Robert K Sievers

US Patent:

20030201006, Oct 30, 2003

Filed:

Feb 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/358957

Inventors:

Robert Sievers - Clifton Park NY, US
David Butkiewicz - Pinckney MI, US
Robert Fletcher - Novi MI, US
Thomas Hunt - Ann Arbor MI, US

International Classification:

H01L035/02
H01L035/30

US Classification:

136/205000, 136/234000

Abstract:

The present invention includes an open-loop AMTEC cell operable in a delivery mode and in a priming mode. In the delivery mode, the cell provides electrical potential through electrochemical reactions, which persist until the ion content of the cell is exhausted. In the priming mode, the electrochemical potential of the cell is established through an outside electrical potential or through a reversal of the thermal gradient within the cell. The cell of the present invention is particularly operable in accordance with a preferred method and also as a component of a suitable electrical system.

US Patent:

20040209133, Oct 21, 2004

Filed:

Apr 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/413986

Inventors:

Robert Hirsch - Troy NY, US
Paul Mutolo - Albany NY, US
Juan Becerra - Altamont NY, US
Robert Sievers - Clifton Park NY, US
J. Scartozzi - Clifton Park NY, US
William Acker - Rexford NY, US

International Classification:

H01M008/04
H01M008/10

US Classification:

429/022000, 429/030000, 429/013000

Abstract:

An adjustable fuel delivery regulation assembly is provided which can be disposed within a direct oxidation fuel cell system, or the fuel reservoir or fuel tank that supplies such a system. One embodiment of the fuel delivery regulation assembly is a shutter assembly, which includes two correspondingly perforated components. The two components can be positioned relative to one another such that the apertures in each component are aligned in certain ways. In an open position, the apertures are substantially fully aligned to permit full fuel flow. In a closed position, the apertures are offset such that there is no opening; thereby fuel flow is restricted. Intermediate positions allow adjustments in the amount of fuel flow proportional to the size of the openings. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a set of rotatably mounted slotted rods is inserted into a housing through which fuel can flow through openings in the housing. When the rods are rotated to a first position, the slots in the rods are aligned with the openings in the housing. When the rods are rotated to a closed position, the slots are not lined up with the openings, and fuel flow is thereby restricted. Intermediate positions allow controlled fuel delivery. A louvered assembly is also provided. Automatic and manual control systems for the adjustment of the positioning of the various components in the fuel delivery regulation assemblies are also provided.

US Patent:

20040265657, Dec 30, 2004

Filed:

Jun 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/607696

Inventors:

Gerhard Beckmann - Altamont NY, US
Robert Hirsch - Troy NY, US
Paul Mutolo - Albany NY, US
J. Scartozzi - Clifton Park NY, US
Robert Sievers - Clifton Park NY, US

International Classification:

H01M008/00
H01M008/04
H01M008/10
H01M008/12
H01M002/00
H01M002/02
H01M002/14

US Classification:

429/022000, 429/038000, 429/039000, 429/025000, 429/030000, 429/033000, 429/013000, 429/017000

Abstract:

An adjustable fuel delivery regulation assembly is provided which can be disposed within a direct oxidation fuel cell system, or the fuel reservoir or fuel tank that supplies such a system. One embodiment of the fuel delivery regulation assembly is a shutter assembly, which includes two correspondingly perforated components. The two components can be positioned relative to one another such that the apertures in each component are aligned in certain ways. In an open position, the apertures are substantially fully aligned to permit full fuel flow. In a closed position, the apertures are offset such that there is no opening; thereby fuel flow is restricted. Intermediate positions allow adjustments in the amount of fuel flow proportional to the size of the openings. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a set of rotatably mounted slotted rods is inserted into a housing through which fuel can flow through openings in the housing. When the rods are rotated to a first position, the slots in the rods are aligned with the openings in the housing. When the rods are rotated to a closed position, the slots are not lined up with the openings, and fuel flow is thereby restricted. Intermediate positions allow controlled fuel delivery. A louvered assembly is also provided. Automatic and manual control systems for the adjustment of the positioning of the various components in the fuel delivery regulation assemblies are also provided.

US Patent:

20070026279, Feb 1, 2007

Filed:

Oct 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/542414

Inventors:

Robert Hirsch - Troy NY, US
Paul Mutolo - Albany NY, US
Juan Becerra - Altamont NY, US
Robert Sievers - Clifton Park NY, US
J. Scartozzi - Clifton Park NY, US
William Acker - Rexford NY, US

International Classification:

H01M 8/04

US Classification:

429022000, 429034000, 429013000

Abstract:

An adjustable fuel delivery regulation assembly is provided which can be disposed within a direct oxidation fuel cell system, or the fuel reservoir or fuel tank that supplies such a system. One embodiment of the fuel delivery regulation assembly is a shutter assembly, which includes two correspondingly perforated components. The two components can be positioned relative to one another such that the apertures in each component are aligned in certain ways. In an open position, the apertures are substantially fully aligned to permit full fuel flow. In a closed position, the apertures are offset such that there is no opening; thereby fuel flow is restricted. Intermediate positions allow adjustments in the amount of fuel flow proportional to the size of the openings. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a set of rotatably mounted slotted rods is inserted into a housing through which fuel can flow through openings in the housing. When the rods are rotated to a first position, the slots in the rods are aligned with the openings in the housing. When the rods are rotated to a closed position, the slots are not lined up with the openings, and fuel flow is thereby restricted. Intermediate positions allow controlled fuel delivery. A louvered assembly is also provided. Automatic and manual control systems for the adjustment of the positioning of the various components in the fuel delivery regulation assemblies are also provided.

US Patent:

59427191, Aug 24, 1999

Filed:

Jul 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/901371

Inventors:

Robert K. Sievers - Ann Arbor MI
Rahul Mital - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Advanced Modular Power Systems, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

H01L 3530

US Classification:

136205

Abstract:

The present invention provides an alkali metal thermal to electric conversion cell having radially projecting beta-alumina type solid electrolyte elements and a central heat input region.

US Patent:

52289222, Jul 20, 1993

Filed:

Feb 19, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/656530

Inventors:

Robert K. Sievers - Irwin PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

H01L 3700

US Classification:

136202

Abstract:

A high voltage multitube alkali metal thermal electric convertor having a plurality of closely packed tubular cells disposed in a tube sheet in a vessel and electrically connected in series, the tube sheet dividing the vessel into a high pressure high temperature portion having a wick and heater disposed therein and a low pressure low temperature portion having a wick disposed in a condenser from which heat is removed; a pump for transferring liquid metal therebetween and a tab on a wick disposed in the tubular cell to remove excess liquid metal and prevent shorting between the cells.

US Patent:

59293713, Jul 27, 1999

Filed:

Jul 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/901554

Inventors:

Robert Carl Svedberg - Pinckney MI
Robert K. Sievers - Ann Arbor MI
Chris A. Borkowski - Adelphi MD
Terry J. Hendricks - Saline MI

Assignee:

Advanced Modular Power Systems, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

H01L 3528

US Classification:

136204

Abstract:

The present invention provides an alkali metal thermal to electric conversion (AMTEC) cell of the type employing an alkali metal flowing between a high-pressure zone and low-pressure zone in the cell through a solid electrolyte structure. The cell preferably includes a condenser communicating with the low-pressure zone for condensing alkali metal vapor migrating through the low-pressure zone from the solid electrolyte structure. An artery is coupled to the condenser for directing condensed alkali metal from the condenser toward a hot end of the cell. An evaporator for evaporating the condensed alkali metal is coupled to the artery and communicates with the high-pressure zone. A heat shield is disposed in the low pressure zone of the cell for reducing the radiative heat transfer between the hot end of the cell and the cold end of the cell. The heat shield preferably includes a first end having a known area transitioning to a second end encompassing a smaller area than the first end.

US Patent:

59526050, Sep 14, 1999

Filed:

Jul 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/901439

Inventors:

Robert K. Sievers - Ann Arbor MI
Robert Carl Svedberg - Pinckney MI
Thomas Kintzing Hunt - Ann Arbor MI
Terry J. Hendricks - Saline MI

Assignee:

Advanced Modular Power Systems, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

H01L 3530

US Classification:

136205

Abstract:

The present invention provides an alkali metal thermal to electric conversion (AMTEC) cell of the type employing an alkali metal flowing between a high-pressure zone and low-pressure zone in the cell through a solid electrolyte structure. The cell preferably includes a condenser communicating with the low-pressure zone for condensing alkali metal vapor migrating through the low-pressure zone from the solid electrolyte structure. An artery is coupled to the condenser for directing condensed alkali metal from the condenser toward a hot end of the cell. An evaporator for evaporating the condensed alkali metal is coupled to the artery channel and communicates with the high-pressure zone. The artery and evaporator combine to form a return channel which preferably includes a graded pore size capillary structure for creating a region having a large pore size transitioning in any predetermined manner to a region having a relatively smaller pore size. In this way, the capillary pressure provided by the return channel is optimized along its length while minimizing flow restrictions which are presented where the pore sizes are smaller than required to sustain alkali metal flow in portions of the return channel.