Patents by Inventor Patrick E. Frye
Patrick E. Frye 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: 10490725Abstract: An integrated combustor-thermoelectric generator and method for producing electrical power and/or for operating a pneumatic device. A thermoelectric generator includes a fuel and air mixture chamber with a combustor connected to the mixture chamber. The combustor including a longitudinal centerbody comprising a varying cross-sectional area along an axial length of the centerbody and a plurality of thermoelectric couples and/or modules disposed axially along sides of the centerbody. The thermoelectric generator can be paired with a DC air compressor for operating a pneumatic device by directing heated gases from the combustor to a plurality of thermoelectric couples and/or modules, and powering the air compressor with the thermoelectric couples and/or modules. The thermoelectric generator and DC compressor can be installed to a natural gas source at a well pad for operating a pneumatic device at the well pad.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTEInventors: Jeffrey A. Mays, Shinjiro Miyata, Patrick E. Frye, Kyle Mays
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Publication number: 20180151791Abstract: An integrated combustor-thermoelectric generator and method for producing electrical power and/or for operating a pneumatic device. A thermoelectric generator includes a fuel and air mixture chamber with a combustor connected to the mixture chamber. The combustor including a longitudinal centerbody comprising a varying cross-sectional area along an axial length of the centerbody and a plurality of thermoelectric couples and/or modules disposed axially along sides of the centerbody. The thermoelectric generator can be paired with a DC air compressor for operating a pneumatic device by directing heated gases from the combustor to a plurality of thermoelectric couples and/or modules, and powering the air compressor with the thermoelectric couples and/or modules. The thermoelectric generator and DC compressor can be installed to a natural gas source at a well pad for operating a pneumatic device at the well pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTEInventors: Jeffrey A. MAYS, Shinjiro MIYATA, Patrick E. FRYE, Kyle MAYS
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Patent number: 8859882Abstract: A heat rejection system includes a plurality of panel subassemblies and a solid state heat pipe flex joint. Each panel subassembly includes a fin, a solid state heat pipe manifold, a first solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold and secured to the fin, a second solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold adjacent to the first solid state heat pipe and secured to the fin. The solid state heat pipe flex joint operably connects the solid state heat pipe manifolds of two of the plurality of panel subassemblies in a hermetically sealed configuration, and is configured to permit repositioning of the two panel subassemblies relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc.Inventors: Cheng-Yi Lu, James A. McClanahan, Joseph P. Carroll, William Determan, Patrick E. Frye, Charles Thomas Kudija, Rick L. Howerton, Kenneth John Metcalf, Andrew J. Zillmer
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Publication number: 20100078061Abstract: A heat rejection system includes a plurality of panel subassemblies and a solid state heat pipe flex joint. Each panel subassembly includes a fin, a solid state heat pipe manifold, a first solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold and secured to the fin, a second solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold adjacent to the first solid state heat pipe and secured to the fin. The solid state heat pipe flex joint operably connects the solid state heat pipe manifolds of two of the plurality of panel subassemblies in a hermetically sealed configuration, and is configured to permit repositioning of the two panel subassemblies relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Cheng-Yi Lu, James A. McClanahan, Joseph P. Carroll, William Determan, Patrick E. Frye, Charles Thomas Kudija, Rick L. Howerton, Kenneth John Metcalf, Andrew J. Zillmer
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Patent number: 7299633Abstract: A solar power system capable of storing heat energy and converting sun light to electrical power. The solar power system includes a solar collection system which gathers and transmits concentrated solar energy to an absorber/cavity. The thermal energy is extracted from the absorber/cavity via a fluid and transported to a heat conversion system. The heat conversion system uses the thermal energy to create electricity.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: Terrence H Murphy, William D Otting, Patrick E Frye
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Patent number: 7051529Abstract: A solar power system capable of storing heat energy and converting sun light to electrical power. The solar power system includes a solar collection system which gathers and transmits concentrated solar energy to an absorber/cavity. The thermal energy is extracted from the absorber/cavity via a fluid and transported to a heat conversion system. The heat conversion system uses the thermal energy to create electricity.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Terrence H. Murphy, William D. Otting, Patrick E. Frye
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Patent number: 7003941Abstract: A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Patrick E. Frye, Joseph P. Carroll, James M. Shoji
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Patent number: 6886339Abstract: A solar power collection system capable of operating with a positioning system that provides movement of the system about only a single axis of rotation. The solar power collection system includes a concentrator having at least one parabolic-trough-shaped mirror that focuses sun light reflected therefrom along a longitudinal focus line defined by a focus of the parabolic-trough shaped mirror. An absorber having a heat absorbing tube and a heat absorbing shoe is supported from the mirror such that the tube is positioned coaxially along the focus line to receive reflected sun light. The tube absorbs thermal from the sun light and conductively heats the shoe. The shoe supplies this thermal energy to an energy conversion engine. The engine, in one preferred form, is a Stirling engine that converts the thermal energy into electrical energy. A pointing system moves the concentrator about a single axis of rotation to track the sun across the horizon.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Joseph P. Carroll, Terrence H. Murphy, Patrick E. Frye, William D. Otting
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Publication number: 20040231329Abstract: A solar power collection system capable of operating with a positioning system that provides movement of the system about only a single axis of rotation. The solar power collection system includes a concentrator having at least one parabolic-trough-shaped mirror that focuses sun light reflected therefrom along a longitudinal focus line defined by a focus of the parabolic-trough shaped mirror. An absorber having a heat absorbing tube and a heat absorbing shoe is supported from the mirror such that the tube is positioned coaxially along the focus line to receive reflected sun light. The tube absorbs thermal from the sun light and conductively heats the shoe. The shoe supplies this thermal energy to an energy conversion engine. The engine, in one preferred form, is a Stirling engine that converts the thermal energy into electrical energy. A pointing system moves the concentrator about a single axis of rotation to track the sun across the horizon.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Joseph P. Carroll, Terrence H. Murphy, Patrick E. Frye, William D. Otting
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Publication number: 20040118449Abstract: A solar power system capable of storing heat energy and converting sun light to electrical power. The solar power system includes a solar collection system which gathers and transmits concentrated solar energy to an absorber/cavity. The thermal energy is extracted from the absorber/cavity via a fluid and transported to a heat conversion system. The heat conversion system uses the thermal energy to create electricity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Terrence H. Murphy, William D. Otting, Patrick E. Frye
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Patent number: 6745466Abstract: A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Inventors: Patrick E. Frye, Joseph P. Carroll, James M. Shoji
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Publication number: 20040045276Abstract: A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Patrick E. Frye, Joseph P. Carroll, James M. Shoji
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Publication number: 20020170284Abstract: A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2002Publication date: November 21, 2002Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Patrick E. Frye, Joseph P. Carroll, James M. Shoji
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Patent number: 6421998Abstract: A thruster device and associated methods are provided. The thruster device comprises a frustoconical inner layer and a frustoconical outer layer that surrounds the inner layer such that the inner and outer layers cooperate to define a spiral flow passage therebetween. An outlet, such as a nozzle, is attached to an exit end of the thruster device such that the outlet is in fluid communication with the spiral flow passage. In one embodiment, the thruster device includes an end flow cap that is also attached to the exit end and establishes the fluid communication between the spiral flow passage and the outlet. The end flow cap includes at least one channel for directing the propellant from the spiral flow passage to the outlet. The design of the thruster device allows the frustoconical inner and outer layers to be assembled without galling or damaging the spiral flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Patrick E. Frye, Joseph P. Carroll, James M. Shoji