Patents Examined by Shafiq Mian
  • Patent number: 11867096
    Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Jeremy Quentin Keller, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
  • Patent number: 11867093
    Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more thermal storage blocks that define a radiation chamber and a fluid flow slot positioned above the radiation chamber to define a fluid pathway in a first direction. The apparatus includes a heater element positioned adjacent to the radiation chamber in a second, different direction, wherein the radiation chamber is open on at least one side to the heater element. The apparatus includes a fluid movement system configured to direct a stream of fluid through the fluid pathway in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Jeremy Quentin Keller, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
  • Patent number: 11867095
    Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Jeremy Quentin Keller, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
  • Patent number: 11867172
    Abstract: A uniaxial eccentric screw pump includes: a rotor 1 including a shaft body of a male screw type; a stator 2 having a through hole 2a of a female screw type through which the rotor 1 is inserted; a casing 3 connected to one end side of the stator 2; an end stud 4 connected, to the other end side of the stator 2; and a position adjusting member 5 that adjusts a relative position of the stator 2 with respect to the rotor 1 in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: HEISHIN Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuhisa Suhara
  • Patent number: 11859518
    Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery Von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Jeremy Quentin Keller, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
  • Patent number: 11859811
    Abstract: Auxiliary boiler systems, and methods of implementing and/or operating auxiliary boiler systems, are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, an auxiliary boiler system for use in conjunction with a main steam source includes an auxiliary boiler, a deaerator coupled directly to and integrated with the auxiliary boiler, and a condensate storage tank coupled at least indirectly to the deaerator. Also, in another example embodiment, a method of implementing an auxiliary boiler system for use in conjunction with a main steam source includes setting a condensate storage tank in relation to a first support structure at a first position, and setting an auxiliary boiler at a second position. The method further includes directly coupling a deaerator to the auxiliary boiler so that the deaerator is integrated with the auxiliary boiler, and installing at least one interconnection by which the condensate storage tank is at least indirectly coupled to the deaerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Cleaver-Brooks Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Meenatchinathan Vasudevan, Dillon Gushard, Nick Ferguson, Paul Brown
  • Patent number: 11859615
    Abstract: A scroll compressor comprises a partition plate, a compression mechanism, a capacity adjustment device and a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly isolates a back pressure chamber from a high-pressure space and low-pressure space. A first sealing portion is formed between the sealing assembly and the partition plate. The capacity adjustment device is provided with a variable pressure chamber and configured to establish or break the communication between a first compression chamber and the low pressure space by changing the pressure in the variable pressure chamber. According to the compressor, requirements for pressure in the back pressure chamber of the compressor in different load conditions can be balanced, the axial force on the compression mechanism can be reduced, the power consumption of the scroll compressor can be lowered, the system performance can be improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Copeland Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Yang, Hongcai Zheng, Hongfei Shu
  • Patent number: 11859597
    Abstract: An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Abell Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry R. Cole, Jonathan M. Ross, Andrew Rekret, Henry Sibenaller, William Schulz, Russ Krull, Laurence Jay Shapiro
  • Patent number: 11852044
    Abstract: A power generating machine system is connected to the thermodynamic field similar to a steam power plant that can be used both mobile and in a fixed manner, which uses fluid liquid nitrogen and/or liquid air mixture and atmosphere air as an energy source. The power generating machine system is not harmful to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Bayram Ari
  • Patent number: 11852125
    Abstract: The invention provides an energy recovery system comprising a plurality of Shape-Memory Alloy (SMAs) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements arranged to define a core and housed in an immersion chamber. A first fluid is introduced into the chamber and provides a first temperature change to activate the core from a first state to a second state and a second fluid is introduced at a second temperature to activate the core from the second state to the first state. A gas is inserted into the chamber between the first fluid and the second fluid. The advantage of the invention is that increased efficiency and power production from the SMA/NTE engine is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: EXERGYN, LTD.
    Inventors: Kevin O'Toole, Gary O'Sullivan, Jan Pilch
  • Patent number: 11852062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing greenhouse gas emission in a vessel and a vessel including the same, which are capable of constantly maintaining a concentration of a greenhouse gas absorbing liquid to prevent a decrease in absorption performance of an absorption tower, and applying a pressurization system to prevent the loss of an absorbent liquid due to the natural evaporation of a high-concentration absorbent liquid. Or which are capable of cooling exhaust gas with fresh water by a heat exchange method, thereby preventing a decrease in concentration of an absorbent liquid, and controlling the concentration of the absorbent liquid to constantly maintain the concentration of the absorbing liquid, thereby preventing a decrease in absorption performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Byung Tak Nam
  • Patent number: 11846198
    Abstract: A turbomachine, particularly for a rotary-wing aircraft, including a gas generator provided with a rotary shaft, a first reversible electric machine, a power turbine rotationally driven by a stream of gas generated by the gas generator, at least one accessory from among an oil pump and a fuel pump, an accessory gearbox comprising a gear train configured to drive said at least one accessory, and a second electric machine. The second electric machine is reversible, said first electric machine is mechanically coupled to the gas generator, the accessory gearbox and the second electric machine are mechanically coupled to the power turbine, and the turbomachine is devoid of any kinematic coupling between the gear train of the accessory gearbox and the shaft of the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES
    Inventors: Loïs Pierre Denis Vive, Olivier Bedrine, Thomas Drouin
  • Patent number: 11846197
    Abstract: A system including: a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy, wherein the PHES system comprises a working fluid path circulating a working fluid through, in sequence, at least a compressor system, a hot-side heat exchanger system, a turbine system, a cold-side heat exchanger system, and back to the compressor system; and (ii) a fluid path directing a hot fluid from a heat source external to the PHES system through a reheater, wherein a portion of the working fluid path through the turbine system comprises circulating the working fluid through a first turbine, the reheater, and a second turbine, and wherein the working fluid thermally contacts the hot fluid in the reheater, thereby transferring heat from the hot fluid to the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventor: Bao H. Truong
  • Patent number: 11840932
    Abstract: A first system herein may include: (i) a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a generation mode to convert at least a portion of stored thermal energy into electricity, wherein the PHES system includes a working fluid path circulating a working fluid through, in sequence, at least a compressor system, a hot-side heat exchanger system, a turbine system, a cold-side heat exchanger system, and back to the compressor system; and (ii) a fluid path directing a first fluid through an intercooler and to a power generation plant, and wherein the working fluid path through the compressor system includes circulating the working fluid through, in sequence, at least a first compressor, the intercooler, and a second compressor, and wherein the intercooler thermally contacts the working fluid with the first fluid, transferring heat from the working fluid to the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: MALTA INC.
    Inventor: Bao H. Truong
  • Patent number: 11841013
    Abstract: The scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll (8) having a fixed end plate (11) and a fixed spiral wrap (12) extending from the fixed end plate (11); an orbiting scroll (9) having an orbiting base plate (14) and an orbiting spiral wrap (15) extending from a first face of the orbiting base plate (14), the orbiting spiral wrap (15) of the orbiting scroll (9) meshing with the fixed spiral wrap (12) of the fixed scroll (8) to form compression chambers (18), the orbiting base plate (14) having a flange portion (16) radially extending on at least part of the circumference of the orbiting base plate (14) and beyond an outer wall surface of the orbiting spiral wrap (15); and a first and a second axial stabilizing arrangement (29, 31) configured to axially stabilize the orbiting scroll (9), the first axial stabilizing arrangement (29) being formed between the flange portion (16) of the orbiting base plate (14) and the fixed scroll (8), and the second axial stabilizing arrangement (31) being formed between a portion of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Danfoss Commercial Compressors
    Inventors: Remi Bou Dargham, Arnaud Daussin, David Genevois
  • Patent number: 11841008
    Abstract: An actuator that includes a shell, a ring structure within the shell, a shape-memory material wire fixed at opposite points of the ring structure to extend in a first direction across a width of the ring structure, and a cooling fluid provided within the shell and in fluid communication with the shape-memory material wire. When the shape-memory material wire is heated, the shape-memory material wire contracts in the first direction to reduce the width of the ring structure and increases a height of the ring structure extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shardul S. Panwar, Michael P. Rowe, Maduran Palaniswamy, Ryohei Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 11834999
    Abstract: An electric power generation controller for use in an aircraft is a controller of an electric power generating system configured such that: a manual transmission changes speed of rotational power of an aircraft engine; a continuously variable transmission changes the speed of the rotational power which has been changed in speed by the manual transmission; and the continuously variable transmission transmits the rotational power to an electric power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kippei Matsuda, Hideyuki Imai, Kenichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11828261
    Abstract: A turbine apparatus (10) for deployment in a waterway, comprises a rotor support system (12), a rotor mechanism (14) and a power take-off device (16). The rotor support system (12) is operable to support and align the rotor mechanism (14) with a direction of flow of flowing water in the waterway. Deployment of the turbine apparatus (10) in flowing water generates power. The rotor support system (12) includes an elongated shaft (13), which includes a buoyancy adjusting component (17); a flexible coupling (15) at a first end; and the rotor mechanism (14) being attachable to a second free end of the elongated shaft (13). The flexible coupling (15) facilitates connection of the first end of the elongated shaft to a support structure and facilitates a substantially freely yawing connection of the axial flow turbine apparatus to a support structure located in the waterway in which the turbine apparatus is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: FLEX MARINE POWER LTD
    Inventor: David Paul Mummery
  • Patent number: 11828224
    Abstract: A device includes a heat exchanger having one end connected to an air line through which air flows, and the other end connected to a hydrogen line through which liquid-state hydrogen flows. The heat exchanger is configured to produce liquid-state air as the air and the liquid-state hydrogen exchange heat with each other. The device also includes an air storage container connected to the heat exchanger via the air line and configured to store the liquid-state air discharged from the heat exchanger, and an evaporator connected to the air storage container via the air line and configured to evaporate the liquid-state air, supplied from the air storage container, through heat exchange. The device additionally includes a power generator configured to receive the air, discharged from the evaporator, via the air line, thereby producing electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jin Young Heo
  • Patent number: 11821410
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly comprises a first part, including a surface, a second part which moves relative to the first part across the surface and a resilient biasing element that biases the second part into contact with the first part so as to generate frictional forces therebetween for retaining the second part on the surface. At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire is connected between the first part and the second part and arranged to, on contraction thereof, apply a force to the second part with a component parallel to the surface that drives movement of the second part relative to the first part across the surface. Thus, the second part is retained on the surface when no power is applied to the shape memory alloy wire, and movement is achieved when power is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown, Peter Van Wyk