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US 12,050,008 B2Granted
Burner system and method of operation
AssigneeSpark Thermionics, Inc.
InventorsFelix Schmitt, Jared William Schwede, David Rich, Tyler Sandberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A burner system, preferably including input plumbing, a combustion region, and an exhaust section. In some embodiments, the burner system can include, be attached to, be configured to couple with, and/or be otherwise associated with a thermionic energy converter (TEC). A method of burner system operation, preferably including operating the burner system in a combustion mode and optionally including operating a TEC.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- an input plumbing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a long axis extending from the inlet to the outlet, the input plumbing configured to convey an input fluid comprising a fuel and an oxidant, the input plumbing comprising:
- a plurality of fluid conveyance structures (FCSs), each FCS of the plurality extending between the inlet and the outlet, each FCS of the plurality defining a respective FCS interior configured to convey the input fluid from the inlet to the outlet along a respective FCS path, wherein the plurality of FCSs comprises a first FCS defining a first FCS interior and a first FCS path, wherein the first FCS interior defines a first cross-sectional area for fluid flow, the first cross-sectional area defined on a first plane normal to the first FCS path, the first plane arranged between the inlet and the outlet;
- and
- a flow restrictor fluidly coupled to the first FCS interior, the flow restrictor defining a second cross-sectional area for fluid flow, the second cross-sectional area defined on a second plane normal to the first FCS path, wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is greater than zero, wherein the second plane is arranged between the first plane and the outlet;
- a heat reception element arranged along the long axis, wherein the outlet is arranged between the inlet and the heat reception element, the burner system defining a combustion region between the outlet and the heat reception element, the combustion region fluidly coupled to the first FCS interior via the flow restrictor;
- an exhaust section defining an exhaust interior fluidly coupled to the combustion region, the exhaust interior defining an exhaust flow path, the exhaust section thermally coupled to each FCS of the plurality of FCSs;
- a first plurality of protrusive structures that protrude outward from the input plumbing into the exhaust interior, wherein the first plurality of protrusive structures are configured to thermally couple the input plumbing to the exhaust;
- and
- a second plurality of protrusive structures that protrude inward from the input plumbing into the first FCS interior, wherein the second plurality of protrusive structures are configured to thermally couple the input fluid to the input plumbing, such that the first and second pluralities of protrusive structures cooperatively thermally couple the input fluid to the exhaust.
6 more elements
A system comprising:
- an input plumbing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a long axis extending from the inlet to the outlet, the input plumbing configured to convey an input fluid comprising a fuel and an oxidant, the input plumbing comprising:
- a plurality of fluid conveyance structures (FCSs), each FCS of the plurality extending between the inlet and the outlet, each FCS of the plurality defining a respective FCS interior configured to convey the input fluid from the inlet to the outlet along a respective FCS path, wherein the plurality of FCSs comprises:
- a first FCS defining a first FCS interior and a first FCS path, wherein the first FCS interior defines a first cross-sectional area for fluid flow, the first cross-sectional area defined on a first plane normal to the first FCS path, the first plane arranged between the inlet and the outlet;
- and
- a second FCS;
- a flow restrictor fluidly coupled to the first FCS interior, the flow restrictor defining a second cross-sectional area for fluid flow, the second cross-sectional area defined on a second plane normal to the first FCS path, wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is greater than zero, wherein the second plane is arranged between the first plane and the outlet;
- a heat reception element arranged along the long axis, wherein the outlet is arranged between the inlet and the heat reception element, the burner system defining a combustion region between the outlet and the heat reception element, the combustion region fluidly coupled to the first FCS interior via the flow restrictor;
- an exhaust section defining an exhaust interior fluidly coupled to the combustion region, the exhaust interior defining an exhaust flow path, the exhaust section thermally coupled to each FCS of the plurality of FCSs;
- and
- for each FCS of the plurality:
- a respective plurality of protrusive structures that protrude outward from the FCS into the exhaust interior;
- wherein:
- the respective plurality of protrusive structures is configured to thermally couple the FCS to the exhaust;
- the respective plurality of protrusive structures for the first FCS comprises a first protrusive structure;
- and
- the respective plurality of protrusive structures for the second FCS comprises a second protrusive structure mechanically connected to the first protrusive structure.
13 more elements
A system comprising:
- an input plumbing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a long axis extending from the inlet to the outlet, the input plumbing configured to convey an input fluid comprising a fuel and an oxidant, the input plumbing comprising:
- a plurality of fluid conveyance structures (FCSs), each FCS of the plurality extending between the inlet and the outlet, each FCS of the plurality defining a respective FCS interior configured to convey the input fluid from the inlet to the outlet along a respective FCS path, wherein the plurality of FCSs comprises a first FCS defining a first FCS interior and a first FCS path, wherein the first FCS interior defines a first cross-sectional area for fluid flow, the first cross-sectional area defined on a first plane normal to the first FCS path, the first plane arranged between the inlet and the outlet;
- and,
- a flow restrictor fluidly coupled to the first FCS interior, the flow restrictor defining a second cross-sectional area for fluid flow, the second cross-sectional area defined on a second plane normal to the first FCS path, wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is greater than zero, wherein the second plane is arranged between the first plane and the outlet;
- a heat reception element arranged along the long axis, wherein the outlet is arranged between the inlet and the heat reception element, the burner system defining a combustion region between the outlet and the heat reception element, the combustion region fluidly coupled to the first FCS interior via the flow restrictor;
- and
- an exhaust section defining an exhaust interior fluidly coupled to the combustion region, the exhaust interior defining an exhaust flow path, the exhaust section thermally coupled to each FCS of the plurality of FCSs;
- wherein:
- each FCS of the plurality is arranged substantially parallel to the long axis;
- the plurality of FCSs define an FCS density, defined as the number of FCSs within a unit area, that varies as a function of radial distance from the long axis, wherein:
- the plurality of FCSs define a maximum radial distance equal to the greatest distance between the long axis and any FCS of the plurality;
- and
- the FCS density increases with increasing radial distance between zero and the maximum radial density.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.