Scott N Backhaus

US Patent:

6637211, Oct 28, 2003

Filed:

Aug 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/218960

Inventors:

Gregory W. Swift - Santa Fe NM
Scott N. Backhaus - Espanola NM

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Los Alamos NM

International Classification:

F25B 900

US Classification:

62 6, 60520

Abstract:

An oscillating-wave engine or refrigerator having a regenerator or a stack in which oscillating flow of a working gas occurs in a direction defined by an axis of a trunk of the engine or refrigerator, incorporates an improved heat exchanger. First and second connections branch from the trunk at locations along the axis in selected proximity to one end of the regenerator or stack, where the trunk extends in two directions from the locations of the connections. A circulating heat exchanger loop is connected to the first and second connections. At least one fluidic diode within the circulating heat exchanger loop produces a superimposed steady flow component and oscillating flow component of the working gas within the circulating heat exchanger loop. A local process fluid is in thermal contact with an outside portion of the circulating heat exchanger loop.

US Patent:

6644028, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Jun 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/176311

Inventors:

Gregory W. Swift - Santa Fe NM
Scott N. Backhaus - Espanola NM
David L. Gardner - Los Alamos NM

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Los Alamos NM

International Classification:

F01B 2908

US Classification:

60516, 60517, 60721

Abstract:

A thermoacoustic engine-driven system with a hot heat exchanger, a regenerator or stack, and an ambient heat exchanger includes a side branch load for rapid stopping and starting, the side branch load being attached to a location in the thermoacoustic system having a nonzero oscillating pressure and comprising a valve, a flow resistor, and a tank connected in series. The system is rapidly stopped simply by opening the valve and rapidly started by closing the valve.

US Patent:

6658862, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Apr 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/125268

Inventors:

Gregory W. Swift - Santa Fe NM
Scott N. Backhaus - Espanola NM
David L. Gardner - Los Alamos NM

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Los Alamos NM

International Classification:

F25B 900

US Classification:

62 6

Abstract:

A thermoacoustic device is formed with a resonator system defining at least one region of high specific acoustic impedance in an acoustic wave within the resonator system. A plurality of thermoacoustic units are cascaded together within the region of high specific acoustic impedance, where at least one of the thermoacoustic units is a regenerator unit.

US Patent:

6733569, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Sep 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/238250

Inventors:

Drew A. Geller - Los Alamos NM
Gregory W. Swift - Santa Fe NM
Scott N. Backhaus - Espanola NM

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Los Alamos NM

International Classification:

B01N 5108

US Classification:

95 29, 96389

Abstract:

A thermoacoustic device separates a mixture of gases. An elongated duct is provided with first and second ends and has a length that is greater than the wavelength of sound in the mixture of gases at a selected frequency, and a diameter that is greater than a thermal penetration depth in the mixture of gases. A first acoustic source is located at the first end of the duct to generate acoustic power at the selected frequency. A plurality of side branch acoustic sources are spaced along the length of the duct and are configured to introduce acoustic power into the mixture of gases so that a first gas is concentrated at the first end of the duct and a second gas is concentrated at the second end of the duct.

US Patent:

7908856, Mar 22, 2011

Filed:

Oct 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/877816

Inventors:

Scott N. Backhaus - Espanola NM, US
Robert Keolian - State College PA, US

Assignee:

Los Alamos National Security, LLC - Los Alamos NM

International Classification:

F01B 29/10
F02G 1/04
F25B 9/00
H02N 10/00
H02N 2/00
H01L 41/00

US Classification:

60517, 60516, 62 6, 310306, 310311

Abstract:

A high efficiency generator is provided using a Stirling engine to amplify an acoustic wave by heating the gas in the engine in a forward mode. The engine is coupled to an alternator to convert heat input to the engine into electricity. A plurality of the engines and respective alternators can be coupled to operate in a timed sequence to produce multi-phase electricity without the need for conversion. The engine system may be operated in a reverse mode as a refrigerator/heat pump.

US Patent:

8468838, Jun 25, 2013

Filed:

Mar 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/415880

Inventors:

Scott Backhaus - Espanola NM, US
Greg Swift - Santa Fe NM, US

Assignee:

Los Alamos National Security, LLC - Los Alamos NM

International Classification:

F25B 9/00

US Classification:

62 6

Abstract:

The present invention includes a thermoacoustic assembly and method for improved efficiency. The assembly has a first stage Stirling thermal unit comprising a main ambient heat exchanger, a regenerator and at least one additional heat exchanger. The first stage Stirling thermal unit is serially coupled to a first end of a quarter wavelength long coupling tube. A second stage Stirling thermal unit comprising a main ambient heat exchanger, a regenerator, and at least one additional heat exchanger, is serially coupled to a second end of the quarter wavelength long coupling tube.

US Patent:

60324643, Mar 7, 2000

Filed:

Jan 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/234236

Inventors:

Gregory W. Swift - Santa Fe NM
Scott N. Backhaus - Los Alamos NM
David L. Gardner - White Rock NM

Assignee:

Regents of the University of California - Los Alamos NM

International Classification:

F01B 2910

US Classification:

60520

Abstract:

A traveling-wave device is provided with the conventional moving pistons eliminated. Acoustic energy circulates in a direction through a fluid within a torus. A side branch may be connected to the torus for transferring acoustic energy into or out of the torus. A regenerator is located in the torus with a first heat exchanger located on a first side of the regenerator downstream of the regenerator relative to the direction of the circulating acoustic energy; and a second heat exchanger located on an upstream side of the regenerator. The improvement is a mass flux suppressor located in the torus to minimize time-averaged mass flux of the fluid. In one embodiment, the device further includes a thermal buffer column in the torus to thermally isolate the heat exchanger that is at the operating temperature of the device.