Terry Joseph Hendricks

US Patent:

20110203772, Aug 25, 2011

Filed:

Feb 19, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/709266

Inventors:

Terry J. Hendricks - Salem OR, US
Chih-Hung Chang - Corvallis OR, US
Daniel R. Palo - Philomath OR, US
Brian K. Paul - State College PA, US

Assignee:

BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE - Richland WA
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY - Corvallis OR

International Classification:

F28D 15/00

US Classification:

16510419, 977902, 977811, 977810

Abstract:

A system and method for performing heat dissipation is disclosed that includes contacting a heat transfer liquid with a heat exchange surface having raised hydrophilic nanoporous nanostructures disposed adjacent a central core upon a substrate. The heat transfer liquid forms a preselected contact angle when placed on the heat exchange surface. The raised nanoporous nanostructures define channels, interconnected pathways, and voids within the nanoporous nanostructures. The nanoporous nanostructures have additional surface irregularities upon the nanostructures themselves. The nanostructures are preferably formed by depositing metal oxides or other materials upon a substrate using a Microreactor Assisted Nanomaterial Deposition (MAND) process.

US Patent:

59293713, Jul 27, 1999

Filed:

Jul 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/901554

Inventors:

Robert Carl Svedberg - Pinckney MI
Robert K. Sievers - Ann Arbor MI
Chris A. Borkowski - Adelphi MD
Terry J. Hendricks - Saline MI

Assignee:

Advanced Modular Power Systems, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

H01L 3528

US Classification:

136204

Abstract:

The present invention provides an alkali metal thermal to electric conversion (AMTEC) cell of the type employing an alkali metal flowing between a high-pressure zone and low-pressure zone in the cell through a solid electrolyte structure. The cell preferably includes a condenser communicating with the low-pressure zone for condensing alkali metal vapor migrating through the low-pressure zone from the solid electrolyte structure. An artery is coupled to the condenser for directing condensed alkali metal from the condenser toward a hot end of the cell. An evaporator for evaporating the condensed alkali metal is coupled to the artery and communicates with the high-pressure zone. A heat shield is disposed in the low pressure zone of the cell for reducing the radiative heat transfer between the hot end of the cell and the cold end of the cell. The heat shield preferably includes a first end having a known area transitioning to a second end encompassing a smaller area than the first end.

US Patent:

59526050, Sep 14, 1999

Filed:

Jul 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/901439

Inventors:

Robert K. Sievers - Ann Arbor MI
Robert Carl Svedberg - Pinckney MI
Thomas Kintzing Hunt - Ann Arbor MI
Terry J. Hendricks - Saline MI

Assignee:

Advanced Modular Power Systems, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

H01L 3530

US Classification:

136205

Abstract:

The present invention provides an alkali metal thermal to electric conversion (AMTEC) cell of the type employing an alkali metal flowing between a high-pressure zone and low-pressure zone in the cell through a solid electrolyte structure. The cell preferably includes a condenser communicating with the low-pressure zone for condensing alkali metal vapor migrating through the low-pressure zone from the solid electrolyte structure. An artery is coupled to the condenser for directing condensed alkali metal from the condenser toward a hot end of the cell. An evaporator for evaporating the condensed alkali metal is coupled to the artery channel and communicates with the high-pressure zone. The artery and evaporator combine to form a return channel which preferably includes a graded pore size capillary structure for creating a region having a large pore size transitioning in any predetermined manner to a region having a relatively smaller pore size. In this way, the capillary pressure provided by the return channel is optimized along its length while minimizing flow restrictions which are presented where the pore sizes are smaller than required to sustain alkali metal flow in portions of the return channel.

US Patent:

59284366, Jul 27, 1999

Filed:

Feb 26, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/806606

Inventors:

Chris A. Borkowski - Ann Arbor MI
Terry J. Hendricks - Ann Arbor MI
Robert K. Sievers - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Advanced Modular Power Systems, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

H01L 3530

US Classification:

136205

Abstract:

The present invention provides an AMTEC cell having a more robust power conductance path (conduction, radiation, convection, and latent heat transfer) from the heat input surface of the cell to the working fluid, evaporation surface, and SES. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention includes collars, post and/or bridges extending between the SES support plate and the heat input surface. In another embodiment, a plurality of channels or conduits extend between the heat input surface and SES support plate. These embodiments simultaneously increase the thermal conductance path between the heat input surface of the cell and the evaporation surface as well as between the heat input surface of the cell and the SES, and enables superheating of the working fluid. Additionally, posts, fins or heat pipes may be provided in the low pressure zone of the cell between members of the SES to simultaneously increase the conductance between the heat input surface of the cell and the evaporation surface, raise the temperature of the SES, through radiation and/or conduction heat transfer, and isothermalize the SES. Furthermore, posts, fins, or heat pipes may extend from the heat input surface of the cell to a location proximate the SES on the high pressure side to simultaneously raise the temperature of the SES through radiation and conduction heat transfer, isothermalize the SES, and superheat the working fluid through convective heat transfer.

US Patent:

59396660, Aug 17, 1999

Filed:

Jun 17, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/877222

Inventors:

Robert K. Sievers - Ann Arbor MI
Terry J. Hendricks - Saline MI
Joseph C. Giglio - Britton MI

Assignee:

Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. - Osaka
Hitachi, Ltd. - Tokyo

International Classification:

H01L 3530

US Classification:

136205

Abstract:

The present invention provides an alkali metal thermal to electric conversion (AMTEC) cell of the type employing an alkali metal flowing between a high-pressure zone and low-pressure zone in the cell through a solid electrolyte structure. According to the invention, the cell preferably includes a condenser communicating with the low-pressure zone for condensing alkali metal vapor migrating through the low-pressure zone from the solid electrolyte structure. A return channel is coupled to the condenser for directing condensed alkali metal from the condenser toward a hot end of the cell. An evaporator is coupled to the return channel for evaporating the condensed alkali metal and communicates with the high-pressure zone. The evaporator includes means for controlling an evaporation front position of the alkali metal in response to variations in the temperature gradient within the cell as caused by load changes on the cell. Such means for controlling the evaporation front position preferably includes a wick having an alkali metal evaporation surface spanning the temperature gradient.

US Patent:

62393502, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Sep 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/162328

Inventors:

Robert K. Sievers - Ann Arbor MI
Thomas K. Hunt - Ann Arbor MI
Terry J. Hendricks - Saline MI

Assignee:

Advanced Modular Power Systems - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

H01L 3530

US Classification:

136205

Abstract:

An alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC) cell of the type employing an alkali metal flowing between a hot end of the AMTEC cell and a cold end of AMTEC cell. The AMTEC cell being separated into a low-pressure zone and a high-pressure zone and comprising a condenser communicating with the low-pressure zone for condensing alkali metal vapor migrating through the low-pressure zone from the solid electrolyte structure, a return channel coupled to the condenser for directing the condensed alkali metal from the condenser toward the hot end of the AMTEC cell, an evaporator coupled to the return channel and communicating with the high-pressure zone for evaporating the condensed alkali metal into the high-pressure zone, the evaporator including an evaporation surface, and a solid electrolyte structure separating the low-pressure zone and the high pressure zone and having alkali metal simultaneously existing in a vapor and liquid state in its interior.

Address:

3733 Galloway St S, Salem, OR 97302

VIN:

JTEEW21A070040804

Make:

TOYOTA

Model:

HIGHLANDER HYBRID

Year:

2007