Abstract: A spark-ignited (SI) internal combustion (IC) engine designed to operate on high octane fuels, such as gasoline, is reconfigured to operate on low octane fuels including logistically preferred distillate fuels, such as diesel or JP-8. Design modifications involve coupling a fuel reformer module to the internal combustion engine. Auxiliary components include a system control module, a heat exchange module, a bypass valve to facilitate start-up, and/or a throttle body to control a reformate-oxidizer mixture fed to the engine. Small portable generators having 0.3-3.0 kWe power output are disclosed based upon the modified SI-IC engine design.

Abstract: A system and method of producing oil is provided. The system includes a support module that provides air, water and fuel to a well. A steam generator is fluidly coupled to the support module to receive the air, water and fuel. The steam generator includes an injector having a plurality of tubes. The tubes have an outer surface with an oxidation catalyst thereon. The steam generator is configured to divide the supplied air and direct a first portion through the tubes. A second portion of the supplied air is mixed with supplied fuel and directed over the outside of the tubes. The air and fuel is burned in a combustor and water is sprayed on the combustion gases to produce steam. The steam and combustion gases are directed in the direction of the oil reservoir.

Abstract: A system and method of producing steam is provided. The system includes a support module and a steam module. The support module is configured to supply air, water and fuel. The steam module includes a casing defining a hollow interior that is fluidly coupled to receive water from the support module. An interface module is provided having a first conduit made from flexible tubing that is fluidly coupled to receive fuel from the support module. The interface module further having a second conduit being made from flexible tubing that is fluidly coupled to receive air from the support module. A combustor is coupled to and spaced apart from the interface portion, the combustor being fluidly coupled to receive fuel from the first conduit and air from the second conduit. A steam generator is coupled to an end of the combustor.

Abstract: A system and method of producing oil is provided. The system includes a support module that provides air, water and fuel to a well. A steam generator is fluidly coupled to the support module to receive the air, water and fuel. The steam generator includes an injector having a plurality of tubes. The tubes have an outer surface with an oxidation catalyst thereon. The steam generator is configured to divide the supplied air and direct a first portion through the tubes. A second portion of the supplied air is mixed with supplied fuel and directed over the outside of the tubes. The air and fuel is burned in a combustor and water is sprayed on the combustion gases to produce steam. The steam and combustion gases are directed in the direction of the oil reservoir.

Abstract: A system and method of producing oil is provided. The system includes a support module that provides air, water and fuel to a well. A steam generator is fluidly coupled to the support module to receive the air, water and fuel. The steam generator includes an injector having a plurality of tubes. The tubes have an outer surface with an oxidation catalyst thereon. The steam generator is configured to divide the supplied air and direct a first portion through the tubes. A second portion of the supplied air is mixed with supplied fuel and directed over the outside of the tubes. The air and fuel is burned in a combustor and water is sprayed on the combustion gases to produce steam. The steam and combustion gases are directed in the direction of the oil reservoir.

Abstract: A spark-ignited (SI) internal combustion (IC) engine designed to operate on high octane fuels, such as gasoline, is reconfigured to operate on low octane fuels including logistically preferred distillate fuels, such as diesel or JP-8. Design modifications involve coupling a fuel reformer module to the internal combustion engine. Auxiliary components include a system control module, a heat exchange module, a bypass valve to facilitate start-up, and/or a throttle body to control a reformate-oxidizer mixture fed to the engine. Small portable generators having 0.3-3.0 kWe power output are disclosed based upon the modified SI-IC engine design.

Abstract: A system and method of producing steam is provided. The system includes a support module and a steam module. The support module is configured to supply air, water and fuel. The steam module includes a casing defining a hollow interior that is fluidly coupled to receive water from the support module. An interface module is provided having a first conduit made from flexible tubing that is fluidly coupled to receive fuel from the support module. The interface module further having a second conduit being made from flexible tubing that is fluidly coupled to receive air from the support module. A combustor is coupled to and spaced apart from the interface portion, the combustor being fluidly coupled to receive fuel from the first conduit and air from the second conduit. A steam generator is coupled to an end of the combustor.

Abstract: A system and method of producing oil is provided. The system includes a support module that provides air, water and fuel to a well. A steam generator is fluidly coupled to the support module to receive the air, water and fuel. The steam generator includes an injector having a plurality of tubes. The tubes have an outer surface with an oxidation catalyst thereon. The steam generator is configured to divide the supplied air and direct a first portion through the tubes. A second portion of the supplied air is mixed with supplied fuel and directed over the outside of the tubes. The air and fuel is burned in a combustor and water is sprayed on the combustion gases to produce steam. The steam and combustion gases are directed in the direction of the oil reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel and an oxidant, atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant, catalytically reacting the fuel oxidant mixture, providing an ignition source for initiating the catalytic reaction, positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalytic bed, and producing steam which can be fed back into the system thereby eliminating the need for a vaporizer. A hydrocarbon fuel can be mixed with oxygen, as a constituent of air, preferably forming a fuel rich fuel air mixture that passes through a catalytic reactor having an ultra-short channel length metal monolith substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel, a supply of oxidant, and a supply of liquid water; atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant and steam; catalytically reacting the fuel-oxidant-steam mixture in a catalyst bed; initiating the catalytic reaction with an ignition source; positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalyst bed so as to convert the liquid water to steam; and feeding the steam into the catalytic reaction, thereby eliminating the need for a liquid fuel vaporizer. A preferred catalyst bed includes an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel, a supply of oxidant, and a supply of liquid water; atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant and steam; catalytically reacting the fuel-oxidant-steam mixture in a catalyst bed; initiating the catalytic reaction with an ignition source; positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalyst bed so as to convert the liquid water to steam; and feeding the steam into the catalytic reaction, thereby eliminating the need for a liquid fuel vaporizer. A preferred catalyst bed includes an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a freight transportation system includes a track comprising a pair of rails and a linear motor reaction plate disposed between the rails and a transport vehicle having a universal intermodal container bay configured to accommodate a plurality of containers. The transport vehicle includes one or more suspension systems each having a plurality of steel wheels engaged with the rails. The freight transportation system further includes a linear induction propulsion system coupled to the transport vehicle and operable to work in conjunction with the linear motor reaction plate to move the transport vehicle, and a control system coupled to the linear induction propulsion system and operable to control the movement of the transport vehicle.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a freight transportation system includes a track comprising a pair of rails and a linear motor reaction plate disposed between the rails and a transport vehicle having a universal intermodal container bay configured to accommodate a plurality of containers. The transport vehicle includes one or more suspension systems each having a plurality of steel wheels engaged with the rails. The freight transportation system further includes a linear induction propulsion system coupled to the transport vehicle and operable to work in conjunction with the linear motor reaction plate to move the transport vehicle, and a control system coupled to the linear induction propulsion system and operable to control the movement of the transport vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel and an oxidant, atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant, catalytically reacting the fuel oxidant mixture, providing an ignition source for initiating the catalytic reaction, positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalytic bed, and producing steam which can be fed back into the system thereby eliminating the need for a vaporizer. A hydrocarbon fuel can be mixed with oxygen, as a constituent of air, preferably forming a fuel rich fuel air mixture that passes through a catalytic reactor having an ultra-short channel length metal monolith substrate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a freight transportation system includes a track comprising a pair of rails and a linear motor reaction plate disposed between the rails and a transport vehicle having a universal intermodal container bay configured to accommodate a plurality of containers. The transport vehicle includes one or more suspension systems each having a plurality of steel wheels engaged with the rails. The freight transportation system further includes a linear induction propulsion system coupled to the transport vehicle and operable to work in conjunction with the linear motor reaction plate to move the transport vehicle, and a control system coupled to the linear induction propulsion system and operable to control the movement of the transport vehicle.

Abstract: An anti-theft alarm system for movable objects, particularly motorcycles, and actuated by mechanical disturbance, e.g., by using tools on a vehicle, moving it off its stand, or operating it. The primary disturbance sensors are steel balls or the like in small compartments inside which they are free to roll. Impacts of one or more balls against compartment walls generate pulses of high-frequency sound and vibration, which are in turn sensed by an adjacent high-frequency microphone or vibration pickup. The output of this transducer is then amplified and suitably processed to energize a horn or other alarm device.