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US 2012/0186250 A1Published application
Systems and Methods For Generating Electric Current From Hyperthermal Chemical Reaction
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsEdward H. Allen, Andrew G. York
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electric generator is disclosed that includes a duct configured to direct hyperthermal air molecules toward a source of exothermic fuel, a fuel dispenser configured to dispense fuel into a flow of the hyperthermal air molecules to cause a hyperthermic chemical reaction between the fuel and the hyperthermal air molecules that produces highly internally excited air molecules. The excited molecules amplify a seed current. Power harvesting cells are configured to capture and convert the amplified current to electricity.
Claims20
An electric generator, comprising:
- a control volume configured to direct hyperthermal air molecules toward a source of exothermic fuel to cause a hyperthermal chemical reaction between the fuel and the hyperthermal air molecules, wherein the chemical reaction produces highly internally excited air molecules;
- a seed current generator configured to pass a seed current through the excited air molecules, which amplifies the seed current;
- and
- power harvesting cells configured to capture and convert amplified seed current to electrical current.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- directing hyperthermal air molecules toward a source of exothermic fuel;
- dispensing fuel into a flow of the hyperthermal air molecules to cause a hyperthermic chemical reaction between the fuel and the hyperthermal air molecules that produces highly internally excited air molecules;
- using the highly internally excited air molecules to amplify a seed current of electric particles;
- and
- capturing and converting amplified current to electrical current using power cells.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- means for dispensing fuel into a flow of the hyperthermal air molecules to cause a hyperthermal chemical reaction between the fuel and the hyperthermal air molecules;
- means for producing highly internally excited molecules from the a product of the chemical reaction;
- and
- means for capturing and converting the internally excited molecular energy to electricity.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.