Patents by Inventor Gunter Gerbeth

Gunter Gerbeth has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10622681
    Abstract: An energy storage assembly includes the following: at least one electrochemical cell, wherein the at least one electrochemical cell comprises an anode that is liquid during operation, an electrolyte that is liquid during operation, and a cathode that is liquid during operation; and a magnetic field-generating structure disposed outside the at least one electrochemical cell for generating a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field-generating structure is configured such that the generated magnetic field penetrates the at least one electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Stefani, Vladimir Galindo, Norbert Weber, Tom Weier, Gunter Gerbeth
  • Patent number: 9608296
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly has electrochemical cells of large diameter and high storage capacity, making it particularly useful for stabilization of electric supply systems. The assembly includes at least one electrochemical cell composed of a layer of: a liquid metal or liquid metal alloy forming the cathode, a liquid electrolyte layer, and a layer of a liquid metal or liquid metalloid forming the anode. An electrically insulating inner tube is provided along the vertical axis of the assembly, the presence of which prevents the occurrence of the Tayler instability or other instabilities caused in the liquids by the current flow, and thus prevents the intermixing of the liquids. Another very efficient option for increasing the maximum current of the cell is that of conducting a current having a suitable direction and intensity through the interior of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF E.V.
    Inventors: Frank Stefani, Tom Weier, Gunter Gerbeth
  • Publication number: 20160261008
    Abstract: An energy storage assembly includes the following: at least one electrochemical cell, wherein the at least one electrochemical cell comprises an anode that is liquid during operation, an electrolyte that is liquid during operation, and a cathode that is liquid during operation; and a magnetic field-generating structure disposed outside the at least one electrochemical cell for generating a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field-generating structure is configured such that the generated magnetic field penetrates the at least one electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Frank STEFANI, Vladimir GALINDO, Norbert WEBER, Tom WEIER, Gunter GERBETH
  • Patent number: 8944142
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for the electromagnetic stirring of electrically conductive fluids in the liquid state and/or in the state of onsetting solidification of the fluid, using a rotating magnetic field that is produced in the horizontal plane of a Lorentz force. The aim is to achieve an intensive three-dimensional flow on the inside of the fluid for mixing in the liquid state up to the direct vicinity of solidifying fronts, and to simultaneously ensure an undisturbed, free surface of the fluid. The solution is to change the direction of rotation of the magnetic field rotating in the horizontal plane at regular time intervals in the form of a period duration, wherein the frequency of the directional change of movement of the magnetic field vector is adjusted such that in the state of mixing the liquid fluid a period duration is adjusted between two directional changes of the magnetic field during a time interval as a function of the adjustment time with the condition (I) 0.5·ti.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf E.V., Technische Universitaet Dresden
    Inventors: Petr A. Nikrityuk, Sven Eckert, Dirk Raebiger, Bernd Willers, Kerstin Eckert, Roger Grundmann, Gunter Gerbeth
  • Publication number: 20140290433
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for the electromagnetic stirring of electrically conductive fluids in the liquid state and/or in the state of onsetting solidification of the fluid, using a rotating magnetic field that is produced in the horizontal plane of a Lorentz force. The aim is to achieve an intensive three-dimensional flow on the inside of the fluid for mixing in the liquid state up to the direct vicinity of solidifying fronts, and to simultaneously ensure an undisturbed, free surface of the fluid. The solution is to change the direction of rotation of the magnetic field rotating in the horizontal plane at regular time intervals in the form of a period duration, wherein the frequency of the directional change of movement of the magnetic field vector is adjusted such that in the state of mixing the liquid fluid a period duration is adjusted between two directional changes of the magnetic field during a time interval as a function of the adjustment time with the condition (I) 0.5·ti.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: PETR A. NIKRITYUK, SVEN ECKERT, DIRK RAEBIGER, BERND WILLERS, KERSTIN ECKERT, ROGER GRUNDMANN, GUNTER GERBETH
  • Publication number: 20130059176
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly has electrochemical cells of large diameter and high storage capacity, making it particularly useful for stabilization of electric supply systems. The assembly includes at least one electrochemical cell composed of a layer of: a liquid metal or liquid metal alloy forming the cathode, a liquid electrolyte layer, and a layer of a liquid metal or liquid metalloid forming the anode. An electrically insulating inner tube is provided along the vertical axis of the assembly, the presence of which prevents the occurrence of the Tayler instability or other instabilities caused in the liquids by the current flow, and thus prevents the intermixing of the liquids. Another very efficient option for increasing the maximum current of the cell is that of conducting a current having a suitable direction and intensity through the interior of the inner tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Frank Stefani, Tom Weier, Gunter Gerbeth
  • Patent number: 8205507
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor for measuring flow rates in liquid melts at high temperatures. The aim of the invention is to provide an ultrasonic sensor for carrying out local, continuous, reliable rate measurements in hot melts. To achieve this, the ultrasonic sensor contains an ultrasonic waveguide that is connected to the piezoelectric transducer and consists of a material with low acoustic damping properties in a temperature range relevant for the area of application of above 200 DEG C, said material being chemically resistant to the melt. In addition, the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide facing the melt is closed and can be wetted by the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf E.V.
    Inventors: Sven Eckert, Gunter Gerbeth, Thomas Gundrum
  • Publication number: 20110297239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for the electromagnetic stirring of electrically conductive fluids in the liquid state and/or in the state of onsetting solidification of the fluid, using a rotating magnetic field that is produced in the horizontal plane of a Lorentz force. The aim is to achieve an intensive three-dimensional flow on the inside of the fluid for mixing in the liquid state up to the direct vicinity of solidifying fronts, and to simultaneously ensure an undisturbed, free surface of the fluid. The solution is to change the direction of rotation of the magnetic field rotating in the horizontal plane at regular time intervals in the form of a period duration, wherein the frequency of the directional change of movement of the magnetic field vector is adjusted such that in the state of mixing the liquid fluid a period duration is adjusted between two directional changes of the magnetic field during a time interval as a function of the adjustment time with the condition (I) 0.5.ti.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DRESDEN, FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF E. V.
    Inventors: Petr A. Nikrityuk, Sven Eckert, Dirk Räbiger, Bernd Willers, Kerstin Eckert, Roger Grundmann, Gunter Gerbeth
  • Patent number: 7950293
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring flow rates in liquid melts in a temperature range above 200 DEG C. using an ultrasonic generator and to an associated ultrasonic waveguide according to the ultrasonic Doppler method. The aim of the invention is to provide good signal incoupling and outcoupling. This is achieved by the preparation of the wettability of the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide before the measuring operation, subsequent direct incoupling of ultrasonic measuring signals into the melt at an angle that is not equal to 90 DEG, achieved by the immersion of the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide into the melt, outcoupling of the ultrasonic signals reflected in the melt via the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide and routing of said signals to an evaluation circuit. To prepare the wettability of the end face, the latter is mechanically and chemically cleaned and subsequently coated with a suitable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden, Rossendorf e.V.
    Inventors: Sven Eckert, Gunter Gerbeth, Thomas Gundrum
  • Publication number: 20100218608
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor for measuring flow rates in liquid melts at high temperatures. The aim of the invention is to provide an ultrasonic sensor for carrying out local, continuous, reliable rate measurements in hot melts. To achieve this, the ultrasonic sensor contains an ultrasonic waveguide that is connected to the piezoelectric transducer and consists of a material with low acoustic damping properties in a temperature range relevant for the area of application of above 200 DEG C, said material being chemically resistant to the melt. In addition, the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide facing the melt is closed and can be wetted by the melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF E.V.
    Inventors: Sven Eckert, Gunter Gerbeth, Thomas Gundrum
  • Publication number: 20100218617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring flow rates in liquid melts in a temperature range above 200 DEG C. using an ultrasonic generator and to an associated ultrasonic waveguide according to the ultrasonic Doppler method. The aim of the invention is to provide good signal incoupling and outcoupling. This is achieved by the preparation of the wettability of the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide before the measuring operation, subsequent direct incoupling of ultrasonic measuring signals into the melt at an angle that is not equal to 90 DEG, achieved by the immersion of the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide into the melt, outcoupling of the ultrasonic signals reflected in the melt via the end face of the ultrasonic waveguide and routing of said signals to an evaluation circuit. To prepare the wettability of the end face, the latter is mechanically and chemically cleaned and subsequently coated with a suitable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF E.V.
    Inventors: Sven Eckert, Gunter Gerbeth, Thomas Gundrum
  • Publication number: 20100163207
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the electromagnetic stirring of electrically conductive fluids by using a magnetic field RMF rotating in the horizontal plane, and a magnetic field WMF traveling in a vertical direction thereto. The object consists in avoiding asymmetric flow structures in containers filled with melts, in particular at the beginning and during the course of the solidification. Moreover, the aim is to achieve an effective mixing of the fluid and/or a controlled solidification of metallic alloys by avoiding the formation of separation zones in the solidification structure. The solution consists in the fact that both the rotating magnetic field RMF and the traveling magnetic field WMF are switched on discontinuously in the form of temporally restricted and adjustable periods and alternately in time one after another via associated induction coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicants: FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF E. V., TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DRESDEN
    Inventors: Petr A. Nikrityuk, Sven Eckert, Dirk Räbiger, Bernd Willers, Kerstin Eckert, Roger Grundmann, Gunter Gerbeth