Abstract: A portable, independent thermoelectric temperature regulated system for providing active cooling to one or more payloads. The system includes a thermally insulated housing, one or more thermoelectric converters embedded in the thermally insulated housing, and a power source. The system may include one or more optional payload containers. Multiple payload containers may be used in the same housing. The system includes a control circuit for managing temperature of the payload(s) based on user selections. The housing may be hard or soft, and the multiple payload containers may be maintained at different temperatures. Optional phase change materials may be included that may be charged by the active thermoelectric converter discharged as a source of passive cooling or heating.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to thermoelectric panels and their use in cooling and heating systems. The cooling/heating systems may include a cylindrical plurality of thermoelectric panels. The panels may include thermoelectric devices embedded between a housing formed by heat conductive layers and edge structures for preserve a low thermal conductivity volume.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to structures and method of making thermoelectric devices. The structures include an electrically nonconductive and thermally conductive substrate with direct bonded or electroplated copper. Thermoelement pairs are formed on a barrier layer deposited on the outer layers of the substrate in gaps formed from insulator material deposited on the barrier layer. Openings in the barrier layer may be filled with an insulator to isolate thermoelements, which may then be bridged by a metal layer. Thermoelement pairs may be combined to form larger devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to thermoelectric panels and their use in cooling and heating systems. The cooling/heating systems may include a plurality of thermoelectric panels. The panels may include thermoelectric devices embedded between a housing formed by heat conductive layers and edge structures for preserve a low thermal conductivity volume.

Abstract: A portable, independent thermoelectric temperature regulated system for providing active cooling to one or more payloads. The system includes a thermally insulated housing, one or more thermoelectric converters embedded in the thermally insulated housing, and a power source. The system may include one or more optional payload containers. Multiple payload containers may be used in the same housing. The system includes a control circuit for managing temperature of the payload(s) based on user selections. The housing may be hard or soft, and the multiple payload containers may be maintained at different temperatures. Optional phase change materials may be included that may be charged by the active thermoelectric converter discharged as a source of passive cooling or heating.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to thermoelectric panels and their use in cooling and heating systems. The cooling/heating systems may include a plurality of thermoelectric panels. The panels may include thermoelectric devices embedded between a housing formed by heat conductive layers and edge structures for preserve a low thermal conductivity volume.

Abstract: An apparatus and method configured to provide electric power from a thermal source. The apparatus may include a thermoelectric generator and a heat source. The apparatus may include a fuel source. The heat source may be combustive or non-combustive. The apparatus may also include a thermal battery. The heat source may be configured to combust a hydrocarbon fuel to generated heat. The apparatus may include one or more thermal diodes and/or a heat sink to remove waste heat. The method may include converting thermal energy into electrical energy using the apparatus. The method may also include powering a light or other electrical load using the apparatus. The present disclosure includes a method for manufacturing the apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetofluiddynamic (MFD) pump including a liquid (or partially liquid) piston and at least two valve-delimited chambers is disclosed. The valve-delimited chambers may be coupled, in series or parallel, between the input and the output of a fluid passage to provide either intermittent flow of the working fluid or substantially continuous working fluid flow. In at least one embodiment, a piston chamber housing a conductive liquid (e.g. liquid) piston is coupled to two valve-delimited chambers so that a single stroke of the piston both draws working fluid into one of the chambers and pushes working fluid out of the other chamber.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for an electromagnetic pump includes a switched secondary loop circuit to provide the electromagnetic pump with a low voltage, high current output. In some embodiments, the power supply circuit includes a transformer having a core, a primary coil having first and second terminals, and at least a first secondary coil having first and second terminals, and a first switch device coupled between the first terminal of the first secondary coil and a first output node, and further includes primary-side circuitry for operably impressing a periodic signal across the primary coil. The first switch device includes a control terminal coupled to a node of the primary-side circuitry. The first output node and a second output node are provided for coupling thereto the electromagnetic pump, and the second output node may be coupled to the second terminal of the first secondary coil.

Abstract: A module in accordance with the present invention includes at least one electromagnetic pump and a power supply circuit for the electromagnetic pump. The tight coupling between the pump and its power supply afford more easily driving the pump with a low voltage, high current output of the power supply, and ease of integration in system design.

Abstract: The present invention provides configurations of direct current magnetohydrodynamic (DC MHD) pumps for enhanced performance in pumping of conducting fluids. The pumping is achieved by a force developed by the interaction of magnetic flux and electric current. The force acting on the conducting fluid can be increased by increasing the magnetic flux density or the path length of charge carriers. The path length of charge carriers is increased by using a centrifugal configuration of the pump. The magnetic flux density is increased by using unique magnet configurations. A two-magnet configuration, a four-magnet configuration or a Halbach array configuration is used to enhance the magnetic flux density in the fluid cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved fluid pump that combines a liquid metal MHD pump with a plurality of fluid flow valves. The pump comprises a suction and pumping assembly, the suction and pumping assembly in turn comprising a first vertical chamber and a second vertical chamber connected using an intermediate horizontal chamber, a liquid metal partially filling the suction and pumping assembly, and an AC-powered reciprocating MHD pump. The AC-powered reciprocating MHD pump drives the liquid metal in an oscillatory manner, causing the suction and pumping of a working fluid. The pump further comprises at least one inlet conduit connected to the suction and pumping assembly for enabling the suction of a working fluid, at least one outlet conduit connected to the suction and pumping assembly for enabling the pumping of the working fluid, and a plurality of valves in the inlet and outlet conduits to regulate the flow of the working fluid.