Patents Issued in May 10, 2012
  • Publication number: 20120111013
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system includes a fuel nozzle assembly. The fuel nozzle assembly includes a hub, a shroud disposed about the hub, a flow sleeve disposed about the shroud, and an air flow path extending between the flow sleeve and the shroud in an upstream direction toward an opening region between the shroud and the hub, wherein the air flow path extends between the hub and the shroud in a downstream direction from the opening region toward an outlet region of the fuel nozzle assembly. The fuel nozzle assembly also includes a fuel flow path extending to at least one fuel port along the air flow path, and a flow guide disposed along the air flow path in the opening region, wherein the flow guide includes a first guide portion configured to guide an air flow radially outward from the hub toward the shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nishant Govindbhai Parsania, Ajay Pratap Singh
  • Publication number: 20120111014
    Abstract: A low calorific value fuel-fired can combustor for a gas turbine include a generally cylindrical housing, and a generally cylindrical liner disposed coaxially within the housing to define with the housing a radial outer flow passage for combustion air, the liner also defining inner combustion and a dilution zone, the dilution zone being axially distant a closed housing end relative to the combustion zone. A nozzle assembly disposed at the closed housing end includes an air blast nozzle and surrounding swirl vanes. An impingement cooling sleeve coaxially disposed in the combustion air passage between the housing and the liner impingement cools the portion of the liner defining the combustion zone. The combustion liner has an L/D ratio of in the range 1?L/D?4, and a ratio of the combustion zone volume (m3) to heat energy flow rate Q (MJ/sec) in the range 0.0026?V/Q?0.018.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Martin Beran, Michal Koranek, Axel Lars-Uno Eugen Axelsson
  • Publication number: 20120111015
    Abstract: A combustor structure includes a combustor fuel-air mixing apparatus having a mainstream airflow region. One or more concavities are disposed within the mainstream airflow region of the fuel-air mixing apparatus. At least one fuel injection hole is disposed within an upstream base region of at least one concavity. Passing a stream of air through the main airflow region causes fuel injected into the upstream base region of at least one concavity to passively mix with a naturally oscillating vortex of air within the concavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY GLOBAL RESEARCH
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Bunker
  • Publication number: 20120111016
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine may include an injector housing extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to be fluidly coupled to a combustor of the turbine engine. The fuel injector may also include a flow path for a fuel air mixture to the combustor extending longitudinally within the injector housing, and a gallery for liquid fuel encircling the flow path. The gallery may include a plurality of fuel spokes that are configured to deliver liquid fuel from the gallery to the flow path. The gallery may extend from a feed end to a terminal end that overlaps the feed end. The feed end may be a region where liquid fuel enters the gallery and the terminal end may be a region where the gallery terminates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: John Frederick Lockyer, Christopher Zdzislaw Twardochleb, Mario Eugene Abreu
  • Publication number: 20120111017
    Abstract: A turbine engine, such as for example a jet engine or turbojet, that is fueled by particulate fuel, such as cornstarch or other similar particulate products, that burn under deflagration conditions. The engine is modified from a standard engine in that the dry inlet air is compressed before being premixed with the particulate fuel in a pre-deflagration mixing chamber located immediately upstream of the burners. The mixed fuel is then burned in the deflagration burners to provide turning force for the turbines of the turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Keith Fritts
  • Publication number: 20120111018
    Abstract: A tip turbine engine provides increased efficiency while eliminating or reducing the number of axial compressor stages by moving the core airflow inlet aft of the fan. As a result, the core airflow entering the core airflow inlet is the fan exhaust, which is already at an increased pressure. A portion of the fan exhaust is guided radially inward, then axially forward and then radially outward through compressor chambers in the hollow fan blades for further, centrifugal compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: James W. Norris, Craig A. Nordeen
  • Publication number: 20120111019
    Abstract: A combustion dynamics control system for an aviation based or land based gas turbine engine employs an acoustic driver that is configured to drive pressure perturbations across a premixed fuel injection orifice to substantially zero in response to a control signal such that fuel flow perturbations across the fuel injection orifice are substantially zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY GLOBAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Kapil Kumar Singh, Fei Han, Shiva Srinivasan, Kwanwoo Kim, Preetham Balasubramanyam, Qingguo Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120111020
    Abstract: A control method for cooling a turbine stage of a gas turbine, whereby cooling air is bled from combustion air flowing in a compressor of the gas turbine, and is fed to a cooling circuit staring from a stator of the turbine stage; and cooling airflow is adjusted as a function of the pressure at the inlet of the cooling circuit, and as a function of the combustion air pressure at the exhaust of the compressor; more specifically, there is a feedback control setting a setpoint, which is predetermined as a function of the power output of the turbine to reduce contaminating emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ANSALDO ENERGIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca BOZZI, Marco MANTERO, Federico BONZANI
  • Publication number: 20120111021
    Abstract: An integrated turbomachine oxygen plant includes a turbomachine and an air separation unit. One or more compressor pathways flow compressed air from a compressor through one or more of a combustor and a turbine expander to cool the combustor and/or the turbine expander. An air separation unit is operably connected to the one or more compressor pathways and is configured to separate the compressed air into oxygen and oxygen-depleted air. A method of air separation in an integrated turbomachine oxygen plant includes compressing a flow of air in a compressor of a turbomachine. The compressed flow of air is flowed through one or more of a combustor and a turbine expander of the turbomachine to cool the combustor and/or the turbine expander. The compressed flow of air is directed to an air separation unit and is separated into oxygen and oxygen-depleted air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ashok Kumar Anand, Richard Anthony DePuy, Veerappan Muthaiah
  • Publication number: 20120111022
    Abstract: An air turbine starter assembly includes a starter turbine housing having a turbine gas flow path and a fan gas flow path, and a shaft rotatable with respect to the starter turbine housing. A plurality of turbine blades are connected to the shaft. A plurality of fan blades are also connected to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gerald P. Dyer
  • Publication number: 20120111023
    Abstract: A supporting structure for a gas turbine engine includes at least one annular member, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced elements that extend in a radial direction of the annular member and that are connected to the annular member. At least one of the circumferentially spaced elements has an airfoil shape in cross section. The annular member includes at least two substantially flat panel segments that are arranged side by side in a circumferential direction of the annular member. The panel segments are connected to each other in a connection region that extends along facing end parts of the two panel segments. The airfoil shaped element is connected to the annular member at the connection region. A mean camber line of the airfoil shaped element at least along a portion of its length is inclined in relation to an axial direction of the annular member, and the connection region at least along a portion of its length is inclined in relation to the axial direction of the annular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: VOLVO AERO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Roger Sjöqvist
  • Publication number: 20120111024
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine high speed rolling element bearing system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and high speed rolling element bearing systems for gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Paul A. Kachinski
  • Publication number: 20120111025
    Abstract: A system for the generation of energy includes a further chain of units coupled with a gas turbine plant and at least one compressor consuming mechanical energy and/or at least one generator generating electrical energy. The further chain of units comprises a closed circuit having a work fluid and at least one heat exchanger, at least one expander for expanding the work fluid and for subsequently obtaining mechanical energy for the compressor and/or generator, at least one condenser for condensing the expanded work medium, and at least one pump for conveying the work fluid. The coupling of the gas turbine plant to the further chain of units is carried out by means of the heat exchanger which is fed with heat by means of the compressor air of the compressor and starts the closed circuit through the work fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: MAN Diesel & Turbo SE
    Inventors: Bernd GERICKE, Markus Beukenberg
  • Publication number: 20120111026
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes an airfoil made of an aluminum-rare earth element alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Shihong Gary Song
  • Publication number: 20120111027
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component. The apparatus includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor coupled to the refrigerant loop, and a controllable thermoelectric array disposed in thermal communication with the refrigerant loop. Refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant loop facilitates dissipation of heat from the electronic component, and the thermoelectric array is disposed with a first portion of the refrigerant loop, residing upstream of the compressor, in thermal contact with a first side of the array, and a second portion of the refrigerant loop, residing downstream of the compressor, in thermal contact with a second side of the array. The thermoelectric array ensures that refrigerant in the refrigerant loop entering the compressor is in a superheated thermodynamic state by transferring heat from refrigerant passing through the second portion to refrigerant passing through the first portion of the refrigerant loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20120111028
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component of varying heat load. The apparatus includes a refrigerant evaporator coupled in thermal communication with the electronic component, a refrigerant loop coupled in fluid communication with the refrigerant evaporator for facilitating flow of refrigerant through the evaporator, and a thermoelectric array disposed in thermal communication with the evaporator. The thermoelectric array includes one or more thermoelectric elements, and is powered by a voltage and by a current of switchable polarity, which are controlled to maintain heat load on refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant evaporator within a steady state range, notwithstanding varying of the heat load applied to the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant by the at least one electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20120111029
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an AC powered thermoelectric device, including: a power supplier outputting AC power; a plurality of thermoelectric modules; and a plurality of rectifiers connected to each of the plurality of thermoelectric modules in series and applying the AC power having different polarities to each of the plurality of thermoelectric modules, whereby the positions of the hot side and the cold side are fixed to function as a heater and a cooler, while using the AC power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Yong-Il KWON, Su Bong Jang
  • Publication number: 20120111030
    Abstract: A multiple refrigerant circuit cooling system includes at least a first refrigerant circuit and a second refrigerant circuit. Each of said first and second refrigerant circuits including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator connected in refrigerant flow communication. The condensers of the first and second refrigerant circuits each including condenser coils having exterior surfaces and each condenser including at least one fan for drawing ambient air across the exterior surfaces of its respective condenser coil. The exterior surfaces of the condenser coil of the condenser of the first refrigerant circuit being in fluid communication with the fan of the condenser of the second refrigerant circuit to provide reduced airflow across the exterior surfaces of the condenser coils of the first refrigerant circuit at a low ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Eric B. Fraser
  • Publication number: 20120111031
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator in which an amount of water supply to an ice maker can be controlled accurately, and a method for controlling the same. The refrigerator includes an ice maker, a dispenser for dispensing water, a flow passage control valve (33) for guiding the water to the ice maker and the dispenser selectively, a flow amount sensor (100), and a controller connected to the flow amount sensor (100) for controlling a water supply amount to the ice maker taking a water supply amount sensed by the flow amount sensor (100) into account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Dong Hoon Lee, Tae Hee Lee, Donghoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20120111032
    Abstract: A hot water supply apparatus for combined use with an air conditioner is provided that may include an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger to heat exchange a first refrigerant with indoor air, and a cascade hot water heater connected to the indoor unit to receive the first refrigerant and to provide a second refrigerant to heat water. The cascade hot water heater may perform a heat exchange between the first refrigerant and a second refrigerant. The cascade hot water heater may include a capacity variable compressor to limit a maximum flowing amount of the second refrigerant and increase a flowing amount of the first refrigerant to flow to the indoor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Hyoungsuk WOO, Jongchul Ha
  • Publication number: 20120111033
    Abstract: A space-saving cooling system for an aircraft may include an evaporator in an enclosure with an accumulation region in the enclosure for a liquid mixture of liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil. Space saving may be achieved through a combining of evaporator functions and accumulator functions in a single enclosure. A heat exchanger may be interposed between the evaporator and the compressor for heating refrigerant emerging from the evaporator so that liquid refrigerant does not reach an inlet of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: RANJIT DARKE, PETER ZHENG, RICKY GOV
  • Publication number: 20120111034
    Abstract: A heat exchange assembly and apparatus and method employing the heat exchange assembly are provided. The heat exchange assembly includes a coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and a heater. The heat exchanger includes a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet for passing a coolant through the heat exchanger, and a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet for separately passing a refrigerant through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger cools coolant passing through the heat exchanger by dissipating heat from coolant passing through the heat exchanger to refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger. The heater is integrated with the heat exchanger and applies an auxiliary heat load to refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger to facilitate ensuring that refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger absorbs at least a specified minimum heat load, for example, to ensure that refrigerant egressing from the refrigerant outlet of the heat exchanger is superheated vapor refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20120111035
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronic component. The apparatus includes a coolant-cooled structure in thermal communication with the component(s) to be cooled, and a coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger coupled in fluid communication with the coolant-cooled structure via a coolant loop to receive coolant from and supply coolant to the coolant-cooled structure. The apparatus further includes a refrigerant loop coupled in fluid communication with the coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger cools coolant passing therethrough by dissipating heat from the coolant in the coolant loop to refrigerant in the refrigerant loop. A controllable coolant heater is associated with the coolant loop for providing an adjustable heat load on the coolant in the coolant loop to ensure at least a minimum heat load is dissipated from the coolant to the refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20120111036
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronic component(s). The apparatus includes a coolant-cooled structure in thermal communication with the component(s) to be cooled, and a coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger in fluid communication with the coolant-cooled structure via a coolant loop. A thermal buffer unit is coupled in fluid communication with the coolant loop, and a refrigerant loop is coupled in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger dissipates heat from coolant in the coolant loop to refrigerant in the refrigerant loop. A compressor is coupled in fluid communication with the refrigerant loop and is maintained ON responsive to heat load of the component(s) exceeding a heat load threshold, and is cycled ON and OFF responsive to heat load of the component(s) being below the threshold. The thermal storage unit dampens swings in coolant temperature within the coolant loop during cycling ON and OFF of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20120111037
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronic component. The apparatus includes a refrigerant evaporator in thermal communication with the component(s) to be cooled, and a refrigerant loop coupled in fluid communication with the evaporator for facilitating flow of refrigerant through the evaporator. The apparatus further includes a compressor in fluid communication with the refrigerant loop, a refrigerant bypass pipe coupled to the refrigerant loop in parallel fluid communication with the evaporator, and a control valve for controlling refrigerant flow through the evaporator. The control valve is controlled to maintain temperature of the component(s) within a specified temperature range. The apparatus further includes a controllable refrigerant heater associated with the refrigerant bypass pipe for providing an adjustable heat load on refrigerant in the bypass pipe to ensure that refrigerant entering the compressor is in a superheated thermodynamic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20120111038
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronic component. The apparatus includes a refrigerant evaporator in thermal communication with a component(s) to be cooled, and a refrigerant loop coupled in fluid communication with the evaporator for facilitating flow of refrigerant through the evaporator. The apparatus further includes a compressor in fluid communication with a refrigerant loop, an air-cooled heat sink coupled to the refrigerant evaporator, for providing backup cooling to the electronic component in a backup, air cooling mode, and a controllable refrigerant heater coupled to the heat sink. The refrigerant heater is in thermal communication across the heat sink with refrigerant passing through the refrigerant evaporator, and is controlled in a primary, refrigeration cooling mode to apply an auxiliary heat load to refrigerant passing through the refrigerant evaporator to ensure that refrigerant in the refrigerant loop entering the compressor is in a superheated thermodynamic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20120111039
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention permit the transfer of heat energy from one process fluid to another in an industrial process without the need for an energy field or centralized energy storage. Preferred embodiments include one or more heat transfer modules that draw heat from one process fluid into circulating refrigerant in an evaporator heat exchanger and supply that heat to a different process fluid in a condenser heat exchanger. In some embodiments, adjustments are made to one or more parameters of one or more process fluids to ensure the desired heat transfer is accomplished with the heat transfer module's compressor operating near optimum efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: TITAN, INC.
    Inventors: Jack W. Allen, Hans B. Alwin
  • Publication number: 20120111040
    Abstract: Systems for limiting pressure differences in dual compressor chillers are provided. To achieve the efficiency benefits of series flow chillers within a single unit, an evaporator and/or a condenser may be partitioned into separate chambers by a baffle. Process fluid may then flow through one chamber of the evaporator and/or condenser prior to entering the other. This configuration creates a pressure differential between chambers which may reduce compressor head and result in greater chiller efficiency. However, to maintain the structural integrity of the evaporator and/or condenser baffle, a system for limiting this pressure differential may be employed. This system may include an evaporator pressure equalization valve, a common liquid line, or an equalizing line between separate liquid lines. Methods of operating dual compressor chillers using these systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Jay A. Kohler, Mark A. Adams
  • Publication number: 20120111041
    Abstract: An ice making assembly includes a reservoir holding water having a water level, at least one conductor extending into the reservoir below the water level, and a cooling device for cooling the conductor to a temperature sufficient to form an ice cube on the conductor. A heater heats the conductor to a temperature sufficient to harvest the ice cube from the conductor. A dispensing device removes harvested ice cubes from the water. Related refrigeration appliances are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20120111042
    Abstract: In a heat pump apparatus, it is aimed to enhance efficiency of a defrost operation by reducing a loss of heat radiation during the defrost operation and reducing a compressor input during the defrost operation. The heat pump apparatus includes a main refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and a second heat exchanger are connected sequentially, and also includes a bypass circuit including an on-off valve and providing a connection by bypassing the expansion mechanism. The main refrigerant circuit includes a four-way valve that switches between a heating operation and the defrost operation by switching an order in which the refrigerant circulates through the main refrigerant circuit. The main refrigerant circuit also includes a first temperature detection unit and a second temperature detection unit. Based on values detected by these temperature detection units, a degree of superheat of the first heat exchanger during the defrost operation is computed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Hamada, Fumitake Unezaki, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Kengo Takahashi, Kazuki Okada, Hirokazu Minamisako, Shinichi Uchino
  • Publication number: 20120111043
    Abstract: In order to be able to comply itself to the environment-conscious design standard, a refrigerant heating method is obtained with high efficiency during standby and reduction of vibrations and noises of a bearing in a compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Kazunori Hatakeyama, Kazunori Sakanobe, Shinya Matsushita, Tsutomu Makino
  • Publication number: 20120111044
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods can control temperature within a transport refrigeration unit using remote sensor or sensors. Embodiments can monitor cargo temperature with remote sensor(s) and air temperature to adjust air delivery speed or cooling capacity. Selected operation parameters can be determined with consideration of both energy conservation and/or cargo quality. Embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods can control temperature within a transport refrigeration unit using a first selected mode of operation or a second mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu H. Chen, Mingfei Gan
  • Publication number: 20120111045
    Abstract: An upper suction port is formed in a main-body upper part of an air-conditioning apparatus main body, a suction opening part is formed in a front grill disposed on a main-body front face of the air-conditioning apparatus, a suction opening whose opening is directed upward is formed by consecutively providing an air guide wall inclined downward inside the main body on the upper edge of the suction opening, and the suction opening is located between a part, in the main-body height direction, lower than a straight line passing through a rotation center of an impeller and a closest contact point between the impeller and a front-face heat exchanger and a part, in the main-body height direction, higher than a straight line parallel with the straight line and passing through the impeller and a tongue part of a stabilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Ikeda, Tetsuo Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20120111046
    Abstract: A thermal management system comprises a first heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet, a second heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet, a fluid loop, a first heat pump, and a second heat pump. The fluid loop circulates a fluid, and forms a continuous path between the first and second heat exchangers. The first heat pump is connected to the fluid loop and is disposed between the outlet of the second heat exchanger and the inlet of the first heat exchanger. The second heat pump is connected to the fluid loop and is disposed between the outlet of the first heat exchanger and the inlet of the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Eugene Wilmot, JR., Diane G. Drew, Gregory M. Ott
  • Publication number: 20120111047
    Abstract: An icemaking compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. An icemaker is within the icemaking compartment. A cold air duct supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaker. The cold air duct is formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator. A fan controls the flow of air through the cold air duct. A return air duct is provided to direct a portion of the air from the icemaker back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaker directs another portion of air into the refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: KYLE B. VAN METER, DEAN A. MARTIN, XIAOYONG FU
  • Publication number: 20120111048
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes: a cabinet formed with a plurality of storage spaces divided; a first ice maker provided in any one of the plurality of storage spaces; a dispenser provided to a door, through which ice made in the first ice maker is discharged; a second ice maker provided in the storage space different from the storage space where the first ice maker is provided; and a water feeding passage branched such that it is possible to selectively supply water to the first ice maker and the second ice maker from a water supply source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Young-Nam Kim, Jong-Wook An, Chang-Woan Yang, Seong-Wook Kim
  • Publication number: 20120111049
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Sung-Kyoung Kim, Dong-Wan Kim
  • Publication number: 20120111050
    Abstract: An air conditioner may be provided that includes a plurality of compressors compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger for condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressors, a first expansion valve for expanding the condensed refrigerant, a second expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant emerging from the first expansion valve, and a second heat exchanger for evaporating the refrigerant emerging from the second expansion valve. The refrigerant from the first expansion valve may be guided such that a portion of the refrigerant is introduced into one of the compressors after bypassing the second expansion valve and the second heat exchanger, and a remaining portion of the refrigerant may be introduced into another one of the compressors after passing through the second expansion valve and second heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Yonghee JANG, Byeongsu Kim
  • Publication number: 20120111051
    Abstract: A process for efficiently removing carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon containing feed stream utilizing a membrane separation unit in conjunction with a heat exchanger and a carbon dioxide separation unit wherein the streams obtained in the carbon dioxide separation unit are utilized to provide the cooling effect in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Sudhir S. KULKARNI, Edgar S. SANDERS, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120111052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating a gas mixture into product gas and offgas by way of gas permeating on, comprising at least two membrane units (1) and (2) and a condenser (3) connected upstream of the first membrane unit (1), which membrane units (1) and (2) have a gas inlet (1a, 2a), a retentate outlet (1b, 2b) and a permeate outlet (1c, 2c), wherein the retentate outlet (1b) of the first membrane unit (1) is connected to the gas inlet (2a) of the second membrane unit (2), the permeate outlet (2c) of the second membrane unit (2) is connected on the intake side to the condenser (3) or the gas supply leading into the condenser, and the condenser (3) is connected to the gas inlet (1a) of the first membrane unit (1), the connection in each case being by way of lines, product gas is obtained via the permeate outlet (2a) and offgas via the retentate outlet (1c), wherein the permeate outlet (4c) of an upstream membrane unit (1) is connected to the gas supply of the condenser (3) by way of lines, whe
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Axiom Angewandte Prozesstechnik GES. M.B.H.
    Inventors: Johannes Szivacz, Michael Harasek
  • Publication number: 20120111053
    Abstract: An article of jewelry and method of manufacture, including a pliable strand; and a plurality of precious or semiprecious objects movably positioned along the pliable strand. Each of the plurality of objects including a magnetic insert extending between opposing surfaces, which itself is formed from two magnets separated by a magnetic stabilizer and aligned such that the opposing ends of the magnetic insert have the same polarity thereby creating repulsive forces between each of the plurality of objects along the strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Chi Huynh
  • Publication number: 20120111054
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for guiding flexible glass ribbons (13) without mechanically contacting the central portion (4) of the ribbon are provided in which two curved sections are formed in the ribbon which stiffen the ribbon so that lateral forces can be applied to the ribbon without causing it to buckle. The curvatures of the curved sections are along the direction of motion (15) of the ribbon and can be produced using curved air-bars (12,14) and/or pairs of cylindrical rollers (5a,5b,16a,16b). The lateral forces can be applied by pairs of guide rollers (7a,7b,9a,9b) which can be mounted on spring-loaded pivot arms (6,19,29) and can have a complaint outer coating or sleeve (35). The guiding system can be used in the winding of the glass ribbon onto a cylindrical core (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Douglass L. Blanding, Sean Matthew Garner, Gary Edward Merz, John Earl Tosch
  • Publication number: 20120111055
    Abstract: In a method of making a glass sheet using an overflow fusion downdraw process, a glass sheet quality metric level Q1 is selected, where Q1 is a measure of allowable retardation in the glass sheet. A glass ribbon temperature T1 at which a potential glass ribbon thermal artifact could occur in a glass ribbon while the glass ribbon is being drawn through a drawing machine enclosure is identified. A thermal artifact envelope E1 is determined, where E1 contains types of glass ribbon thermal artifacts allowable at T1 and Q1. A glass melt is overflowed from an isopipe to form a glass ribbon at the root of the isopipe. The glass ribbon is drawn below the root of the isopipe through the drawing machine enclosure to form the glass sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Clippinger Allan, Kenneth William Aniolek, Kiat Chyai Kang, Eunyoung Park
  • Publication number: 20120111056
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for improving chemical strengthening of glass are disclosed. In one embodiment, a mechanical stress can be induced on a glass article while undergoing chemical strengthening. In another embodiment, vibrations, such as ultrasonic vibrations, can be induced during chemical strengthening of a glass article. The use of mechanical stress and/or vibrations during chemically strengthening of a glass article can enhance the effectiveness of the chemical strengthening process. Accordingly, glass articles that have undergone chemical strengthening processing are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong and resistant to damage. The strengthened glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Prest
  • Publication number: 20120111057
    Abstract: A strengthened glass article having a central tension that is below a threshold value above which the glass exhibits frangible behavior. The central tension varies non-linearly with the thickness of the glass. The glass article may be used as cover plates or windows for portable or mobile electronic devices such as cellular phones, music players, information terminal (IT) devices, including laptop computers, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Kristen L Barefoot, James Joseph Price, Jose Mario Quintal, Ronald Leroy Stewart
  • Publication number: 20120111058
    Abstract: One objective of the present invention was to provide a method of continuously forming crystallized glass, so as to reduce the thermal treatment time necessary for crystallizing a belt-shaped glass plate; and to provide an apparatus of continuously forming crystallized glass, so as to shorten the thermal treatment zone necessary for crystallizing a belt-shaped glass plate. A method of continuously forming crystallized glass according to the present invention includes: a melting step of melting a raw glass material to obtain molten glass; a shaping step of rolling the molten glass to form a belt-shaped glass plate; a crystallizing step of retaining the belt-shaped glass plate at a temperature necessary for nuclei formation and crystal growth, thereby forming nuclei and crystallizing the belt-shaped glass plate to a belt-shaped crystallized glass plate, and then slowly cooling the belt-shaped crystallized glass plate; and a cutting step of cutting the belt-shaped crystallized glass plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: Ta Hsiang Containers Ind. Co., Ltd., Huzhou Ta Hsiang Glass Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chuan Hsu, Yanbin Jiang
  • Publication number: 20120111059
    Abstract: To provide a process for producing a glass member provided with a sealing material layer, capable of favorably forming a sealing material layer even in a case where the entire glass substrate cannot be heated. A sealing material paste prepared by mixing a sealing material containing a sealing glass and a laser absorbent with an organic binder is applied to a sealing region of a glass substrate 2 in the form of a frame. The frame-form coating layer 8 of the sealing material paste is selectively heated by irradiation with a laser light 9 along the coating layer 8 to fire the sealing material while the organic binder in the coating layer 8 is burnt out to form a sealing material layer 7. Using such a sealing material layer 7, a space between two glass substrates is sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Mitsuru WATANABE, Motoshi Ono
  • Publication number: 20120111060
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass sheet, the method including: running down molten glass along both side surfaces of a molded body; joining and integrating the molten glass just under a lower edge part of the molded body; and drawing downward and molding an integrated sheet-shaped glass ribbon, in which a guide member which contacts to an end in a width direction of a joined molten glass is provided, and a relative position and/or a relative angle between the guide member and a lower edge of the molded body is/are adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsuda, Takashi Mukai, Takeshi Naraki
  • Publication number: 20120111061
    Abstract: In a method for producing a fluorophosphate optical glass comprising melting a glass raw material to give a molten glass, and refining, homogenizing and then quickly quenching the molten glass to produce the fluorophosphate optical glass, even if the glass is flown from a refining tank that is set to a high temperature to an operation tank that is set to a low temperature, bubbles are not generated in the glass. The content of Fe in terms of Fe2O3 and the content of Cu in terms of CuO is controlled so that the total of the contents of Fe and Cu is 20 ppm or more, and the obtained fluorophosphate optical glass has such transmittance property that the internal transmittance in terms of a thickness of 10 mm becomes 98% or more at a wavelength region of at least from 400 to 500 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mikio IKENISHI
  • Publication number: 20120111062
    Abstract: Provided is an optically uniform and high-quality optical glass that is free from the occurrence of striae when a precision press-molding preform is produced therefrom, and that is a fluorine-containing glass having a refractive index nd(1) wherein the refractive index nd(1) and a refractive index nd(2) are substantially equivalent to each other, said refractive index nd(2) being a refractive index of the fluorine-containing glass after the fluorine-containing glass is re-melted in a nitrogen atmosphere at 900° C. for 1 hour, cooled to its glass transition temperature and then cooled to 25° C. at a temperature decrease rate of 30° C./hour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mikio IKENISHI, Xuelu Zou