Lehigh University

Mayuresh V Kothare

Shivaji Sircar

Ashish V Pattekar

Rama Rao Vemula

Mark Gordon Arnold

Panagiotis Vouzis

Leonidas Bleris

Chai Siew-Wah

Matthew Urich

Systems and methods presented herein provide for multivariable model predictive control of a multistep plant. In one embodiment, a model predictive controller (MPC) includes a model of the multistep plant. The MPC is operable to linearize at least two steps of the multistep plant into cycle steps based on the model, to process an output signal from the multistep plant, and to independently control the cycle steps based on the output signal to optimize an output of the multistep plant.

Multivariable model predictive controller

A oxygen concentrating system comprising an adsorption column having a first end and a second end, a shell enclosing the column and defining a product gas storage space between the column and the shell, a product conduit connecting the product gas storage space to a product output point, a first conduit comprising at least one first valve having at least a first and second configuration, in the first configuration, compressed air flows from the feed point to the first end, and, in the second configuration, waste gas flows from the first end to the waste point, and a second conduit comprising at least one second valve having at least a first and second configuration, in the first configuration, the product gas flows from the product gas storage space to the second end, and, in the second configuration, the product gas flows from the second end to the storage space.

Oxygen concentrator system and method

Provided herein are new compact and miniature oxygen concentrator apparatus, as well as methods incorporating use of the apparatus. The apparatus and methods utilize selected cycle times, adsorbent specifications and novel conditions to produce a fast Pressure Swing Adsorption ('PSA') system. The oxygen concentrator apparatus and methods herein have significant utility in the fields of biotechnology, engineering, and medicine. A particularly advantageous use of this invention is as a 'snap on' portable oxygen concentrator, where piped compressed air is already available such as in civil and military hospitals, ambulances, air craft cabins, mobile fish tanks, etc. Those embodiments eliminate the need for dedicated moving machinery (blower, compressor, vacuum pump) normally associated with a conventional PSA oxygen concentrator.

Miniature oxygen concentrators and methods

A method of bonding a capillary tube made of a thermally deformable material to a passage in a glass wafer comprising the steps of treating the surface of the capillary tube to render the surface bondable and wettable by a conventional epoxy resin; inserting a support inside the capillary to prevent inward deformation of the capillary during subsequent fabricating steps; inserting the supported capillary inside the port on the wafer; heating an end of the capillary proximate a bottom portion of the port to effect melting of a portion of the heated end of the capillaries; moving the melted end of the capillary into contact with a wall of the port at a desired location for the capillary in the port, thus forming a temporary seal between the capillary and the wall of the port; and introducing an epoxy around the capillary to bind the capillary to the wafer.

Micro-fluidic interconnector

A system for embedding real-time Model Predictive Control (MPC) in a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) devices is provided. In the system, a microprocessor is connected to an auxiliary unit or application-specific matrix coprocessor. The microprocessor can control the operation of the MPC algorithm, i.e., carry out the tasks of input/output for the MPC algorithm, initialize and send the appropriate commands to auxiliary unit and receive back the optimal control moves or instructions from auxiliary unit. The auxiliary unit can operate as a matrix coprocessor by executing matrix operations, e.g. addition, multiplication, inversion, etc., required by the MPC algorithm.

Iterative matrix processor based implementation of real-time model predictive control

Microreactor for carrying out methanol reforming for hydrogen production. The microreactor consists of a network of catalyst-packed parallel microchannels of cross-sectional dimensions from 400 to 1000 micrometers with a catalyst particle filter near the outlet fabricated by micromachining techniques, e.g., using photolithography and deep-reactive ion etching (DRIE) on a silicon substrate. Microchannel and filter capping, on-chip heating and temperature sensing, introduction and trapping of catalyst particles in the microchannels, flow distribution, microfluidic interfacing and thermal insulation are features of the microreactor. Another microreactor consists of a radial-flow configuration utilizing a annular shaped catalyst zone for carrying out reactions between gases introduced into the microreactor as the gases flow from an inner circular boundary to an outer circular boundary in a radial direction. Methanol to hydrogen molar conversion of at least 85% to 90% at flow rates enough to supply hydrogen to an 8 to 10 Watt fuel cell have been achieved. Microreactors according to the invention can be achieved to produce hydrogen as required for up to a 25 Watt fuel cell. Several such microreactors can be used simultaneously to generate hydrogen for fuel cells with higher power capacities.

Growing community of inventors

Bethlehem, PA, United States of America

Mayuresh V Kothare