Patents by Inventor Brian M. Fronk

Brian M. Fronk 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).

  • High flux thermal receiver and method of use
    Patent number: 10619890
    Abstract: A thermal receiver, such as a solar flux thermal receiver, is disclosed comprising a modular arrangement of arrayed microchannels or micropins to heat a working fluid by heat transfer. Disclosed solar receivers provide a much higher solar flux and consequently a significant reduction in thermal losses, size, and cost, relative to known receivers. Unit cell receivers can be numbered up and combined in parallel to form modules, and modules combined to form full scale receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignees: Oregon State University, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Monte Kevin Drost, Sourabh Apte, Thomas L'Estrange, Vinod Narayanan, Charles Rymal, Eric Truong, Erfan Rasouli, Kyle Ryan Zada, Brian M. Fronk
  • MEMBRANE HEAT AND MASS EXCHANGER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE
    Publication number: 20190162429
    Abstract: A heat and mass exchange (HMX) device comprising a plurality of membranes arranged in a stack. Adjacent membranes are separated from one another by an airflow channel Each membrane of the stack comprises an array of integrated support structures that extend into the airflow channel and to the second membrane. The support structures comprise an adhesive material that is bonded to each membrane. The support structures divide the airflow channels into subchannels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Oregon State University
    Inventors: Paul D. ARMATIS, Brian K. PAUL, Hailei WANG, Brian M. FRONK, Steven KAWULA, Chuankai SONG
  • HIGH FLUX THERMAL RECEIVER AND METHOD OF USE
    Publication number: 20180010824
    Abstract: A thermal receiver, such as a solar flux thermal receiver, is disclosed comprising a modular arrangement of arrayed microchannels or micropins to heat a working fluid by heat transfer. Disclosed solar receivers provide a much higher solar flux and consequently a significant reduction in thermal losses, size, and cost, relative to known receivers. Unit cell receivers can be numbered up and combined in parallel to form modules, and modules combined to form full scale receivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicants: Oregon State University, Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Monte Kevin Drost, Sourabh Apte, Thomas L'Estrange, Vinod Narayanan, Charles Rymal, Eric Truong, Erfan Rasouli, Kyle Ryan Zada, Brian M. Fronk