(19)

(11)

EP 1 706 619 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 22.09.2005 (43) Date of publication: 04.10.2006 Bulletin 2006/40 (21) Application number: 04784470.9 (22) Date of filing: 20.09.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  F02C 1/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/030615 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/028831 (31.03.2005 Gazette 2005/13)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 19.09.2003 US 504138 P 17.09.2004 US 944374 17.09.2004 US 944317 17.09.2004 US 944071 (71) Applicant: The Texas A & M Univsersity System College Station, TX 77843 (US)	(72) Inventors: HOLTZAPPLE, Mark, T. College Station, TX 77840-4859 (US) NOYES, Gary, P. Houston, TX 77062 (US) RABROKER, George, A. College Station, TX 77845 (US) (74) Representative: Lawrence, John  Barker Brettell, 138 Hagley Road, Edgbaston Birmingham B16 9PW Birmingham B16 9PW (GB)