Abstract: An annular elastomer is provided in a housing orifice that does not require a large force for deformation. This makes possible a solenoid-type actuator that provides a large displacement of the elastomer, thus allowing higher and lower rates of gas flow through a gas line.

Abstract: High-temperature superconductive devices and assemblies are provided. According to one embodiment, a high-temperature superconductive device includes a superconducting substrate and a dielectric ceramic insulator. The superconducting substrate comprises a superconducting material having superconductive properties above about 60 K. The dielectric ceramic insulator is applied to the superconducting substrate. The dielectric ceramic insulator comprises a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.2 W/cm-K at a temperature ranging from about 60 K to about 90 K and has a grain size of at least about 2 microns. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An annular elastomer is provided in a housing orifice that does not require a large force for deformation. This makes possible a solenoid-type actuator that provides a large displacement of the elastomer, thus allowing higher and lower rates of gas flow through a gas line.

Abstract: Thermal transfer devices according to the present invention comprise electrocaloric materials that increase in temperature upon application of an applied voltage thereto and decrease in temperature upon removal of the applied voltage. In specific embodiments of the present invention, the electrocaloric materials, described in further detail below, are configured such that the respective increases and decreases in temperature of the electrocaloric material extend from about ?10° C. to about 50° C. As a result, thermal transfer devices according to the present invention are suitable for use in a wide variety of practical refrigeration applications. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract will not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A combined oxygen and NOx sensor is provided. Generally, the combined sensor employs a sensor body that includes two different types of electrodes—oxygen-porous electrode layers and dissociative oxygen-porous electrode layers. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor comprises a sensor body, an oxygen content electrical signal output, and a NOx content electrical signal output. The sensor body is disposed in the gas and comprises a plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers and a plurality of dissociative oxygen-porous electrode layers. The dissociative oxygen-porous electrode layers comprise a material selected to catalyze dissociation of NOx into nitrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A capacitive energy storage device is provided with specialized dielectric materials. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a multilayer structure capacitive energy storage device is provided with a plurality of electrode layers and a plurality of dielectric layers. Respective ones of the dielectric layers are interposed between a selected pair of the plurality of electrode layers. The dielectric layers include a combination of materials as follows PbMgxNbyOz+SrTiO3.

Abstract: A low cost amperometric oxygen sensor which utilizes a plurality of oxygen ion conductor layers interposed between a plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers is provided. Oxygen from a sample gas enters the sensor at porous cathode electrodes, is pumped through the ion conductor layers, and exits through the anode electrodes. The amperometric current generated is representative of the partial pressure of oxygen in the sample gas. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an amperometric oxygen sensor is provided for determining the oxygen partial pressure of a gas. The sensor comprises a sensor body defined by a plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers and at least one oxygen ion conductor layer. The plurality of oxygen-porous electrode layers include at least one cathode layer and at least one anode layer. Each of the cathode layers define first and second major cathode surfaces and each of the anode layers defining first and second major anode surfaces.

Abstract: A capacitive energy storage device is provided including a specialized dielectric material. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a capacitive energy storage device is provided including a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a layer of dielectric material positioned between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The dielectric material comprises a ceramic composition comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component comprises Lead Magnesium Niobate, and wherein the second component comprises Strontium Titanate.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb nitrogen purification device is provided including a source gas, a set of gaseous nitrogen passages, a set of oxygen disposal passages, an electroded oxygen conducting ceramic membrane, an electrical power source, an oxygen sensor, and nitrogen purification control circuitry. The source gas includes gaseous nitrogen. The set of gaseous nitrogen passages defines respective source nitrogen input openings and purified nitrogen output openings. The set of oxygen disposal passages defines disposed oxygen output openings, wherein a plurality of the gaseous nitrogen passages are exclusively dedicated to individual ones of the oxygen disposal passages.

Abstract: An oxygen generating system includes an oxygen generator having an oxygen ion conducting honeycomb structure and a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the oxygen generator. The system also includes a heater thermally coupled to the oxygen generator and a control module coupled to the oxygen generator and the heater. The control module monitors one or more of the system parameters and dynamically controls the oxygen generating system in response to the one or more system parameters such as, for example, varying the speed of a draft fan in the outlet waste air stream. A method of operating an oxygen generating system includes initializing the oxygen generating system in response to an operation status request and generating oxygen in an oxygen ion conducting honeycomb structure in response to a desired oxygen flow rate input.

Abstract: The present invention is an oxygen generator including a stabilized bismuth oxide body and a plurality of first and second channels. The first channels receive a first gas containing some oxygen and the second channels are sealed at the input and outlet openings and extend generally in parallel to the first channels. Electrodes are disposed on the channel walls of the first and second channels, the electrode composition includes LXM, wherein L is lanthanum, M is manganate, and X is strontium, calcium, lead or barium. The oxygen generator may further include silver disposed over the LXM which thereby decreases the resistivity of the electrodes without the electromigration of the silver. The silver may be mixed with glass to thereby provide improved adherence of the silver to the LXM. A method of making an oxygen generator includes forming a stabilized bismuth oxide body having channels extending therethrough and forming LXM electrodes in the channels.

Abstract: The present invention includes an oxygen generator having a ceramic honeycomb body. The honeycomb body includes one or more oxygen collection channels which extend laterally across a plurality of second channels in which oxygen is generated via the conduction of oxygen ions from a source gas residing in or passing through a plurality of first channels. The oxygen collection channels are located either positionally along a face of the generator, on one longitudinal end of the generator or are staggered about the side face such that the oxygen collection channels do not substantially impact the structural integrity of the honeycomb body. In addition, a method in which a honeycomb body having oxygen collection channels at its face includes extruding a ceramic body and forming one or more channels at a face of the extruded body. The method further includes forming electrodes within the body and sealing selected channels for the collection of oxygen.

Abstract: The composite insulation coating consists of a mixture of glass and ceramic oxide(s), coated onto a wire by conventional wire enameling techniques followed by heat treatment at 600.degree.-850.degree. C. The enamel when initially applied, the "green" coat slurry, consists of four components: (1) the glass, (2) an inorganic filler (ceramic oxide powder, (3) an organic binder and (4) an organic solvent. The glasses can be selected from several commercial glasses (Corning 7570 and 7050) as well as Westinghouse glasses A-508, M 3072 and M 3073. None of these glasses contain lead or boron, allowing for nuclear applications. Suitable ceramic fillers are alumina, and the CeramPhysics, Inc. ceramics SC1C and SC1A. Organic binder materials and solvents are used. It is preferable that a copper wire to be coated with Ni, Inconel or Cr prior to coating with the subject insulation. For superconductors, the brittle nature of Nb.sub.3 Sn wire and the high reaction temperature (.about.700.degree. C.

Abstract: A solid state apparatus for regulating the flow of fluids in general, and natural gas, in particular, is provided. The solid state apparatus includes an actuator made of electrostrictive, magnetostrictive or piezoelectric material. The actuator displaces upon application of an electric field to vary the compression on an elastomer having an orifice, thereby varying the amount of elastomeric material extruded into the orifice. Fluid flow through the regulator is thereby controlled. A system for regulating the flow of gas integrates the regulator with a sensor to detect a gas characteristic, such as gas partial pressure, and send control signals to control the operation of the regulator. The solid-state gas regulator is capable of low cost production and operation and suitable for electronic feedback control.

Abstract: The need for high current, high field, low loss, stable superconductors has led to the development of multifilamentary Nb.sub.3 Sn as the most promising candidate for use in superconducting machines. However, the brittle nature of Nb.sub.3 Sn and the high reaction temperature (.about.700.degree. C.) required to form it preclude the use of standard organic insulation systems. A recently developed class of high temperature dielectric materials which are characterized by unusually large specific heats and thermal conductivities at cryogenic temperatures offers the opportunity of providing increased enthalpy stabilization in a superconducting winding, as well as the required dielectric strength. The inorganic insulation system consists of a composite glass and ceramic powder vitrified at a temperature which coincides with the superconducting formation temperature of 600.degree.-800.degree. C.

Abstract: An oxygen generator having a honeycomb body made of oxygen ion conducting material separates oxygen from a first gas, such as air. The honeycomb body has a plurality of generally parallel first and second channels coated with a layer of porous metal conductor which serve as electrodes. The first and second channels are arranged in alternating rows across the face of the honeycomb and the respective electrodes therein are oppositely charged by connection to a voltage source. Oxygen ions from a first gas in the first channels are caused to tranit across the channel walls to the second channels under an applied voltage. Oxygen generated in the second channels may be collected in a manifold through a set of third channels which intersect the sealed second channels, and used in applications such as home breathing apparatus'. Additional features are included in the honeycomb body and in the design of manifolds to facilitate the supply of a first gas and collection of oxygen.

Abstract: An electrical conductor particularly suited for use as a downlead to low temperature devices includes a ceramic honeycomb body having longitudinal channels wherein films of substantially single crystals of a ceramic superconductor are grown. The maximum current carrying capacity of the ceramic superconductor may be oriented parallel to the channels. Square channels arranged in alternating rows of oppositely directed current provide desirable magnetic field cancellations and permit high current flows. A method for making the electrical conductor and a method of extruding the ceramic honeycomb body are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nonlinear resistor which exhibits substantial temperature independence over a wide range of temperatures, including low temperatures, is provided. The resistor is formed of a zinc oxide-based ceramic composition which exhibits nonlinear voltage/current characteristics and is essentially unafffected by magnetic fields. The nonlinear resistor provides protection for electrical devices in a circuit from voltage surges and/or transients. In a preferred form, the resistor is manufactured as a multilayer capacitor-type device.

Abstract: Improved ferroelectric ceramic electrooptical substrate materials are provided for use in electrooptic devices utilizing millimeter wavelengths. The ferroelectric ceramics are characterized by transition temperatures in the range of 50-90 K and are selected from the following families of compositions: (1) (Ba.sub.x Sr.sub.1-x) TiO.sub.3, and (2) (Pb.sub.y Cd.sub.1-y).sub.2 (Ta.sub.z Nb.sub.1-z).sub.2 O.sub.7 ; where x is greater than 0 and less than 1, and y and z are numbers in the range of from 0 to 1.

Abstract: A capacitive energy storage device is provided utilizing a ferroelectric pyrochlore ceramic material as the dielectric. The preferred ceramic material has the formula:(Cd.sub.1-x Pb.sub.x).sub.2 (Nb.sub.1-y Ta.sub.y).sub.2 O.sub.7,where x and y are numbers in the range of from 0 to 1. Other ceramic materials used in the invention are the non-pyrochlore ceramic material (Sr.sub.1-a Ba.sub.a)TiO.sub.3 or the non-pyrochlore ceramic material (Pb.sub.1-b Ni.sub.b).sub.3 MgNb.sub.2 O.sub.9. These ceramic materials exhibit large dielectric constants at temperatures in the range of 50.degree.-90.degree. K.