Abstract: An ejector (200; 300; 400) has a primary inlet (40), a secondary inlet (42), and an outlet (44). A primary flowpath extends from the primary inlet to the outlet. A secondary flowpath extends from the secondary inlet to the outlet. A mixer convergent section (114) is downstream of the secondary inlet. A motive nozzle (100) surrounds the primary flowpath upstream of a junction with the secondary flowpath to pass a motive flow. The motive nozzle has an exit (110). The ejector has surfaces (258, 260) positioned to introduce swirl to the motive flow.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a cold spray deposition system includes a nozzle body with an axial bore. The axial bore defines a converging segment, a diverging segment downstream of the converging segment, and a throat fluidly connected between the converging and diverging segments of the axial bore. A particulate conduit is fixed within the axial bore and extends along the axial bore diverging segment for issuing solid particulate into the diverging segment of the axial bore.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a cold spray deposition system includes a nozzle body with an axial bore. The axial bore defines a converging segment, a diverging segment downstream of the converging segment, and a throat fluidly connected between the converging and diverging segments of the axial bore. A particulate conduit is fixed within the axial bore and extends along the axial bore diverging segment for issuing solid particulate into the diverging segment of the axial bore.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a cold spray deposition system includes a nozzle body with an axial bore. The axial bore defines a converging segment, a diverging segment downstream of the converging segment, and a throat fluidly connected between the converging and diverging segments of the axial bore. A particulate conduit is fixed within the axial bore and extends along the axial bore diverging segment for issuing solid particulate into the diverging segment of the axial bore.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a cold spray deposition system includes a nozzle body with an axial bore. The axial bore defines a converging segment, a diverging segment downstream of the converging segment, and a throat fluidly connected between the converging and diverging segments of the axial bore. A particulate conduit is fixed within the axial bore and extends along the axial bore diverging segment for issuing solid particulate into the diverging segment of the axial bore.

Abstract: A shock damper is disclosed. The shock damper may have a variable shear control apparatus through which a shear-thickening fluid may flow. In this manner, the shock damper may compress at different rates for different applied impulse forces, in response to the changing viscosity of the shear-thickening fluid.

Abstract: A shock damper is disclosed. The shock damper may have a variable shear control apparatus through which a shear-thickening fluid may flow. In this manner, the shock damper may compress at different rates for different applied impulse forces, in response to the changing viscosity of the shear-thickening fluid.

Abstract: A system and method satisfies temperature and pressure requirements of solid oxide fuel cell system in a manner that increases the overall efficiency and decreases the overall weight of system. The system and method include a secondary blower for boosting air stream pressure level sufficient for operation of a reformer that is designed to minimize pressure drop; an integrated heat exchanger for recovering heat from exhaust and comprising multiple flow fields for ensuring inlet temperature requirements of a solid oxide fuel cell are met; and a thermal enclosure for separating hot zone components from cool zone components for increasing thermal efficiency of the system and better thermal management.

Abstract: A system and method satisfies temperature and pressure requirements of solid oxide fuel cell system 10 in a manner that increases the overall efficiency and decreases the overall weight of system 10. The system and method include a secondary blower 30 for boosting air stream pressure level sufficient for operation of a reformer 12 that is designed to minimize pressure drop; an integrated heat exchanger 18 for recovering heat from exhaust 36 and comprising multiple flow fields 18A, 18B, 18C for ensuring inlet temperature requirements of a solid oxide fuel cell 14 are met; and a thermal enclosure 46 for separating hot zone 48 components from cool zone 50 components for increasing thermal efficiency of the system and better thermal management.

Abstract: A fuel cell device includes a plurality of channels that have at least one unrestricted inlet, a conduit for directing a flow having a distribution pattern to the unrestricted inlet, and a gap region between the conduit and the plurality of channels for receiving the flow distribution pattern, the gap region having such dimensions in which the distribution pattern tends to normalize within the gap region so that flow to each of the unrestricted inlets tends to normalize across said gap region.

Abstract: An ejector (200; 300; 400) has a primary inlet (40), a secondary inlet (42), and an outlet (44). A primary flowpath extends from the primary inlet to the outlet. A secondary flowpath extends from the secondary inlet to the outlet. A mixer convergent section (114) is downstream of the secondary inlet. A motive nozzle (100) surrounds the primary flowpath upstream of a junction with the secondary flowpath to pass a motive flow. The motive nozzle has an exit (110). The ejector has surfaces (258, 260) positioned to introduce swirl to the motive flow.

Abstract: An ignition system for a multi-burner heat exchanger assembly, a furnace, and a method using same are disclosed. The assembly may include a plurality of adjacent heat exchanger tubes, with a burner associated with each tube. All the burners may be lit with a single igniter and no source of secondary air. To do so, each of the burners may be provided so as to generate a swirling exit flow of combustion gases. One or more carryover tubes may also be connected between adjacent pairs of heat exchanger tubes or adjacent pairs of burners. The swirling flow generated by the burners causes hot combustion gases to move through the carryover tubes to thus carry the flame from one burner to the next. Not only can a single igniter be used, but a single flame sensor as well, while at the same time reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.

Abstract: An example interconnector of a fuel cell repeater unit includes a dimpled interconnector of a fuel cell repeater unit. The dimpled interconnector establishes at least a portion of an interconnector flow path operative to communicate airflow through the fuel cell repeater unit, the dimpled interconnector having a plurality of dimples.

Abstract: A fuel cell (10) device includes a plurality of channels (32, 34) that have at least one unrestricted inlet (33), a conduit for directing a flow having a distribution pattern (84) to the unrestricted inlet (33) and an opening (40) between the conduit (50) and the opening (40) for receiving the flow distribution pattern (84), the opening having such dimension (L, W) in which the distribution pattern tends to normalize within the opening so that flow to each of the unrestricted inlet (33) tends to normalize across said opening.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes one or more passages and one or more metal foam sections adjacent the passage to promote an exchange of heat relative to the passage. The metal foam section includes a nominal thermal conductivity gradient there though to provide a desirable balance of heat exchange properties within the metal foam section.

Abstract: An ignition system for a multi-burner heat exchanger assembly, a furnace, and a method using same are disclosed. The assembly may include a plurality of adjacent heat exchanger tubes, with a burner associated with each tube. All the burners may be lit with a single igniter and no source of secondary air. To do so, each of the burners may be provided so as to generate a swirling exit flow of combustion gases. One or more carryover tubes may also be connected between adjacent pairs of heat exchanger tubes or adjacent pairs of burners. The swirling flow generated by the burners causes hot combustion gases to move through the carryover tubes to thus carry the flame from one burner to the next. Not only can a single igniter be used, but a single flame sensor as well, while at the same time reducing nitrogen oxide emissions.

Abstract: A system and method satisfies temperature and pressure requirements of solid oxide fuel cell system 10 in a manner that increases the overall efficiency and decreases the overall weight of system 10. The system and method include a secondary blower 30 for boosting air stream pressure level sufficient for operation of a reformer 12 that is designed to minimize pressure drop; an integrated heat exchanger 18 for recovering heat from exhaust 36 and comprising multiple flow fields 18A, 18B, 18C for ensuring inlet temperature requirements of a solid oxide fuel cell 14 are met; and a thermal enclosure 46 for separating hot zone 48 components from cool zone 50 components for increasing thermal efficiency of the system and better thermal management.

Abstract: A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system with a multitude of flow impingement elements which are interleaved to provide a fuel channel with intricate two-dimensional flow characteristics. The flow impingement elements break up the boundary layers and enhance the transport of oxygen from the core of the of the fuel flow within the fuel channel to the oxygen permeable membrane surfaces by directing the fuel flow in a direction normal to the oxygen permeable membrane. The rapid mixing of the relatively rich oxygen core of the fuel with the relatively oxygen-poor flow near the oxygen permeable membrane enhances the overall removal rate of oxygen from the fuel. Because this process can be accomplished in fuel channels of relatively larger flow areas while maintaining laminar flow, the pressure drop sustained is relatively low.

Abstract: An example fuel cell repeater includes a separator plate and a frame establishing at least a portion of a flow path that is operative to communicate fuel to or from at least one fuel cell held by the frame relative to the separator plate. The flow path has a perimeter and any fuel within the perimeter flow across the at least one fuel cell in a first direction. The separator plate, the frame, or both establish at least one conduit positioned outside the flow path perimeter. The conduit is outside of the flow path perimeter and is configured to direct flow in a second, different direction. The conduit is fluidly coupled with the flow path.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes one or more passages and one or more metal foam sections adjacent the passage to promote an exchange of heat relative to the passage. The metal foam section includes a nominal thermal conductivity gradient there though to provide a desirable balance of heat exchange properties within the metal foam section.