Patents by Inventor Christopher David Meyer

Christopher David Meyer 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: 9252667
    Abstract: Devices and systems for power electronic circuits are provided. Embodiments of the present invention enable high density inductive energy storage by using electromechanical coupling between an electrically conducting inductive element and a mechanical resonator to passively store energy via both electromagnetic and mechanical mechanisms. A microelectromechanical inductor (MEMI) is provided utilizing a magnet and a conductor. In a specific embodiment, the MEMI includes a permanent magnet on a compliant layer centrally disposed within a spiral coil. In a further embodiment, a second coil is provided near the magnet to provide a resonating transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated
    Inventors: David Patrick Arnold, Shuo Cheng, Christopher David Meyer
  • Patent number: 9214618
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to thermoelectric power generation. According to certain embodiments, a stack of silicon-micromachined chips can be connected to form a cylindrical heat exchanger that enables a large, uniform temperature difference across a radially-oriented thermopile. Each layer in the stack can comprise two thermally-isolated concentric silicon rings connected by a polyimide membrane that supports patterned thermoelectric thin films. The polyimide membrane can be formed by selectively etching away the supporting silicon, resulting in thermally-isolated inner and outer rings. In operation, hot gas can flow through a finned central channel, and an external cross flow can enhance heat transfer to ambient to keep the outer surfaces cool. The resulting temperature gradient across the thermopile generates a voltage potential across the open ends due to the Seebeck effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: David Patrick Arnold, Israel Boniche, Christopher David Meyer, Sivaraman Masilamani
  • Patent number: 8624700
    Abstract: Devices and systems for power electronic circuits are provided. Embodiments of the present invention enable high density inductive energy storage by using electromechanical coupling between an electrically conducting inductive element and a mechanical resonator to passively store energy via both electromagnetic and mechanical mechanisms. A microelectromechanical inductor (MEMI) is provided utilizing a magnet and a conductor. In a specific embodiment, the MEMI includes a permanent magnet on a compliant layer centrally disposed within a spiral coil. In a further embodiment, a second coil is provided near the magnet to provide a resonating transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated
    Inventors: David Patrick Arnold, Shuo Cheng, Christopher David Meyer
  • Publication number: 20120020117
    Abstract: Devices and systems for power electronic circuits are provided. Embodiments of the present invention enable high density inductive energy storage by using electromechanical coupling between an electrically conducting inductive element and a mechanical resonator to passively store energy via both electromagnetic and mechanical mechanisms. A microelectromechanical inductor (MEMI) is provided utilizing a magnet and a conductor. In a specific embodiment, the MEMI includes a permanent magnet on a compliant layer centrally disposed within a spiral coil. In a further embodiment, a second coil is provided near the magnet to provide a resonating transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Patrick Arnold, Shuo Cheng, Christopher David Meyer
  • Publication number: 20110155202
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to thermoelectric power generation. According to certain embodiments, a stack of silicon-micromachined chips can be connected to form a cylindrical heat exchanger that enables a large, uniform temperature difference across a radially-oriented thermopile. Each layer in the stack can comprise two thermally-isolated concentric silicon rings connected by a polyimide membrane that supports patterned thermoelectric thin films. The polyimide membrane can be formed by selectively etching away the supporting silicon, resulting in thermally-isolated inner and outer rings. In operation, hot gas can flow through a finned central channel, and an external cross flow can enhance heat transfer to ambient to keep the outer surfaces cool. The resulting temperature gradient across the thermopile generates a voltage potential across the open ends due to the Seebeck effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: David Patrick Arnold, Israel Boniche, Christopher David Meyer, Sivaraman Masilamani