Patents Issued in March 22, 2012
  • Publication number: 20120067008
    Abstract: A method of forming a stent includes the steps of forming an elongated composite member or plurality of elongated composite members into a stent pattern having struts interconnected by crowns, the composite member including an outer member and a core member. Openings are formed through the outer member of the composite member. The composite member is processed to remove the core member from at least a plurality of the struts of the stent without adversely affecting the outer member and such that the core member is not removed from at least a plurality of the crowns of the stent, thereby leaving the outer member with a lumen in at least a plurality of the struts and the outer member with the core member in at least a plurality of the crowns. The lumens may then be filled with a biologically or pharmacologically active substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Bienvenu
  • Publication number: 20120067009
    Abstract: A container comprises a basket having a basket lip along at least a portion of a periphery of the basket, a basket tear strip connected to the basket along at least a portion of the basket lip; a lid mated with the basket, the lid having a lid lip along at least a portion of a periphery of the lid, and a lid tear strip connected to the lid along at least a portion of the lid lip. An outer edge of the basket lip includes a plurality of notches and an inner edge of the basket tear strip has a shape that complements the outer edge of the basket lip. The basket tear strip is connected to the basket lip by a plurality of basket links arranged at notches of the outer edge of the basket lip, each link extending between a notch and a complementary feature of the inner edge of the basket tear strip. Further, an outer edge of the lid lip includes a plurality of notches and an inner edge of the lid tear strip has a shape that complements the outer edge of the lid lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: EARTHBOUND FARMS
    Inventors: RICHARD LOUIS BONTRAGER, RANDALL GLENN STRANGE
  • Publication number: 20120067010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable protective pocket arrangement comprising a back panel, two or more front side panels and at least one connecting member for connecting said front side panels, the connecting member or members being arranged to adjust the distance between the front side panels. The present invention provides for a protective system which is expandable and thus able to enclose paper documents and other essentially flat media such as a laptop computers and portable electronic devices. This kind of protection system is particularly well suited to holding office paperwork and study materials. In the form of a simple pocket, it is also a useful addition to many existing filing products, such as a ring binders and lever arch files, which frequently include a way in which to accommodate un(hole)punched pages and other loose documents and reports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony England
  • Publication number: 20120067011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for filling a thin-walled transport container (12) with notes of value. The device (10) comprises a supply unit (100) for supplying the notes of value and a stacking unit (200) for stacking the supplied notes of value. Further, the device (10) comprises a receiving unit (400) for receiving the thin-walled transport container (12), a holding unit (600) for holding a first closing element (18) and a second closing element (20) for closing the thin-walled transport container (12), a displacement unit (700) for displacing a value note stack created by means of the stacking unit (200) into the thin-walled transport container (12), a retaining unit (500) for holding notes of value transported into the thin-walled transport container (12) in the orientation in which they have been supplied to the transport container (12) and/or a closure unit (300) for closing a closing unit (16) for closing the opening of the thin-walled transport container (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: WINCOR NIXDORF INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Günter Holland-Letz, Dirk Langhuber
  • Publication number: 20120067012
    Abstract: A particulate extraction system is disclosed, which passively removes particulates and some acids from a flue gas by forcing a series of volume and/or temperature changes on the flue gas. The system may have an interconnected series of chambers of varying cross-sectional sizes to effect the changes in volume. The system may also be uninsulated to allow the flue gas to be cooled as by radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: A. Glen Edwards
  • Publication number: 20120067013
    Abstract: A V-shaped filter includes a pair of filter media panel elements having respective root ends and diverging therefrom to distal ends in a V-shape. A single unitarily molded fixture is provided, securing the pair of filter media panel elements in the V-shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP INC.
    Inventors: Budi Antony, Mark V. Holzmann, Scott W. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20120067014
    Abstract: Disclosed are filter assembly systems that utilize replaceable filter elements. The filter elements may include a ramp or sleeve for redirecting air intake when the filter elements are installed in the filter assembly systems and air is drawn into the systems. The filter elements and assembly systems may utilize co-acting components that mate with each other to at least one of: a) orient and permit mounting of the filter element in the systems; and b) permit mounting of only an authorized filter element in the systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Cummins Filtration IP Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev Dhiman, Jim Alonzo, Kelly Detra, Barry Mark Verdegan
  • Publication number: 20120067015
    Abstract: Expanded metal sheets (5) are used to produce tubular filters (13). The expanded metal sheet (5) has a multiplicity of rows of openings arranged to reduce nesting when the sheet (5) is rolled on itself. In particular, the pitch between the rows of openings, the sizes of the openings, or both the pitch between the rows of openings and the sizes of the openings are varied to reduce nesting when the expanded metal sheet (5) is rolled on itself. The filters (13) can include external circumferential grooves (3), rounded corners (19) produced by a point loading process, textured surfaces (37) between openings, and/or torturous internal paths produced by non-perforated areas of an expanded metal sheet. The expanded metal sheet (5) can be composed of carbon steel coated with a material having a higher heat conductivity, e.g., tin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ACS Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: George Greenwood, Michael McCarthy, Scott J. MacKenzie, Richard Pfefferle
  • Publication number: 20120067016
    Abstract: An air filter group for motor vehicles includes a box body, provided with at least an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, and further includes a filter element configured to be located internally of the box body, in which the air outlet opening is configured such as to receive the filter element from the outside of the box body, and in that the filter element includes a seal on an end side thereof. The seal being provided with a border configured to be at least partially rested on the edge of the air outlet opening and being such as to enable fastening the filter element to the box body, the filter element being maintained in position by compression directly by the conveyor of the clean air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Giorgio Girondi
  • Publication number: 20120067017
    Abstract: An air cleaner assembly and components therefor are provided. Features are described providing for a cantilevered support of a filter cartridge contained therein, and also, in some examples anti-rotational support. Also, a supported housing seal is shown. A filter cartridge arrangement is described and shown. Methods of assembly and use are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Baseotto, Robert Merckx, Julien Dils, Paul Coulonvaux
  • Publication number: 20120067018
    Abstract: A front attachment for harvesting stalk-type crop for a self-propelled harvesting machine has at least one cutting device for cutting the stalk-type crop, at least one transverse conveying device for conveying the cut crop to an intake device of the harvesting machine, wherein the at least one cutting device is at least one continuously circulating carrier element having a cylindrical cross section and including at least one cutting element having a coating containing hard-material elements, and at least one pair of guide elements which drive and guide the at least one cutting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Alfons Roberg
  • Publication number: 20120067019
    Abstract: A push and release operator control for selectively opening or closing the discharge blocking flap of a lawnmower. The first portion of travel of the actuator raises the discharge blocking flap toward its balance point. As the blocking flap reaches the balance point the actuator is released which allows the blocking flaps momentum to carry it through the balance point where gravity takes over to finish the travel. The actuator is reset by the blocking flaps motion after passing the balance point. Once the actuator is reset by the blocking flaps travel the same push and release of the actuator will return the blocking flap to it original starting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: David W. Luking
  • Publication number: 20120067020
    Abstract: A composite cable is provided with a primary strength member comprising wire lay synthetic fibers coaxially wound around a cable core and an outer jacket of wire lay steel wires coaxially wound over the primary strength member. The composite cable provides improved bend-over-sheave performance, and is configured to be suitable for used as a purchase cable in an aircraft arrestment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew Paddock, Carolyn Westmark
  • Publication number: 20120067021
    Abstract: A system employs a closed electrolyzer vessel into which water is circulated, and an electrode plate assembly immersed in the vessel to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Only water is used as the electrolyte fluid without any additives. An air injector in the water return line injects air bubbling for enhanced dissociation of water. The electrode plate assembly is formed by one or more unit stacks of 7-plates each, including two outer cathode plates, a middle anode plate, and spaced inner plates. The generated gases are maintained in a stable condition by an electromagnetic coil assembly that separates the hydrogen gas from oxygen gas. The system can obtain 180% reduction in fuel usage in a vehicle engine, and 20 times reduction in carbon exhaust. It can obtain a 500% increase in fuel efficiency in an electrical power generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Tasos Aggelopoulos
  • Publication number: 20120067022
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel control system is provided that includes a fuel metering valve and a thrust control valve. The fuel metering valve includes a metering valve inlet and a metering valve outlet. The metering valve inlet is adapted to receive a flow of fuel, and is configured to control the flow of fuel through the metering valve outlet. The thrust control valve is adapted to receive thrust control valve override signals and is configured, in response thereto, to move from a first position, in which flow from the metering valve is not impacted, and a second position, in which flow from the metering valve is blocked while flow through a fixed-area orifice is allowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Paul Futa, Larry Portolese, David Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20120067023
    Abstract: Supply of a liquid component in a combustion chamber of a rocket engine is controlled by a feed valve provided with an obturator mobile between a pen position and a closed position of at least one supply pipe, which has an inlet that communicates with a tank for containing the liquid component and an outlet that communicates with the combustion chamber; the displacement of the obturator from its closed position to its open position being triggered by a pressurized fluid supplied to the outlet of the supply pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Dino Petronio
  • Publication number: 20120067024
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thrust reverser (1) for the nacelle of a dual-flow turbine engine, in which the bypass means (4) and the actuation jacks (22) of the sliding cowling (2) and of the reverse flaps (20) are arranged in two substantially parallel planes arranged above one another in the radial direction of the nacelle. The invention also relates to a nacelle for a dual-flow turbine engine that comprises such a thrust reverser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Guy Bernard Vauchel
  • Publication number: 20120067025
    Abstract: An adjustable bloom mixer for a turbofan engine for setting a mixing ratio, adapted to the respective flight condition, between cold airflow in the bypass duct and hot airflow in the core flow duct includes an air-guiding element (13) arranged upstream of a thin-walled, corrugated part (6b) of the bloom mixer (6) for branching off a cold partial airflow and/or a hot partial airflow from the bypass duct and from the core flow duct of the engine. An air control device (14) is assigned to the air-guiding element (13) for leading the branched-off cold airflow or hot airflow along the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the bloom mixer (6) in order to deflect its corrugated part (6b) radially inwards or outwards on the basis of a temperature difference between an inner and an outer surface effected by the hot and/or cold partial airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Robert THIES
  • Publication number: 20120067026
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine comprises an oxidation catalyst device configured to oxidize the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas. A first temperature sensor is located downstream of the oxidation catalyst device and has a temperature probe that is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas flow exiting the oxidation catalyst device. A second temperature sensor is located downstream of the oxidation catalyst device and has a temperature probe that is in fluid communication with the exhaust gas flow exiting the oxidation catalyst device. The temperature probe includes a catalyst compound coating disposed thereon and is operable to catalyze the oxidation of CO and HC, or a combination thereof, that exits the oxidation catalyst device. A controller is in signal communication with temperature sensors and is configured to monitor signals from temperature sensors to determine if the temperature differential exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Scot A. Douglas
  • Publication number: 20120067027
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is coupled to an electric power generator. An exhaust manifold for the engine includes an exhaust gas conduit. A housing includes a catalyst in fluid communication with the conduit to receive exhaust produced by the engine. The catalyst is operable to reduce one or more constituents of the exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Mark E. Turpin, Clayton Smith, Gary A. Salmonson, Brian G. Haupt, Shawn John Kipka, Kurt Butz, Lee Severtson, David W. Strombeck
  • Publication number: 20120067028
    Abstract: One embodiment is a method including providing an aftertreatment catalyst disposed in an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine and a reductant that reacts with an amount of NOx in the exhaust stream in the presence of the aftertreatment catalyst. The method includes interpreting a catalyst degradation value corresponding to the aftertreatment catalyst, and interpreting a nominal reductant value. The method further includes determining an adjusted reductant value in response to the catalyst degradation value and the nominal reductant value, and injecting the reductant into the exhaust stream at a rate based on the adjusted reductant value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: James C. Clerc, Timothy M. White, Melissa A. Zaczek, Baohua Qi
  • Publication number: 20120067029
    Abstract: In a method for operating an air-compressing fuel-injection internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas post-treatment system with a particle filter and a nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter, a plurality of internal combustion engine operating settings are provided, each having respective predefined values for predefined internal combustion engine operating parameters. A heating operating setting is set when the internal combustion engine is warming up, while a basic operating setting is set in the warmed-up state. When the temperature in the exhaust gas system exceeds a predefinable first value, the heating operating setting is changed over to the basic operating setting. In the warmed-up state, at least one further (third) operating setting, with an exhaust gas recirculation rate that is reduced compared to the basic operating setting, is provided in addition to the basic operating setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Bernd CHRISTNER, Alexander Kaiser, Berthold Keppeler, Holger Kissling, Markus Paule
  • Publication number: 20120067030
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter which comprises oxygen storage components. The invention is concerned particularly with the restoration of the optimum filling degree of the oxygen storage components for regulated stoichiometric operation after the engine has been operated under lean conditions for a relatively short or relatively long period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roman Moeller, Martin Votsmeier, Christopher Onder, Juergen Gieshoff, Lino Guzzella
  • Publication number: 20120067031
    Abstract: A reductant injector is configured to dispense a reductant into an exhaust gas feedstream of an internal combustion engine upstream of a selective catalytic reduction device. The reductant injector of a reductant injection system is monitored by generating injector pulsewidth commands corresponding to a prescribed reductant flowrate, monitoring the injector pulsewidth commands, verifying the prescribed reductant flowrate corresponds to the injector pulsewidth commands, monitoring a fluidic pressure in the reductant injection system, estimating a first injected quantity of the reductant corresponding to the injector pulsewidth commands, estimating a second injected quantity of the reductant corresponding to the fluidic pressure in the reductant injection system, and comparing the first and second injected quantities of reductant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Stephen Paul Levijoki
  • Publication number: 20120067032
    Abstract: A power system, including a multi-cylinder air breathing, fuel consuming diesel engine having a manifold with a common inlet for distributing combustion air to a plurality of cylinders. A valve is positioned in the intake manifold to at least restrict air flow to a group of the cylinders of the engine less than the total number of cylinders so as to increase the load and increase the temperature of exhaust gas for facilitating regeneration of a particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Richard E. Winsor
  • Publication number: 20120067033
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel tank, a membrane dividing the fuel tank into at least a first and second portion, the membrane preferentially diffusing a substance from a mixture, the substance having an increased knock suppression relative to the mixture, and a controller adjusting delivery of condensed water to the tank responsive to an operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Mark Allen Dearth
  • Publication number: 20120067034
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system includes a combustion head housing defining a plenum, and an air supply system including an air conduit fluidly connected with the plenum. The aftertreatment system further includes a fuel system having a fuel supply housing defining a fuel passage, a control valve positioned within the fuel passage and a fuel filtering mechanism having a filtering component positioned within the fuel passage fluidly between a fuel inlet and the control valve. A nozzle is mounted within the combustion head housing and defines a nozzle outlet, and a fuel conduit extends between the fuel supply housing and the combustion head housing. The control valve includes an open state in which the fuel system defines an unobstructed fuel flow path from the fuel inlet to the nozzle outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas R. McClure
  • Publication number: 20120067035
    Abstract: An orientation-independent electro-hydraulic actuator that includes a housing having an interior space forming a fluid reservoir, a pump connected to the housing, an electric motor drivingly coupled to the pump; and a piston-cylinder assembly having a piston axially movable within a cylinder. The cylinder is in fluid communication with the pump to effect movement of the piston in response to fluid flow between the cylinder and the fluid reservoir. The pump has one or more inlet/outlet ports communicating with a volumetric centroid region of the fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir includes a volume of hydraulic fluid such that when the piston is fully extended, the volume of fluid in the reservoir is at a minimum and at least one of the inlet/outlet ports is submerged in hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy B. Sweeney, Matthew C. Royer
  • Publication number: 20120067036
    Abstract: A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: LightSail Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle A. FONG, Stephen E. CRANE, Edwin P. BERLIN, JR., AmirHossein POURMOUSA ABKENAR, Kartikeya MAHALATKAR, Yongxi HOU, Todd BOWERS
  • Publication number: 20120067037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system for an infeed conveyor (22) of a harvester (10), having an adjustable hydraulic pump (66), the flow rate and flow direction of which can be adjusted by means of a first actuator (76), said hydraulic pump being connected to a hydraulic motor (68) which drives the infeed conveyor (22). A controller (70) is connected to a foreign-body detection device (108) and to a first valve (90) for controlling the actuator (76) that controls the hydraulic pump (66). The controller (70) controls the first valve (90) at least for a short time by reversing the flow direction is a foreign body appears. In addition, it is suggested that the hydraulic motor (68) has an adjustable displacement volume, and that the controller (70) increases the hydraulic motor displacement volume (68) is a foreign body appears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Stefan Bohrer, Konrad Rossbach
  • Publication number: 20120067038
    Abstract: A hydraulic fast fitting for hydraulic pipes, including a first fitting element (1) in fluid communication with a first pipe (2), provided with a first valve (3) for opening and closing the fluid communication with the first pipe (2), and a second fitting element (5), provided with a second valve (6) for opening or closing a fluid communication with a second pipe (7), and further including a removable fast-coupling device (19) for connecting said first and second fitting elements (1, 5) and establishing a fluid communication between said first and second pipes (2, 7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Andrea BECOCCI
  • Publication number: 20120067039
    Abstract: A three-dimensional measuring machine (industrial machine) includes an air supplier supplying air; a drive mechanism driven by the air supplied from the air supplier; an electromagnetic valve provided inside an air regulator set to open and close an air supply passage inside the air regulator set, the air regulator set introducing the air from the air supplier to the drive mechanism; and a motion controller controlling the electromagnetic valve to block the air supply passage when a time since the drive mechanism stopped operation reaches a preset time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuru FUKUDA, Kazuaki KAWARAI, Kazumi MIZUKAMI, Seiichi OTSUBO
  • Publication number: 20120067040
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for efficiently converting heat energy to readily usable energy with maximized thermal efficiency. Maximized thermal efficiency is obtained by the use of heat regeneration and working gas processing steps that optimize the heat regeneration, so that any heat that is supplied to the working gas from the external heat sourse is supplied at the maximum temperature, and any heat that is rejected from the working gas to an external heat sinks is rejected at the minimum temperature, given the constraints of the the heat source and heat sink temperatures. Two basic designs of engines are proposed. One of the basic designs uses pairs of heat regenerators, and would be suitable for stationary power generation applications. The other basic design uses single heat regenerators and would be suited for motive power applications. Both piston cylinder and turbocompressor driven engine applications can be used in each of the two basic designs of engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Adolf P. Pinto
  • Publication number: 20120067041
    Abstract: A heat engine comprises a first displacing piston and a second displacing piston, wherein a surface of the first displacing piston and a surface of the second displacing piston that face each other limit a working space that is filled with a working gas. The two heat exchanger arrangements are arranged in the working space between the first displacing piston and the second displacing piston, each heat exchanger arrangement comprising a heat source and a heat sink. The working gas flows through or circulates around each of the two heat exchanger arrangements. The first displacing piston, and the second displacing piston, and/or the heat exchanger arrangements are rotatably mounted with respect to an axis. Measures are provided for counteracting against a circular motion of the working gas around the axis relative to the heat exchanger arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicants: Philippe Verplancke, Christian Unterreitmeier
    Inventor: Philippe Verplancke
  • Publication number: 20120067042
    Abstract: An actuator is provided having a temperature activatable actuating member comprising an inductively couplable material. The actuator has an electrical heating element for electrically heating the actuating member. The heating element is configured to inductively couple with said material when an AC current is passed through the heating element such that an opposing electromotive force is induced in the heating element. A detector is provided for detecting activation of the actuating member by sensing a change in the AC impedance of the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Christopher G. Bright, John E. Anthony
  • Publication number: 20120067043
    Abstract: A pump body for governing hydraulic actuators (6) of disk brakes for bicycles or motorcycles, including a cylinder (1) with a chamber for compression of the fluid (5) communicating with the actuator (6), and a piston assembly (2), which is mobile with respect to the cylinder and is provided with a stem (3) and a primary gasket (4), wherein a movement of downstroke of the piston (2) brings about a reduction of the volume of the compression chamber (5) and displacement towards the actuator (6) of a corresponding volume of working fluid (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Andrea Becocci, Marco Fiesoli
  • Publication number: 20120067044
    Abstract: A method is provided for regulating a charge air pressure of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle having an exhaust gas supercharger, a fresh gas supply device, a vehicle air system having an air treatment system and a compressor chargeable by the exhaust gas supercharger, and an engine controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Marx, Eduard Gerum, Huba Nemeth
  • Publication number: 20120067045
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a calculation method of moisture loss in a steam turbine calculates first a wetness fraction at the inlet and outlet of each of stationary blade cascades and rotor blade cascades. Subsequently, the moisture loss is classified into (1) supersaturation loss, (2) condensation loss, (3) acceleration loss, (4) braking loss, (5) capture loss and (6) pumping loss, and a loss for calculation of the moisture loss is selected from the above losses (1) to (6) according to the wetness fraction of steam at the inlet and outlet of each blade cascade. An amount of each selected loss is calculated, and an amount of moisture loss at each blade cascade is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KAWAGISHI, Akihiro Onoda, Tomohiro Tejima, Tomohiko Tsukuda, Asako Inomata, Naoki Shibukawa
  • Publication number: 20120067046
    Abstract: A power plant for the generation of electrical energy comprises steam and/or gas turbines (2, 3, 4, 13) driven by fossil fuels and a CO2 capture system (20) for capturing CO2 gases from the flue gases that result from the combustion of the fossil fuels. It furthermore comprises a CO2 gas processing unit (GPU) for the compression and cooling of the captured CO2. A cooling circuit (24) of the gas processing unit (GPU) forms a closed loop that includes a heat exchanger (25) for the heating of brine, where this heat exchanger (25) is part of a water treatment system having a multi-stage flash distiller (MSF). In the closed loop (24) low-temperature waste heat from the CO2 gas processing unit (GPU) is utilized for the water treatment system. The overall power plant energy efficiency is thereby increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Olivier Drenik, Dario Breschi
  • Publication number: 20120067047
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system for storing and providing electrical energy are disclosed. Also disclosed are embodiments of a system for purifying fluid, as well as embodiments of a system in which energy storage and fluid purification are combined. One disclosed embodiment of the system comprises a latent heat storage device, a sensible heat storage device, a vapor expander/compressor device mechanically coupled to a motor/generator device, a heat-exchanger, and a liquid pressurization and depressurization device. The devices are fluidly coupled in a closed-loop system, and a two-phase working fluid circulates therein. Embodiments of a method for operating the system to store and generate energy also are disclosed. Embodiments of a method for operating the system to purify fluid, as well as embodiments of a method for operating a combined energy storage and fluid purification system are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Richard B. Peterson, Robbie Ingram-Goble, Kevin J. Harada
  • Publication number: 20120067048
    Abstract: To provide a multipurpose thermal power plant system capable of capturing moisture and carbon dioxide in large quantities at a low cost from exhaust gas of an oxygen combustion boiler. To use an oxygen combustion boiler 1, an oxygen separator 6, a coal fuel feed apparatus 7, a steam turbine 2, a generator 3, denitrification equipment 10, a gas heat exchanger 11, a condensate cooler 12 for cooling exit gas of the gas heat exchanger with a condensate at an exit of a condenser which is a part of steam cycle water of the turbine, a dust collector 13, a desulfurizer 14, a cooling water-desalination apparatus 15, and a carbon dioxide liquefier 16, to utilize the characteristic that main components of exhaust gas of the oxygen combustion boiler 1 after combustion are carbon dioxide gas and steam, and to simultaneously capture moisture and carbon dioxide in the gas by cooling and compressing the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi MISHIMA, Takashi Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20120067049
    Abstract: A power generating system in one embodiment employs a Rankine Cycle system that is coupled to multiple heat sources. The Rankine cycle system includes a customized working fluid that comprises a mixture of a plurality of constituent fluids, the selection of which causes the mixture to exhibit a working fluid profile. In one embodiment, the working fluid profile includes a temperature glide portion selected and optimized based on operating conditions of the heat sources, wherein the temperature glide portion includes a constituent phase point at which one of the constituent fluids undergoes a phase change before the other constituent fluids of the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lance D. Woolley, Sean P. Breen, Ahmad M. Mahmoud
  • Publication number: 20120067050
    Abstract: A composite magnetic ring has a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in a ring shape at a prescribed spacing, and low-temperature Curie point magnetic substances sandwiched between each adjacent permanent magnets. An energy converter, that converts exhaust heat energy or sunlight heat energy to mechanical or electrical energy by alteration of the magnetic permeability of low-temperature Curie point magnetic substances in the composite magnetic ring near their Curie point, includes a composite magnetic ring and a rotor situated inside the composite magnetic ring and having a plurality of magnetic poles, at least one of the low-temperature Curie point magnetic substances in the composite magnetic ring being heated to a temperature near its Curie point and a magnetic field being generated in the vicinity of the heated low-temperature Curie point magnetic substance, to rotate the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Yohtaro Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20120067051
    Abstract: The present invention provides in one embodiment a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine combustion system. Still another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine combustor. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and gas turbine engine combustion systems and combustors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Victor L. Oechsle
  • Publication number: 20120067052
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a deployable diverging bell (2) for a thruster, the bell comprising: a stationary first diverging bell portion (3) suitable for being connected to a stationary support of the thruster (1); a movable second diverging bell portion (4) that is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position in which it is connected to the downstream end of the first diverging bell portion (3) in order to extend it (3); and at least one deployment mechanism (6, 8) including means (6) for moving the movable second diverging bell portion (4) relative to the stationary first diverging bell portion (3) in order to deploy the movable second diverging bell portion (4) from its retracted position to its deployed position; the bell being characterized in that it includes at least one damper means (13) for damping vibration coming from the movable second diverging bell portion (4) and/or the deployment mechanism (6, 8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Olivier Condaminet, Romain Stephant, Philippe James
  • Publication number: 20120067053
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a ramburner is disclosed. The ramburner is disposed downstream of a gas turbine engine combustor and receives an engine exhaust flow from the gas turbine engine combustor. The ramburner also accepts a bypass air. Fuel is injected into the ramburner and a combustion reaction is auto-initiated based upon local gas temperatures. No mechanical flame holders need be used. A slidable valve may be used to vary the amount of bypass air into the ramburner. A movable cowl and a plug nozzle form an exit flow path of the gas turbine engine. The movable cowl can be positioned to vary a throat area and exit area of the gas turbine engine based upon the operation of the ramburner, which may be influenced by the amount of bypass air entering the ramburner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, JR., Victor L. Oechsle, Randall E. Yount, Stephen A. Bergeron
  • Publication number: 20120067054
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, assemblies, and systems for power production that can allow for increased efficiency and lower cost components arising from the control, reduction, or elimination of turbine blade mechanical erosion by particulates or chemical erosion by gases in a combustion product flow. The methods, assemblies, and systems can include the use of turbine blades that operate with a blade velocity that is significantly reduced in relation to conventional turbines used in typical power production systems. The methods and systems also can make use of a recycled circulating fluid for transpiration protection of the turbine and/or other components. Further, recycled circulating fluid may be employed to provide cleaning materials to the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Miles Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt
  • Publication number: 20120067055
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system that enables one to address various thermal management issues in advanced gas turbine engines. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method to extract heat from an air stream, utilize a significant fraction for on-board power generation, and reject a small quantity of heat to the fuel stream safely at, for example, a lower temperature. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method to extract heat from an air stream, utilize a significant fraction for on-board power generation, and reject a small quantity of heat to the fuel stream safely at, for example, a lower temperature with no potential air/fuel contact is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ECHOGEN POWER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy James Held
  • Publication number: 20120067056
    Abstract: A method of power production using a high pressure/low pressure ratio Brayton Power cycle with predominantly N2 mixed with CO2 and H2O combustion products as the working fluid is provided. The high pressure can be in the range 80 bar to 500 bar. The pressure ratio can be in the range 1.5 to 10. The natural gas fuel can be burned in a first high pressure combustor with a near stoichiometric quantity of pressurised preheated air and the net combustion gas can be mixed with a heated high pressure recycle N2+CO2+H2O stream which moderates the mixed gas temperature to the value required for the maximum inlet temperature to a first power turbine producing shaft power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicants: 8 RIVERS CAPITAL, LLC, PALMER LABS, LLC
    Inventors: Miles Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt
  • Publication number: 20120067057
    Abstract: An intake air temperature control device including a heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger is connected at one side into an intake air line and is connected at the other side into a circuit of an intake air preheating system, wherein a store for a fluid for heat transfer may be thermally connected to the circuit. A method for operating an intake air temperature control device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Hofmann, Erich Schmid, Michael Schöttler