Claims
- 1. A power supply for a gas generating system of the type including a barrier system permeable to selected charged particles flowing from a first side to a second side, the invention comprising:
a direct current (DC) power source in an electrical power circuit connected across the first and second sides of the permeable barrier system; a plurality of resistive elements each having a fixed ohmic resistance, and each connectable in parallel electrical paths in the electrical power circuit; resistor switch means for selectively connecting a desired resistive element in the electrical power circuit between the DC power source and barrier system; and control means for controlling the connection of at least one resistive element in the electrical power circuit; whereby the controller controllably affects a varying flow of charged particles across the permeable barrier.
- 2. The invention of claim [Claim Reference] wherein the permeable barrier system is a component of a ceramic oxygen generating system (COGS).
- 3. An electro-chemical gas generating system for concentrating a selected gas from a feedstock fluid of the type including a ceramic membrane system permeable to selected charged particles flowing from a first side to a second side, the invention comprising:
a direct current (DC) power source in an electrical power circuit connected across the first and second sides of the ceramic membrane system; a plurality of resistive elements each having a fixed ohmic resistance, and each connectable in parallel electrical paths in the electrical power circuit; resistor switch means for selectively connecting a desired resistive element in the electrical power circuit between the DC power source and ceramic membrane system; and control means for controlling the connection of at least one resistive element in the electrical power circuit; whereby the controller controllably affects a varying flow of charged particles across the ceramic membrane.
- 4. The invention of claim [Claim Reference] wherein the resistive element is a resistor.
- 5. The invention of claim [Claim Reference] wherein the resistive element generates waste energy in the form of heat.
- 6. The invention of claim [Claim Reference] wherein the waste energy is used to preheat the fluid used as a feedstock for the gas generating system.
- 7. The invention of claim [Claim Reference] wherein the resistive element is mounted within an oven chamber for the gas generating system.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/319,503, filed Aug. 27, 2002, entitled STEPPED VOLTAGE CONTROLLER FOR CERAMIC OXYGEN GENERATING SYSTEMS, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60319503 |
Aug 2002 |
US |