Patents by Inventor Helmut Westermann

Helmut Westermann 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).

  • Patent number: 8979979
    Abstract: A method for removing volatile organic substances from the contained air of closed habitats includes a) conducting contained air through an adsorber bed formed by a hydrophobic zeolite bed, b) closing the adsorber bed, c) extracting the air from the adsorber bed and feeding the air into the closed habitat, d) desorbing the volatile organic substances, in particular freons such as R134a and VOCs, from the adsorber bed by heating the adsorber, e) leading the desorbed substances to an environment outside the closed habitat, wherein water vapor, water, or CO2 is fed to the adsorber bed through a flushing line. The device includes a housing for accommodating an adsorber, a contained-air supply line, a contained-air return line, a flushing line, and least one outlet-air line for returning air from the adsorber bed into the closed habitat and for conducting the desorbate to an environment outside the closed habitat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Willigert Raatschen, Carsten Matthias, Helmut Westermann
  • Patent number: 8951928
    Abstract: A method for regenerating an adsorber or absorber on board a submarine, wherein the adsorber or absorber is present in the interior of the submarine for binding metabolically generated CO2-containing harmful gases, and wherein the metabolically generated CO2-containing harmful gases are transferred outboard via a compressor. The thermal energy for regenerating the adsorber or absorber is generated by burning a hydrocarbonaceous energy carrier with oxygen, wherein at least one combustion product, together with the metabolically generated CO2-containing harmful gases, is transferred outboard via the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Willigert Raatschen, Lutz Schauer, Helmut Westermann, Carsten Matthias
  • Publication number: 20130104735
    Abstract: A method for removing volatile organic substances from the contained air of closed habitats includes a) conducting contained air through an adsorber bed formed by a hydrophobic zeolite bed, b) closing the adsorber bed, c) extracting the air from the adsorber bed and feeding the air into the closed habitat, d) desorbing the volatile organic substances, in particular freons such as R134a and VOCs, from the adsorber bed by heating the adsorber, e) leading the desorbed substances to an environment outside the closed habitat, wherein water vapor, water, or CO2 is fed to the adsorber bed through a flushing line. The device includes a housing for accommodating an adsorber, a contained-air supply line, a contained-air return line, a flushing line, and least one outlet-air line for returning air from the adsorber bed into the closed habitat and for conducting the desorbate to an environment outside the closed habitat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: ASTRIUM GMBH
    Inventors: Willigert Raatschen, Carsten Matthias, Helmut Westermann
  • Publication number: 20120004092
    Abstract: A method for regenerating an adsorber or absorber on board a submarine, wherein the adsorber or absorber is present in the interior of the submarine for binding metabolically generated CO2-containing harmful gases, and wherein the metabolically generated CO2-containing harmful gases are transferred outboard via a compressor. The thermal energy for regenerating the adsorber or absorber is generated by burning a hydrocarbonaceous energy carrier with oxygen, wherein at least one combustion product, together with the metabolically generated CO2-containing harmful gases, is transferred outboard via the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Willigert RAATSCHEN, Lutz Schauer, Helmut Westermann, Carsten Matthias
  • Patent number: 7682415
    Abstract: A device for intermediate storage of condensation water includes a swirl body which causes an inflowing air-water mixture to rotate, and a venturi tube through which the air-water mixture leaves the device. A ring groove in which water accumulates because of the swirl is arranged downstream of the swirl body, and water accumulated in the ring groove is sucked into the venturi tube via one more suction pipes. An expansion zone has an expanded cross-section and a step shaped interior for generating increased surface adhesion. Separating metal sheets in the expansion zone brake the swirl, bind the accumulated gushing water by adhesion forces, and guide it by capillary forces to the interior surface of the expansion zone. Gushing water accumulated at the ends of the separating metal sheets is drained by one or more suction pipes, into the venturi tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: EADS Space Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Mueller, Helmut Westermann, Ulf Wittkamp, Joachim Lucas, Klaus Bockstahler, Johannes Witt, Berengere Houdou
  • Publication number: 20070142198
    Abstract: A device for intermediate storage of condensation water includes a swirl body in the inlet area, which causes the inflowing air-water mixture to rotate, and a venturi tube through which the air-water mixture leaves the device. A ring groove in which water accumulates because of the swirl is arranged downstream of the swirl body, and water accumulated in the ring groove is sucked into the venturi tube via one more suction pipes. Because of a flow rate reduction and because of the swirl splashing water accumulates in an expansion zone which has an expanded cross-section, and which has air interior surface with a step-shaped construction for generating an increased surface adhesion force. Several separating metal sheets in the expansion zone brake the swirl and bind the accumulated gushing water by adhesion forces, and guide it by capillary forces to the interior surface of the expansion zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: EADS Space Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Mueller, Helmut Westermann, Ulf Wittkamp, Joachim Lucas, Klaus Bockstahler, Johannes Witt, Berengere Houdou