Sealed Cartridge Encapsulating Heating Element And Fuel

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which a replaceable cartridge is utilized to generate heat energy. The replaceable cartridge is a sealed, unitary body that encloses both fuel and a ceramic body in which the energy-generating reaction takes place. Such devices and systems are re-fueled by replacement of the spent replaceable cartridge, the contents of which can be recovered and recycled.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/955,666 filed on Mar. 19, 2014. This and all other referenced extrinsic materials are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in a reference that is incorporated by reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein is deemed to be controlling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is heat and power sources.

BACKGROUND

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

The production of heat energy has been historically accomplished directly or indirectly by the burning or oxidation of chemical fuel or by nuclear energy, specifically fission. While the use of combustible fuels is convenient, this practice consumes increasingly scarce fuel resources while generating greenhouse gases. Nuclear energy via fission has the disadvantage of utilizing dangerous radioactive elements as “fuel” while generating hazardous and long-lived nuclear waste.

Attempts have been made to utilize materials that have an affinity for hydrogen to facilitate production of heat using hydrogen as an energy source. For example, European Patent No. EP 0767962B1 (to Piantelli) describes a device that utilizes an electrode that receives and sequesters a hydrogen isotope within the crystalline lattice structure of the electrode material under the influence of a magnetic field. Subsequent heating of the material results in the initiation of a fusion reaction. Unfortunately operation of the device requires a constant stream of potentially dangerous hydrogen fuel, the available reaction area of such an electrode arrangement is limited, and there is no provision for control of the resulting reaction. All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

Previously, the Applicants have pioneered new and novel heating elements as disclosed in co-owned U.S. patent application publication 2011/0300002 (to Cravens et al). These utilize a hydrogen permeable ceramic matrix that includes metallic particles that have an affinity for hydrogen and/or hydrogen isotopes, and imbedded driver and control elements.

Thus, there is still a need for devices, systems, and methods that provide energy from a hydrogen fuel while both providing for replenishment of the fuel and minimizing or eliminating the risk of environmental release of the fuel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a sealed, unitary cartridge enclosing both fuel and a porous ceramic element that interacts with a fuel species are provided for heat generation. Fuel cannot be added to or removed from the sealed cartridge without modification of the sealed cartridge.

One embodiment of the inventive concept is a cartridge for use in a heat generating device, where the cartridge includes a fuel species, a porous ceramic element that permits a flow of the fuel species through all or part of the ceramic element, and a sealed housing that encloses both the fuel species and the ceramic element. The sealed housing prevents flow of matter to and from the interior of the housing. In some embodiments the ceramic element also includes a dopant (for example, nickel, palladium, transition metals, and/or other metallic materials), which can be in the form of one or more nanocrystals. In preferred embodiments the fuel species (for example, a hydrogen isotope) is responsive to a magnetic field, and electrical field, or both magnetic and electrical fields.

Another embodiment of the inventive concept is a heat generating device that includes a field generator that generates a control field, a cartridge interface that is configured to secure at least part of a sealed cartridge as described above within at least part of a control field generated by the field generator, and a controller that is in communication with the field generator and that modulates the control field. In some embodiments the control field is a magnetic field, in other embodiments the control field is an electrical field, and in still other embodiments the control field includes both magnetic and electrical elements. In a preferred embodiment the heat generating device also includes a pre-heating unit that is positioned to provide heat to a sealed cartridge that is held in the cartridge interface.

Another embodiment of the inventive concept is an energy generating system that includes a field generator that generates a control field, a cartridge interface that is configured to secure at least part of a sealed cartridge as described above within at least part of such a control field, a controller that is in communication with the field generator and that modulates the control field, and a temperature sensor that is positioned to provide temperature data related to a sealed cartridge as described above when such a cartridge is engaged in the cartridge interface. In such an embodiment the controller includes a processor that modulates the control field in response to data from the temperature sensor. Such a system can include a pre-heating unit, which can also be controlled by the controller, that is positioned to provide heat to a sealed cartridge when it is engaged in the cartridge interface. In some embodiments the system includes a heat engine that is configured and positioned to receive heat from a sealed cartridge when it is engaged in the cartridge interface.

Another embodiment of the inventive concept is a method for generating heat that includes providing a sealed cartridge as described above, engaging the sealed cartridge with a cartridge interface that positions at least part of the cartridge within at least part of a control field (the fuel species within the sealed cartridge being responsive to the control field), and modulating the control field to cause a flow of the fuel species through at least part of the ceramic element enclosed within the cartridge. In such an embodiment a spent sealed cartridge can be removed when all or part of the fuel species is exhausted, and replaced with a new sealed cartridge in order to continue generating heat. In a preferred embodiment, reaction products derived from the fuel species are recovered from a spent fuel cartridge.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a cartridge of the inventive concept, with a housing that encloses a ceramic element and a fuel species.

FIG. 1B shows an alternative embodiment of a cartridge of the inventive concept, with a housing that encloses a ceramic element, a fuel species, and a non-fuel species.

FIG. 2A shows a device of the inventive concept, having a replaceable cartridge, cartridge interface, a field generator, and a controller that is in communication with the field generator.

FIG. 2B shows a device of the inventive concept as in FIG. 2A, where a control field generated by the field generator has induced a flow of the fuel species.

FIG. 2C shows a device of the inventive concept as in FIG. 2A, where a control field generated by the field generator has induced a change in distribution of the fuel species.

FIG. 3 shows a system of the inventive concept, including a replaceable cartridge, cartridge interface, field generator, temperature sensor, and a controller that modulates the field generator in response to data from the temperature sensor.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of an example of a replaceable cartridge of the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Devices, systems, and methods of the inventive concept provide a sealed, unitary cartridge that encloses both fuel (in the form of a fuel species) and a porous ceramic element that interacts with the fuel species to produce heat and reaction products. Such cartridges are provided containing a fixed amount of fuel that cannot be replenished without modification of the sealed cartridge. A cartridge of the inventive concept can be inserted or otherwise mounted in a device or system that provides control fields, pre-heaters, control systems, and other features that support generation of heat energy by the sealed cartridge. Upon exhaustion of all or part of the fuel the spent cartridge can be removed and replaced with a new cartridge in order to provide continued operation. In preferred embodiments of the inventive concept the spent cartridge can be processed in order to recover reaction products and recycle components such as the porous ceramic element and/or catalyst materials.

One should appreciate that a replaceable cartridge of the inventive concept provides for safe and convenient containment of both fuel species and products from generation of energy using such fuel species, while still permitting convenient replenishment of fuel through exchange of spent cartridges.

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously. In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

One embodiment of the inventive concept is a sealed, unitary cartridge, an example of which is schematically depicted in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. Such a sealed unitary cartridge 100A, 100B includes a housing 110 that encloses both fuel (in the form of a fuel species 130) and a porous ceramic body 120 that interacts with the fuel to provide heat, isolating the fuel and the ceramic body from the external environment. Fuel, reaction products, and/or other matter cannot be added to or removed from the sealed cartridge without modification of the cartridge, for example by cutting, drilling, scoring, or otherwise compromising the integrity of the housing.

Such a housing 110 can be made from any material with suitable hardness and heat resistance. Suitable materials include glass (such as low thermal expansion borosilicate glass, alkali-aluminosilicate glass, fused quartz, and/or lithium aluminosilicate glass) and glass ceramics. Other suitable materials include metals, such as stainless steel, tungsten, and titanium. In some embodiments the housing has a composite structure, with an outer layer providing durability and resistance to breakage and an inner layer providing heat resistance and a suitable environment for the heat generating reaction. In preferred embodiments, the housing is at least partially permeable to control fields that are applied to the sealed cartridge. In some embodiments of the inventive concept the housing can include components of a field generating device that is used to generate control fields used to modulate the heat generating reaction.

The housing 110 of the sealed cartridge can be of any suitable shape that serves to enclose the desired quantity of fuel species and the porous ceramic body, while supporting the application of suitable control fields to the contents of the cartridge. For example, the housing can be in the form of a sphere, a cylinder, an ovoid, a torus, or a polyhedral solid. A housing of the inventive concept can also include features that interact with a cartridge interface. For example, a housing can include internal or external threads, projections (for example pins, posts, tabs, etc.), indentations (for example, slots, grooves, circular or square indentations, etc.), and/or similar features that engage complementary features of a cartridge interface.

In some embodiments a housing 110 can include man and/or machine-readable indicia that provide information related to the sealed cartridge. Such information can include energy capacity (for example, amount of fuel species contained therein and/or size of the porous ceramic body), identity of compatible support equipment, date of manufacture, lot number, a unique identifier, and so on. Suitable indicia include legible print, 2D and 3D bar codes, and/or RFID devices. In some embodiments the indicia includes an addressable memory, and can store information related to date and time of use, duration of use, and amount of energy capacity consumed. In some embodiments of the inventive concept the indicia can prevent a system or device designed for use of such sealed cartridges from initiating energy generation from a sealed cartridge. For example, if the indicia indicates that the sealed cartridge contains insufficient fuel species, a system or device in which the sealed cartridge is mounted will fail to initiate energy generation using the cartridge. Similarly, if a sealed cartridge indicated by the attached indicia as intended for use in a particular device or system is altered for use in a different device or system, energy generation will not be initiated.

As noted above, the housing of the sealed cartridge 100A, 100B encloses a fuel, which can be in the form of a fluid or other species capable of flow under operating conditions (for example, a gas, liquid, plasma, and/or suspension). Such a fuel includes a fuel species 130 that is consumed during a heat generating reaction, and in some embodiments (as depicted in FIG. 1B) can also include a non-fuel species 140 that does not directly participate in a heat generating reaction. The amount of fuel species that is provided can differ between different sealed cartridges of the inventive concept, for example to provide sealed cartridges with different energy outputs and/or different longevities. In preferred embodiments of the inventive concept the fuel species 130 is selected to be responsive to a magnetic and/or electrical control field, thus permitting manipulation of the fuel species within the sealed cartridge. For example, a magnetically-responsive fuel species can be selected to permit generation of flow and/or generation of one or more localized region(s) of high and/or low fuel density within the sealed cartridge using a magnetic field or a magnetic/electrical field. Similarly, an electrically-responsive fuel species can be selected to permit generation of flow and/or generation of regions of high fuel density within the sealed cartridge using an electrical field or a magnetic/electrical field. Alternatively, a non-fuel species 140 component of the fuel can be responsive to control fields, and used to manipulate the flow or distribution of a fuel species that is not responsive (or has less than the desired response) to a control field and is suspended within the non-fuel species. In some embodiments of the inventive concept, a non-fuel species is provided that does not respond to a control field. For example, such a non-responsive, non-fuel species can be utilized to provide a desired internal operating pressure or gas density. In some embodiments, such a non-fuel species can be a product of the energy-producing reaction. In preferred embodiments the fuel species is a hydrogen isotope, for example hydrogen, deuterium, and/or tritium, and can be in the form of a plasma, elemental composition (for example, H₂, D₂, HD, etc.), ion, salt, or compound.

Cartridges of the inventive concept can enclose one or more porous ceramic body(ies) 120. A ceramic body of the inventive concept can be porous, with a porosity selected to permit the fuel to move through it. Towards this end the porous ceramic body can be composed of or include a zeolite. A porous ceramic body can have any suitable shape, including a disc, a torus, a sphere, a cylinder, a cube, a rectangular prism, or a polyhedral solid. In some embodiments the ceramic body is a solid, monolithic body. In other embodiments the porous ceramic body can include one or more a lumen(s) or other interior cavity(ies), and can be configured such that a fuel species can move between an interior lumen or cavity and the exterior of the ceramic body. For example, a porous ceramic body can be formed as a hollow cylinder, such that in use the fuel species travels from the interior or lumen of the hollow cylinder to the exterior by moving through the wall of the cylindrical porous body. Alternatively, in other such embodiments the fuel species can flow from the exterior to the interior cavity (i.e. lumen) of such a porous ceramic body. In preferred embodiments the porous ceramic body is in the form of a disc or a torus.

A porous ceramic body 120 of the inventive concept can include a dopant within or on the ceramic matrix that serves to potentiate and/or catalyze the energy generating reaction. Such dopants can be introduced into a porous ceramic body in any suitable manner, including infusion and vapor deposition. Alternatively, the dopant can be incorporated into the ceramic matrix during production of the ceramic body. In some embodiments the dopant is distributed throughout the ceramic body. In other embodiments the dopant has a localized distribution on or in the ceramic body. For example, a dopant can be localized at or near the surface or a portion of the surface of a ceramic body. In preferred embodiments of the inventive concept the dopant is present in the form of a particulate, such as a nanocrystal. Suitable dopants include metal and/or metallic catalysts, such as nickel, palladium, and/or transition elements. In a preferred embodiment the dopant is one or more palladium nanocrystals.

In some embodiments the porous ceramic body can incorporate or be constructed of temperature responsive materials. In such embodiments the temperature responsive materials are selected to modify the reaction rate within the replaceable cartridge, for example slowing or halting the reaction if the temperature of the replaceable cartridge exceeds a predetermined limit. In some embodiments the temperature response is reversible. For example, the permeability of the porous ceramic body to the fuel species can be reduced due to the actions of a temperature responsive material when the temperature exceeds a predetermined limit. In such embodiments, performance of the replaceable cartridge can be restored, either completely or partially, as the temperature drops below the predetermined limit. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the inventive concept the actions of the temperature responsive material are not reversible. For example, in some embodiments the porous ceramic body can deform or fracture in such a way as to permanently degrade or even eliminate energy generation by the replaceable cartridge when a temperature limit is exceeded. It should be appreciated that such features can act as a safety feature, to prevent unintentional and/or intentional instances of exceeding performance limitations of a replaceable cartridge and related devices and systems.

Another embodiment of the inventive concept is a device that can utilize cartridges described above as replaceable units for the purpose of heat generation. Such devices can include features that support the heat-generating reaction that occurs within the sealed cartridge. A typical device is shown schematically in FIG. 2A. The device 200 includes a replaceable, sealed cartridge with a housing 210, a ceramic body 220 and fuel species 230 sealed within. A cartridge interface 240 is provided that serves to secure the cartridge in position. The configuration of such an interface is dependent upon the configuration of the corresponding cartridge, with which it is at least partially complementary. For example, a cartridge interface can include complementary threading, spring loaded pins or tabs that engage surface indentations of the replaceable cartridge, grooves or channels that engage tabs or other projections of the replaceable cartridge, etc. Alternatively, the cartridge interface can utilize clamps, springs, and/or other friction-based devices to clasp and secure a surface of the replaceable cartridge.

A device of the inventive concept can also include one or more field generator(s) 250, which is(are) configured to generate a control field that can be used to manipulate the fuel species 230 within the cartridge. In the schematically depicted device a single, toroidal field generator that encircles the cartridge is shown in cross section, however other geometries are contemplated. Suitable alternative generator geometries include one or more coils that encircle an inserted replaceable cartridge, one or more helical coils positioned adjacent to an inserted replaceable cartridge, two or more plates positioned adjacent to an inserted replaceable cartridge, and a partially enclosed generator having a cavity that is at least partially occupied by an inserted replaceable cartridge. The cartridge interface 240 is positioned such that when a cartridge is engaged with it at least some of the fuel species 230 within the cartridge are within a control field produced by the field generator 250. Suitable control fields include magnetic fields, electrical fields, and combined electrical and magnetic fields. Towards that end a field generator can include a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, a conductive coil, or a combination of these.

The field generator 250 is in communication 275 with a controller 270. Such communication can be through a physical connection (for example a wired or fiber optic connection) or a wireless connection. The controller can be local to the device, or can be located at a distance, and can include a processor. The controller 270 is configured to drive the field generator to produce and/or modulate a control field or fields that manipulate the fuel species in the desired fashion, and can include a processor 272 that stores and/or carries out instructions for such modulation. For example, a control field can be generated in the form of a series sinusoidal wave or other rhythmic or repeating pattern that serves to induce flow and/or impose a non-random distribution on the fuel species. For example, the controller 270 can drive the field generator 250 to induce a flow of fuel species 230 through the ceramic body 220, as shown in FIG. 2B. Alternatively (or additionally), the controller 270 can drive the field generator 250 to produce a control field that induces a non-random distribution of fuel species 230 that concentrates the fuels species within the ceramic body, as shown in FIG. 2C.

A device of the inventive concept can also include one or more pre-heating devices (see 260 of FIG. 2A). Such a pre-heating device is in thermal communication with the replaceable cartridge when it is secured in the cartridge interface 240, and serves to bring the replaceable cartridge up to an operating temperature prior to initiation of the energy generating reaction. It should be appreciated that the pre-heating device can be partially or completely de-energized following initiation of the pre-heating reaction. Thermal communication can be provided by contact, irradiation, convection, or can be through an intermediary device such as a heat pipe.

It should be appreciated that a given feature of the device 200 can, in some embodiments, incorporate multiple functions. For example, a cartridge interface 240 can include components of a field generator 250. Similarly, a cartridge interface 240 can incorporate components of a pre-heater 260. In some embodiments, a cartridge interface 240 can incorporate components of both a field generator 250 and a pre-heater 260.

Another embodiment of the inventive concept is a system that utilizes a sealed, replaceable cartridge as described above. An example of such a system is depicted schematically in FIG. 3. In such a system 300, a replaceable cartridge that encloses and/or encapsulates a housing 310, a porous ceramic body 320, and a fuel species 330 can be engaged by a cartridge interface 340. The cartridge interface 340 is positioned to secure the replaceable cartridge such that at least a portion of it is exposed to at least part of a control field generated by a field generator 350. Such a system 300 can include a sensor 380, for example a temperature sensor, that provides data related to the production of energy within the replaceable cartridge. Suitable sensors include a thermocouple, an infrared sensor, and/or a radiation sensor. The sensor 380 can provide a data feed 385 to a controller 370, which in turn can utilize this data to transmit a signal 375 or otherwise control the field generator 350, modulating the control field to provide control of the energy producing reaction, and can include a processor 372 that stores and/or carries out instructions for such modulation. Such a system 300 can also include a pre-heater, which can serve to raise the temperature of the replaceable cartridge and assist in initiating an energy producing reaction.

It should be appreciated that a feature of the system 300 can, in some embodiments, incorporate multiple functions. For example, a cartridge interface 340 can include components of a field generator 350. Similarly, a cartridge interface 340 can incorporate components of a pre-heater 360. In still other embodiments, a cartridge interface can incorporate components of the sensor 380. In some embodiments, a cartridge interface 340 can incorporate components of a field generator 350, a pre-heater 360, and/or a sensor 380.

An example of a sealed, replaceable cartridge of the inventive concept is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the replaceable cartridge 400 includes an impermeable housing 410, in this example constructed from heat-resistant glass. The housing 410 encloses and is sealed around a porous body 420, which in this instance is a zirconium/ceramic wafer in the form of a disc. In this example the porous body 420 has been doped with palladium, in the form of approximately 170 μg of palladium nanocrystals. A fuel species 430, in this instance D₂ gas, is also sealed within the housing 410 with the porous ceramic body 420. A filling stem 440 is shown, which was used for initial evacuation and subsequent fueling of the enclosure 410 prior to heat sealing of the enclosure. Such a replaceable cartridge was found to generate a maximum output of approximately 60 mW of heat energy and a sustained output of approximately 30 mW of heat energy when introduced to a system that included a pre-heater in the form of a temperature controlled chamber, a field generator configured to produce magnetic fields that were modulated by a controller having a processor, and a thermocouple that provided temperature data to the controller.

In some embodiments of the inventive concept, the system includes a heat engine that is thermally coupled to the replaceable cartridge. For example, heat generated by a replaceable cartridge can be utilized to heat and/or expand a working fluid, provide energy for a phase transition (for example from liquid to gas), be converted to electrical energy (for example, using a thermocouple), and/or be converted into mechanical work (for example, using a Sterling engine).

It should be appreciated that systems of the inventive concept can include two or more replaceable cartridges, and that such embodiments can incorporate multiple support devices (i.e. cartridge interfaces, field generators, pre-heaters, sensors, etc.) to accommodate multiple replaceable cartridges. In such multi-cartridge devices individual cartridges can be arranged in a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional array in order to optimize accessibility and space. In some embodiments of the inventive concept, a single controller can be used to control energy production from two or more replaceable cartridges, for example controlling and coordinating heat production to compensate for different states of fuel depletion between replaceable cartridges or to produce a desired distribution of heat production within the system.

Another embodiment of the inventive concept is a method for generating heat energy using a replaceable cartridge. In such a method a replaceable cartridge that includes a housing that encloses or encapsulates a porous ceramic body and a fuel species is provided. The replaceable cartridge is engaged with a cartridge interface, which is positioned so that the at least part of the engaged cartridge is held within at least part of a control field to which the fuel species is responsive. Responses of a fuel species to a control field include the induction of flow and/or changes in distribution (for example, forming one or more areas of local concentration). Such a control field can be produced by a field generator, which is in turn controlled by a controller. Modulation of the control field can, for example, induce flow of a fuel species through a porous ceramic body within the replaceable cartridge, which can serve to induce the energy producing reaction.

In some embodiments methods of the inventive concept a replaceable cartridge is removed from the cartridge interface when all or a portion of the fuel species has been consumed. The spent replaceable cartridge can then be replaced by a fresh replaceable cartridge and heat energy production resumed. In some embodiments the heat generating capability of a system employing the method can be changed by replacing a first replaceable cartridge with a second replaceable cartridge having a different configuration. For example, the heat generating capacity of a system could be increased by replacing a spent replaceable cartridge with a new replaceable cartridge having a porous ceramic body that supports a higher reaction rate (for example, by having a different geometry, greater degree of porosity, a different degree of doping, and/or a different dopant composition) than that of the spent replaceable cartridge.

It should be appreciated that spent replaceable cartridges are not necessarily simply discarded, but can be harvested for potentially valuable reaction products (for example helium and/or tritium). Additionally, a porous ceramic body from a spent replaceable cartridge can be re-used or recycled to recover valuable materials (for example nickel or palladium).

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

Claims

1. A cartridge for use in a heat generating device, comprising:

a fuel species that is responsive to a control field;

a porous ceramic element configured to permit a flow of the fuel species through at least a portion of the element; and

a sealed, unitary housing configured to enclose the fuel species and the ceramic element and to prevent a flow of matter to and from the interior of the sealed housing.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the ceramic element further comprises a dopant.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the dopant is in the form of one or more nanocrystals.

4. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the dopant is selected from the group consisting of nickel, palladium, and a transition element.

5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the control field comprises a magnetic field.

6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the control field comprises an electrical field.

7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the fuel is a hydrogen isotope.

8. A heat generating device comprising:

a field generator configured to generate a control field;

a cartridge interface configured to reversibly secure a sealed cartridge within the control field, wherein the sealed cartridge encloses a fuel species and a porous ceramic element; and

a controller that is communicatively coupled to the field generator and that is configured to modulate the control field.

9. The heat generating device of claim 8, wherein the control field comprises a magnetic field.

10. The heat generating device of claim 8, wherein the control field comprises an electrical field.

11. The heat generating device of claim 8, wherein the fuel is a hydrogen isotope.

12. The heat generating device of claim 8, wherein the porous ceramic element comprises a dopant.

13. The heat generating device of claim 8, further comprising a pre-heating unit.

14. An energy generating system, comprising:

a field generator configured to generate a control field, a cartridge interface configured to reversibly secure a sealed cartridge within the control field, wherein the sealed cartridge encloses a porous ceramic element and a fuel species that is responsive to the control field; a controller that is communicatively coupled to the field generator and that is configured to modulate the control field; and a temperature sensor that is in thermal communication with the sealed cartridge when the sealed cartridge is engaged with the cartridge interface and that is communicatively coupled with the controller, wherein the controller comprises a processor that is configured to transmit a signal to the field generator to modulate the control field in response to temperature data transmitted to the controller from the temperature sensor.

15. The energy generating system of claim 14, further comprising a pre-heating unit, wherein the pre-heating unit is in thermal communication with the sealed cartridge when the sealed cartridge is engaged with the cartridge interface.

16. The energy generating system of claim 15, wherein the pre-heating system is communicatively coupled to the controller.

17. The energy generating system of claim 14, further comprising a heat engine that is in thermal communication with the sealed cartridge when the sealed cartridge is engaged with the cartridge interface.

18. A method of generating heat energy, comprising:

providing a first sealed cartridge that encloses a porous ceramic element and a fuel species;

engaging the sealed cartridge with a cartridge interface, wherein the cartridge interface is positioned to place at least a portion of the engaged sealed cartridge within at least a portion of a control field produced by a field generator, and wherein the fuel species is responsive to the control field; and

modulating the control field to induce a flow of the fuel species through at least a portion of the porous ceramic element.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising removing the first sealed cartridge and replacing with a second fuel cartridge when at least a portion of the fuel species enclosed in the first sealed cartridge is exhausted.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising recovering a product species from the first sealed cartridge, wherein the product species is derived from the fuel species.