Patents Examined by Jennifer K Michener
  • Patent number: 11397049
    Abstract: A purification system for recovering carbon dioxide from a gaseous carbon dioxide stream originating from a fermentation process, brewery or a bottling line is provided. The purification system includes a compressor in fluid communication with an absorber. The compressor provides a compressed gaseous stream at a predetermined pressure and the absorber separates the compressed gaseous stream into a carbon dioxide rich gaseous stream and a contaminant rich stream. A condenser is designed to operate at a pressure of at least 30 bar and is designed to separate the carbon dioxide rich gaseous stream into a condensate and a purge gas. A distillation column is configured to separate the condensate into a second purge gas and a purified carbon dioxide stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: UNION ENGINEERING A/S
    Inventors: Rasmus Find, Jan Flensted Poulsen
  • Patent number: 11358092
    Abstract: The embodiments provide an acidic gas absorbent kept from deterioration, an acidic gas removal method using the absorbent, and an acidic gas removal apparatus using the same. The acidic gas absorbent contains an amine compound and water, and further contains superfine bubble containing inert gas wherein an average diameter of said superfine bubble is 150 nm or less. The acidic gas removal method provided here employs that absorbent. The acidic gas removal apparatus is equipped with a unit for introducing the superfine bubbles into the absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akiko Suzuki, Yoshihiko Nakano, Reiko Yoshimura, Toshihiro Imada, Takashi Kuboki, Kenji Sano, Mitsuru Udatsu
  • Patent number: 10193049
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generator unit, in particular for coupling to an exhaust gas pipe of an internal combustion engine, comprises at least one inner tube (16) having gas flowing therein and whose outer circumference comprises at least one flat portion (24). An oval outer housing (12) completely surrounds the inner tube (16) in circumferential direction. A plurality of thermoelectric modules (14) are arranged on the flat portions (24) of the inner tube (16). At least one cooling element (18) is provided which comprises a flat side on which the thermoelectric modules (14) are arranged. The assembly unit made up of inner tube (16), thermoelectric modules (14) and cooling element (18) is surrounded by an elastic compensation element (20) which rests on the inner side of the outer housing (12) and is retained in the outer housing (12) by means of clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: FAURECIA EMISSIONS CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES, GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Paul Vitek, Boris Kienle
  • Patent number: 10164135
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to the use of graphene as a transparent conductive coating (TCC). In certain example embodiments, graphene thin films grown on large areas hetero-epitaxially, e.g., on a catalyst thin film, from a hydrocarbon gas (such as, for example, C2H2, CH4, or the like). The graphene thin films of certain example embodiments may be doped or undoped. In certain example embodiments, graphene thin films, once formed, may be lifted off of their carrier substrates and transferred to receiving substrates, e.g., for inclusion in an intermediate or final product. Graphene grown, lifted, and transferred in this way may exhibit low sheet resistances (e.g., less than 150 ohms/square and lower when doped) and high transmission values (e.g., at least in the visible and infrared spectra).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Guardian Glass, LLC
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 9905712
    Abstract: A method of spray deposition for inorganic nanocrystal solar cells comprising subjecting a first solution of CdTe or CdSe nanocrystals to ligand exchange with a small coordinating molecule, diluting the first solution in solvent to form a second solution, applying the second solution to a substrate, drying the substrate, dipping the substrate in a solution in MeOH of a compound that promotes sintering, washing the substrate with iPrOH, drying the substrate with N2, and heating and forming a film on the substrate. An inorganic nanocrystal solar cell comprising a substrate, a layer of metal, a layer of CdTe, a layer of CdSe, and a layer of transparent conductor. An inorganic nanocrystal solar cell comprising a transparent conductive substrate, a layer of CdSe, a layer of CdTe, and a Au contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Edward E Foos, Woojun Yoon, Joseph G. Tischler
  • Patent number: 9496093
    Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a dye-sensitized solar cell capable of improving photoelectric conversion efficiency, which is obtained at low costs, and a dye-sensitized solar cell module using the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Miho Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9171982
    Abstract: Provided are novel building integrable photovoltaic (BIPV) modules having integrated jumpers for interconnecting similar modules in adjacent rows. An integrated jumper is provided on a back side of the photovoltaic portion of the module and includes at least two interconnected jumper contact points. The module also has two connectors provided on the front side of its flap portion. Each connector has at least one connector contact point connected to one or more photovoltaic cells of the module. When a module is positioned over flap portions of two other modules previously installed in an adjacent row, the two jumper contact points on the back side of this new module make electrical connections to the two connector contact points on the front side of the installed modules. In turn, these connections interconnect the photovoltaic cells of the two modules without any need for additional connectors or operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: APOLLO PRECISION (KUNMING) YUANHONG LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael C. Meyers
  • Patent number: 9064985
    Abstract: The invention relates to nickel-cobalt alloys as current collectors and conductive interconnects, and to methods of deposition thereof on transparent conductive oxides. The invention further relates to transparent conductive oxides on which a nickel-cobalt alloy is deposited and to electrodes made of such transparent conductive oxides for photochemical applications, in particular, for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Arie Zaban, Larissa Grinis
  • Patent number: 9059352
    Abstract: A solar energy concentrating system with high light collection efficiency includes a light concentrating unit, a light homogenizing unit and photovoltaic modules. The light concentrating unit includes a parabolic reflector and an ellipsoidal reflector which are coaxial and confocal. The light homogenizing unit includes an infrared filter and a hollow spherical reflector with a hole in its surface. When the system is under illumination, light is concentrated by the light concentrating unit through the hole in the spherical reflector surface and reflected by the inner surface of the spherical reflector onto the photovoltaic modules. The infrared filter covers the hole in the spherical reflector surface and reduces the heat in the photovoltaic modules under concentrated light. The combination of the parabolic reflector and the ellipsoidal reflector obtain highly concentrated light, and the hollow spherical reflector ensures light uniformity on the photovoltaic modules and light utilization efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: PU NI TAI YANG NENG (HANGZHOU) CO., LIMITED
    Inventor: Pingrong Yu
  • Patent number: 9059366
    Abstract: A solar energy collection system includes a solar cell, a transparent covering, and a eutectic interlayer binding the solar cell and the transparent covering together. At least some of a compound of the eutectic interlayer bonds with the transparent covering, raising the melting temperature of the eutectic interlayer above the melting temperature with the full amount of the compound present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Bernie F. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8716596
    Abstract: A silicon solar cell having a silicon substrate includes p-type and n-type emitters on a surface of the substrate, the emitters being doped nano-particles of silicon. To reduce high interface recombination at the substrate surface, the nano-particle emitters are preferably formed over a thin interfacial tunnel oxide layer on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventor: Richard M. Swanson
  • Patent number: 8653357
    Abstract: A device and method wherein a thermo electric generator device is disposed between stacks of a multiple level device, or is provided on or under a die of a package and is conductively connected to the package. The thermo electric generator device is configured to generate a voltage by converting heat into electric power. The voltage which is generated by the thermo electric generator can be recycled back into the die itself, or to a higher-level unit in the system, even to a cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Zachary A. Prather, Steven E. Reder, Michael J. Berman
  • Patent number: 8586854
    Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion element is configured to have two types of conductors with different Seebeck coefficients physically connected alternately with an electrode via one or more electrical resistance layers formed by electrical resistor having electrical resistance rate of 1×10?3 ?cm or more. This arrangement enables charges to be generated by the difference of temperature in both ends of the element and to be densely stored in the electrical resistance layers formed by electrical resistor. Moreover, it is thought that thermal energy equivalent to the difference of temperature is input into the electrical resistance layers and that electromotive force increases as a result of an increase of output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Da Vinci Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Higashi, Yuji Hori, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Yoji Yamada, Kaoru Kishigui, Akira Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8492645
    Abstract: A transportable, self-contained, solar power system comprised of a plurality of individual solar power arrays, each array being contained within a transportable frame. Each array is folded into a frame during transportation. Upon reaching a desired location, the frame is positioned at a desired location. The frame then acts as a base while its solar power array is activated and deployed. The array has the capability of tracking the position of the sun during deployment. Each frame has a global positioning system (GPS) and a controller containing a chart of sun locations for a given location. The controller positions a frame's solar array to maximize the array's exposure to the sun. Each frame has a battery system, enabling a frame's solar array to self-start after a period of darkness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Strahm
  • Patent number: 8383275
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising an electrode group including a positive electrode, a negative electrode including a material for absorbing-desorbing lithium ions, and a separator arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a nonaqueous electrolyte impregnated in the electrode group and including a nonaqueous solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the nonaqueous solvent, and a jacket for housing the electrode group and having a thickness of 0.3 mm or less, wherein the nonaqueous solvent ?-butyrolactone in an amount larger than 50% by volume and not larger than 95% by volume based on the total amount of the nonaqueous solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Norio Takami, Hiroyuki Hasebe, Takahisa Ohsaki, Motoya Kanda
  • Patent number: 8377594
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cathode active material based on lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide represented by Formula 1, wherein the lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide has a nickel content of at least 40% among overall transition metals and is coated with a conductive polymer at a surface thereof. A lithium secondary battery having the disclosed cathode active material has advantages of not deteriorating electrical conductivity while enhancing high temperature stability, so as to efficiently provide high charge capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung kyun Chang, Hong-Kyu Park, Sinyoung Park
  • Patent number: 8367257
    Abstract: A fuel cell system (10) that includes with a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (22) having a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided with a determining portion that determines whether a moisture content in the polymer electrolyte membrane is low, and an anode gas pressure regulating portion that sets a gas pressure on an anode side of the fuel cell lower than a set value of the gas pressure on the anode side during steady operation in which the moisture content is not low, when it is determined that the moisture content is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Yumita
  • Patent number: 8361661
    Abstract: A magnesium battery electrode assembly is described, including a current collector comprising a carbonaceous material and an electrode layer comprising an electrode active material disposed on the current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Pellion Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ellis Doe, George Earl Blomgren, Kristin Aslaug Persson
  • Patent number: 8354194
    Abstract: A negative electrode active material characterized in that carbonaceous matter essentially consisting of carbon adheres to the surface of a tin particle essentially consisting of tin, with a mixture phase, in which tin and carbon are mixed, interposed between the carbonaceous matter and the tin particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8354192
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode active material, an electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The electrode active material comprises a mixture of 10 parts by weight to 900 parts by weight of a first lithium mixed metal oxide and 100 parts by weight of a second lithium mixed metal oxide, wherein the first lithium mixed metal oxide is in a powder form and has a BET specific surface area of 3 m2/g or more and 30 m2/g or less, and the second lithium mixed metal oxide is in a powder form and has a BET specific surface area of 0.1 m2/g or more and 2 m2/g or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yuichiro Imanari