Internally heated concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal absorber

    公开(公告)号:US11563160B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-01-24

    申请号:US15166161

    申请日:2016-05-26

    摘要: A system and method are disclosed for internally heated concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal absorbers. The system and method involve an energy-generating device having at least one heating unit. At least one heating unit preheats the energy-generating device in order to expedite the startup time of the energy-generating device, thereby allowing for an increase in efficiency for the production of energy. In some embodiments, the energy-generating device is a CSP thermal absorber. The CSP thermal absorber comprises a housing, a thermal barrier, a light-transparent reservoir containing a liquid alkali metal, at least one alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter (AMTEC) cell, an artery return channel, and at least one heating unit. Each heating unit comprises a heating device and a metal fin. The metal fin is submerged into the liquid alkali metal, thereby allowing the heating device to heat the liquid alkali metal via the fin.

    Nano-energetic applications for aircraft

    公开(公告)号:US10399707B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-09-03

    申请号:US15379301

    申请日:2016-12-14

    摘要: A non-destructive examination (NDE) system for use on a structural element comprises nano-energetic actuators configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element. The NDE system further comprises sensors configured for measuring the vibrations induced in the surface of the structural element and generating vibration data. An applique comprises a planar substrate, nano-energetic actuators affixed to the planar substrate, each configured for creating controlled combustions in response to thermal energy, and an adhesive affixed to the planar substrate, such that the applique can be adhered to a structural element. A means of transportation having an accumulation of ice comprises a structural element, and nano-energetic actuators, each configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element great enough to generate cracks in the ice.

    Active real-time characterization system

    公开(公告)号:US09787916B2

    公开(公告)日:2017-10-10

    申请号:US14526246

    申请日:2014-10-28

    摘要: A system for providing active real-time characterization of an article under test is disclosed. An infrared light source, a first visible light source and a second visible light source each outputs and directs a beam of coherent light at a particular area on the article under test. A visible light camera and a visible light second harmonic generation camera, an infrared camera and an infrared second harmonic generation camera, a sum frequency camera and a third order camera are each configured to receive a respective predetermined return beam of light from the particular area on the article under test. A processor receives signals from the cameras and calculates in real time respective spectroscopic signals and compares each calculated signal with each other calculated signal and with a predetermined baseline signal to ensure that the article under test conforms to an expected value.

    Real-time non-linear optical strain gauge system

    公开(公告)号:US09631923B2

    公开(公告)日:2017-04-25

    申请号:US14493187

    申请日:2014-09-22

    IPC分类号: G01B11/16 G01L1/24

    CPC分类号: G01B11/168 G01L1/246

    摘要: A system for measuring strain includes an optical fiber having a central portion secured between two fixed points. A first light source outputs light at a first frequency and a second light source outputs light at a second different frequency. The two light sources are both coupled to a first end of the optical fiber. A back scatter detector is also coupled to the first end to receive a return light signal from the optical fiber and outputs a signal based thereon. A forward scatter detector is coupled to a second end of the optical fiber to receive a forward light signal from the optical fiber and outputs a signal based thereon. A processor receives the signals from the back scatter detector and the forward scatter detector and generates an output signal proportional to the strain between the two fixed points based on the received signals.

    NANO-ENERGETIC APPLICATIONS FOR AIRCRAFT
    8.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20190322393A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-10-24

    申请号:US16503266

    申请日:2019-07-03

    摘要: A non-destructive examination (NDE) system for use on a structural element comprises nano-energetic actuators configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element. The NDE system further comprises sensors configured for measuring the vibrations induced in the surface of the structural element and generating vibration data. An applique comprises a planar substrate, nano-energetic actuators affixed to the planar substrate, each configured for creating controlled combustions in response to thermal energy, and an adhesive affixed to the planar substrate, such that the applique can be adhered to a structural element. A means of transportation having an accumulation of ice comprises a structural element, and nano-energetic actuators, each configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element great enough to generate cracks in the ice.

    Active real-time characterization system

    公开(公告)号:US10200635B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-02-05

    申请号:US15711626

    申请日:2017-09-21

    摘要: A system for providing active real-time characterization of an article under test is disclosed. An infrared light source, a first visible light source and a second visible light source each outputs and directs a beam of coherent light at a particular area on the article under test. A visible light camera and a visible light second harmonic generation camera, an infrared camera and an infrared second harmonic generation camera, a sum frequency camera and a third order camera are each configured to receive a respective predetermined return beam of light from the particular area on the article under test. A processor receives signals from the cameras and calculates in real time respective spectroscopic signals and compares each calculated signal with each other calculated signal and with a predetermined baseline signal to ensure that the article under test conforms to an expected value.