Patents by Inventor Francesco Macri
Francesco Macri 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: 11722092Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic generator incorporating a two-stage combustor for providing heat to a thermophotovoltaic cell. Combustor parts include a partial oxidation reactor, which functions catalytically to convert a hydrocarbon fuel and a first supply of an oxidant into a gaseous partial oxidation product; and further include downstream thereof, a deep oxidation reactor including a premixer plenum fluidly connected to a heat spreader comprising a porous matrix, such as a ceramic foam. Functionally, the deep oxidation reactor converts the gaseous partial oxidation product and a second supply of oxidant into complete combustion products. Heat produced by the two-stage combustor generates radiative energy from a photon emitter, which is directly converted to electricity in a photovoltaic diode cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Richard Mastanduno, Francesco Macri, Bruce Crowder
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Patent number: 11682781Abstract: A thermally integrated hotbox apparatus combining a steam reformer, a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks, a plurality of oxidant manifolds, and at least one heat extractor. The steam reformer occupies a central position in the hotbox, around which are disposed in spaced-apart relation a plurality of SOFC stacks. A burner may be associated with the steam reformer, either within or outside the hotbox. An oxidant manifold is disposed between each pair of adjacent SOFC stacks. A heat exchanger is incorporated between an SOFC stack and an oxygen manifold. The hotbox design optimally captures thermal heat from the SOFC stacks for use in producing steam and operating the endothermic steam reformer. The apparatus reduces duty cycle of the burner, which produces heat and steam needed for operation of the endothermic steam reformer.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Timothy LaBreche, Saurabh Vilekar, Francesco Macri
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Publication number: 20230124247Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic generator incorporating a two-stage combustor for providing heat to a thermophotovoltaic cell. Combustor parts include a partial oxidation reactor, which functions catalytically to convert a hydrocarbon fuel and a first supply of an oxidant into a gaseous partial oxidation product; and further include downstream thereof, a deep oxidation reactor including a premixer plenum fluidly connected to a heat spreader comprising a porous matrix, such as a ceramic foam. Functionally, the deep oxidation reactor converts the gaseous partial oxidation product and a second supply of oxidant into complete combustion products. Heat produced by the two-stage combustor generates radiative energy from a photon emitter, which is directly converted to electricity in a photovoltaic diode cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Richard Mastanduno, Francesco Macri, Bruce Crowder
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Patent number: 11558004Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic generator incorporating a two-stage combustor for providing heat to a thermophotovoltaic cell. Combustor parts include a partial oxidation reactor, which functions catalytically to convert a hydrocarbon fuel and a first supply of an oxidant into a gaseous partial oxidation product; and further include downstream thereof, a deep oxidation reactor including a premixer plenum fluidly connected to a heat spreader comprising a porous matrix, such as a ceramic foam. Functionally, the deep oxidation reactor converts the gaseous partial oxidation product and a second supply of oxidant into complete combustion products. Heat produced by the two-stage combustor generates radiative energy from a photon emitter, which is directly converted to electricity in a photovoltaic diode cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Richard Mastanduno, Francesco Macri, Bruce Crowder
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Publication number: 20230006227Abstract: A thermally integrated hotbox apparatus combining a steam reformer, a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks, a plurality of oxidant manifolds, and at least one heat extractor. The steam reformer occupies a central position in the hotbox, around which are disposed in spaced-apart relation a plurality of SOFC stacks. A burner may be associated with the steam reformer, either within or outside the hotbox. An oxidant manifold is disposed between each pair of adjacent SOFC stacks. A heat exchanger is incorporated between an SOFC stack and an oxygen manifold. The hotbox design optimally captures thermal heat from the SOFC stacks for use in producing steam and operating the endothermic steam reformer. The apparatus reduces duty cycle of the burner, which produces heat and steam needed for operation of the endothermic steam reformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Timothy LaBreche, Saurabh Vilekar, Francesco Macri
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Patent number: 11476484Abstract: A thermally integrated hotbox apparatus combining a steam reformer, a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks, a plurality of oxidant manifolds, and at least one heat extractor. The steam reformer occupies a central position in the hotbox, around which are disposed in spaced-apart relation a plurality of SOFC stacks. A burner may be associated with the steam reformer, either within or outside the hotbox. An oxidant manifold is disposed between each pair of adjacent SOFC stacks. A heat exchanger is incorporated between an SOFC stack and an oxygen manifold. The hotbox design optimally captures thermal heat from the SOFC stacks for use in producing steam and operating the endothermic steam reformer. The apparatus reduces duty cycle of the burner, which produces heat and steam needed for operation of the endothermic steam reformer.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Timothy LaBreche, Saurabh Vilekar, Francesco Macri
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Publication number: 20220282364Abstract: A fixture system to be used in a vacuum chamber (16) of a vacuum treatment system, comprising, a spindle (1), a gear wheel, in this text referred to as sun wheel (2), a cylindrical object exhibiting properties that allow the gear wheel to mesh into it, in order to rotate said cylindrical object, in this text referred to as reel (3), a holding plate (4), wherein the sun wheel (2) and the reel (3) are manufactured in order to allow the sun wheel (2) to mesh into the reel (3), thereby rotating it.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Sebastian NAHEN, Francesco MACRI, Rudolf MEILER
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Patent number: 11415315Abstract: A two-stage combustor having as constituent parts: a partial oxidation reactor, which catalytically converts a hydrocarbon fuel and a first supply of oxidant into a gaseous partial oxidation product; and a deep oxidation reactor having a premixer plenum fluidly connected to a porous heat spreader, which converts the gaseous partial oxidation product to deep oxidation products. In one embodiment, the premixer plenum provides an empty space wherein combustion occurs in flame mode. In a second embodiment, the premixer plenum contains a high pore density foam matrix, absent catalyst, which facilitates holding a flameless combustion downstream within the porous heat spreader. In both embodiments heat produced during combustion is transmitted from the heat spreader to an associated heat acceptor, such as a heater head of a Stirling engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Richard Mastanduno, Bruce Crowder, Francesco Macri
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Patent number: 11022318Abstract: A gas-fired burner adapted for use on a liquid fuel. A method for essentially smokeless start-up and steady state operation of a gas-fired burner on a liquid fuel. The apparatus integrates a catalytic liquid fuel reformer with a flame burner designed for operation on a gaseous fuel of high Wobbe Index, e.g., natural gas. The method involves reacting a mixture of a liquid fuel and oxidant in a catalytic reformer to obtain a gaseous reformate having a low Wobbe Index; and thereafter combusting the gaseous reformate, optionally augmented with liquid co-fuel and oxidant, in the gas-fired burner under diffusion flame conditions. The invention allows commercial gas-fired appliances to be operated on a liquid fuel, thereby offering advantages in logistics and camp operations.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC.Inventors: Julian David Prada Bernal, Francesco Macri
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Patent number: 10738996Abstract: A gas-fired burner adapted for use on a liquid fuel. A method for essentially smokeless start-up and steady state operation of a gas-fired burner on a liquid fuel. The apparatus integrates a catalytic liquid fuel reformer with a flame burner designed for operation on a gaseous fuel of high Wobbe Index, e.g., natural gas. The method involves reacting a mixture of a liquid fuel and oxidant in a catalytic reformer to obtain a gaseous reformate having a low Wobbe Index; and thereafter combusting the gaseous reformate, optionally augmented with liquid co-fuel and oxidant, in the gas-fired burner under diffusion flame conditions. The invention allows commercial gas-fired appliances to be operated on a liquid fuel, thereby offering advantages in logistics and camp operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Richard Mastanduno, Bruce Crowder, David Lang Spence, Francesco Macri, Julian David Prada Bernal
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Patent number: 10001278Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a gas-fired burner on a liquid fuel. The apparatus integrates a catalytic liquid fuel reformer with a flame burner designed for operation on a gaseous fuel of high Wobbe Index, e.g., natural gas. The method involves reacting a mixture of a liquid fuel and oxidant in a catalytic reformer to obtain a gaseous reformate having a low Wobbe Index; and thereafter combusting the gaseous reformate, optionally augmented with liquid co-fuel and oxidant, in the gas-fired burner under diffusion flame conditions. The invention allows commercial gas-fired appliances, such as stoves, ovens, ranges, grills, griddles, stock pot burners, clothes dryers, hot water heaters, and boilers to be operated on a liquid fuel, which offers advantages in logistics and camp operations.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Richard Mastanduno, Bruce Crowder, David Lang Spence, Francesco Macri, Julian David Prada Bernal