University of Southern California

Other

California Institute of Technology

Syracuse University

Paul D Ronney

Adam L Cohen

Uri Frodis

Lars Sitzki

Eckart H Meiburg

Steffen Wussow

Ying Wen Hsu

Itzhak Sapir

G Jeffrey Snyder

Sossina M Haile

Jeongmin Ahn

Enoch J Durbin

David T Raphael

Zongping Shao

The present invention relates to a power device and, more particularly, to a non-propulsive thermal transpiration based micro single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell (SCSOFC) power device.

Non-propulsive miniature power device based on solid oxide fuel cell and combustion-driven thermal transpiration pump

A micro-combustion power system is disclosed. The invention is comprised of a housing that further comprises two flow path volumes, each having generally opposing flow path directions and each generally having opposing configurations. Each flow path volume comprises a pre-heating volume having at least one pre-heating heat exchange structure. Each flow path volume further comprises a combustion volume having a combustion means or structure such as a catalytic material disposed therein Further, each flow path volume comprise a post-combustion volume having at least one post-combustion heat exchange structure. One or more thermoelectric generator means is in thermal communication with at least one of the combustion volumes whereby thermal energy generated by an air/fuel catalytic reaction in the combustion volume is transferred to the thermoelectric generator to convert same to electrical energy for use by an external circuit. A novel element of the invention relates to the opposing configuration and opposing flow path directions of the respective flow path volumes. The pre-heating heat exchange structure in the first flow path volume and the opposing post-combustion heat exchange structure are comprised of a shared, thermally conductive structure and material. In this embodiment, waste heat from the exhaust gas in the post-combustion chamber is thermally transferred to the opposing pre-heating volume to heat the air/fuel mixture therein to a suitable pre-combustion temperature to take advantage of waste heat while better managing thermal/cooling issues of the device during operation.

Micro-combustion power system with dual path counter-flow system

Apparatus for oxygenating the airway of a patient may include a device for delivering an oxygen-carrying gas into the airway, a fire detection system configured to detect indications of an imminent or incipient fire in the airway, and a fire suppression system configured to suppress the imminent or incipient fire in the airway in response to detection of the fire in the airway by the fire detection system. A drape for use during surgery on a patient may include a sheet configured to cover an area of the patient during surgery, a fire detection system attached to the sheet and configured to detect indications of an imminent or incipient fire beneath the sheet, and a fire suppression system attached to the sheet and configured to suppress the imminent or incipient fire beneath the sheet in response to detection of the imminent or incipient fire by the fire detection system.

Detection and suppression of airway / drape fires during surgical procedures

The present invention relates to a power generator and method for forming the same. More specifically, the present invention comprises a chamber containing a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), with a spiral-wound counter-current heat exchanger encompassing the chamber. The spiral-wound counter-current heat exchanger includes a first inlet and an outlet, where both the first inlet and the outlet are connected with the chamber such that reactants introduced into the power generator flow into the first inlet and past the SOFC, where the reactants react to produce energy and reaction products. The reaction products thereafter transfer heat to the reactants and subsequently exit through the outlet. A reactor can be positioned downstream of the SOFC for converting reactants not reacted by the SOFC.

Power generator and method for forming the same

A generally toroidal counterflow heat exchanger is the main element of a combustor that operates at a micro scale. The combustor includes a central combustion region with openings to a reactant gas channel and an exhaust gas channel. The reactant channel and exhaust channels are coiled around each other in a spiral configuration that reduces heat loss. An electric current microgenerator is similar and also includes a thermoelectric active wall composed of n-type and p-type thermoelectric elements as part of a channel wall of the microcombustor. The thermoelectric active wall includes fins configured to increase the temperature differential across the thermoelectric elements relative to the temperature difference between the thermoelectric elements and the reactant and exhaust gases. A method of monolithically fabricating such microdevices by electrodepositing multiple layers of material is also provided.

Microcombustor and combustion-based thermoelectric microgenerator

A system that adjusts the temperature and air fuel ratio of the combustible mixture provided in a combustion engine to control the force or torque output of that engine.

Method and apparatus for force or torque control of a combustion engine

Growing community of inventors

Monrovia, CA, United States of America

Paul D Ronney