STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] The U. S. government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of Contract No. 32525- 54750 awarded by NASA-Headquarters-Microgravity Fluid Physics Program.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] With the discovery set forth in the above- referenced pending application Serial No. PCT/US01/22803, filed July 18,2001, there became an ever increasing demand for improved conduction pumping characteristics.

Various new electrode configurations were investigated by me and found to be successful and are the subject matter of this disclosure. The content of pending application Serial No. PCT/US01/22803 is to be incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] An electrohydrodynamic conduction liquid pumping system includes a vessel configured to contain a liquid or a liquid/vapor therein. This vessel can be of a elongate conduit configuration, an elongate channel configuration or a liquid enclosure configuration. At least a single pair of electrodes are disposed in a spaced apart relation to each other on the vessel and configured to be oriented in the liquid. A power supplv is coupled to the electrodes and operable to generate electric fields in between the pair of electrodes, the electric forces inducing a net liquid movement relative to the vessel. Various electrode designs are embraced within the concept of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] The objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with apparatus of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings, in which: [0006] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism consisting of a high voltage ring electrode and a ring electrode ground oriented on a conduit configured to convey a liquid therein; [0007] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism; [0008] Figure 3 is a'schematic illustration of a third embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism which includes two radially spaced rings configured for high voltage in conjunction with a grounded ring electrode ; [0009] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism having three radially spaced ring electrodes configured for high voltage application in conjunction with a grounded ring electrode ; [001Ql Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a fifth embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism utilizing spaced tubes suspended in a conduit and configured for high voltage application in conjunction with a grounded ring electrode ; EQQ11] Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a sixth embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism having a plate with multiple holes provided therethrough and configured for high voltage application in conjunction with a grounded ring electrode ; [0012] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a conduction pumping mechanism corresponding in concept to Figure 6; [0013] Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 7; [00141 Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to Figure 6; [0015] Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X of Figure 9; [0016] Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of a seventh embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism wherein concentric annular rings are configured for high voltage are suspended within the conduit and in conjunction with a grounded ring electrode; [00171 Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of an eighth embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism similar to Figure 1 wherein the high voltage electrode is of a differing configuration ; [00181 Figure 13 is a schematic illustration of a ninth embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism similar in concept to Figures 6-10 wherein the high voltage electrode is a porous plate or disc through which all of. the liquid must pass; [00191 Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of a tenth embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism wherein the plate or disc is porous and is smaller in cross section than the cross section of the conduit ; [00201 Figure 15 is a schematic illustration of an eleventh embodiment of a conduction pumping mechanism similar to Figure 13 wherein an annular ring is porous; [00211 Figures 16-19 are respective cross sectional views illustrating differing porosities of the high voltage electrode corresponding to Figure 13 ; [00221 Figure 20 is a schematic illustration of a conduction pumping thermal energy transfer system wherein liquid is present on the outer surface of a heat transfer element; [00231 Figure 21 is a plan view of a high voltage electrode utilized in Figure 20; [0024] Figure 22 is a schematic illustration of a conduction pumping thermal energy transfer system wherein liquid is present on the inside surface of the conduit and the electrode of Figure 21 is oriented inside the conduit ; [0025] Figures 23 to 25 are enlarged schematic illustrations of alternate electrode configurations for the embodiments of Figures 20 and 22; [0026] Figure 26 is a schematic illustration of a conduction pumping thermal energy transfer system in a channel environment; [0027] Figure 27 is a schematic illustration similar to Figure 23 except that the high voltage electrode is in the form of parallel plates ; [0028] Figure 28 is a schematic illustration similar to Figure 23 except that the high voltage electrode is of a differing configuration; [0029] Figure 29 is a schematic illustration of a vessel housing liquid therein and in which is provided a conduction pumping mechanism; [0030] Figure 30 is a schematic illustration of a vessel partially filled with liquid and in which is provided a conduction pumping mechanism ; and [0031] Figure 31 is a schematic illustration of a manifold having a single liquid input and plural liquid outputs with one or more conduction pumping mechanisms oriented in each of the outlets in order to balance the liquid flow through each of the outlets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [00321 The concept of conduction pumping is set forth in detail in pending application Serial No.

PCT/US01/22803, filed July 18,2001. Thus, further discussion concerning the concept is believed unnecessary, especially since the disclosure in that application is incorporated herein by reference.

[00331 Referring to Figure 1, there is provided an elongate conduit C configured for transporting a liquid therethrough. A ground electrode 10 is provided on the conduit with the radially inner surface of the electrode 10 being flush with the inside surface 11 of the conduit C. A ring high voltage electrode 12 is mounted to the inside surface 11 of the conduit C with the cross section of the ring extending from the inside wall of the conduit radially inwardly a finite distance. Figure 2 illustrates a conduction pumping mechanism similar to Figure 1 except that the high voltage electrode 13 is configured so that the inside surface 14 thereof is flush with the inside surface 11 of the conduit C. It is to be understood that the term"flush"as used herein and elsewhere is to embrace locations wherein the electrodes are spaced radially inwardly and outwardly from the surface 11 a small distance.

[0034] Figure 3 illustrates a conduction pumping mechanism similar to Figure 1 except that an additional ring 16 is concentrically oriented inside the ring 12 with both rings being connected to a high voltage source V, Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 except that there is an additional ring 17 concentrically disposed relative to the two other rings 12 and 16. In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the centrally disposed rings 16 and 17 are suspended by the electrical connection 18 that serves to connect each of the rings to the high voltage source V.

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a conduction pumping mechanism inside a conduit C and with a ground ring electrode 10 identical to that in the preceding Figures 1-4 A plurality of hollow tubes 19 are suspended inside the conduit C by connection to the electrical conductor 18 that connects the aforesaid hollow tubes 19 to a high voltage source V. In this particular embodiment, the central axes of the hollow tubes 19 are parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate conduit 19. In this particular embodiment, and as depicted by the arrows of the total net flow of liquid occurring across the cross section of the conduit, only some of the liquid will pass through the interior of the hollow tubes 19.

[0036] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a conduction pumping mechanism utilizing a grounded electrode 10 identical to the grounded electrodes discussed above with respect to Figures 1-5. A flat plate or disc 21 having a plurality of holes 22 extending therethrough and on axes that are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the elongate conduit C is provided. The flat plate 21 is mounted to the inside surface 11 of the conduit C. The flat plate 21 is connected by an electrical connection 18 to a high voltage source V.

[0037] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a configuration wherein the diameter of the holes 22 in the flat plate 21 have a diameter of 1.14 mm. Figures 7 and 8 furthermore illustrate the structure of the conduit for facilitating an orienting of multiple pairs of electrodes along the length of the conduit C. Figures 9 and 10, on the other hand, are similar to Figures 7 and 8 and illustrate that the diameter of the holes 22 in the flat plate 21 are 1.59 mm. Figures 7-10 also illustrate that the flat plate 21 can be oriented inside the conduit C by suspending it from the electrical conductor 18 facilitating connection thereof to the high voltage source V.

C0038] Figure 11 schematically illustrates a conduction pumping mechanism similar to Figure 3 except that the two annular rings which are concentric with each other and with the longitudinal axis of the conduit C and are suspended in the interior of the conduit by the electrical connection 18 which facilitates connection of the rings 23 and 24 to the high voltage source V. While two rings 23 and 24 are'illustrated, more rings can be provided where desirable. In this particular embodiment, and as depicted by the arrows, of the total net flow of liquid occurring across the cross section of the conduit, only some of the liquid will pass through the interior of the rings 23 and 24. The grounded ring electrode 10 is identical to the configurations shown in the preceding figures.

[0039] Figure 12 is similar to Figure 1 except that the electrode 26, corresponding to the electrode 12 in Figure 1, is of a rounded configuration to form a rounded protuberance extending radially inwardly from the interior wall 11 of the conduit C. The grounded ring electrode 10 is identical to the configuration illustrated in Figure 1. The electrical connection 18 facilitates connection of the electrode 26 to a high voltage source V.

[0040] Figure 13 illustrates a flat plate or disc 27 which is porous and which is connected by the electrical connection 18 to the high voltage source V. The grounded ring electrode 10 is identical to the grounded ring electrodes discussed above.

[00411 Figure 14 schematically illustrates a conductive pumping mechanism wherein a flat plate or disc 28 is porous and is suspended in the conduit C by the electrical connection 18 in generally the central region of the cross section of the conduit. The grounded ring electrode 10 is identical to the electrodes shown and described above. The annular porous flat plate or disc 28A as shown in Figure 15 is supported by the conduit C.

[0042] Figures 16-19 disclose embodiments corresponding to Figure 13. Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a porous plate or disc wherein the porosity is 0.2 microns in Figures 16 and 17 and 40. 0 microns in Figures 18 and 19. In addition, Figures 16.-19 illustrate the format for the conduit and the electrodes 27 and 10 so that a multiple set of pairs can be oriented one after the other along the length of the conduit C to facilitate conduction pumping of the liquid being transported through the conduit C and through the porous electrode 27.

[0043] Figure 20 illustrates an electrohydrodynamic conduction pumping thermal energy transfer system which utilizes a conduit having inside surface 41 and exterior surface 42. A grounded ring electrode 43 is provided on the exterior surface of the conduit and is axially spaced from an annular high voltage ring electrode plate 44 having a finite radial width as illustrated in Figure 21.

The ring electrode 44 has a plurality of side-by-side holes 46 extending therethrough. In this particular embodiment, the holes are cylindrical in nature although they could be of other configurations as well. The high voltage electrode 44 is connected through an electrical connection 47 to a high voltage source V. The high voltage electrode 44 is oriented axially spaced from the grounded ring electrode 43 in a manner similar to the configurations discussed above. In this particular embodiment, a cooling medium is transported through the interior of the conduit C so that, in a two phase liquid environment, a liquid condensate will form on the exterior surface of the conduit C. The electrodes 43 and 44 are configured to be oriented in the liquid condensate and when electrical energy is applied to the electrodes, the liquid condensate and a limited amount of the adjacent vapor phase will be conductively pumped longitudinally of the conduit simultaneously while new condensation is forming on the exterior surface of the conduit C.

[00441 Figure 20 could also be utilized in an environment where a heating medium is pumped through the interior of the conduit C to effect an evaporation of liquid interfacing with the exterior surface of the conduit C. In this instance, electrical energy applied to the electrodes 43 and 44 would effect movement of the liquid to facilitate a more efficient evaporative process.

[0045] Figure 22 is similar to Figure 20 except that liquid is present on the inside surface 41 of the conduit 42. The ring electrode 43A and the ring electrode 44A are provided on the inside surface of the conduit C and are configured to be oriented within the liquid layer.

The plural holes through the electrode 46 are also within the liquid, as is the case in the preceding embodiment so that liquid will pass through the holes 46 as a result of the conduction pumping phenomena. Figure 22 is configured to be utilized in an environment where the liquid is a condensate or is a liquid to be evaporated in a manner similar to that described above for Figure 20.

[00461 It is to be understood that in regions of the conduit whereat heat transfer is not taking place, arranging series arrays of electrode pairs in any liquid present thereat will, when appropriately energized, facilitate the movement thereof to a desired destination.

[00471 Figures 23 to 25 illustrate different electrode designs for the embodiments of Figures 20 and 22. Figure 23 schematically illustrates an electrode design 4. 3B, 44B similar to Figure 1. Figure 24 schematically illustrates a grounded electrode 43B similar to Figure 23 while the high voltage electrode 44C is in the form of rings concentric with the axis of the conduit C. Figure 25 schematically illustrates an electrode design 44D, 44B similar to Figure 12.

[00481 While in the preceding discussion the conduits and electrodes have been depicted as circular in cross section, it is to be understood that all non-circular cross sections are embraced within the scope of this disclosure. That is, the conduits and electrodes can have an elliptical cross section and the like or a polygonal cross section.

[0049] Figure 26 schematically illustrates a conduction pumping mechanism 50 used in association with a liquid guiding channel 51. In this embodiment, the grounded electrode 52 is a plate oriented flush with the bottom surface 53 of the channel 51. The high voltage electrode 54 is connected by an electrical connection 56 to a high voltage source V. In this particular embodiment, the high voltage electrode protrudes into the interior of the channel and both electrodes 52 and 54 are configured to be oriented within the liquid.

[0050] Figure 27 is similar to Figure 26 except that the high voltage electrode is a pair of parallel plates 57 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel 51 and to the bottom surface 53 of the channel 51.

[CQ511 Figure 28 is similar to Figure 26 except that the high voltage electrode 58 has a rounded surface configuration as compared to the more rectangular version illustrated in Figure 26.

[0052] Figure 29 schematically illustrates a vessel 60 housing a liquid therein with a grounded ring electrode 61 oriented so that the interior surface thereof is flush with the interior surface 62 of the vessel 60. An elongate bar 63 is oriented inside the vessel 60 and is configured to serve as the high voltage electrode connected through an electrical connection 64 to the high voltage source V. In this particular embodiment, and since the vessel is closed, electrical energy applied to the electrodes 61 and 63 will effect a circulatory motion of the liquid in directions indicated by the arrows 66- 69. This configuration will facilitate in circulatory motion of liquids in environments where circulation is required.

[0053] Figure 30 schematically illustrates a vessel 60A partially filled with liquid 65. Electrical energy applied to the electrodes 61A and 63A will effect a circulatory motion of the liquid in directions indicated by the arrows 66-67.

[0054] Figure 31 schematically illustrates a manifold 70 having a liquid inlet port 71 and plural liquid outlet ports 72. The liquid outlet ports 72 are in the form of conduits similar to the conduits described above and each conduit has a series of electrodes therein.. The volume of liquid passing through each conduit 72 is monitored by a detector 73 and the voltage of the power supply is determined by a signal transmitted from the liquid flow detector 73 through the control lines 74 to the power supply to regulate the amount of high voltage V applied to the high voltage electrodes. The conduction pumping mechanisms in each conduit will therefore serve to effect an equalized flow of single phase liquid or two phase liquid/vapor through each of the conduits. It is additionally possible for the liquid flow detection device 73 to separately monitor the liquid flow through each conduit so that a corresponding electrical signal will be sent through a corresponding control line 74 to multiple and separate power supplies so that the volume of liquid being conduction pumped through each conduit will be precisely regulated.

[0055] Embraced within this disclosure is the feature of vapor depositing the electrodes onto the surface of the conduit or channel. Also embraced within this disclosure is the use of the conduction pumping mechanism to facilitate pumping of liquid and any bubbles therein.

[0056] While the electrodes have been illustrated in the drawings as having sharp corners, edges and the like, it is to be understood that the corners and edges of all electrodes are radiused. The magnitude of the radius is a function of the magnitude of the voltage and the magnitude of the electric fields. The rounded corners and edges will prevent ion injection during conduction pumping.

[0057] A grounded electrode has been specifically referenced in each of the above embodiments. It is to be understood that the phrases"high voltage electrode"and "high voltage source"as used herein and throughout merely indicate that there is to exist a sufficient potential difference between the electrodes to generate electric fields therebetween.

[0058] Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.