel cell system and method of forming the fuel cell system including a base portion, formed of a singular body, and having a major surface. At least one fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is formed on the major surface of the base portion. A fluid supply channel including a mixing chamber is defined in the base portion and communicating with the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly for supplying a fuel-bearing fluid to the membrane electrode assembly. An exhaust channel including a water recovery and recirculation system is defined in the base portion and communicating with the membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly and the cooperating fluid supply channel and cooperating exhaust channel forming a single fuel cell assembly.

Direct methanol fuel cell system and method of fabrication

The method (400, 500) and device (200) for reworkable direct chip attachment include a thermal-mechanical and mechanical stable solder joint for arranging connection pads on a top surface of the circuit board to facilitate connection for electronic elements, and affixing a reinforcement having apertures to accommodate solder joints to the top surface of the circuit board to facilitate solder attachment of the connection pads to the electronic elements wherein the reinforcement constrains deformation of the circuit board to provide reliable solder joints and facilitates attachment and removal of electronic elements from the circuit board.

Device for reworkable direct chip attachment

A differential calorimetric gas sensor (10) which includes a sensing element (12) having a catalytic layer (14) disposed on a multi-layered substrate (26). Catalytic layer (14) includes an active catalyst region (14a) which oxidizes total combustibles within an exhaust gas stream and a reference catalyst region (14b) which oxidizes selective combustibles within the exhaust gas stream. An electrochemical oxygen source (18) is disposed on an opposite side of multi-layer substrate (26) from sensing element (12). An oxygen sensor cell (170) may be incorporated into electrochemical oxygen source (18). The multi-layered substrate (26) includes a plurality of overlaying insulating layers in which an intermediate layer (60) and a bottom layer (64) support primary heaters (58, 62), and in which another intermediate layer (52) supports compensation heaters (50a, 50b). The primary heaters (58, 62) function to maintain sensor (10) at a substantially constant temperature, while the compensation heaters (50a, 50b) function to restore temperature deviations determined by temperature-sensitive elements (46a, 46b) located on an inner layer (48) overlaying the compensation heaters (50a, 50b) resulting from the catalytic reactions taking place at the surfaces (34a, 34b) of the catalyst regions (14a, 14b). The control circuitry (300) operates to control the primary heater (58, 62) and the compensation heaters (50a, 50b), as well as to minimize the response variations of the temperature-sensitive elements (46a, 46b).

Exhaust gas sensor

A calorimetric hydrocarbon gas sensor (10) includes an electrochemical oxygen pump (18), a sensing element (12), and a multi-layered substrate (26) separating the sensing element (12) from the electrochemical oxygen pump (18). The multi-layered substrate (26) includes a plurality of overlying insulating layers, in which at least one intermediate layer (60) supports a first primary heater (58), and in which another intermediate layer (52) supports a temperature compensation heaters (50a, 50b). The primary heater (58) functions to maintain the calorimetric hydrocarbon gas sensor (10) at a constant, elevated temperature, while the active compensation heater (50a) functions to maintain substantially equal temperatures as determined by the thermometers (46a, 46b) located on an intermediate layer (48) overlying the compensation heaters (50a, 50b). Control circuitry is integrated with power measurement circuitry to measure differences in the heat produced by the compensation heater (50a) and the thermometer (46a) in an active region (100), and the heat produced by the compensation heater (50b) and the thermometer (46b) in a reference region (102).

Growing community of inventors

Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America

Chowdary Ramesh Koripella