Abstract: A radial planar fuel cell stack comprises an internal manifold having a first interior cavity and a second interior cavity. A plurality of single cells having an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer therebetween are disposed about the manifold. A manifold bracket operatively fixes the manifold to at least one of the single cells. The manifold bracket describes a channel in communication with at least one of the first and second interior cavities. A porous element is disposed in the channel and ensures uniform distribution of gases over 360°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for indoor air purification system to and particularly to a system for removing particulates, biologicals, and gaseous chemical contaminates through the use of low room temperature catalysts, a closed cycle heat exchanger a HEPA filter and polisher for removing NOx and SOx from the air flow.

Abstract: A sealant for a solid oxide fuel cell comprises a glass material that acts as a matrix, with the glass material being present between about 40 to 90 wt. %. A gap-filler material is also in the sealant and selected from the group consisting of a metal material and a ceramic material, with the gap-filler material being present between about 10 to 60 wt. %. The sealant can seal a gap as large as about 3 mm.

Abstract: A method of fabricating solid oxide fuel cell electrodes, and in particular anodes, includes the steps of forming a microcomposite element comprising a plurality of layers of an electrically conductive tape and an electrolyte tape, with the plurality of layers forming a first electrically conductive pattern. A plurality of microcomposite subelements are created from the microcomposite element, with each microcomposite subelement having the first electrically conductive pattern. A plurality of the microcomposite subelements are juxtaposed to one another and also rotated in planes substantially parallel to one another. Thereby, a totality of the first electrically conductive patterns form a second electrically conductive pattern in the anode. Electrical conduction is established with the patterns all being in electrical contact with one another.

Abstract: A heat exchanger core includes a stack of fins, plates and closure bars. A first plurality of stiff fibers extend into contacting surfaces of the fins and plates, a second plurality of stiff fibers extend into contacting surfaces of the closure bars and plates, and a third plurality of stiff fibers extend into contacting surfaces of the closure bars and manifolds. The stiff fibers can strengthen the heat exchanger assembly and they can also increase thermal conductivity in their direction of orientation.

Abstract: A weld-free heat exchanger assembly core includes a plurality of stacked fin-plate assemblies. A separate enclosure bar is positioned at the end of each fin-plate assembly. A plurality of apertures are pre-drilled in the enclosure bars before assembly of the core. Once the core is assembled, it is brazed to form a unitary structure. Apertures formed in the inlet and outlet manifolds are aligned with apertures formed in the enclosure bars and fasteners are inserted into the aligned apertures. The fasteners serve to draw each manifold into tight engagement with a plurality of separate enclosure bars.

Abstract: A ceramic nozzle for a gas turbine stage of a turbomachine (e.g., a turbopump) includes a splined mounting surface. Ceramic splines on the nozzle mounting surface are interlocked with metal mating splines on a surface of a turbine housing to prevent the nozzle from rotating relative to the housing. Both sets of splines extend in a radial direction, are straight and have trapezoidal shapes in transverse cross-section. These splines maintain a constant contact angle during large temperature excursions, when inherent thermal growth mismatches between ceramic and metal occur.

Abstract: A liquid-to-air cycle system for conditioning water vapor bearing air and cooling a liquid load comprises an air cycle subsystem and a liquid cycle subsystem. The air cycle subsystem includes a first air-to-air heat exchanger, a reheater downstream of the first air-to-air heat exchanger, a first turbine downstream of the reheater, a first water extractor downstream of the first turbine, a first liquid-to-air heat exchanger downstream of the water extractor, and a second turbine downstream of the first liquid-to-air heat exchanger. Thereby, the second turbine can recover rejected heat from the first liquid-to-air heat exchanger. The liquid cycle subsystem is in heat exchange relationship the air cycle subsystem at the first liquid-to-air heat exchanger such that the first liquid-to-air heat exchanger absorbs the rejected heat from the liquid cycle subsystem.

Abstract: An emergency power unit comprises a turbine; a main combustor subsystem upstream of the turbine, with the main combustor subsystem being capable of operation at an augment power output and a main power output; a bleed air subsystem upstream of the turbine, with the bleed air subsystem capable of alternating operation with the main combustor subsystem; and a controller for controlling the operation of the said main combustor subsystem and the bleed air subsystem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus removes carbon monoxide from hydrogen rich fuel by means of a catalytic material that preferentially adsorbs with carbon monoxide. The catalytic material is regenerated by an oxidizing agent that reacts with the carbon monoxide absorbed by the catalytic material. The reaction is initiated by an electrical current is generated either galvanically or electrolytically through the catalytic material.

Abstract: A flux collector for an electrical machine includes a continuous strand of ferromagnetic material; and an electrical insulator covering the strand. The strand forms a tight cylindrical coil including a plurality of turns that are stacked axially. The insulator provides turn-to-turn insulation. The insulated wire is covered with a binder and cured. The strand can be a high permeability wire made of soft iron, silicon steel or cobalt steel. In the alternative, the strand can be a strip of METGLAS® amorphous alloy.

Abstract: A bioprocessing system for a feed such as wastewater comprises an anaerobic reactor subsystem, an aerobic reactor subsystem, and a recycle loop for partial recycling of the aerobic reactor subsystem effluent. The anaerobic reactor subsystem is capable of providing anaerobic processing of the wastewater in the substantial absence of aerobic processing of the wastewater. The anaerobic reactor subsystem can include a single anaerobic reactor or a plurality of reactors. The aerobic reactor subsystem is in direct communication with the anaerobic reactor subsystem, with the aerobic reactor subsystem being capable of providing aerobic processing of the wastewater in the substantial absence of anaerobic processing of the wastewater. The aerobic reactor subsystem processes the wastewater from the anaerobic reactor subsystem without intervening bioprocessing of the wastewater. As with the anaerobic subsystem, the aerobic reactor subsystem can include a single aerobic bioreactor or a plurality of reactors.

Abstract: An improved foil thrust bearing having a thrust runner and a thrust plate includes an underspring element positioned adjacent to the thrust plate. The underspring element comprises, in one embodiment, a plurality of alternating first apertures and spring portions, with at least one spring portion having a periodic configuration and comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge. The periodic configuration is defined by a plurality of pitches that vary between the leading and trailing edges. Also defining the periodic configuration is a plurality of periodic elements that vary in longitudinal length between the leading and trailing edges. A thrust bearing disk is disposed intermediate the underspring element and the thrust runner. The disk comprises a plurality of transition areas that provide a stepped configuration to the disk. The transition areas match a plurality of circumferential positions of the first apertures in the underspring.

Abstract: A method of processing sulfur-containing heavy hydrocarbon fuels in the substantial absence of steam through catalytic partial oxidation is described. The process comprises the steps of vaporizing a heavy hydrocarbon fuel and bringing the vaporized fuel and oxidizer mixture in contact with a noble metal catalyst supported on an open channel structure. The hydrocarbon fuel is considered to be a liquid hydrocarbon having at least six carbon atoms and a sulfur content of at least 50 ppm. The feed, containing only the vaporized fuel and oxygen in the oxidizer mixture, is subsequently routed through a reactor containing a noble metal catalyst (typically Rh/Alumina) at contact times of not more than about 500 milliseconds and a LHSV of not less than about 0.5 h−1. The feed is partially oxidized by a catalytic reaction occurring at a temperature of no less than about 1050° C.

Abstract: An improved catalytic converter which comprises a metal monolith made of aluminum or aluminum alloy having an anodized surface layer on which is disposed catalytic metals, particularly noble metals from Group VIII and optionally base metals. In a preferred embodiment the metal monolith employs plate fin elements defining a large plurality of fins arranged in an axial succession of offset fin rows. The catalytic converter has application in the conversion of ozone and the oxidation of atmospheric pollutants.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a composite pressure vessel to a vehicle includes a saddle having a curved surface extending between two pillars for receiving the vessel. The saddle also has flanged portions which can be bolted to the vehicle. Each of the pillars has hole in which is mounted the shaft portion of an attachment member. A resilient member is disposed between each of the shaft portions and the holes and loaded by a tightening nut. External to the holes, each of the attachment members has a head portion to which a steel band is attached. The steel band circumscribes the vessel and translates the load on the springs into a clamping force on the vessel. As the vessel expands and contracts, the resilient members expand and contract so that the clamping force applied by the band to the vessel remains constant.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes an active rectifier and a controller for the active rectifier. The controller extracts a positive sequence component of a Park vector representing line voltage; and uses the positive sequence component to perform synchronous frame regulation to control the active rectifier.

Abstract: Carbon—carbon composite parts are joined with minimum surface preparation. A reactive-bonding joint interlayer having thickness greater than 1 mil is formed of fine particles of carbide-forming metallic ingredients and carbon. The joint interlayer is sandwiched between the two carbon—carbon parts to be joined and the assembly is heated under a compressive pressure to a temperature sufficient to complete the bonding reaction. No special surface preparation is required for the carbon—carbon parts due to the nature of the reactive-bonding. The mechanical properties of the joint are assured by selecting the metal-carbon ingredients so that thermal expansion mismatch is minimized. Shear strength exhibited by the resulting joints is greater than the interlaminar shear strength of the carbon—carbon composite material.

Abstract: A counterpressure garment for blood supplied tissue is provided and comprises a spring capable of being in pressure contact with the tissue; and a supportive material covering at least a part of the spring. Also provided by the present invention is a space suit glove for a hand which comprises a spring capable of being in pressure contact with the palm of the hand; and a supportive material covering at least a part of the hand, with the supportive material being capable of exerting a force on the spring.

Abstract: A two-spool air cycle machine includes a high pressure cooling turbine section; a low pressure cooling turbine section; and first and second shafts that are concentrically arranged and that are independently rotatable with respect to one another. A turbine wheel of the high pressure turbine section is secured to the first shaft, and a turbine wheel of the second turbine section is secured to the second shaft. Such an air cycle machine may be used a variety of different aircraft environmental control systems.