Patents by Inventor Balakrishnan G. Nair
Balakrishnan G. Nair 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).
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Patent number: 11767090Abstract: A system includes an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), a reaction structure configured to deploy from a body of the UUV, and one or more tendons connecting the reaction structure to the body of the UUV, wherein the reaction structure deploys at a depth below the body of the UUV. The system further includes one or more power take-out (PTO) units coupled to or between the reaction structure and the UUV. The system further includes a control unit coupled to the one or more PTO units to convert energy from waves on a surface of a body of water for use in other systems within the UUV.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Inventors: Timothy Mundon, Balakrishnan G Nair
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Publication number: 20210354799Abstract: A system includes an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), a reaction structure configured to deploy from a body of the UUV, and one or more tendons connecting the reaction structure to the body of the UUV, wherein the reaction structure deploys at a depth below the body of the UUV. The system further includes one or more power take-out (PTO) units coupled to or between the reaction structure and the UUV. The system further includes a control unit coupled to the one or more PTO units to convert energy from waves on a surface of a body of water for use in other systems within the UUV.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Timothy Mundon, Balakrishnan G Nair
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Patent number: 10393089Abstract: A wave energy converter includes a surface float including a non-axisymmetric profile, a reaction plate configured to be submerged below a water surface, and more than one flexible tether, each mechanically coupled to both the surface float and the reaction plate, the reaction plate having a moment of inertia in pitch and roll greater than a moment of inertia in pitch and roll of the surface float.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Oscilla Power Inc.Inventors: Timothy R Mundon, Balakrishnan G Nair, Jennifer Vining
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Patent number: 10352291Abstract: A device for generating electrical energy from mechanical motion includes a surface float and at least one force modifier disposed at least partially within the interior of the surface float, the force modifier to receive an input force at a pumping cylinder and apply a modified force to a generator through a driving cylinder. The pumping cylinder or the driving cylinder is a tandem cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Inventors: Balakrishnan G Nair, Timothy R Mundon
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Publication number: 20170009732Abstract: A wave energy converter includes a surface float including a non-axisymmetric profile, a reaction plate configured to be submerged below a water surface, and more than one flexible tether, each mechanically coupled to both the surface float and the reaction plate, the reaction plate having a moment of inertia in pitch and roll greater than a moment of inertia in pitch and roll of the surface float.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: Oscilla Power, Inc.Inventors: Timothy R. Mundon, Balakrishnan G. Nair, Jennifer Vining
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Publication number: 20170002789Abstract: A device for generating electrical energy from mechanical motion includes a surface float and at least one force modifier disposed at least partially within the interior of the surface float, the force modifier to receive an input force at a pumping cylinder and apply a modified force to a generator through a driving cylinder. The pumping cylinder or the driving cylinder is a tandem cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Applicant: Oscilla Power, Inc.Inventors: Balakrishnan G Nair, Timothy R Mundon
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Publication number: 20150162524Abstract: An energy harvester generates electrical energy from mechanical energy using changing flux properties in primary and secondary flux paths. An apparatus includes at least two primary flux paths. The primary flux paths include at least one bias flux path configured to exhibit a change in a flux property in response to a change in an external load applied to the bias flux path. The secondary flux path is magnetically coupled to the primary flux paths. The secondary flux path is configured to experience alternating flux directions in response to the change in the flux property of the bias flux path. Electrical energy can be induced in a conductor as a result of the alternating flux direction in the secondary flux path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: Oscilla Power, Inc.Inventors: Balakrishnan G. Nair, Jeff Campbell, Vinod Challa, Andrew Joseph Gill
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Patent number: 8961625Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the yield and purity of hydrogen when reforming hydrocarbons is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including receiving a hydrocarbon feedstock fuel (e.g., methane, vaporized methanol, natural gas, vaporized diesel, etc.) and steam at a reaction zone and reacting the hydrocarbon feedstock fuel and steam in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is selectively removed from the reaction zone while the reaction is occurring by selectively diffusing the hydrogen gas through a porous ceramic membrane. The selective removal of hydrogen changes the equilibrium of the reaction and increases the amount of hydrogen that is extracted from the hydrocarbon feedstock fuel.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.Inventors: Joseph J. Hartvigsen, Balakrishnan G. Nair, Merrill Wilson, Akash Akash
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Patent number: 8470147Abstract: A sensor for detecting a gas is provided. The gas sensor may have a sensing section, a heating section, and a resistance temperature detector. The resistance temperature detector may be co-fired to be integral with at least one of the sensing section and the heating section.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Balakrishnan G. Nair, Jesse Nachlas, Gangqiang Wang
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Patent number: 8414752Abstract: A mixed potential NOx sensor apparatus for measuring the total NOx concentration in a gas stream is disclosed. The NOx sensing apparatus comprises a multilayer ceramic structure with electrodes for sensing both oxygen and NOx gas concentrations and includes screen-printed metallized patterns that function to heat the ceramic sensing element to the proper temperature for optimum performance. This design may provide advantages over the existing technology by miniaturizing the sensing element to provide potentially faster sensor light off times and thereby reduce undesired exhaust gas emissions. By incorporating the heating source within the ceramic sensing structure, the time to reach the temperature of operation is shortened, and thermal gradients and stresses are minimized. These improvements may provide increased sensor performance, reliability, and lifetime.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: EmiSense Technologies, LLCInventors: Balakrishnan G. Nair, Jesse Nachlas
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Patent number: 8349111Abstract: A method for joining multiple ceramic components together is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including providing multiple ceramic components, each having a mating surface. A slip containing a mixture of alumina powder and a phosphate-containing reagent is applied to one or more of the mating surfaces. The mean particle size of the alumina powder is tailored to provide improved strength to the bond. Once the slip is applied, the ceramic components may be joined together at their mating surfaces. The joint may then be sintered to react the constituents in the mixture and thereby generate a bond between the ceramic components.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.Inventors: Akash Akash, Balakrishnan G. Nair
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Publication number: 20120175042Abstract: A method for joining multiple ceramic components together is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including providing multiple ceramic components, each having a mating surface. A slip containing a mixture of alumina powder and a phosphate-containing reagent is applied to one or more of the mating surfaces. The mean particle size of the alumina powder is tailored to provide improved strength to the bond. Once the slip is applied, the ceramic components may be joined together at their mating surfaces. The joint may then be sintered to react the constituents in the mixture and thereby generate a bond between the ceramic components.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2007Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: Akash Akash, Balakrishnan G. Nair
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Patent number: 8161796Abstract: An electrode assembly for a particulate matter sensor in a gas environment. The electrode assembly includes an insulating tube, a conductor, and a positioning structure. The insulating tube has an outer surface and defines an interior cavity with an interior surface. The conductor is disposed within the interior cavity of the insulating tube. The conductor is electrically coupled to an electrode at a first end of the insulating tube and includes a contact portion at a second end of the insulating tube for connection to an external conductor. The positioning structure is coupled to the conductor. The positioning structure mechanically supports the conductor at a distance from the interior surface of the insulating tube to at least partially define an air dielectric gap at approximately a heater location corresponding to a heater.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: EmiSense Technologies LLCInventors: Balakrishnan G. Nair, Brett Tamatea Henderson
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Patent number: 8012380Abstract: A multi-phase proton conducting material comprising a proton-conducting ceramic phase and a stabilizing ceramic phase. Under the presence of a partial pressure gradient of hydrogen across the membrane or under the influence of an electrical potential, a membrane fabricated with this material selectively transports hydrogen ions through the proton conducting phase, which results in ultrahigh purity hydrogen permeation through the membrane. The stabilizing ceramic phase may be substantially structurally and chemically identical to at least one product of a reaction between the proton conducting phase and at least one expected gas under operating conditions of a membrane fabricated using the material. In a barium cerate-based proton conducting membrane, one stabilizing phase is ceria.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.Inventors: S. Elangovan, Balakrishnan G. Nair, Troy Small, Brian Heck
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Patent number: 7887685Abstract: A gas sensor for detecting NOX is provided. The gas sensor may have a plurality of substrate members, a first sensing electrode, and a second sensing electrode. The gas sensor may also have a first heater element associated with the first sensing electrode and being located on a first side of one of the plurality of substrate members, and a second heater element associated with the second sensing electrode and being located on a second opposing side of the one of the plurality of substrate members.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Balakrishnan G. Nair, Jesse Alan Nachlas
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Publication number: 20100264025Abstract: An electrode assembly for a particulate matter sensor in a gas environment. The electrode assembly includes an insulating tube, a conductor, and a positioning structure. The insulating tube has an outer surface and defines an interior cavity with an interior surface. The conductor is disposed within the interior cavity of the insulating tube. The conductor is electrically coupled to an electrode at a first end of the insulating tube and includes a contact portion at a second end of the insulating tube for connection to an external conductor. The positioning structure is coupled to the conductor. The positioning structure mechanically supports the conductor at a distance from the interior surface of the insulating tube to at least partially define an air dielectric gap at approximately a heater location corresponding to a heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2009Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventors: Balakrishnan G. Nair, Brett Tamatea Henderson
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Publication number: 20100255289Abstract: An article is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a silicon-based ceramic substrate and a top coat. A bond coat is provided between the silicon-based ceramic substrate and the top coat. The bond coat is derived from a mixture containing preceramic polymer precursors, such as polycarbosilanes, polycarbosilazanes, or other silicocarbon polymers and pyrolyzed preceramic polymer precursors. A filler material may also be included in the mixture to modify the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the bond coat to more closely match the CTE of the silicon-based ceramic substrate, top coat, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: Charles Lewinsohn, Qiang Zhao, Balakrishnan G. Nair
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Patent number: 7739924Abstract: A flow head for a gas sensor having a sensing element is provided. The flow head includes a body at least partially defining a cavity in thermal communication with the sensing element. The body includes an inlet port located within an annular surface of the body and an outlet port located within the annular surface of the body. The body also includes an inlet passage offset from and parallel to the cavity, wherein the inlet passage configures the inlet port and the cavity to be in fluid communication with one another. The body further includes an outlet passage offset from and parallel to the cavity, wherein the outlet passage configures the outlet port and the cavity to be in fluid communication with one another.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Anthoniraj Lourdhusamy, Balakrishnan G. Nair
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Publication number: 20100122916Abstract: A sensor for monitoring concentration of a constituent in a gas may include an ionically conductive layer and a sensing electrode coupled to the ionically conductive layer. The sensing electrode may be exposed to a gas. The sensor may also include a reference electrode that is exposed to the gas and made of substantially a same material as the sensing electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Inventors: Balakrishnan G. Nair, Brett Tamatea Henderson, Thomas Koerner Pace, Gangqiang Wang
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Publication number: 20100096264Abstract: A mixed potential NOx sensor apparatus for measuring the total NOx concentration in a gas stream is disclosed. The NOx sensing apparatus comprises a multilayer ceramic structure with electrodes for sensing both oxygen and NOx gas concentrations and includes screen-printed metallized patterns that function to heat the ceramic sensing element to the proper temperature for optimum performance. This design may provide advantages over the existing technology by miniaturizing the sensing element to provide potentially faster sensor light off times and thereby reduce undesired exhaust gas emissions. By incorporating the heating source within the ceramic sensing structure, the time to reach the temperature of operation is shortened, and thermal gradients and stresses are minimized. These improvements may provide increased sensor performance, reliability, and lifetime.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Balakrishnan G. Nair, Jesse Nachlas