Micropump, Inc.

Radical Combustion Technologies, LLC

Colorado State University Research Foundation

Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines

Daniel B Olsen

Kevin D O'Hara

Carl D Beckett

Randall R Raymer

Michael P Whelan

Michael J Manfredi

Todd M Bandhauer

Steven E Soar

Robert J Braun

Bret Windom

Glenn E Siemer

Systems, devices, and methods described herein provide one or more radical chemicals generators (RCGs) and/or mini-chambers (M-Cs) that can be used to provide enhanced radical ignition (ERI) in an internal combustion engine. RCGs as described herein can include quenching systems (QSs) that can be configured to quench a flame of combustion products to produce a jet of partial combustion products containing radical species (RS). The jet of partial combustion products can be injected to a main combustion chamber (MCC) of an engine to induce ERI. ERI can proceed under leaner fuel conditions and lower temperatures compared to those needed for conventional thermally induced, fuel oxidation chain initiation reaction processes.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for inducing enhanced radical ignition in internal combustion engines using a radical chemicals generator

A hybrid stationary power generator is provided. The system is fueled from natural gas and based on SOFCs and high efficiency, internal combustion (IC) engine technologies is conceived to generate electric power at 100-kW scale with an efficiency of 71% and a capital cost of &#x3c;900 $/kW. This novel system integrates a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack with a high efficiency stationary engine and balance-of-plant (BOP) equipment to create a hybrid power system.

High efficiency solid oxide fuel cell&#x2014;internal combustion engine hybrid power system

A reciprocating piston pump provides pulseless delivery of liquid. It is suitable for use in compact environments or for the delivery of small amounts of liquid, as in chromatographic analysis devices. The pump includes two pistons with pumping chambers that are alternately connected to inflow and outflow lines through a control valve. The control valve moves between a first position in which inflow is directed to the first piston chamber and outflow to the second piston chamber, and a second position in which outflow is directed to the first piston chamber and inflow is directed to the second piston chamber. Each outflow pulse from the piston is sustained longer than each inflow pulse, and the outflow pulses are staggered and partially superimposed to provide substantially pulseless delivery of liquid from the pump. A rotating cam moves the pistons of the pumps and the control valve between their operating positions described above. The cam rotates at a constant speed around an axis that is parallel to the axis of movement of the piston pumps. A control surface is carried by and rotated by the cam in one embodiment. Grooves inscribed in the control surface establish and break fluid connections as the cam rotates.

Axial cam driven valve arrangement for an axial cam driven parallel

A reciprocating piston pump provides pulsation free delivery of liquid. It is suitable for use in compact environments or for the delivery of small amounts of liquid, as in chromatographic analysis devices. The pump includes two pistons with pumping chambers that are alternately connected to inflow and outflow lines through a control valve. The control valve moves between a first position in which inflow is directed to the first piston chamber and outflow to the second piston chamber, and a second position in which outflow is directed to the first piston chamber and inflow is directed to the second piston chamber. Each outflow pulse from the piston is sustained longer than each inflow pulse, and the outflow pulses are staggered and partially superimposed to provide substantially pulsation free delivery of liquid from the pump. A rotating cam moves the pistons of the pumps and the control valve between their operating positions described above. The cam rotates at a constant speed around an axis that is parallel to the axis of movement of the piston pumps.

Rotary control valve for a piston pump

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Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Daniel B Olsen