Patents by Inventor Douglas T. Crane
Douglas T. Crane has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20160240585Abstract: A thermoelectric power generating system is provided that includes at least one thermoelectric assembly. The at least one thermoelectric assembly includes at least one first heat exchanger in thermal communication with at least a first portion of a first working fluid. The first portion of the first working fluid flows through the at least one thermoelectric assembly. The at least one thermoelectric assembly includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the at least one first heat exchanger. The at least one thermoelectric assembly further includes at least one second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the plurality of thermoelectric elements and with a second working fluid flowing through the at least one thermoelectric assembly. The second working fluid is cooler than the first working fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Marco Ranalli, Martin Adlidinger, Douglas T. Crane
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Publication number: 20160233403Abstract: Some embodiments provide a waste heat recovery apparatus including an exhaust tube having a cylindrical outer shell configured to contain a flow of exhaust fluid; a first heat exchanger extending through a first region of the exhaust tube, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cylindrical outer shell; a second region of the exhaust tube extending through the exhaust tube, the second region having a low exhaust fluid pressure drop; an exhaust valve operatively disposed within the second region and configured to allow exhaust fluid to flow through the second region only when a flow rate of the exhaust fluid becomes great enough to result in back pressure beyond an allowable limit; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with an outer surface of the outer shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas T. Crane, John LaGrandeur, David van Heerden
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Patent number: 9306143Abstract: A thermoelectric power generating system is provided that includes at least one thermoelectric assembly. The at least one thermoelectric assembly includes at least one first heat exchanger in thermal communication with at least a first portion of a first working fluid. The first portion of the first working fluid flows through the at least one thermoelectric assembly. The at least one thermoelectric assembly includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the at least one first heat exchanger. The at least one thermoelectric assembly further includes at least one second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the plurality of thermoelectric elements and with a second working fluid flowing through the at least one thermoelectric assembly. The second working fluid is cooler than the first working fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Marco Ranalli, Martin Adldinger, Douglas T. Crane
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Patent number: 9293680Abstract: Cartridge-based thermoelectric assemblies and systems are provided which include at least one shunt configured to extend around a conduit, a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one shunt with at least a portion of the at least one shunt sandwiched between the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric elements are electrically isolated from the conduit. The thermoelectric assemblies and systems further include at least one heat exchanger in thermal communication with the at least one shunt and configured to be in thermal communication with a second fluid.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Eric Poliquin, Douglas T. Crane, Vladimir Jovovic, Joseph Dean, Dmitri Kossakovski, John Walter LaGrandeur
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Patent number: 9276188Abstract: Some embodiments provide a waste heat recovery apparatus including an exhaust tube having a cylindrical outer shell configured to contain a flow of exhaust fluid; a first heat exchanger extending through a first region of the exhaust tube, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cylindrical outer shell; a second region of the exhaust tube extending through the exhaust tube, the second region having a low exhaust fluid pressure drop; an exhaust valve operatively disposed within the second region and configured to allow exhaust fluid to flow through the second region only when a flow rate of the exhaust fluid becomes great enough to result in back pressure beyond an allowable limit; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with an outer surface of the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas T. Crane, John LaGrandeur, David van Heerden
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Publication number: 20140224291Abstract: Some embodiments provide a waste heat recovery apparatus including an exhaust tube having a cylindrical outer shell configured to contain a flow of exhaust fluid; a first heat exchanger extending through a first region of the exhaust tube, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cylindrical outer shell; a second region of the exhaust tube extending through the exhaust tube, the second region having a low exhaust fluid pressure drop; an exhaust valve operatively disposed within the second region and configured to allow exhaust fluid to flow through the second region only when a flow rate of the exhaust fluid becomes great enough to result in back pressure beyond an allowable limit; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with an outer surface of the outer shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas T. Crane, John LaGrandeur, David van Heerden
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Patent number: 8783397Abstract: A system for optimizing electrical power management in a vehicle. The system includes a HVAC device and a thermal storage device, both configured to provide heating and cooling to an occupant compartment of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller connected to an electrical storage device and an electrical generating device. The controller receives electrical power generated by the electrical generating device and directs the electrical power to satisfy the vehicle's power requirements and/or stores the electrical power in at least one of the electrical storage device and the thermal storage device. Furthermore, the controller directs at least one of the HVAC device and the thermal storage device to provide heating and cooling to the occupant compartment of the vehicle, depending on the available storage of the thermal storage unit or occupant compartment demands.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: BSST LLCInventors: Lakhi N. Goenka, Douglas T. Crane, Lon E. Bell
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Publication number: 20140190185Abstract: A thermoelectric assembly and a method of operating a thermoelectric assembly are provided. The thermoelectric assembly includes at least one thermoelectric subassembly configured to be in thermal communication with a heat source and configured to be in thermal communication with a heat sink. The at least one thermoelectric subassembly includes at least one thermoelectric element including a hot side at a first temperature and a cold side at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The thermoelectric assembly further includes a controller in operative communication with the at least one thermoelectric subassembly. The controller is configured to adjust the first temperature by adjusting an electrical current of the at least one thermoelectric subassembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas T. Crane, Vladimir Jovovic, Eric Poliquin, Joseph Dean, Zhiwu Fang, Dmitri Kossakovski
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Patent number: 8656710Abstract: Some embodiments provide a waste heat recovery apparatus including an exhaust tube having a cylindrical outer shell configured to contain a flow of exhaust fluid; a first heat exchanger extending through a first region of the exhaust tube, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cylindrical outer shell; a second region of the exhaust tube extending through the exhaust tube, the second region having a low exhaust fluid pressure drop; an exhaust valve operatively disposed within the second region and configured to allow exhaust fluid to flow through the second region only when a flow rate of the exhaust fluid becomes great enough to result in back pressure beyond an allowable limit; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with an outer surface of the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: BSST LLCInventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas T. Crane, John LaGrandeur, David van Heerden
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Publication number: 20140034102Abstract: A thermoelectric power generating system is provided that includes at least one thermoelectric assembly. The at least one thermoelectric assembly includes at least one first heat exchanger in thermal communication with at least a first portion of a first working fluid. The first portion of the first working fluid flows through the at least one thermoelectric assembly. The at least one thermoelectric assembly includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the at least one first heat exchanger. The at least one thermoelectric assembly further includes at least one second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the plurality of thermoelectric elements and with a second working fluid flowing through the at least one thermoelectric assembly. The second working fluid is cooler than the first working fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Gentherm IncorporatedInventors: Marco Ranalli, Martin Adldinger, Douglas T. Crane
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Publication number: 20130340802Abstract: A thermoelectric system includes at least one thermoelectric generator which includes at least one cold-side heat exchanger, at least one hot-side heat exchanger, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the at least one cold-side heat exchanger and in thermal communication with the at least one hot-side heat exchanger. The system further includes a combustible fluid, wherein the at least one cold-side heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat to the combustible fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Vladimir Jovovic, Douglas T. Crane, Dmitri Kossakovski
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Publication number: 20130327368Abstract: A thermoelectric system includes a plurality of cold-side conduits extending parallel to one another along a first direction and configured to have a first working fluid flowing therethrough. Each cold-side conduit includes a cold-side tube and a plurality of cold-side shunts in thermal communication with the cold-side tube. The system further includes a plurality of hot-side conduits extending parallel to one another along a second direction and configured to have a second working fluid flowing therethrough. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Each hot-side conduit includes a hot-side tube and a plurality of hot-side shunts in thermal communication with the hot-side tube. The system further includes a plurality of thermoelectric stacks. Each thermoelectric stack of the plurality of thermoelectric stacks extends along a third direction and is configured to have electrical current flow through the thermoelectric stack along the third direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventor: Douglas T. Crane
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Publication number: 20130276849Abstract: A system includes at least one thermoelectric generator configured to generate electricity in response to a temperature difference across at least a portion of the at least one thermoelectric generator. The system further includes at least one fluid conduit in thermal communication with the at least one thermoelectric generator. The at least one fluid conduit is configured to have at least one working fluid flow through the at least one fluid conduit. The system further includes at least one device configured to direct the at least one working fluid through the at least one fluid conduit. The at least one device is powered by at least a portion of the electricity generated by the at least one thermoelectric generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Gentherm, IncorporatedInventors: Dmitri Kossakovski, Douglas T. Crane, Vladimir Jovovic
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Publication number: 20130255739Abstract: A system and method for generating electricity is provided, where the system includes at least one energy transmission element, such as at least one heat pipe or at least one thermosyphon, and at least one thermoelectric assembly extending around a portion of the at least one energy transmission element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Gentherm, Inc.Inventors: Dmitri Kossakovski, Douglas T. Crane, Vladimir Jovovic
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Publication number: 20130104953Abstract: Cartridge-based thermoelectric assemblies and systems are provided which include at least one shunt configured to extend around a conduit, a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication and in electrical communication with the at least one shunt with at least a portion of the at least one shunt sandwiched between the at least one first thermoelectric element and the at least one second thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric elements are electrically isolated from the conduit. The thermoelectric assemblies and systems further include at least one heat exchanger in thermal communication with the at least one shunt and configured to be in thermal communication with a second fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: Amerigon Inc.Inventors: Eric Poliquin, Douglas T. Crane, Vladimir Jovovic, Joseph Dean, Dmitri Kossakovski
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Patent number: 8408012Abstract: Disclosed is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle that operates in a heating mode, a cooling mode or a demisting mode. In some embodiments, the system includes a first circuit having first pump for circulating a first medium therein, a second circuit having a second pump for circulating a second medium therein and a thermoelectric module having a first surface in thermal contact with the first medium and a second surface in thermal contact with the second medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: BSST LLCInventors: Lakhi N. Goenka, Douglas T. Crane, Lon E. Bell
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Publication number: 20120305043Abstract: In certain embodiments, a thermoelectric system can include a first thermoelectric assembly and a second thermoelectric assembly. Both the first and second thermoelectric assemblies can be configured to receive heat from at least one heat source and to transmit heat to at least one heat sink. The first and second thermoelectric assemblies can be in electrical communication with one another. The thermoelectric system can further include at least one electrically insulating element mechanically coupled to the first thermoelectric assembly and to the second thermoelectric assembly. The at least one electrically insulating element is not in a thermal path of either (i) heat flow from the at least one heat source to either the first thermoelectric assembly or the second thermoelectric assembly or (ii) heat flow to the at least one heat sink from either the first thermoelectric assembly or the second thermoelectric assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Amerigon, Inc.Inventors: Dmitri Kossakovski, Douglas T. Crane
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Patent number: 8261868Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for optimizing electrical power management in a vehicle. The system includes a HVAC device and a thermal storage device, both configured to provide heating and cooling to an occupant compartment of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller connected to an electrical storage device and an electrical generating device. The controller receives electrical power generated by the electrical generating device and directs the electrical power to satisfy the vehicle's power requirements and/or stores the electrical power in at least one of the electrical storage device and the thermal storage device. Furthermore, the controller directs at least one of the HVAC device and the thermal storage device to provide heating and cooling to the occupant compartment of the vehicle, depending on the available storage of the thermal storage unit or occupant compartment demands.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: BSST LLCInventors: Lakhi N. Goenka, Douglas T. Crane, Lon E. Bell
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Publication number: 20120111386Abstract: In some embodiments, an integrated power generation system includes a primary power source supplying power to a primary power user, a thermoelectric power generator system thermally coupled to a heat source, and an electronic controller unit. In certain embodiments, an electronic controller unit monitors the power output of the primary power source and operatively connects the thermoelectric power generating system to the primary power user when one or more power usage factors occurs. One power usage factor that can occur is the power output of the primary power source falling below a threshold power level.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas T. Crane, Dmitri Kossakovski, Darrell Park, John LaGrandeur
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Publication number: 20110079023Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for optimizing electrical power management in a vehicle. The system includes a HVAC device and a thermal storage device, both configured to provide heating and cooling to an occupant compartment of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller connected to an electrical storage device and an electrical generating device. The controller receives electrical power generated by the electrical generating device and directs the electrical power to satisfy the vehicle's power requirements and/or stores the electrical power in at least one of the electrical storage device and the thermal storage device. Furthermore, the controller directs at least one of the HVAC device and the thermal storage device to provide heating and cooling to the occupant compartment of the vehicle, depending on the available storage of the thermal storage unit or occupant compartment demands.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Lakhi N. Goenka, Douglas T. Crane, Lon E. Bell