Patents by Inventor Lawrence C. Langebrake
Lawrence C. Langebrake 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: 8709635Abstract: The present invention provides a galvanic cell having an aluminum anode and a cathode compartment design suitable for carrying out the aqueous electrochemical reaction between solid aluminum metal and aqueous peroxide ions. The galvanic cell is activated when water, aqueous hydroxide solution, or an aqueous salt solution is added to the cell. This reaction releases a significant amount of electrochemical energy from a small size (mass or volume) cell. This cell reaction and design leads to an improvement in energy released over state-of-the-art aluminum/hydrogen peroxide galvanic cells.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Robert Frederick Benson, Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Lawrence C. Langebrake
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Patent number: 8501338Abstract: A system and method for improving electrochemical power sources through the dispensing encapsulation and dispersion into galvanic chambers of an electrochemical cell. Features of the method include the optimization of the concentration levels of chemicals involved in desired energy producing reactions.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Norma A. Alcantar, Xiaoling Ding, Ryan G. Toomey, Lawrence C. Langebrake
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Patent number: 8163418Abstract: A system and method for improving electrochemical power sources through the dispensing, encapsulation and dispersion into galvanic chambers of an electrochemical cell. Features of the method include the optimization of the concentration levels of chemicals involved in desired energy producing reactions.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Norma A. Alcantar, Xiaoling Ding, Ryan G. Toomey, Lawrence C. Langebrake
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Patent number: 7931978Abstract: Halogenated organic compounds that are inexpensive and are readily available have been used to present the examples of the invention. These chemicals, when in contact with water experience a reaction that releases oxy-halogenated acid. These compounds are weak acids and release hydrogen ions according to their ionization constant keeping a constant level of oxy-halogenated ion. These ions are capable of reacting with catalytic cathodes and can be coupled with anode materials to fabricate galvanic cells. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include cells with flat and cylindrical form factors having a variety of anodes.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Carl J. Biver, Lawrence C. Langebrake, John Bumgarner
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Patent number: 7856885Abstract: A MEMS-based silicon pressure sensor for the ocean environment is presented. The invention is a multiple diaphragm piezoresistive pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of a liquid, comprising an inner deformable diaphragm formed on a silicon substrate, the inner deformable diaphragm having a first thickness an outer deformable diaphragm formed on the silicon substrate, the outer deformable diaphragm having a second thickness which is greater than the first thickness, positioned below the inner deformable diaphragm to support the inner deformable diaphragm, a first piezoresistive bridge embedded in the inner deformable diaphragm, a second piezoresistive bridge embedded in the outer deformable diaphragm and possibly a third piezoresistive bridge embedded in the silicon substrate to compensate for temperature variations.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Shekhar Bhansali, Lawrence C. Langebrake, Shreyas Bhat
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Patent number: 7855015Abstract: The present invention provides a galvanic cell having an aluminum anode and a cathode compartment design suitable for carrying out the aqueous electrochemical reaction between solid aluminum metal and aqueous peroxide ions. The galvanic cell is activated when water, aqueous hydroxide solution, or an aqueous salt solution is added to the cell. This reaction releases a significant amount of electrochemical energy from a small size (mass or volume) cell. This cell reaction and design leads to an improvement in energy released over state-of-the-art aluminum/hydrogen peroxide galvanic cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Robert Frederick Benson, Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Lawrence C. Langebrake
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Patent number: 7829409Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a novel method to fabricate topological capacitors is provided. The fabrication method of the instant invention is based upon a reversed surface topology utilizing deep reactive ion etching to establish conductive capacitive elements and non-conductive capacitive element groups.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Shinzo Onishi, Lawrence C. Langebrake
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Patent number: 7456638Abstract: A MEMS-based silicon CTD sensor for ocean environment is presented. The sensor components are a capacitive conductivity sensor, a gold doped silicon temperature sensor, and a multiple diapghram piezoresistive pressure sensor. The sensor elements have further been packaged to protect them from harsh marine environment. The sensor components showed good linear response, resolution and mechanical integrity to the harsh ocean environment.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Shekhar Bhansali, Lawrence C. Langebrake, Shreyas Bhat
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Patent number: 7432011Abstract: An actuated galvanic cell is described which generated electric current responsive to introduction of electrolyte from a secondary containment means. Also housed within the containment means is a propellant which serves to drive the electrolyte from the containment means into the reaction chamber for electric current production. This propellant system is chosen from thermal, phase change, and other systems which as opposed to physical pumps impel the electrolyte into the reaction chamber without the need for additional introduction apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Robert Frederick Benson, Lawrence C. Langebrake, David P. Fries
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Patent number: 7029778Abstract: The present invention is a method of generating electrical energy from chemically generated hydrogen and oxygen including the steps of establishing a first reaction compartment, generating hydrogen gas from a reaction of aluminum metal and aqueous alkali solution in the first reaction compartment, establishing a second reaction compartment, generating oxygen gas from a reaction of oxygenated salt, water and a catalyst in the second reaction compartment, fluidly coupling the first reaction compartment to a fuel cell anode, fluidly coupling the second reaction compartment to a fuel cell cathode, and feeding the hydrogen and oxygen gas to a fuel cell to generate electricity.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Robert Frederick Benson, Lawrence C. Langebrake
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Patent number: 6908699Abstract: The present invention is a method of generating electrical energy from chemically generated hydrogen and oxygen including the steps of establishing a first reaction compartment, generating hydrogen gas from a reaction of aluminum metal and aqueous alkali solution in the first reaction compartment, establishing a second reaction compartment, generating oxygen gas from a reaction of oxygenated salt, water and a catalyst in the second reaction compartment, fluidly coupling the first reaction compartment to a fuel cell anode, fluidly coupling the second reaction compartment to a fuel cell cathode, and feeding the hydrogen and oxygen gas to a fuel cell to generate electricity.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Robert Frederick Benson, Lawrence C. Langebrake
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Patent number: 6813427Abstract: A liquid core waveguide for fluorescence spectroscopy is provided. According to one version of the present invention, a substantially cylindrical support tube is provided, having a substantially constant outer diameter, and a flexible tube is wrapped in contiguous windings about the outer surface of the support tube to form a tight coil about the support tube which is configured of material that is transmissive of light in the relatively short wavelength range which is used to excite the molecular material in the flexible tube. This feature enables the flexible tube to be wound tightly about the support tube without crimping (thereby to form the liquid core waveguide into a compact package), and enables light in the relatively short excitation range to be effectively transmitted through the support tube and into the flexible tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Eric Kaltenbacher, Lawrence C. Langebrake, Bob Byrne, Robert Waterbury
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Publication number: 20040115520Abstract: An actuated galvanic cell is described which generated electric current responsive to introduction of electrolyte from a secondary containment means. Also housed within the containment means is a propellant which serves to drive the electrolyte from the containment means into the reaction chamber for electric current production. This propellant system is chosen from thermal, phase change, and other systems which as opposed to physical pumps impel the electrolyte into the reaction chamber without the need for additional introduction apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Robert Frederick Benson, Lawrence C. Langebrake, David P. Fries