Patents Examined by Webeshet Mengesha
  • Patent number: 11015842
    Abstract: A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a first magneto-caloric cylinder and a second magneto-caloric cylinder. The second magneto-caloric cylinder and a second plurality of thermal stages are nested concentrically within the first magneto-caloric cylinder and a first plurality of thermal stages. A plurality of magnets is distributed along a circumferential direction within a non-magnetic ring in each thermal stage of the first and second pluralities of thermal stages. Each thermal stage of the first and second pluralities of thermal stages has a first half and a second half. A polarity of the magnets of the plurality of magnets within the first half is oriented opposite a polarity of the magnets of the plurality of magnets within the second half along the radial direction in each thermal stage of the first and second pluralities of thermal stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10995981
    Abstract: A method for recovering natural gas liquids from a recycle stream having natural gas is provided. In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide recycle stream that comprises carbon dioxide, natural gas, and natural gas liquids is received. The carbon dioxide recycle stream is separated into a purified carbon dioxide recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream. The purified carbon dioxide recycle stream comprises the carbon dioxide and the natural gas, and the natural gas liquids stream comprises the natural gas liquids. In another embodiment, a system comprises piping and a separator. The piping is configured to receive a recycle stream, and the separator is coupled to the piping and is configured to separate the recycle stream into a purified recycle stream and a natural gas liquids stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Pilot Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Prim
  • Patent number: 10989469
    Abstract: A system for processing a gas stream can include a physical solvent unit, an acid gas removal unit upstream or downstream of the physical solvent unit, and an LNG liquefaction unit downstream of the acid gas removal unit. The physical solvent unit is configured to receive a feed gas, remove at least a portion of any C5+ hydrocarbons in the feed gas stream using a physical solvent, and produce a cleaned gas stream comprising the feed gas stream with the portion of the C5+ hydrocarbons removed. The acid gas removal unit is configured to receive the cleaned gas stream, remove at least a portion of any acid gases present in the cleaned gas stream, and produce a treated gas stream. The LNG liquefaction unit is configured to receive the treated gas stream and liquefy at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the treated gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John Mak, Jacob Thomas
  • Patent number: 10989449
    Abstract: A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a magneto-caloric cylinder. A plurality of thermal stages is stacked along an axial direction between a cold side and a hot side. A plurality of supports is positioned within the plurality of thermal stages. The plurality of supports is distributed along the axial direction. The plurality of supports contacts the magneto-caloric cylinder such that the plurality of supports limits deflection of the magneto-caloric cylinder along a radial direction. The plurality of thermal stages and the magneto-caloric cylinder are configured for relative rotation between the plurality of thermal stages and the magneto-caloric cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10959550
    Abstract: A electronically cooled container assembly for cooling a beverage includes a base is positionable on a support surface. A thermoelectric cooling coil is positioned within the base and the thermoelectric coiling coil is in thermal communication with the base. The thermoelectric cooling coil absorbs heat from the base when the thermoelectric cooling coil is turned on thereby cooling the base. A pitcher for containing a beverage is provided and the pitcher is comprised of a translucent material. The pitcher is positionable on the base such that the pitcher is in thermal communication with the base. Moreover, the thermoelectric cooling coil cools the pitcher when the thermoelectric cooling coil is turned on for cooling the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: Morris Broussard
  • Patent number: 10928128
    Abstract: A system and process that are configured to prepare incoming hydrocarbon feedstocks for storage. For incoming ethane gas, the embodiments can utilize a plurality of vessels to distill the incoming feedstock to vapor and liquid ethane that is suitable for storage. The embodiments can direct the vapor to a demethanizer column that is downstream of the vessels and other components. The process can include stages for distilling an incoming feedstock at a plurality of vessels to form a vapor and a liquid for storage; directing the vapor to a demethanizer column; and circulating liquid from the demethanizer column back to the plurality of vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: David Allen Kennedy, Mark Mulherin Salamon, Christopher Scott Yount
  • Patent number: 10890361
    Abstract: A heat transfer system cycles between a first mode where a heat transfer fluid is directed to a first electrocaloric module and from the first electrocaloric module to a heat exchanger to a second electrocaloric module while one of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized, and a second mode where the heat transfer fluid is directed to the second electrocaloric module and from the second electrocaloric module to the heat exchanger to the first electrocaloric module, while the other of the first and second electrocaloric modules is energized. The modes are repeatedly cycled in alternating order directing the heat transfer fluid to cause a temperature gradient in each of the first and second electrocaloric modules, and fluid from a flow path between the electrocaloric modules is mixed with circulating fluid from a conditioned space to cool or heat the conditioned space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Subramanyaravi Annapragada, Thomas D. Radcliff, Parmesh Verma, Neal R. Herring, David E. Parekh
  • Patent number: 10876769
    Abstract: A cryocooler includes: a housing furnished with a housing bottom surface; a displacer furnished with a displacer upper surface between the housing bottom surface and which an upper gas chamber is formed, and being enabled to reciprocate axially with respect to the housing; a housing gas flow path formed in the housing and opening onto the upper gas chamber; a displacer upper gas flow path formed in the displacer and opening onto the upper gas chamber; and a gas-guiding flow channel formed in at least either the housing bottom surface or the displacer upper surface constituting a portion of the upper gas chamber, and interconnecting the housing gas flow path and the displacer upper gas flow path when the displacer is positioned at top-dead center in its axial reciprocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Yamada
  • Patent number: 10866023
    Abstract: Disclosed is an adiabatic collector for recycling gas, a liquefier for recycling gas, and a recovery apparatus for recycling gas using the same. More specifically, gas to be recycled is collected in an adiabatic manner, cooled to a temperature lower than the dew point thereof, and stored in the liquid state through a phase change, thereby saving energy required for re-cooling the gas. Particularly, the present invention relates to an adiabatic collector for recycling gas, a liquefier for recycling gas, and a recovery apparatus for recycling gas using the same, in which recycling gas is compressed through a natural inducement method using a difference in temperature and pressure while being collected and liquefied, thereby reducing noise, vibration, and size of the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: KOREA BASIC SCIENCE INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Seung Young Park, Yeon Suk Choi
  • Patent number: 10852040
    Abstract: Disclosed is a linear expander includes: a body portion including a suction hole through which a fluid having a first pressure flows in, a discharge hole through which the fluid flows out with a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure, and first and second holes connecting an expansion space formed between the suction hole and the discharge hole, a first linear generating portion and a second linear generating portion respectively causing pistons provided in the first hole and the second hole to linearly reciprocate to generate an induced electromotive force with an expansion force generated when the fluid having the first pressure expands to the fluid having the second pressure, a suction valve opening and closing the suction hole, and a discharge valve and closing the discharge hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Junseok Ko, Hyo-Bong Kim, Seong-Je Park, Han-Kil Yeom, Yong-Ju Hong, Sehwan In
  • Patent number: 10816263
    Abstract: A moderate pressure air separation unit and air separation cycle is disclosed that provides for up to about 96% recovery of argon and an overall nitrogen recovery of 98% or greater. The air separation is configured to produce a high purity oxygen enriched stream which is used as the refrigerant to condense the argon in the argon condenser, with the resulting vaporized oxygen stream used to regenerate the temperature swing adsorption prepurifier unit. Argon recovery is facilitated with the use of an argon superstaged column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Neil M. Prosser, James R. Handley, Brian R. Kromer
  • Patent number: 10788260
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of removing refrigerant from a natural gas liquefaction system in which vaporized mixed refrigerant is withdrawn from the closed-loop refrigeration circuit and introduced into a distillation column so as to be separated into an overhead vapor enriched in methane and a bottoms liquid enriched in heavier components. Overhead vapor is withdrawn from the distillation column to form a methane enriched stream that is removed from the liquefaction system, and bottoms liquid is reintroduced from the distillation column into the closed-loop refrigeration circuit. Also described are methods of altering the rate of production in a natural gas liquefaction system in which refrigerant is removed as described above, and a natural gas liquefaction systems in which such methods can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Keith Johnston, Gowri Krishnamurthy, Mark Julian Roberts
  • Patent number: 10753677
    Abstract: A method for enhancing a LNG production train that includes connected train components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arul Saravanapriyan Suraganda Narayana, Thomas Ross Youmans, Rahul Chadha, Lana El Chaar
  • Patent number: 10753540
    Abstract: A system to convert and dispense pressurized gas(es) of cryogenic liquids of gas(es), and systems and methods to efficiently convert liquid natural gas (LNG) to compressed natural gas (CNG) and low pressure natural gas (NG) and other cryogenic liquids of gas. The system requires one dedicated pressure vessel of horizontal and vertical elements at the dispensing location to convert, retain, store, and dispense multiple pressures of gas from a cryogenic liquid supply such as a non-dedicated high pressure cryogenic personal supply tank. The system efficiently modifies and controls parameters of volume, pressure, and temperature in conversion scale to retain all converted product under human control to dispense without process required waste for use in commercial, industrial, and in particular single family residential applications and service can be accomplished by pickup truck and trailer, where semi trucks, big rig trucks and process pollution are not welcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10739067
    Abstract: In a first aspect, the disclosure provides a method for removing a component from a gas stream. A carrier gas stream is cooled by direct contact with a dehydrating solution stream. The dehydrating solution stream removes a portion of water present in the carrier gas stream and produces a dry gas stream and a wet solution stream. A portion of the component is removed from the dry gas stream by direct contact with a cold contact liquid stream. A depleted gas stream and a slurry stream are produced. Removing the portion of the component may include desublimating, freezing, condensing, depositing, or a combination thereof of the portion of the component out of the dry gas stream as a solid product. The slurry stream may include the solid product and a contact liquid. The solid product is separated from the contact liquid, producing a substantially pure solid product stream and the cold contact liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: Larry Baxter, Christopher Hoeger, Aaron Sayre, Jacom Chamberlain, Kyler Stitt
  • Patent number: 10684045
    Abstract: A thermoelectric module that has a thermoelectric element, an axial flow fan, and a heat sink and that is installed at a rear wall of the storage chamber to cool the storage chamber. The heat sink has a base configured to come in surface contact with the thermoelectric element, fins protruding from the base toward the axial flow fan and spaced apart from each other, and heat pipes having base passing portions passing through the base and fin passing portions passing through the fins and configured to transfer heat from the base to the fins. Each of the fins includes a first part arranged opposite to the hub and a second part disposed at one of both sides of the first part to face the vanes and protruding further from the base toward the axial flow fan than the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeehoon Choi, Heayoun Sul, Seokhyun Kim, Minkyu Oh, Hyoungkeun Lim
  • Patent number: 10663221
    Abstract: A system and method for cooling a gas using a mixed refrigerant includes a compressor system and a heat exchange system, where the compressor system may include an interstage separation device or drum with no liquid outlet, a liquid outlet in fluid communication with a pump that pumps liquid forward to a high pressure separation device or a liquid outlet through which liquid flows to the heat exchanger to be subcooled. In the last situation, the subcooled liquid is expanded and combined with an expanded cold temperature stream, which is a cooled and expanded stream from the vapor side of a cold vapor separation device, and subcooled and expanded streams from liquid sides of the high pressure separation device and the cold vapor separation device, or combined with a stream formed from the subcooled streams from the liquid sides of the high pressure separation device and the cold vapor separation device after mixing and expansion, to form a primary refrigeration stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Ducote, Jr., James Podolski
  • Patent number: 10655911
    Abstract: A method of liquefying natural gas. The method comprises cooling a gaseous natural gas process stream with a refrigerant flowing in a path isolated from the natural gas process stream. The refrigerant may differ in composition from a composition of the natural gas process stream, and the refrigerant composition may be selected to enhance efficiency of the refrigerant path with regard to a specific composition of the natural gas process stream. The refrigeration path may be operated at pressures, temperatures and flow rates differing from those of the natural gas process stream. Other methods of liquefying natural gas are described. A natural gas liquefaction plant is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventors: Terry D. Turner, Bruce M. Wilding, Michael G. McKellar, Dennis N. Bingham, Kerry M. Klingler
  • Patent number: 10537977
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a carbon dioxide compression and delivery device that uses a plurality of reversible thermoelectric devices and to a method to operate such carbon dioxide compression and delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SAES Pure Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H Applegarth, Matthew S Browning
  • Patent number: 10539361
    Abstract: A liquefied natural gas production facility and a method of designing and constructing a liquefied natural gas production facility are described. The facility includes space-apart modules for installation at a production location to form a production train including a major axis and a minor axis, each module including a module base for mounting a plurality of plant equipment associated with a selected function assigned to the module, the module base including a major axis and a minor axis. Heat exchangers are arranged to run parallel to the major axis of the production train to form a heat exchanger bank including a major axis and a minor axis, where the major axis of the bank is parallel to the major axis of the train. A subset of the plurality of heat exchangers is arranged on a first level vertically offset from the base of at least one module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: WOODSIDE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Brian Byfield