Ceramphysics, Inc.

Other

Corning Glass Works

United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Oxynet, Inc.

Lake Shore Ceramics, Inc.

William N Lawless

Tapan K Gupta

George J Bich

Robert W Arenz

Charles Frederick Clark, Jr

C Frederick Clark, Jr

Leslie E Cross

William A Steyert

An annular elastomer is provided in a housing orifice that does not require a large force for deformation. This makes possible a solenoid-type actuator that provides a large displacement of the elastomer, thus allowing higher and lower rates of gas flow through a gas line.

Solid state regulator for natural gas

Thermal transfer devices according to the present invention comprise electrocaloric materials that increase in temperature upon application of an applied voltage thereto and decrease in temperature upon removal of the applied voltage. In specific embodiments of the present invention, the electrocaloric materials, described in further detail below, are configured such that the respective increases and decreases in temperature of the electrocaloric material extend from about &#x2212;10&#xb0; C. to about 50&#xb0; C. As a result, thermal transfer devices according to the present invention are suitable for use in a wide variety of practical refrigeration applications. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract will not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Electrocaloric device and thermal transfer systems employing the same

A combined oxygen and NO sensor is provided. Generally, the combined sensor employs a sensor body that includes two different types of electrodes&mdash;oxygen-porous electrode layers and dissociative oxygen-porous electrode layers. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor comprises a sensor body, an oxygen content electrical signal output, and a NO content electrical signal output. The sensor body is disposed in the gas and comprises a plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers and a plurality of dissociative oxygen-porous electrode layers. The dissociative oxygen-porous electrode layers comprise a material selected to catalyze dissociation of NO into nitrogen and oxygen.

Combined oxygen and NOx sensor

Capacitive energy storage device

A low cost amperometric oxygen sensor which utilizes a plurality of oxygen ion conductor layers interposed between a plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers is provided. Oxygen from a sample gas enters the sensor at porous cathode electrodes, is pumped through the ion conductor layers, and exits through the anode electrodes. The amperometric current generated is representative of the partial pressure of oxygen in the sample gas. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an amperometric oxygen sensor is provided for determining the oxygen partial pressure of a gas. The sensor comprises a sensor body defined by a plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers and at least one oxygen ion conductor layer. The plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers include at least one cathode layer and at least one anode layer. Each of the cathode layers define first and second major cathode surfaces and each of the anode layers defining first and second major anode surfaces. The oxygen ion conductor layer is interposed between the first major cathode surface and the first major anode surface. The cathode layer defines an unexposed second major cathode surface and a cathode end portion exposed along a first edge of the sensor body. The anode layer defines an unexposed second major anode surface and an anode end portion exposed along a second edge of the sensor body. The amperometric oxygen sensor further comprises a voltage source having a first pole connected to the cathode layer and a second pole connected to the anode layer, and a current meter connected to measure an amperometric current flowing through the at least one ion conductor layer.

Amperometric oxygen sensor

A capacitive energy storage device for use at cryogenic temperatures is provided including first and second electrode layers having a layer of dielectric material there between. The electrode layers include an electrically conductive material having a formula selected from YBa Cu O and Bi Ca Sr Cu O . A method of storing electrical charge in a capacitive energy storage device is also provided. The method includes the steps of: (i) reducing the temperature of the capacitive energy storage device from a predetermined room temperature to a predetermined cryogenic operating temperature; (ii) applying a first electric field of a first field strength across the dielectric layer, wherein the magnitude of the first field strength is sufficient to cause the storage device to switch from a first operational state to a second operational state, the first operational state is characterized by a first dielectric constant, the second operational state is characterized by a second dielectric constant, and the second dielectric constant is substantially greater than the first dielectric constant; and (iii) charging the capacitive energy storage device in the second operational state.

Capacitive energy storage device and method of producing the same

A honeycomb ceramic fuel cell is provided including, among other things, (i) an yttria stabilized bismuth oxide oxygen ion conductive ceramic with zirconia incorporated therein, (ii) a niobia stabilized bismuth oxide oxygen ion conductive ceramic, (iii) a copper cermet anode electrode disposed in the fuel supply passage of a bismuth oxide ceramic fuel cell, or (iv) specially arranged inter-passage channels formed in the ceramic body of the fuel cell. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ceramic fuel cell is provided comprising an oxidant supply passage, a cathode electrode disposed in the oxidant supply passage, a fuel supply passage, an anode electrode disposed in the fuel supply passage, and a stabilized bismuth oxide oxygen ion conductive ceramic interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The ceramic may be stabilized with yttria or niobia and may include zirconia. Fuel cells incorporating the ceramic compositions of the present invention are operational at temperatures at or below about 650&deg; C. Thus, sooting of the ceramic body is not a problem if unreformed organic fuels are utilized in the present invention. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a zirconia coating is interposed between the stabilized ceramic body and the anode electrode. Further, the ceramic electrodes of the present invention may be provided with a silver overlay.

Ceramic fuel cell

A ceramic honeycomb nitrogen purification device is provided including a source gas, a set of gaseous nitrogen passages, a set of oxygen disposal passages, an electroded oxygen conducting ceramic membrane, an electrical power source, an oxygen sensor, and nitrogen purification control circuitry. The source gas includes gaseous nitrogen. The set of gaseous nitrogen passages defines respective source nitrogen input openings and purified nitrogen output openings. The set of oxygen disposal passages defines disposed oxygen output openings, wherein a plurality of the gaseous nitrogen passages are exclusively dedicated to individual ones of the oxygen disposal passages. The electroded oxygen conducting ceramic membrane includes a ceramic body defining the set of gaseous nitrogen passages and the set of oxygen disposal passages in the form of first and second sets of substantially parallel passages and including a plurality of electrode surfaces disposed in the gaseous nitrogen passages and the oxygen disposal passages, the oxygen disposal passages being separated from respective ones of the set of gaseous nitrogen passages by the electroded surfaces of the oxygen conducting ceramic membrane. The electrical power source is coupled to the electroded oxygen conducting ceramic membrane and arranged such that the electroded surfaces comprise cathodes in the gaseous nitrogen passages and anodes in the oxygen disposal passages. The oxygen sensor is in fluid communication with the purified nitrogen output openings. The nitrogen purification control circuitry is arranged to optimize current and voltage generated by the power source by switching from a current control mode to a voltage control mode when the oxygen sensor signal indicates a decrease in oxygen content of gas passing through the purified nitrogen output openings below a predetermined level.

Nitrogen purification device

An oxygen generating system includes an oxygen generator having an oxygen ion conducting honeycomb structure and a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the oxygen generator. The system also includes a heater thermally coupled to the oxygen generator and a control module coupled to the oxygen generator and the heater. The control module monitors one or more of the system parameters and dynamically controls the oxygen generating system in response to the one or more system parameters such as, for example, varying the speed of a draft fan in the outlet waste air stream. A method of operating an oxygen generating system includes initializing the oxygen generating system in response to an operation status request and generating oxygen in an oxygen ion conducting honeycomb structure in response to a desired oxygen flow rate input. The method further includes monitoring one or more oxygen generating system parameters and controlling the oxygen generating system in response to the one or more oxygen generating system parameters.

Oxygen generator system and method of operating the same

The present invention is an oxygen generator including a stabilized bismuth oxide body and a plurality of first and second channels. The first channels receive a first gas containing some oxygen and the second channels are sealed at the input and outlet openings and extend generally in parallel to the first channels. Electrodes are disposed on the channel walls of the first and second channels, the electrode composition includes LXM, wherein L is lanthanum, M is manganate, and X is strontium, calcium, lead or barium. The oxygen generator may further include silver disposed over the LXM which thereby decreases the resistivity of the electrodes without the electromigration of the silver. The silver may be mixed with glass to thereby provide improved adherence of the silver to the LXM. A method of making an oxygen generator includes forming a stabilized bismuth oxide body having channels extending therethrough and forming LXM electrodes in the channels. Forming the LXM electrodes in the channels includes mixing an LXM powder with an organic liquid to form a slurry, applying the slurry to the stabilized bismuth oxide body and firing the body. The method may further include forming a silver layer over the LXM in the channels, thereby forming a multi-layer electrode composition having a low resistivity in which the LXM acts as an electromigration barrier for the silver.

Electrode composition and application method for oxygen generators

The present invention includes an oxygen generator having a ceramic honeycomb body. The honeycomb body includes one or more oxygen collection channels which extend laterally across a plurality of second channels in which oxygen is generated via the conduction of oxygen ions from a source gas residing in or passing through a plurality of first channels. The oxygen collection channels are located either positionally along a face of the generator, on one longitudinal end of the generator or are staggered about the side face such that the oxygen collection channels do not substantially impact the structural integrity of the honeycomb body. In addition, a method in which a honeycomb body having oxygen collection channels at its face includes extruding a ceramic body and forming one or more channels at a face of the extruded body. The method further includes forming electrodes within the body and sealing selected channels for the collection of oxygen.

Top-milled channeling for removal of oxygen from an oxygen generator

The composite insulation coating consists of a mixture of glass and ceramic oxide(s), coated onto a wire by conventional wire enameling techniques followed by heat treatment at 600.degree.-850.degree. C. The enamel when initially applied, the 'green' coat slurry, consists of four components: (1) the glass, (2) an inorganic filler (ceramic oxide powder, (3) an organic binder and (4) an organic solvent. The glasses can be selected from several commercial glasses (Corning 7570 and 7050) as well as Westinghouse glasses A-508, M 3072 and M 3073. None of these glasses contain lead or boron, allowing for nuclear applications. Suitable ceramic fillers are alumina, and the CeramPhysics, Inc. ceramics SC1C and SC1A. Organic binder materials and solvents are used. It is preferable that a copper wire to be coated with Ni, Inconel or Cr prior to coating with the subject insulation. For superconductors, the brittle nature of Nb.sub.3 Sn wire and the high reaction temperature (.about.700.degree. C.) required to form it preclude the use of standard organic insulation systems. The inorganic insulation with SC1C and SC1A ceramics, characterized by unusually high specific heats and thermal conductivities at cryogenic temperatures, offers the opportunity of providing increased enthalpy stabilization in a superconducting winding. The glass and ceramic is chosen so that the vitrification temperature of the composite coincides with the reaction temperature of 600.degree.-800 .degree. C. The most successful glasses meeting this criterion are A-508 and M3072.

Method of coating superconductors with inorganic insulation

A solid state apparatus for regulating the flow of fluids in general, and natural gas, in particular, is provided. The solid state apparatus includes an actuator made of electrostrictive, magnetostrictive or piezoelectric material. The actuator displaces upon application of an electric field to vary the compression on an elastomer having an orifice, thereby varying the amount of elastomeric material extruded into the orifice. Fluid flow through the regulator is thereby controlled. A system for regulating the flow of gas integrates the regulator with a sensor to detect a gas characteristic, such as gas partial pressure, and send control signals to control the operation of the regulator. The solid-state gas regulator is capable of low cost production and operation and suitable for electronic feedback control.

The need for high current, high field, low loss, stable superconductors has led to the development of multifilamentary Nb.sub.3 Sn as the most promising candidate for use in superconducting machines. However, the brittle nature of Nb.sub.3 Sn and the high reaction temperature (.about.700.degree. C.) required to form it preclude the use of standard organic insulation systems. A recently developed class of high temperature dielectric materials which are characterized by unusually large specific heats and thermal conductivities at cryogenic temperatures offers the opportunity of providing increased enthalpy stabilization in a superconducting winding, as well as the required dielectric strength. The inorganic insulation system consists of a composite glass and ceramic powder vitrified at a temperature which coincides with the superconducting formation temperature of 600.degree.-800.degree. C. The glass and the ceramic is chosen in such a way that the vitrification temperature of the composite coincides with the reaction temperature of 600.degree.-800.degree. C. The most successful glasses meeting this criterion are two Westinghouse glasses designated A-508 and M3072. Suitable ceramic fillers are Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and the Ceram Physics, Inc. ceramics SClC and SClA. Organic binders and solvents are used. Cladding with, e.g., nickel is preferable for the copper layer of Nb.sub.3 Sn wire.

Inorganic wire insulation for super-conducting wire

An oxygen generator having a honeycomb body made of oxygen ion conducting material separates oxygen from a first gas, such as air. The honeycomb body has a plurality of generally parallel first and second channels coated with a layer of porous metal conductor which serve as electrodes. The first and second channels are arranged in alternating rows across the face of the honeycomb and the respective electrodes therein are oppositely charged by connection to a voltage source. Oxygen ions from a first gas in the first channels are caused to tranit across the channel walls to the second channels under an applied voltage. Oxygen generated in the second channels may be collected in a manifold through a set of third channels which intersect the sealed second channels, and used in applications such as home breathing apparatus'. Additional features are included in the honeycomb body and in the design of manifolds to facilitate the supply of a first gas and collection of oxygen. Preferably operating at elevated temperatures, the oxygen generator may also incorporate a heater and valve for start up and a heat exchanger for thermally efficient steady state operation.

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Westerville, OH, United States of America

William N Lawless