David E Wolf

US Patent:

6485963, Nov 26, 2002

Filed:

Jun 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/587028

Inventors:

David A. Wolf - Houston TX
Thomas J. Goodwin - Friendswood TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

C12M 110

US Classification:

4352982, 4352991

Abstract:

The present invention provides systems for growing two or three dimensional mammalian cells within a culture medium facilitated by an electromagnetic field, and preferably, a time varying electromagnetic field. The cells and culture medium are contained within a fixed or rotating culture vessel, and the electromagnetic field is emitted from at least one electrode. In one embodiment, the electrode is spaced from the vessel. The invention further provides methods to promote neural tissue regeneration by means of culturing the neural cells in the claimed system. In one embodiment, neuronal cells are grown within longitudinally extending tissue strands extending axially along and within electrodes comprising electrically conductive channels or guides through which a time varying electrical current is conducted, the conductive channels being positioned within a culture medium.

US Patent:

6673597, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Feb 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/798854

Inventors:

David A. Wolf - Houston TX
Thomas J. Goodwin - Friendswood TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

C12M 110

US Classification:

4352982, 4352991

Abstract:

The present invention provides systems for growing two or three dimensional mammalian cells within a culture medium facilitated by an electromagnetic field, and preferably, a time varying electromagnetic field. The cells and culture medium are contained within a fixed or rotating culture vessel, and the electromagnetic field is emitted from at least one electrode. In one embodiment, the electrode is spaced from the vessel. The invention further provides methods to promote neural tissue regeneration by means of culturing the neural cells in the claimed system. In one embodiment, neuronal cells are grown within longitudinally extending tissue strands extending axially along and within electrodes comprising electrically conductive channels or guides through which a time varying electrical current is conducted, the conductive channels being positioned within a culture medium.

US Patent:

7708053, May 4, 2010

Filed:

Oct 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/694387

Inventors:

Edward J. Kroliczek - Davidsonville MD, US
Michael Nikitkin - Ellicott City MD, US
David A. Wolf - Baltimore MD, US

Assignee:

Alliant Techsystems Inc. - Edina MN

International Classification:

F28D 15/00

US Classification:

16510421, 16510426, 16510433, 29890032

Abstract:

A thermodynamic system includes a cyclical heat exchange system and a heat transfer system coupled to the cyclical heat exchange system to cool a portion of the cyclical heat exchange system. The heat transfer system includes an evaporator including a wall configured to be coupled to a portion of the cyclical heat exchange system and a primary wick coupled to the wall and a condenser coupled to the evaporator to form a closed loop that houses a working fluid.

US Patent:

20020007937, Jan 24, 2002

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/896561

Inventors:

Edward Kroliczek - Davidsonville MD, US
David Wolf - Baltimore MD, US
James Yun - Silver Spring MD, US

International Classification:

F28D015/00

US Classification:

165/104260, 165/104210

Abstract:

A capillary pump two phase heat transport system that combines the most favorable characteristics of a capillary pump loop (CPL) with the robustness and reliability of a loop heat pipe (LHP). Like a CPL, the hybrid loop has plural parallel evaporators, plural parallel condensers, and a back pressure flow regulator. Unlike CPLs, however, the hybrid system incorporates elements that form a secondary loop, which is essentially a LHP that is co-joined with a CPL to form an inseparable whole. Although secondary to the basic thermal management of the system thermal bus, the LHP secondary loop portion of the system provides for important operational functions that maintain healthy, robust and reliable operation. The LHP secondary loop portion provides a function of fluid management during start-up, steady state operation, and heat sink/heat source temperature and power cycling.

US Patent:

20030178184, Sep 25, 2003

Filed:

Mar 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/388955

Inventors:

Edward Kroliczek - Davidsonville MD, US
Kimberly Wrenn - Sykesville MD, US
David Wolf - Baltimore MD, US

International Classification:

F28D015/00

US Classification:

165/104260

Abstract:

A capillary wick for use in capillary evaporators has properties that prevent nucleation inside the body of the wick, resulting in suppression of back-conduction of heat from vapor channels to the liquid reservoir. Use of a central liquid flow channel in the wick is eliminated, and pore size in the wick is chosen to maximize available pressure for fluid pumping, while preventing nucleation in the wick body. The wick is embodied with different geometries, including cylindrical and flat. A flat capillary evaporator has substantially planar heat input surfaces for convenient mating to planar heat sources. The flat capillary evaporator is capable of being used with working fluids having high vapor pressures (i.e., greater that 10 psia). To contain the pressure of the vaporized working fluid, the opposed planar plates of the evaporator arc brazed or sintered to opposing sides of a metal wick. Additionally, a terrestrial loop heat pipe and a loop heat pipe having overall flat geometry are disclosed.

US Patent:

20040182550, Sep 23, 2004

Filed:

Oct 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/676265

Inventors:

Edward Kroliczek - Davidsonville MD, US
Michael Nikitkin - Ellicott City MD, US
David Wolf - Baltimore MD, US

International Classification:

F28D015/00

US Classification:

165/104260

Abstract:

A heat transfer system includes an evaporator, a condenser having a vapor inlet and a liquid outlet, a vapor line providing fluid communication between a vapor outlet of the evaporator and the vapor inlet, and a liquid return line providing fluid communication between the liquid outlet and a liquid inlet entering the evaporator. The evaporator includes a heated wall, a liquid barrier wall containing working fluid, a primary wick positioned between the heated wall and the inner side of the liquid barrier wall, a vapor removal channel located at an interface between the primary wick and the heated wall, and a liquid flow channel located between the liquid barrier wall and the primary wick. The working fluid flows only along the inner side of the liquid barrier wall. The vapor removal channels extend to the vapor outlet and the liquid flow channel receives liquid from the liquid inlet.

US Patent:

20050061487, Mar 24, 2005

Filed:

Jul 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/890382

Inventors:

Edward Kroliczek - Davidsonville MD, US
James Yun - Beltsville MD, US
David Bugby - Beltsville MD, US
David Wolf - Baltimore MD, US

International Classification:

F28F007/00

US Classification:

165139000

Abstract:

A system includes a primary evaporator facilitating heat transfer by evaporating liquid to obtain vapor. The primary evaporator receives the liquid from a liquid line and outputs the vapor to a vapor line. The primary evaporator also outputs excess liquid received from the liquid line to an excess fluid line. A condensing system receives the vapor from the vapor line, and outputs the liquid and excess liquid to the liquid line. The excess liquid is obtained at least partially from a reservoir. A primary loop includes the condensing system, the primary evaporator, the liquid line, and the vapor line, and provides a heat transfer path. Similarly, a secondary loop includes the condensing system, the primary evaporator, the liquid line, the vapor line, and the excess fluid line. The secondary loop provides a venting path for removing undesired vapor within the liquid or excess liquid from the primary evaporator.

US Patent:

20050166399, Aug 4, 2005

Filed:

Oct 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/974968

Inventors:

Edward Kroliczek - Davidsonville MD, US
James Yun - Silver Spring MD, US
Michael Nikitkin - Ellicott City MD, US
David Wolf - Baltimore MD, US

International Classification:

B23P011/02
B23P017/00

US Classification:

029890070, 029447000

Abstract:

A method of making an evaporator includes orienting a vapor barrier wall, orienting a liquid barrier wall, and positioning a wick between the vapor barrier wall and the liquid barrier wall. The vapor barrier wall is oriented such that a heat-absorbing surface of the vapor barrier wall defines at least a portion of an exterior surface of the evaporator. The exterior surface is configured to receive heat. The liquid barrier wall is oriented adjacent the vapor barrier wall. The liquid barrier wall has a surface configured to confine liquid. A vapor removal channel is defined at an interface between the wick and the vapor barrier wall. A liquid flow channel is defined between the liquid barrier wall and the primary wick.