(19)

(11)

EP 1 159 530 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 05.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/49 (21) Application number: 00908329.6 (22) Date of filing: 21.01.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F04D 29/38 (86) International application number: PCT/US0001/434 (87) International publication number: WO 0046/511 (10.08.2000 Gazette 2000/32)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 08.02.1999 US 118985 P (71) Applicant: Midwest Research Institute Kansas CityMissouri 64110 (US)	(72) Inventors: TANGLER, James, L. Boulder, CO 80303 (US) SOMERS, Dan, M. Port Matilda, PA 16870 (US) (74) Representative: Geyer, Ulrich F., Dr. Dipl.-Phys.  WAGNER & GEYER,Patentanwälte,Gewürzmühlstrasse 5 80538 München 80538 München (DE)