Other

United Technologies Corporation

Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

The United States of America As Represented by the United States Energy

The United States of America As Represented by United States Department

Space Power, Inc.

Britt, Edward J.

Dick, Reay S.

Wipke, W. Todd

Edward J Britt

Gary O Fitzpatrick

W Todd Wipke

Reay S Dick

Mario Rabinowitz

Ned S Rasor

David C Loda

Lorin K Hansen

John B McVey

William C Stwalley

Andrew S Perrucci

Gary J Rodriguez

William A Good

Bernard C Laskowski

John L Lawless

John B Mcvey

A method and device for carrying out a chemical reaction, by supplying to the chemical reaction energy from an electron- and, optionally, photon-containing energy wave that is induced in one or more aggregated molecular ensembles, wherein the emission of which is stimulated from the ensembles. Emission is stimulated from the ensembles by a wide variety of energy inputs, and energy derived from this electron and/or photon energy wave is advantageously used as an energy source to assist chemical reduction reactions.

Method and device for carrying out a chemical reaction

An energy conversion device comprises an apparatus and a method for employing energy from an electron- and, optionally, photon-containing energy wave that is induced in one or more aggregated molecular ensembles. Emission is stimulated from the ensembles by a wide variety of energy inputs, and energy derived from this electron and/or photon energy wave is useful for modulation of signals in circuits; performing chemical reduction reactions; and performing as an energy conversion device, e.g., as a photovoltaic energy converter. Although differing from a laser by virtue its production of, inter alia, a charge transfer rather than merely light, the device of the invention can be employed in virtually all of the same fields in which a laser is utilized.

Energy conversion device and method for making and using same

A vehicle-based threat detection system () for detecting weapons in a vehicle includes at least one sensor () in a cargo holding area of the vehicle. The sensor () is connected to at least one detector () that detects presence of a weapon in the cargo holding area. A warning system () is capable of communicating detection of a weapon to a location remote from the cargo holding area.

Vehicle-based threat detection system

A Hall effect thruster for propelling spacecraft and satellites includes at least two acceleration channels, each of the channels has a closed end and an open end, and a plurality of flux guides adjacent each of the channels. The plurality of flux guides includes an innermost flux guide, an outermost flux guide, and at least one intermediate flux guide. Each intermediate flux guide helps provide a magnetic field to each of two adjacent acceleration channels.

Multichannel hall effect thruster

A composition of matter is provided which is capable of producing laser energy on being pumped. The composition comprises a first chemical entity and a second chemical entity, wherein the first and second entities form a charge bearing molecule when excited to a relatively higher energy state and exist as distinct non-associated entities when in a relatively lower energy state. A method of producing laser energy and a laser, utilizing such composition of matter, also form a part of the invention. Generally, at least one of the first and second chemical entities in the charge bearing molecule has a number of electrons substantially equal to the number of electrons of a noble gas or of a halogen. A very high energy laser can result.

Lasing composition

A thermionic fault current limiter utilizes either a vacuum or plasma environment for a plurality of spaced conduction electrodes. The electrode can be supported by insulative spacers with the electrode providing shadow shields for the supporting spacers. Electrode spacing, power density, temperature gradients, and control grids can be utilized for optimum operation and in establishing self-absorption of energy for a desired operating environment. Cesium desorption from the electrode surfaces can be utilized to enhance current termination.

Therminoic fault current limiter and method of current limiting

In a thermionic converter, means are provided for coupling an electrical lead to at least one of the electrodes thereof. The means include a bus bar and a plurality of distributed leads coupled to the bus bar each of which penetrates through one electrode and are then coupled to the other electrode of the converter in spaced apart relation.

Distributed electrical leads for thermionic converter

A gas-filled thermionic converter is provided with a collector and an emitter having a main emitter region and an auxiliary emitter region in electrical contact with the main emitter region. The main emitter region is so positioned with respect to the collector that a main gap is formed therebetween and the auxiliary emitter region is so positioned with respect to the collector that an auxiliary gap is formed therebetween partially separated from the main gap with access allowed between the gaps to allow ionizable gas in each gap to migrate therebetween. With heat applied to the emitter the work function of the auxiliary emitter region is sufficiently greater than the work function of the collector so that an ignited discharge occurs in the auxiliary gap and the work function of the main emitter region is so related to the work function of the collector that an unignited discharge occurs in the main gap sustained by the ions generated in the auxiliary gap. A current flows through a load coupled across the emitter and collector due to the unignited discharge in the main gap.

Thermionic converter

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Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Edward J Britt