Patents Examined by Hoang M. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11840934
    Abstract: Provided is a casing deformation amount measuring apparatus for a steam turbine including a casing, a plurality of nuts fixed to an outer surface of the casing, a plurality of bolts individually screwed, at each one side end portion thereof, in the nuts and projecting to an outer side in a diametrical direction of the casing from the outer surface of the casing, and a lagging material held by the plurality of bolts and covering the casing. The casing deformation amount measuring apparatus includes a target mounted on another side end portion of one of the bolts and exposed to the outer side in a diametrical direction of the casing with respect to the lagging material, and a distance meter that is disposed in an opposing relation to the target on the outer side in a diametrical direction of the casing and measures a distance to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Igawa
  • Patent number: 11840931
    Abstract: A process for regasifying a fluid and producing electrical energy includes subjecting a working fluid to 1) high-pressure pumping, 2) heating in a recovery unit to obtain a heated flow, the heating step comprising a low-temperature heat recovery step 2a) and a high-temperature heat recovery step 2b), 3) further heating to obtain a further heated flow, 4) expanding in a turbine, with production of electrical energy, to obtain an expanded flow, 5) cooling in a recovery unit by heat exchange, in a step 5a) with the flow of step 2b) and in a step 5b) with the flow of step 2a) to obtain a cooled flow, 6) expanding with production of mechanical energy, and 7) condensing the flow of working fluid. After step 5), a portion of the flow of working fluid is not subjected to step 6) and is subjected to a recompressing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Salvatore De Rinaldis, Massimiliano Sbarsi, Lucio Aurilio, Anton Marco Fantolini
  • Patent number: 11834968
    Abstract: A steam generation apparatus includes: a heat medium flow passage through which a heat medium flows; a primary economizer disposed in the heat medium flow passage; a secondary economizer disposed in the heat medium flow passage at an upstream side of the primary economizer with respect to a flow direction of the heat medium; a primary evaporator disposed in the heat medium flow passage at an upstream side of the secondary economizer with respect to the flow direction of the heat medium; a first flash tank for generating flash steam; a first feed water line configured to supply water heated by the primary economizer to the secondary economizer; and a second feed water line disposed so as to branch from the first feed water line and configured to supply the water heated by the primary economizer to the first flash tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Uechi, Yuichi Otani, Fumito Kajitani, Taichi Yoshii, Norito Katsuki, Kanako Nagayama, Takahiro Hidaka
  • Patent number: 11833467
    Abstract: A boiler plant includes a carbon dioxide capture system. The carbon dioxide capture system has an absorbing-liquid regeneration device and an absorber. The absorbing-liquid regeneration device includes a regenerator, a first circulation line in which the absorbing liquid is taken out from the regenerator and is returned to the regenerator, and a second circulation line in which the absorbing liquid is taken out from the regenerator and is returned to the regenerator, a heat exchanger, a heater, and a switcher. The heat exchanger heats the absorbing liquid by exchanging heat between the absorbing liquid flowing through the first circulation line and steam from the boiler. The heater heats the absorbing liquid flowing in the second circulation line. The switcher switches between a first heating state, in which the absorbing liquid flows in the first circulation line, and a second heating state, in which the absorbing liquid flows in the second circulation line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tsutsumi, Hiromi Ishii, Tetsuya Tanaka, Naoyuki Nagafuchi, Takashi Kamijo
  • Patent number: 11835067
    Abstract: A gas compressor comprising a drum affixed to a rotating shaft, the drum including a plurality of compression channels between a common pressure zone and an interior surface of the drum distal to an axis of rotation. A static vane return assembly adjacent the compression channels includes vanes extending from an inlet at an outer circumference to the common pressure zone and directing gas into the common pressure zone, either through the vanes or via separate channels or ducts. Fluid inside the rotating drum forms an annular lake that is drawn through the vanes and into the common pressure zone. Fluid is then forced into the compression channels where gas in the fluid is compressed as it travels from the common pressure zone toward the interior surface. The pressurized gas is separated from the liquid prior to leaving the compression channel assembly while the liquid is returned to the lake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CARNOT COMPRESSION INC.
    Inventors: Christophe Duchateau, Christopher David Finley, Danil Hans Shillinger
  • Patent number: 11834969
    Abstract: A steam turbine plant includes a chemical supply part configured to supply a pH adjuster to feedwater to a steam generator, an adjustment part for adjusting a supply amount of the pH adjuster to the feedwater by the chemical supply part, and at least one carbon steel component that includes a pipe or a device formed from carbon steel and through which the feedwater flows, the carbon steel component being configured such that an internal temperature at least partially falls within a range of not less than 120° C. and not greater than 180° C. under load operating condition of the steam turbine plant. The adjustment part is configured to, under the load operating condition, adjust the supply amount of the pH adjuster such that pH of the feedwater in each of the at least one carbon steel component is not less than 9.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Hamasaki, Haruka Kido, Mitsuru Nakamoto, Senichi Tsubakizaki
  • Patent number: 11828204
    Abstract: Steam generators in power plants exchange energy from a primary medium to a secondary medium for energy extraction. Steam generators include one or more primary conduits and one or more secondary conduits. The conduits do not intermix the mediums and may thus discriminate among different fluid sources and destinations. One conduit may boil feedwater while another reheats steam for use in lower and higher-pressure turbines, respectively. Valves and other selectors divert steam and/or water into the steam generator or to other turbines or the environment for load balancing and other operational characteristics. Conduits circulate around an interior perimeter of the steam generator immersed in the primary medium and may have different cross-sections, radii, and internal structures depending on contained. A water conduit may have less flow area and a tighter coil radius. A steam conduit may include a swirler and rivulet stopper to intermix water in any steam flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric P. Loewen, Scott E. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 11821386
    Abstract: A flare system including a flare stack and a modular flare unit connected in parallel with the flare stack. The modular flare unit includes a frame, at least two energy conversion modules detachably supported by the frame, a fuel manifold, an air manifold, an exhaust manifold, and an electric generator. Each energy conversion module includes a combustion chamber configured to receive a flow of residue gas through the fuel inlet for combustion in the chamber at (or close to) atmospheric pressure, and a Stirling engine configured to convert heat from the combustion chamber into mechanical energy. The electric generator is connected to generate electric power from the mechanical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: Gunnar Larsson
  • Patent number: 11815072
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal actuator arrangement for moving an actuator between a first actuating position and a second actuating position comprising: a first partial actuator having a first thermal actuator element to which a first opposing force is applied; a second partial actuator having a second thermal actuator element to which a second opposing force is applied, wherein the actuator elements are configured to modify their shape against the opposing force in each case as a result of a temperature change; an actuator which is coupled to the first partial actuator, such that, when the first actuator element is deactivated, the actuator is held in the first actuating position when a holding force takes effect and, when the holding force is eliminated, the actuator moves to the second actuating position due to the effect of the first opposing force; a securing element which is coupled to the second partial actuator in order to provide the holding force when the second actuator element is in the deact
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: University of Saarland, Zema Ctr for Mechatronics and Automation Tech.
    Inventors: Rouven Britz, Stefan Seelecke, Paul Motzki
  • Patent number: 11815293
    Abstract: Method for installing a geothermal system, comprising: arranging a drilling equipment, including a support structure and a terminal module, mounted on the support structure; by means of the drilling equipment, drilling the soil in succession along a substantially vertical first tract, a substantially horizontal second tract and a substantially vertical third tract, the first, second and third tracts forming a substantially U-shaped well, the first tract having a surface inlet, where the drilling is started, the third tract having a surface outlet, where the drilling is finished, the well crossing a geothermal zone; arranging a casing in the well, so that the casing extends between the inlet of the first tract and the outlet of the third tract; arranging a heat utilization system, associated with an axial end of the casing; arranging a hydraulic system configured to cause a heat transfer fluid to circulate in the casing, so that the heat transfer fluid will absorb heat from the geothermal formation and will re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Geolog S.r.l.
    Inventor: Antonio Calleri
  • Patent number: 11814992
    Abstract: A system and method for heating steam sample and chemical sample and feed tubes/lines in a natural gas fired heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) power plant including a tube impedance heater (IH) control system and at least one impedance heated tube having an outer insulation and an electrically conducting inner tube member, the impedance heated tube having an input IH feed power electrical connector and electrically connected at a first connection to the inner tube member, and a return IH power electrical connector electrically connected at a second connection by a first end of a return electrical cable and a first connector and second connector each mechanically and fluidly coupling the first and second connections respectively to the inner tube member to the steam sample or chemical sample or feed tube/line and electrically isolating the first end and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Indeeco, LLC
    Inventor: John Kozich
  • Patent number: 11808488
    Abstract: A method for controlling temperature maxima and minima from the heel to toe in geothermal well lateral sections. The method includes disposing at least a pair of wells proximately where thermal contact is possible. Working fluid is circulated in one well of the pair in one direction and the working fluid of the second well is circulated in as direction opposite. to the first. In this manner temperature equilibration is attainable to mitigate maxima and minima to result in a substantially more uniform temperature of the working fluids in respective wells and the rock formation area there between. Specific operating protocol is disclosed having regard to the temperature control for maximizing thermal energy recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Eavor Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Cairns, Matthew Toews, John Redfern
  • Patent number: 11795974
    Abstract: A fan, and a silencer that silences a sound generated by the fan are provided, in which the silencer has a resonance characteristic, the silencer is disposed at a position connected to a sound field space of the sound generated by the fan, and a sum of an absorbance and a reflectivity of the silencer at a resonance frequency is 10% to 43% and a standardized half-width of the silencer is more than 0.05 and 0.25 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Hakuta, Shogo Yamazoe, Yoshihiro Sugawara, Akihiko Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 11795963
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for holding an impeller of a pump assembly in place axially with an impeller locking collar by loading the collar against a ring element. In a centrifugal pump assembly, one side of the shaft has a larger diameter for the impeller to abut against. The other side of the shaft may be fitted with an impeller locking collar comprising two portions that can be threaded together and hold the impeller in place by tightening against a ring element such as a split ring or spiral lock. Anti-rotation to avoid loosening of the impeller locking collar may be achieved by providing counter threads against a shaft rotation. Secondary anti-rotation may be provided by one or more set screws in the impeller locking collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Brian Alan Yarnot, Cody Mac Arliss, Paul Matthew Landschoot, Jr., Douglas J. Nobles, Kenneth Michael Smith, Paul Walter Behnke
  • Patent number: 11798434
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using spun synthetic fibers to model ligaments of a joint of an animal. Further disclosed are models of joints which comprise spun synthetic fibers used to model ligaments. In certain aspects, the models of joints can be used for instructional purposes, as phantom models for testing medical devices or as models for calibration of tools used in physiological and/or biomechanical measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Mariana Elizabeth Kersh, Sam Walter Goldsmith, Sara Moshage, Roberto Alonso Pineda Guzman
  • Patent number: 11795924
    Abstract: A hybrid actuation device includes an artificial muscle, a first plate coupled to a second plate, and a shape memory alloy wire. The artificial muscle includes a housing, a first electrode and a second electrode, and a dielectric fluid. The housing includes a first film layer, a second film layer, an electrode region, and an expandable fluid region. The first electrode and the second electrode are each disposed in the electrode region of the housing. The dielectric fluid is disposed within the housing. The first plate and the second plate are positioned within the housing, the first plate positioned between the first film layer and the first electrode, and the second plate positioned between the second film layer and the second electrode. The shape memory alloy wire extends from the first plate to the second plate and through the dielectric fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Rowe
  • Patent number: 11788517
    Abstract: Bistable shape memory alloy inertial actuator capable of preventing accidental actuation caused by environmental temperature variations, its method of operation and its use in devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SAES GETTERS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marco Citro, Stefano Alacqua, Salvatore Coco, Giorgio Vergani
  • Patent number: 11788430
    Abstract: A counter-rotating turbine of an aircraft turbomachine, includes a casing including an endoscopy port configured for an endoscopy plug of a non-destructive testing device to pass into the casing. The endoscopy plug includes a mechanism for acquiring and transmitting images. The non-destructive testing device includes a mechanism for receiving and displaying images connected to the mechanism for acquiring and transmitting images by a wireless connection. First and second rotors are configured to rotate in opposite rotation directions, the second rotor having an endoscopy port in which the endoscopy plug is removably attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Patrick Jean Laurent Sultana, Renaud James Martet, Maxime Aurelien Rotenberg
  • Patent number: 11787548
    Abstract: Aircraft power plants including combustion engines, and associated methods for recuperating waste heat from such aircraft power plants are described. A method includes transferring the heat rejected by the internal combustion engine to supercritical CO2 (sCO2) used as a working fluid in a heat engine. The heat engine converts at least some the heat transferred to the sCO2 to mechanical energy to perform useful work onboard the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jean Thomassin, Serge Dussault, Joseph Brent Staubach
  • Patent number: 11788461
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling turbocharger operation by maintaining a virtual turbocharger speed calculation using airflow parameters in the context of an engine. An example uses a turbocharger speed estimator, an energy observer, and an energy controller. Optimization of turbocharger speed control, including avoidance of overspeed, while reducing wastegate actuation, can be achieved using a predictive control algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Garrett Transportation I Inc.
    Inventor: Lubomir Baramov