The Boeing Company

Mark Allen Cleveland

James Ping Huang

Jimmy Manansala Quiambao

Ching-Fen Tsai

Han V Nguyen

A mobile device for generating electrical power may include a combustion chamber and a heat sink. A TEC module is in thermal communication with the combustion chamber and the heat sink to transfer thermal energy from the combustion chamber to the heat sink. A heat flux across the TEC module causes electrical power to be generated. The mobile device may also include a fuel delivery system to feed fuel into the combustion chamber. A control system may be included to at least monitor and control delivery of fuel to the combustion chamber by the fuel delivery system and to control a temperature gradient across the TEC module to control the electrical power produced by the thermal-to-electric energy conversion device.

Device and method for generating electrical power

A gyroscopic device may be used as a power generator. In some embodiments there is provided a power generator which comprises a housing, a flywheel disposed within the housing and rotatable about an extending along a first axis, a precessional rotation assembly to implement rotation of the housing about a precessional axis of the flywheel, and a precessional generator to capture energy generated by the precessional rotation of the housing. Other embodiments may be described.

Power generator

A magnet structure is provided that includes a first layer of magnets including a first pole magnet and a plurality of first magnets that are positioned about the first pole magnet. The plurality of first magnets are oriented to have respective magnetic fields directed inward relative to the first pole magnet. The magnet structure may also include a second layer of magnets including a second pole magnet and a plurality of second magnets positioned about the second pole magnet and oriented such that the plurality of second magnets have respective magnetic fields directed outward relative to the second pole magnet. The magnet structure may also include a planar magnet positioned between the first and second layers of magnets and oriented such that the planar magnet repels each of the first and second layers of magnets. A magnet assembly and an associated method are also provided.

Three-dimensional magnet structure and associated method

Apparatuses, systems, and methods provide for high density laminated sheet windings in axial and radial flux configurations. According to embodiments described herein, motor components such as a rotor or stator include a number of stacked sheets of conductive material. The stacked sheets are electrically connected in series to create a winding. Each motor component includes a number of conductors spaced apart with apertures between. The motor components are stacked and configured with the conductors of one rotor or stator positioned within the apertures of the other rotor or stator to create a thin, high density conductor. A magnemotive force is created when the magnetic flux is positioned over the conductors.

Laminated sheet winding

Higher-order Halbach permanent magnet arrays that produce higher flux densities in the air gaps of electromotive machines are described. In one embodiment, a second order 'Hyper' Halbach array includes a plurality of magnets arranged immediately adjacent to each other so as to define a rectangular matrix having rows and columns in which the respective magnetic fields of a first row of the array are arranged so as to define a conventional first order Halbach array, and, proceeding in a column direction of the array, the respective magnetic fields of the magnets of each of a second and succeeding rows of the array are respectively rotated counter-clockwise about an axis perpendicular to the column direction of the array through successive 90 degree rotations relative to those of the immediately preceding row.

Hyper halbach permanent magnet arrays

Electric motor configurations are provided with Halbach arrays. In one example, an electric motor includes a first plurality of magnets arranged in a first Halbach array. The first plurality of magnets is configured to provide a first magnetic field that substantially exhibits a first Halbach flux distribution. A first plurality of electromagnets comprising a first plurality of coils are arranged in a second Halbach array. A controller is adapted to selectively direct current through the first plurality of coils to induce a second magnetic field to interact with the first magnetic field. The second magnetic field substantially exhibits a second Halbach flux distribution.

Electric motor with Halbach arrays

The apparatus and method for releasably joining first and second elements according to the present invention include a retaining member mounted to one of the elements and a reshapeable tube near the retaining member. The reshapeable tube has at least two states, an at least partially collapsed state and an at least partially expanded state. As such, the retaining member joins the elements while the reshapeable tube is in the at least partially collapsed state. Furthermore, the retaining member releases the other element while the reshapeable tube is in the at least partially expanded state, which deflects the retaining member. Thus, because components of the apparatus are not broken during the release of the elements, the amount of constrained or potential energy that is released when the retaining member releases the elements is substantially reduced or eliminated, which protects the elements from being damaged during the release.

Apparatus and method for releaseably joining elements

Methods and apparatus are provided for a low shock separation joint. The separation joint comprises a male member, a female member, and an explosive device. At least one projection is formed on the male and female members. Surfaces of the at least one projection on the male and female members are mated to one another to prevent separation under compressive and tensile forces. The explosive device is placed within a cavity of the female member. A method for reducing shock in a separation joint is provided. An explosive device in the female member of the separation joint is detonated. A volume increase of the explosive device bends flanges of the female member away from one another. Surfaces in intimate contact with one another are moved out of contact with one another to decouple the male member from the female member.

Low shock separation joint and method therefor

Methods and apparatus are provided for a low shock separation joint. A first member couples to a first structure and includes surfaces to prevent separation under compressive and tensile force placed on the separation joint. A second member couples to a second structure and includes surfaces corresponding to the surfaces of the first member. The first member is elastically flexed to allow the surfaces of the first and second members to be aligned to one another. The first member is released from flexing which couples the first and second members together. An explosive device is placed within the separation joint. Detonating the explosive device moves the surfaces of the first and second members out of contact with one another decoupling the first and second members. A passive force is applied to accelerate the first and second members away from one another. After detonation the first and second members are intact.

Low shock separation joint

A launch vehicle assembly has a launch vehicle body ( ) having a first slot ( ) therein. A first magnet ( ) is disposed within the first slot ( ). A fairing assembly ( ) is positioned adjacent to the vehicle body ( ). The fairing assembly ( ) has a second slot ( ) therein positioned opposite the first slot ( ). A second magnet ( ) is disposed within the second slot ( ) so that the second magnet ( ) repels the first magnet ( ).

Growing community of inventors

Westminster, CA, United States of America

Mark Allen Cleveland