Abstract: An optical beam scanner includes a first optical beam steering device having a first surface thereon, which is configured to redirect a first optical beam incident thereon through reflection, refraction and/or diffraction of the first optical beam, and a second optical beam steering device having a second surface thereon, which is configured to reflect the redirected first optical beam incident thereon at a scanning target when both first and second surfaces are rotating about respective first and second axes of the first and second optical beam steering devices and the redirected first optical beam is tracing an uninterrupted loop on the second surface. The first optical beam steering device may be configured as a first monogon, a first prism, or a first grating, and the second optical beam steering device may be configured as a second monogon. The first and second axes may be collinear.

Abstract: An optical beam steering device includes an at least partially optically transparent container having a polygonal reflector therein that is at least partially surrounded within the container by an optically transparent liquid. The polygonal reflector may be configured to have a center of mass, which is equivalent to its geometric center. In addition, the polygonal reflector may be configured so that a difference between an effective density of the polygonal reflector and a density of the optically transparent liquid is preferably less than about 2.1 grams per cubic centimeter. More preferably, the polygonal reflector and the optically transparent liquid may be collectively configured to be neutrally buoyant relative to each other within the container.

Abstract: An optical beam steering device can include a first electrically conductive fluid having an optically reflective surface thereon, and this first electrically conductive fluid may include a material that deforms in response to application of a first magnetic field and/or first electric field thereto. This first electrically conductive fluid may be an optically reflective material. The optically reflective surface may at least partially cover a non-fluid substrate that maintains its shape in response to the application of the first magnetic field and/or first electric field. A sealed package may be provided, which includes the optical beam steering device, and the first electrically conductive fluid, the non-fluid substrate and an ambient within the package may be collectively configured to yield a substantially neutrally buoyant condition therein.

Abstract: An optical beam steering device includes an at least partially optically transparent container having a polygonal reflector therein that is at least partially surrounded within the container by an optically transparent liquid. The polygonal reflector may be configured to have a center of mass, which is equivalent to its geometric center. In addition, the polygonal reflector may be configured so that a difference between an effective density of the polygonal reflector and a density of the optically transparent liquid is preferably less than about 2.1 grams per cubic centimeter. More preferably, the polygonal reflector and the optically transparent liquid may be collectively configured to be neutrally buoyant relative to each other within the container.

Abstract: An optical beam steering device can include a first electrically conductive fluid having an optically reflective surface thereon, and this first electrically conductive fluid may include a material that deforms in response to application of a first magnetic field and/or first electric field thereto. This first electrically conductive fluid may be an optically reflective material. The optically reflective surface may at least partially cover a non-fluid substrate that maintains its shape in response to the application of the first magnetic field and/or first electric field. A sealed package may be provided, which includes the optical beam steering device, and the first electrically conductive fluid, the non-fluid substrate and an ambient within the package may be collectively configured to yield a substantially neutrally buoyant condition therein.

Abstract: A system to extract heat from a high power density device and dissipate heat at a convenient distance. The system circulates liquid metal in a closed conduit using one or more electromagnetic pumps for carrying away the heat from high power density device and rejecting the heat at a heat sink located at a distance. The system may make use of a thermoelectric generator to power the electromagnetic pumps by utilizing the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet pipes of the heat sink. The system also provides networks of primary and secondary closed conduits having series and parallel arrangements of electromagnetic pumps for dissipating heat from multiple devices at a remotely located heat sink.

Abstract: Apparatus to provide effective removal of heat from a high power density device. The apparatus has a heat spreader and a heat sink structure. The heat spreader is divided into one or more chambers. Electromagnetic pumps are placed inside each chamber in a configuration that facilitates easy circulation of liquid metal inside the chamber. The liquid metal preferably is an alloy of gallium and indium that has high electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity. The liquid metal carries heat from a localized area (over the high power density device) and distributes it over the entire spreader. This results in a uniform distribution of heat on the base of the heat sink structure and hence effective removal of heat by the heat sink structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides configurations of direct current magnetohydrodynamic (DC MHD) pumps for enhanced performance in pumping of conducting fluids. The pumping is achieved by a force developed by the interaction of magnetic flux and electric current. The force acting on the conducting fluid can be increased by increasing the magnetic flux density or the path length of charge carriers. The path length of charge carriers is increased by using a centrifugal configuration of the pump. The magnetic flux density is increased by using unique magnet configurations. A two-magnet configuration, a four-magnet configuration or a Halbach array configuration is used to enhance the magnetic flux density in the fluid cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved fluid pump that combines a liquid metal MHD pump with a plurality of fluid flow valves. The pump comprises a suction and pumping assembly, the suction and pumping assembly in turn comprising a first vertical chamber and a second vertical chamber connected using an intermediate horizontal chamber, a liquid metal partially filling the suction and pumping assembly, and an AC-powered reciprocating MHD pump. The AC-powered reciprocating MHD pump drives the liquid metal in an oscillatory manner, causing the suction and pumping of a working fluid. The pump further comprises at least one inlet conduit connected to the suction and pumping assembly for enabling the suction of a working fluid, at least one outlet conduit connected to the suction and pumping assembly for enabling the pumping of the working fluid, and a plurality of valves in the inlet and outlet conduits to regulate the flow of the working fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus to provide effective removal of heat from a high power density device. The apparatus has a heat spreader and a heat sink structure. The heat spreader is divided into one or more chambers. Electromagnetic pumps are placed inside each chamber in a configuration that facilitates easy circulation of liquid metal inside the chamber. The liquid metal preferably is an alloy of gallium and indium that has high electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity. The liquid metal carries heat from a localized area (over the high power density device) and distributes it over the entire spreader. This results in a uniform distribution of heat on the base of the heat sink structure and hence effective removal of heat by the heat sink structure.

Abstract: A system to provide effective removal of heat from a high power density device. The system has a heat spreader and a heat sink structure. The heat spreader is divided into one or more chambers. Electromagnetic pumps are placed inside each chamber in a configuration that facilitates easy circulation of liquid metal inside the chamber. The liquid metal preferably is an alloy of gallium and indium that has high electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity. The liquid metal carries heat from a localized area (over the high power density device) and distributes it over the entire spreader. This results in a uniform distribution of heat on the base of the heat sink structure and hence effective removal of heat by the heat sink structure.

Abstract: A system to extract heat from a high power density device and dissipate heat at a convenient distance. The system circulates liquid metal in a closed conduit using one or more electromagnetic pumps for carrying away the heat from high power density device and rejecting the heat at a heat sink located at a distance. The system may make use of a thermoelectric generator to power the electromagnetic pumps by utilizing the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet pipes of the heat sink. The system also provides networks of primary and secondary closed conduits having series and parallel arrangements of electromagnetic pumps for dissipating heat from multiple devices at a remotely located heat sink.