US4193879A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for powerful energy transfer technique
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-02-21
•
Granted: 1980-03-18
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Expires: 1998-02-21
Abstract
Abstract In addition to the apparatus disclosed in the prior patent applications of which this application is a continuation-in-part, a reaction chamber is provided with mercury vapor quartz discharge lamps. In close proximity to the lamps are spheres, or thin continuous wires, or filaments or other physical configurations of laser-type material which produce relatively coherentradiation in a manner similar to lasers. The spheres or filaments include concentric partially reflective surfaces, and include an active material which is pumped by the efficient spectral radiation of the mercury vapor, and radiates at a frequency or frequencies matched to the absorption characteristics of the feedstock being fed through the reaction chamber. The laser-type material may be operated to produce output radiation at a harmonic, such as the second, third, fourth or higher harmonic of the basic laser radiation, and these harmonic output radiations may be enhanced by using semi-reflective coatings which reflect in the order of 70% to 90% of the radiation, particularly in the case of spheres. High energy content ultraviolet radiation may also be generated by the "beating" of radiant energy from the mercury vapor tubes and the laser-type material. Efficiency is enhanced by chain reactions which occur with the feedstock materials being fed to the reaction chamber, and these chain reactions involve the generation and regeneration of excited atoms of oxygen or other substances.
Inventors
- 👤 Sam L. Leach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:38
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B15/00; C01B15/01; C01B15/027; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/12; B01J19/121; C01B3/00; C01B3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A radiation apparatus comprising: a filament composed at least in part of means including solid state material for producing substantially coherent output radiation at a predetermined frequency; said filament including semi-reflective surface means extending generally concentric with the axis of said filament, said semi-reflective surface means including generally perpendicular surfaces spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to an integral number of half-wave lengths at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A radiation apparatus comprising: a filament composed at least in part of means including solid state material for producing substantially coherent output radiation at a predetermined frequency; said filament including semi-reflective surface means extending generally concentric with the axis of said filament, said semi-reflective surface means including generally perpendicular surfaces spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to an integral number of half-wave lengths at said predetermined frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein two concentric semi-reflective surfaces are provided.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said filament is made up of a central resistive wire and an outer coating of said solid state material for producing substantially coherent radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising: means for applying pumping energy to said solid state material to raise said material to an excited state for producing coherent radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a reaction chamber, means for mounting a plurality of said filaments in said reaction chamber; and means for applying pumping energy to said solid state material to raise said material to an excited state, whereby said reaction chamber is flooded with output radiation from said solid state material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for producing substantially coherent radiation includes solid state materials having different radiating frequencies in different ones of said filaments, whereby radiation of at least two different frequencies is applied to said reaction chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising means for supplying feedstock to said reaction chamber, thereby producing media discontinuities within said chamber, whereby sum and difference frequencies derived from different radiation frequencies present in said reaction chamber, are formed and are coupled to said feedstock.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7 further comprising means for supplying to said reaction chamber feedstock having an absorption band at the sum frequency of two or more radiations present in said reaction chamber, to cause dissociation of said feedstock.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5 further comprising means for supplying feedstock having an absorption band at said predetermined frequency of said radiation, to said reaction chamber, to cause dissociation of said feedstock.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9 further comprising means for supplying a second feedstock to said reaction chamber to react with one or more of the dissociation products of the first feedstock.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of gas discharge tubes, and wherein a plurality of said filaments are helically wrapped around said gas discharge tubes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said gas discharge tubes are mercury vapor gas discharge tubes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said solid state material includes host and sensitizer material for receiving incoherent radiant energy and for radiating substantially coherent monochromatic radiation at a different frequency than that of the input radiant energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein means are provided for directing radiation outward from said filament substantially transverse to the axis thereof.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction chamber; means for supplying feedstock to said reaction chamber, said feedstock having a predetermined frequency absorption band or bands; and means for flooding said reaction chamber with radiation within at least one of the absorption bands of said feedstock; said means including at least one gas discharge tube having output radiation of a lower frequency than said predetermined band or bands and means in physical proximity to said gas discharge tube and also exposed to said reaction chamber for receiving said lower frequency radiation from said gas discharge tube and for supplying intense radiation to said reaction chamber within said predetermined band or bands.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction chamber; means for supplying feedstock to said reaction chamber, said feedstock having a predetermined frequency absorption band or bands; and means for flooding said reaction chamber with radiation within at least one of the absorption bands of said feedstock; said means including at least one gas discharge tube having output radiation of a lower frequency than said predetermined band or bands and means in physical proximity to said gas discharge tube and also exposed to said reaction chamber for receiving said lower frequency radiation from said gas discharge tube and for supplying intense radiation to said reaction chamber within said predetermined band or bands.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction chamber; means for supplying feedstock to said reaction chamber, said feedstock having predetermined absorption bands; means including a plurality of gas discharge tubes for flooding said reaction chamber with radiation within at least one of the absorption bands of said feedstock; and means including solid state material in close proximity to said gas discharge tubes for receiving pumping energy from said gas discharge tubes and for radiating substantially coherent energy into said reaction chamber at a different frequency.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction chamber; means for supplying feedstock to said reaction chamber, said feedstock having predetermined absorption bands; means including a plurality of gas discharge tubes for flooding said reaction chamber with radiation within at least one of the absorption bands of said feedstock; and means including solid state material in close proximity to said gas discharge tubes for receiving pumping energy from said gas discharge tubes and for radiating substantially coherent energy into said reaction chamber at a different frequency.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said solid state material is in the form of filaments wound onto said gas discharge tubes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said solid state material is in the form of spheres mounted on said gas discharge tubes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said solid state material intercepts only a fraction of the radiation from said gas discharge tubes, whereby said reaction chamber is flooded with radiation of different frequencies forming sum and difference frequencies at the media discontinuities formed by the presence of the feedstock; and wherein said gas discharge tubes and said solid state material include means for producing at least one of the sum frequencies in an absorption band of said feedstock.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 further comprising reflective coating means associated with said solid state material for increasing the coherency of said radiation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said reflective coating means reflects from 70% to 90% of incident visible radiation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 further comprising reflective coating means associated with said solid state material for reflecting infared and visible frequencies and for transmitting shorter wavelength ultraviolet radiations to supply coherent harmonic radiations to said reaction chamber.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for efficiently accomplishing photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction chamber; means for applying feedstock to said reaction chamber, said feedstock having predetermined frequency absorption band or bands; means located within said chamber for flooding said reaction chamber with substantially coherent energy within one of the absorption bands of said feedstock at energy levels sufficient to dissociate said feedstock, said radiation supplying means including solid state material; and low cost incoherent energy source means immediately adjacent said supplying means for pumping said solid state material to an excited state.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for efficiently accomplishing photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction chamber; means for applying feedstock to said reaction chamber, said feedstock having predetermined frequency absorption band or bands; means located within said chamber for flooding said reaction chamber with substantially coherent energy within one of the absorption bands of said feedstock at energy levels sufficient to dissociate said feedstock, said radiation supplying means including solid state material; and low cost incoherent energy source means immediately adjacent said supplying means for pumping said solid state material to an excited state.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
79 words
A source of radiant energy comprising: means including a sphere of solid state material for producing substantially coherent radiations; a semi-reflective coating on at least the major portion of the outer surface of said sphere; and means for pumping said solid state material to an excited state, whereby substantially coherent energy is radiated through said semi-reflective coating from said solid state material to an excited state, whereby substantially coherent energy is radiated through said semi-reflective coating from said material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
79 words
A source of radiant energy comprising: means including a sphere of solid state material for producing substantially coherent radiations; a semi-reflective coating on at least the major portion of the outer surface of said sphere; and means for pumping said solid state material to an excited state, whereby substantially coherent energy is radiated through said semi-reflective coating from said solid state material to an excited state, whereby substantially coherent energy is radiated through said semi-reflective coating from said material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
A source of radiant energy as defined in claim 24 wherein a plurality of said coated spheres are provided, and wherein said pumping means directs pumping radiation into said material through a portion of the surface of each of said spheres that is not coated with said semi-reflecting coating.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
A source of radiant energy as defined in claim 25 wherein transparent envelope means are provided for supporting said spheres, and said pumping means supplies radiant energy to said spheres through said transparent envelope.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
A source of radiant energy as defined in claim 26 wherein said pumping means is a mercury vapor gas discharge tube.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
A source of radiant energy as defined in claim 26 wherein said pumping means includes means for converting electrical power to radiant energy of the proper high frequency required to pump said laser material to the excited state.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A source of radiant energy as defined in claim 24 wherein said semi-reflective coating reflects from 70% to 90% of the incident visible radiation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
A source of radiant energy as defined in claim 24 wherein said semi-reflective coating comprises means for reflecting infrared and visible frequencies and for transmitting shorter wavelength ultra-violet radiations whereby coherent harmonic radiations emanate from said spheres.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions including the radiant energy source as defined in claim 24 and further comprising: means defining a reaction chamber for receiving the major portion of the radiation from said source; means for supplying a reactant to said chamber, said reactant having a frequency absorption band corresponding to the frequency of radiation from said source.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for obtaining hydrogen or hydrogen peroxide from water vapor comprising: means for directing water vapor through a predetermined reaction zone, said water vapor having predetermined absorption frequency bands; means including at least one gas discharge tube within said reaction zone, for flooding said reaction zone with radiation within at least one of said absorption frequency bands, at sufficiently high intensities to produce combustible hydrogen or hydrogen peroxide from said water vapor, said means for flooding said reaction zone with radiation further including means in immediate proximity with said gas discharge tube for receiving radiation from said gas discharge tube having a predetermined frequency output, and for supplying higher frequency radiation to said reaction zone.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for obtaining hydrogen or hydrogen peroxide from water vapor comprising: means for directing water vapor through a predetermined reaction zone, said water vapor having predetermined absorption frequency bands; means including at least one gas discharge tube within said reaction zone, for flooding said reaction zone with radiation within at least one of said absorption frequency bands, at sufficiently high intensities to produce combustible hydrogen or hydrogen peroxide from said water vapor, said means for flooding said reaction zone with radiation further including means in immediate proximity with said gas discharge tube for receiving radiation from said gas discharge tube having a predetermined frequency output, and for supplying higher frequency radiation to said reaction zone.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32 further comprising solid state means for producing substantially coherent output radiation within at least one of said absorption bands.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said gas discharge means includes mercury vapor gas discharge means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32 further comprising means for directing said water vapor into intimate reactive proximity to said means for supplying higher frequency radiation into said reaction zone.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32 further comprising means for continuously flowing water vapor through said reaction zone to continuously form combustible hydrogen or hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said gas discharge means is elongated; and wherein said means for receiving radiation from said gas discharge means is also elongated, and is spaced around said gas discharge means, and includes means for radiating said higher frequency radiation outward substantially transverse to the elongated gas discharge means.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction chamber; means for supplying feedstock to said reaction chamber, said feedstock having a predetermined energy absorption vs. frequency characteristic, including at least one high energy absorption region; means located within said radiation chamber for flooding said reaction chamber with high intensity radiation within said high energy absorption region of said feedstock; said radiation flooding means including solid state means having outer surfaces of substantially circular cross-section for producing substantially coherent output radiation within or in immediate proximity to said reaction chamber; and means for exciting said means for producing substantially coherent radiation to an excited state to radiate relatively coherent high frequency radiation through said outer surfaces at intensity levels sufficient to modify the form of a substantial proportion of said feedstock.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction chamber; means for supplying feedstock to said reaction chamber, said feedstock having a predetermined energy absorption vs. frequency characteristic, including at least one high energy absorption region; means located within said radiation chamber for flooding said reaction chamber with high intensity radiation within said high energy absorption region of said feedstock; said radiation flooding means including solid state means having outer surfaces of substantially circular cross-section for producing substantially coherent output radiation within or in immediate proximity to said reaction chamber; and means for exciting said means for producing substantially coherent radiation to an excited state to radiate relatively coherent high frequency radiation through said outer surfaces at intensity levels sufficient to modify the form of a substantial proportion of said feedstock.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said means for producing substantially coherent radiation is in the form of a plurality of elements of solid state material spaced apart within said reaction chamber.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said solid state means are substantially spherical.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said solid state means are elongated and are of substantially constant circular cross section.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 41 wherein said solid state means include cylindrical rods.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 41 wherein said solid state means include cylindrical filaments.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 41 wherein said solid state means have a substantially cylindrical outer radiating surface.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein semireflective coating means are provided on the outside of said solid state means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein semireflective coating means are provided on said solid state means to enchance the production of high frequency harmonic radiation and to supply it to said reaction chamber, said semi-reflecting coating being formed of material which is reflective to frequencies below ultraviolet radiation and which is relatively transparent to ultraviolet radiation.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction zone; means for supplying feedstock to said reaction zone, said feedstock having a predetermined energy absoprtion vs. frequench characteristic, including at least one high energy absorption region; means located inside said reaction zone for flooding said reaction zone with high intensity radiation within said high energy absorption region of said feedstock; said means including at least one elongated gas discharge device within said reaction zone; and means spaced around said gas discharge device for receiving radiation from said gas discharge device and for radiating high intensity radiation having a higher frequency content than the radiation from said gas discharge device, into said reaction zone.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction zone; means for supplying feedstock to said reaction zone, said feedstock having a predetermined energy absoprtion vs. frequench characteristic, including at least one high energy absorption region; means located inside said reaction zone for flooding said reaction zone with high intensity radiation within said high energy absorption region of said feedstock; said means including at least one elongated gas discharge device within said reaction zone; and means spaced around said gas discharge device for receiving radiation from said gas discharge device and for radiating high intensity radiation having a higher frequency content than the radiation from said gas discharge device, into said reaction zone.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 47 including means for supplying water vapor to said reaction zone and means for drawing off hydrogen or hydrogen peroxide from said reaction zone.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a system for subjecting material to high frequency radiation; reaction chamber means for holding a reactant having a predetermined high frequency absorption band; a high power source of lower frequency radiation; interface means located between said source of lower frequency radiation and said reaction chamber means for receiving said lower frequency radiation and for flooding said reaction chamber with high intensity radiation in said predetermined absorption band, at an intensity level sufficient to dissociate said reactant, said interface means including means mounted adjacent said reaction chamber for reflecting the major portion of said lower frequency radiation but transmitting the major portion of radiation at said predetermined high frequency.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a system for subjecting material to high frequency radiation; reaction chamber means for holding a reactant having a predetermined high frequency absorption band; a high power source of lower frequency radiation; interface means located between said source of lower frequency radiation and said reaction chamber means for receiving said lower frequency radiation and for flooding said reaction chamber with high intensity radiation in said predetermined absorption band, at an intensity level sufficient to dissociate said reactant, said interface means including means mounted adjacent said reaction chamber for reflecting the major portion of said lower frequency radiation but transmitting the major portion of radiation at said predetermined high frequency.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as defined in claim 49 wherein said reflecting means is a thin metal layer.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as defined in claim 49 wherein said system includes means for supplying water vapor as said reactant to said reaction chamber, and means for drawing off hydrogen and/or hydrogen peroxide from said reaction chamber.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction zone; means for supplying water vapor to said reaction zone, said water vapor having predetermined absorption band or bands in the ultra-violet frequency spectrum; at least one elongated gas discharge tube mounted within said reaction zone and producing a predetermined lower frequency radiation output; and means spaced around said gas discharge tube for receiving said lower frequency radiation output from said gas discharge tube, and for flooding said reaction zone with higher frequency output radiation within said predetermined absorption band or bands in the ultraviolet frequency spectrum, and at an intensity level sufficient to dissociate the greater portion of said water vapor and to form hydrogen and/or hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for controlled photochemical reactions comprising: a reaction zone; means for supplying water vapor to said reaction zone, said water vapor having predetermined absorption band or bands in the ultra-violet frequency spectrum; at least one elongated gas discharge tube mounted within said reaction zone and producing a predetermined lower frequency radiation output; and means spaced around said gas discharge tube for receiving said lower frequency radiation output from said gas discharge tube, and for flooding said reaction zone with higher frequency output radiation within said predetermined absorption band or bands in the ultraviolet frequency spectrum, and at an intensity level sufficient to dissociate the greater portion of said water vapor and to form hydrogen and/or hydrogen peroxide.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-03-18 | 1983-09-17 | 1984-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-18 | 1987-09-17 | 1988-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-18 | 1991-09-17 | 1992-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |