Patents Examined by Daniel Wagnitz
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Patent number: 9027347Abstract: A solar collector (26) includes: an outer tube (64) of circular cross-section, closed at one of its ends, an absorption layer (52) arranged inside the outer tube (64), for absorbing solar radiation (Rs), and a heat pipe (56) including a hot part (58) laid out inside the outer tube (64), a cold part (60) arranged outside the outer tube (64), and a reservoir (62) containing a heat pipe fluid (63) and extending over the hot part (58) and the cold part (60). The outer tube (64) is hermetically closed around the heat pipe (56) at the other of its ends, a vacuum being formed inside said outer tube (64). For the hot part (58) of the heat pipe (56), the reservoir (62) is applied at least locally against the absorption layer (52).Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignees: Sophia Antipolis Energie Developpement, Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Jean-Antoine Gruss, Christian LenĂ´tre, Alain Marechal, Didier Rossi, Michel Wohrer
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Patent number: 9003796Abstract: A system includes a heat exchanger and an organic Rankine cycle system. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between extraction air from a power block and nitrogen from an air separation unit. The organic Rankine cycle system is coupled to the heat exchanger. In addition, the organic Rankine cycle system is configured to convert heat from the extraction air into work.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Qiong Zhou, Deila Peng, Arnaldo Frydman, Thomas Glen Cobb
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Patent number: 9003789Abstract: An energy harvesting system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a heat engine that operates using a shape memory alloy active material. The shape memory alloy member may be in thermal communication with a hot region at a first temperature and a cold region at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The shape memory alloy material may be configured to selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite to austenite and thereby one of contract and expand in response to the first and second temperatures. A thermal conduction element may be in direct contact with the SMA material, where the thermal conduction element is configured to receive thermal energy from the hot region and to transfer a portion of the received thermal energy to the SMA material through conduction.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy, Inc., The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Paul W. Alexander, John Andrew Shaw, Christopher Burton Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Guillermo A. Herrera, Nilesh D. Mankame, Richard J. Skurkis, Wayne Brown
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Patent number: 8998596Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a pressing mechanism and a back-flow prevention mechanism. The pressing mechanism includes a back-pressure chamber facing a back surface of a movable-scroll end plate, and a back-pressure supply path arranged to allow the back-pressure chamber to communicate with a compression chamber which is in a state right before the compression chamber communicates with an outlet port or a state in which the compression chamber communicates with the outlet port. The back-flow prevention mechanism allows refrigerant of the back-pressure supply path to flow from the compression chamber to the back-pressure chamber, and prevents fluid of the back-pressure supply path from returning from the back-pressure chamber to the compression chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Nagahara, Youhei Nishide, Nobuhiro Nojima, Yoshinobu Yosuke, Takashi Uekawa, Masanori Masuda
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Patent number: 8967104Abstract: A camshaft adjuster for adjusting the phase position of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft, in particular a hydraulic camshaft adjuster. A camshaft bearing area provided in the camshaft adjuster is designed as a roller bearing.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Joachim Dietz
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Patent number: 8938965Abstract: A thermal-powered reciprocating-force motor includes a shutter switchable between a first position that passes solar energy and a second position that blocks solar energy. A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator is coupled to the shutter to control switching thereof between the shutter's first and second position. The actuator is positioned with respect to the shutter such that (i) solar energy impinges on the SMA when the shutter is in its first position so that the SMA experiences contraction in length until the shutter is switched to its second position, and (ii) solar energy is impeded from impingement on the SMA when the shutter is in its second position so that the SMA experiences extension in length. Elastic members coupled to the actuator apply a force to the SMA that aids in its extension in length until the shutter is switched to its first position.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Paul F. Tatum, III, Amelia McDow Elliott
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Patent number: 8881526Abstract: A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Bastian Family Holdings, Inc.Inventors: William A. Bastian, II, Elizabeth Sobota
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Patent number: 8881520Abstract: A roller bearing sub-assembly can include a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion spaced apart from the first mounting portion, a first roller disposed between the first and second mounting portions and straps wrapped partially around different portions of the first roller. The first mounting portion, second mounting portion, first roller and straps are configured such that the first and second mounting portions are moveable relative to each other along a selected direction for a distance that is approximately equal to a circumference of the first roller in opposite directions from a mid-stroke position. Linear roller bearing assemblies and methods of forming linear roller bearing assemblies are also disclosed, as are multi-cylinder Stirling engines and a thermal energy recovery system.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Inventor: S. Grant Emigh
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Patent number: 8876061Abstract: A method for producing a heated fluid for use within an engine for propulsion of a vehicle is described. The method includes receiving cooled fluid from a fluid source, directing the cooled fluid between a first window configured to operate as a structural member of the engine and a second window configured to separate the cooled fluid from a heated fluid, passing an electromagnetic beam through the first window and the second window, absorbing the passed electromagnetic beam with a heat exchanger within the engine, and directing the cooled fluid through the heat exchanger to become heated fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Brian J. Tillotson
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Patent number: 8857188Abstract: A hybrid drive device including an electric motor; an automatic transmission; a lubricating oil passage to which a lubricating oil pressure is supplied; and a switching valve that is switched between a first state where the lubricating oil passage communicates with a first lubricating oil passage that guides lubricating oil to the automatic transmission, and a second state where the lubricating oil passage communicates with a second lubricating oil passage that guides the lubricating oil to the electric motor. The electric motor and an internal combustion engine output shaft are operable in conjunction with the automatic transmission. The switching valve is switched from the first state to the second state when a vehicle is in a stationary state or running at a speed of a predetermined value or less including the stationary state of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuyuki Noda, Masashi Kito, Yuichi Seki, Satoru Kasuya
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Patent number: 8850816Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for regenerating power in an information handling system. The method includes circulating a cooling fluid through a fluid flow loop connecting a thermosiphon, a turbine, and a condenser. The method further includes removing heat from a heated component of the information handling system, converting the cooling fluid from a liquid state to a gaseous state in the thermosiphon, and extracting energy from the cooling fluid in the gaseous state in the turbine. The method additionally includes removing thermal energy from the cooling fluid in the condenser, converting the cooling fluid from a gaseous state to a liquid state as the thermal energy is removed from the cooling fluid, and returning the cooling fluid in the liquid state to the thermosiphon. The disclosure also includes associated systems and apparatuses.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Travis Christian North, Andrew Olen Ingalls, Eric Neil Sendelbach, Manasi Tamhankar, Srinivasan R. Kadathur
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Patent number: 8844281Abstract: A heat engine includes a first rotatable pulley and a second rotatable pulley spaced from the first rotatable pulley. A shape memory alloy (SMA) element is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at an SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element includes a first wire, a second wire, and a matrix joining the first wire and the second wire. The first wire and the second wire are in contact with the pulleys, but the matrix is not in contact with the pulleys. A timing cable is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at a timing pulley ratio, which is different than the SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element converts a thermal energy gradient between the hot region and the cold region into mechanical energy.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy, Inc, The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, John Andrew Shaw, Christopher Burton Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Paul W. Alexander, Guillermo A. Herrera, James Ryan Yates, Jeffrey W. Brown
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Patent number: 8813698Abstract: A variable valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes a first rocker arm that contacts a cam, a low lift cam provided coaxially with the cam, and a second rocker arm capable of contacting the low lift cam. The apparatus also includes a switching mechanism capable of connecting the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm to each other through pins, valves that open by being pressed by the second rocker arms via hydraulic lash adjusters arranged in the second rocker arms, and an oil supply path formed inside the second rocker arms that supplies oil to the hydraulic lash adjusters. A radius of a base circle of the low lift cam is smaller than a radius of a base circle of the cam.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Shuuji Nakano
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Patent number: 8800282Abstract: An energy harvesting system comprises a first region and a second region having a temperature difference therebetween. A heat engine is configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a first discrete element of a shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite in response to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. The first discrete element of the shape memory alloy expands and contracts in response to the phase change to exert a linear force. A motion conversion mechanism is operatively connected to the first discrete element to be driven by the linear force and a component is driven by the motion conversion mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Patrick B. Usoro, Nilesh D. Mankame, Xiujie Gao, Marten Wittorf
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Patent number: 8800283Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) heat engine includes a first rotatable pulley, a second rotatable pulley, and an SMA material disposed about the first and second rotatable pulleys and between a hot region and a cold region. A method of starting and operating the SMA heat engine includes detecting a thermal energy gradient between the hot region and the cold region using a controller, decoupling an electrical generator from one of the first and second rotatable pulleys, monitoring a speed of the SMA material about the first and second rotatable pulleys, and re-engaging the driven component if the monitored speed of the SMA material exceeds a threshold. The SMA material may selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite and austenite and between the hot region and the cold region to convert the thermal gradient into mechanical energy.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy Inc., The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander, John Andrew Shaw, Christopher Burton Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe, Guillermo A. Herrera, Jeffrey W Brown, Richard J. Skurkis
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Patent number: 8793993Abstract: An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component configured to be driven by operation of the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first member, a second member, a shape memory alloy material, and a tensioner. The second member is spaced from the first member. The shape memory alloy material operatively interconnects the first member and the second member. The shape memory alloy material is configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from martensite to austenite and thereby contract in response to exposure to a first temperature. The shape memory alloy material is also configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite and thereby expand in response to exposure to a second temperature. The tensioner is configured to apply tension to the shape memory alloy material as the shape memory alloy material selectively expands and contracts such that the shape memory alloy material is taut.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Xiujie Gao, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Andrew C. Keefe, Christopher P. Henry
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Patent number: 8789371Abstract: A power generation apparatus including a boiler feedwater pump turbine control system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a power generation apparatus is disclosed, including: a boiler feedwater pump turbine having a low pressure steam inlet and a high pressure steam inlet; a high pressure control valve for controlling admission of high pressure steam to the high pressure steam inlet; a low pressure control valve for controlling admission of low pressure steam to the low pressure steam inlet; and a control system operably coupled to the high pressure control valve and the low pressure control valve, the control system configured to close the low pressure control valve and prevent flow of the low pressure steam to the boiler feedwater pump turbine in response to a request for increased power output from a power grid.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Charles Henry Kleine
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Patent number: 8769946Abstract: A cooling system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a heat source having a first temperature and a coolant having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The cooling system includes a cooling circuit configured for conveying the coolant to and from the heat source. The cooling circuit includes a conduit and a pump in fluid communication with the conduit and configured for delivering the coolant to the heat source. The cooling system also includes a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to the temperature difference between the heat source and coolant.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Patrick B. Usoro, Nilesh D. Mankame, Xiujie Gao, Geoffrey P. McKnight, John A. Cafeo, Christopher P. Henry
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Patent number: 8769947Abstract: An exhaust system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between an exhaust gas having a first temperature and a heat sink having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The exhaust system also includes a conduit configured for conveying the exhaust gas, a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy, and a member disposed in contact with the conduit and configured for conducting thermal energy from the conduit to the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to the temperature difference between the exhaust gas and the heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Patrick B. Usoro, Nilesh D. Mankame, Xiujie Gao, Geoffrey P. Mc Knight, Marten Wittorf, John A. Cafeo, Christopher P. Henry
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Patent number: 8726862Abstract: A rocker arm for engaging a cam is disclosed. An outer arm and inner arm are configured to transfer motion to a valve of an internal combustion engine. A latching mechanism includes a latch, sleeve and orientation member. The sleeve engages the latch and a bore in the inner arm, and also provides an opening for an orientation member used in providing the correct orientation for the latch with respect to the sleeve and the inner arm. The sleeve, latch and inner arm have reference marks used to determine the optimal orientation for the latch.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Austin Zurface, Andrei Dan Radulescu, Majo Cecur, Philip M. Kline, Tony Gordon, James R. Sheren