Patents by Inventor Chuming Wei

Chuming Wei 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: 12460882
    Abstract: A passive vortex formed or induced from a temperature difference across a cavity or void aggregates and supports a horizontal flow over the top of the cavity. A cavity of a suitable depth and width exhibits a small difference in temperature, or heat source, along the sides or bottom of cavity. A resulting convective flow tends to form a rising current along a warmer side, and a complementary downward current on an opposed side of the cavity. The formed vortex tends to draw the cooler downward flow across the warmer, heated surface, enhancing the vortex flow. The vortex aligns with a horizontal flow across the top of the cavity as the upward current complements the downward current on an opposed side of the cavity. A plurality of adjacent cavities tend to align with an aggregate horizontal flow contributed from each cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Chuming Wei, James L. Urban, Ali S. Rangwala
  • Publication number: 20230175793
    Abstract: A passive vortex formed or induced from a temperature difference across a cavity or void aggregates and supports a horizontal flow over the top of the cavity. A cavity of a suitable depth and width exhibits a small difference in temperature, or heat source, along the sides or bottom of cavity. A resulting convective flow tends to form a rising current along a warmer side, and a complementary downward current on an opposed side of the cavity. The formed vortex tends to draw the cooler downward flow across the warmer, heated surface, enhancing the vortex flow. The vortex aligns with a horizontal flow across the top of the cavity as the upward current complements the downward current on an opposed side of the cavity. A plurality of adjacent cavities tend to align with an aggregate horizontal flow contributed from each cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Chuming Wei, James L. Urban, Ali S. Rangwala