Patents by Inventor Philip K. Panicker

Philip K. Panicker 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).

  • Patent number: 8127533
    Abstract: The system and method described herein uses a hybrid pulsed detonation engine (PDE) system to drive a turbine that powers an electric generator. The combustion chamber of the PDE is shaped in a helical form, so that the external length of the section is reduced, while maintaining the distance for acceleration to detonation. This allows the achievement of deflagration to detonation transition without the help of turbulence enhancing obstacles, while keeping the overall size of the detonation tube small. The PDE output can be scaled by: increasing the cross sectional area of the detonation chamber; increasing the number of detonation tubes; and increasing the frequency of operation of the PDE. The replacement of conventional deflagrative internal combustion engines, including gas turbines and reciprocating engines, with pulsed detonation engines for electric power generation, may provide fuel savings and have a lower environmental impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Frank K. Lu, Philip K. Panicker, Donald R. Wilson, Jiun-Ming Li
  • Patent number: 7958732
    Abstract: A method of rotating a crank shaft and in internal detonation engine are provided. The internal detonation engine comprises a deflagration to detonation transition section. The deflagration to detonation transition section is connected to a main cylinder, which houses a piston. Inducing a detonation wave from the deflagration wave and passing the detonation wave through a fluid, gives rise to high pressure and temperature in a cylinder and pushes a piston towards bottom dead center. An internal detonation reciprocating engine may be a single cylinder and may be either a two or four stroke engine. A two-stroke internal detonation reciprocating engine is similar to a four-stroke internal detonation reciprocating engine but has different valve placements. Detonations produce a more thorough combustion of the fuel and may, thereby, yield reduced emissions of carbon monoxide as compared to internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Frank K. Lu, Philip K. Panicker, Donald R. Wilson, Jiun-Ming Li
  • Publication number: 20090320812
    Abstract: A method of rotating a crank shaft and in internal detonation engine are provided. The internal detonation engine comprises a deflagration to detonation transition section. The deflagration to detonation transition section is connected to a main cylinder, which houses a piston. Inducing a detonation wave from the deflagration wave and passing the detonation wave through a fluid, gives rise to high pressure and temperature in a cylinder and pushes a piston towards bottom dead center. An internal detonation reciprocating engine may be a single cylinder and may be either a two or four stroke engine. A two-stroke internal detonation reciprocating engine is similar to a four-stroke internal detonation reciprocating engine but has different valve placements. Detonations produce a more thorough combustion of the fuel and may, thereby, yield reduced emissions of carbon monoxide as compared to internal combustion engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Frank K. Lu, Philip K. Panicker, Donald R. Wilson, Jiun-Ming Li
  • Publication number: 20090322102
    Abstract: The system and method described herein uses a hybrid pulsed detonation engine (PDE) system to drive a turbine that powers an electric generator. The combustion chamber of the PDE is shaped in a helical form, so that the external length of the section is reduced, while maintaining the distance for acceleration to detonation. This allows the achievement of deflagration to detonation transition without the help of turbulence enhancing obstacles, while keeping the overall size of the detonation tube small. The PDE output can be scaled by: increasing the cross sectional area of the detonation chamber; increasing the number of detonation tubes; and increasing the frequency of operation of the PDE. The replacement of conventional deflagrative internal combustion engines, including gas turbines and reciprocating engines, with pulsed detonation engines for electric power generation, may provide fuel savings and have a lower environmental impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Frank K. Lu, Philip K. Panicker, Donald R. Wilson, Jiun-Ming Li
  • Publication number: 20090126343
    Abstract: A method of rotating a crank shaft and in internal detonation engine are provided. The internal detonation engine comprises a deflagration to detonation transition section. The deflagration to detonation transition section is connected to a main cylinder, which houses a piston. Inducing a detonation wave from the deflagration wave and passing the detonation wave through a fluid, gives rise to high pressure and temperature in a cylinder and pushes a piston towards bottom dead center. An internal detonation reciprocating engine may be a single cylinder and may be either a two or four stroke engine. A two-stroke internal detonation reciprocating engine is similar to a four-stroke internal detonation reciprocating engine but has different valve placements. Detonations produce a more thorough combustion of the fuel and may, thereby, yield reduced emissions of carbon monoxide as compared to internal combustion engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Frank K. Lu, Philip K. Panicker, Donald R. Wilson, Wei-Hsiang Lai, Jiun-Ming Li
  • Publication number: 20090102203
    Abstract: The system and method described herein uses a hybrid pulsed detonation engine (PDE) system to drive a turbine that powers an electric generator. The combustion chamber of the PDE is shaped in a helical form, so that the external length of the section is reduced, while maintaining the distance for acceleration to detonation. This allows the achievement of deflagration to detonation transition without the help of turbulence enhancing obstacles, while keeping the overall size of the detonation tube small. The PDE output can be scaled by: increasing the cross sectional area of the detonation chamber; increasing the number of detonation tubes; and increasing the frequency of operation of the PDE. The replacement of conventional deflagrative internal combustion engines, including gas turbines and reciprocating engines, with pulsed detonation engines for electric power generation, may provide fuel savings and have a lower environmental impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Frank K. Lu, Philip K. Panicker, Donald R. Wilson, Wei-Hsiang Lai, Jiun-Ming Li