Patents Issued in July 12, 2012
  • Publication number: 20120174573
    Abstract: A multi-segmented active material actuator producing a variable, tailored, or staged/staggered stroke in response to an activation signal, including a plurality of segments joined in series, having differing constituencies and geometric configurations, and presenting differing activation thresholds, activation periods/rates, and/or strokes as a result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Skurkis, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Xiujie Gao, Peter Maxwell Sarosi
  • Publication number: 20120174574
    Abstract: A drive module includes: a lower plate spring 7 which is connected to an end surface of a lens frame 4 and an end surface of a module frame 5 arranged in a ?Z direction; and a module lower plate 8 which is arranged on a ?Z side of the lower plate spring 7 and restricts the movement of the lens frame 4 and the lower plate spring 7 in the Z direction. An intermediate member 80 is arranged between the lower plate spring 7 and the module lower plate 8. To set hardness of the intermediate member 80 closer to hardness of the lower plate spring 7 than hardness of the module lower plate 8 is, the module lower plate 8 is made of a resin material and the lower plate spring 7 and the intermediate member 80 are made of a metallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Susumu Kotanagi, Tadashi Tsuchiya
  • Publication number: 20120174575
    Abstract: A fluid pressure booster for a braking device includes a control piston on which an input brake operation acts in an advancing direction, and a reaction force based on fluid pressure of a booster fluid pressure generation chamber acts in a retracting direction. A pressure increasing valve is provided between a valve chamber communicating with a fluid pressure generation source and the booster fluid pressure generation chamber. A pressure reducing valve is provided between a release chamber communicating with a reservoir and the booster fluid pressure generation chamber. At least one contraction portion is formed between an outer periphery of a front portion of the pressing rod and an inner periphery of a front portion of a valve seat member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR., LTD., NISSIN KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Risa HIRANO, Kouji Sakai, Kenji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120174576
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is provided. The engine comprises a cylinder; an intake line in an intake system, for supplying charge air to the cylinder via an inlet manifold on an inlet side of the internal combustion engine into an inlet opening on the cylinder; an exhaust line for discharging exhaust gases; an exhaust-gas turbocharger including a turbine arranged in the exhaust line and a compressor arranged in the intake line; an exhaust-gas recirculation arrangement including a recirculation line which branches off from the exhaust line downstream of the turbine and opens into the intake line upstream of the compressor; and a charge-air cooler in the intake line downstream of the compressor, the charge-air cooler arranged above the inlet opening of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Andreas Kuske, Juergen Karl Stief, Daniel Roettger
  • Publication number: 20120174577
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for an air-throttled engine includes a variable flow expander (VFE) in the intake air conduit system that supplies intake air to the engine. At part-load operation, the VFE expands the air by an amount that is controllable, and thus regulates the air flow as needed by the engine. The power extracted by the VFE from the intake air flow is fed to the turbocharger, which helps to achieve quicker turbocharger response and improve scavenging of exhaust gases from the engine. The VFE can be a variable expansion ratio turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bauer, Syed Shahed, Krishnamurthy Vaidyanathan
  • Publication number: 20120174578
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is provided. The engine comprises a cylinder, an intake line in an intake system, for supplying charge air to the cylinder, an exhaust line for discharging exhaust gases, an exhaust-gas turbocharger including a turbine arranged in the exhaust line and a compressor arranged in the intake line, an exhaust-gas recirculation arrangement including a recirculation line which branches off from the exhaust line downstream of the turbine and opens into the intake line upstream of the compressor, and a sensor for detecting the concentration Ci,intake of a component i of the charge air in the intake system provided downstream of the opening of the recirculation line into the intake line. In this way, the exhaust-gas recirculation may be regulated based on feedback from the sensor to control emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Andreas Kuske, Daniel Roettger, Juergen Karl Stief
  • Publication number: 20120174579
    Abstract: A supercharged liquid-cooled internal combustion engine is provided. In one example, a bearing of a turbocharger is cooled in response to a thermal load of the turbocharger. In this way, coolant flow rate to the bearing may be provided based on cooling demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Bernd Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20120174580
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an internal combustion engine which is optimized with regard to the cooling of a turbine. The engine has at least one cylinder head and block, forming at least one cylinder, and at least one turbine. Each cylinder has at least one exhaust opening for discharging the exhaust gases from the cylinder. An exhaust gas line is connected to each exhaust opening, the exhaust gas lines converging to produce at least one combined exhaust gas line, thereby forming at least one exhaust manifold, which opens into the at least one turbine having a turbine housing. The turbine has at least one flow channel conducting exhaust gas through the turbine housing, and at least one coolant passage integrated in the housing forming a cooling facility. At least one chamber is arranged between the at least one coolant passage and the at least one flow channel conducting exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Ludwig Stump
  • Publication number: 20120174581
    Abstract: A system includes at least one pipe system defining a closed-loop fluid conduit configured to circulate a fluid into a cased well and through at least a portion of a subterranean thermal reservoir to heat the fluid. The system further includes a thermal power system coupled to the at least one pipe system and configured to generate electricity from heat carried by the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Susanne F. Vaughan, Mary Robin Dahlheim
  • Publication number: 20120174582
    Abstract: A collector is provided including at least one photovoltaic cell for converting solar energy into electric energy, and at least one heat sink for converting solar energy into heat energy by heating a fluid, arranged so as to receive solar energy through the photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell includes a plurality of vertically adjacent semiconductor junctions having different forbidden energy bands, each semiconductor junction having a forbidden energy band of greater than or equal to 1.2 eV, in particular greater than or equal to 1.4 eV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: AREVA
    Inventor: Mehdi Moussavi
  • Publication number: 20120174583
    Abstract: A rankine cycle system includes a heater configured to circulate a working fluid in heat exchange relationship with a hot fluid to vaporize the working fluid. A hot system is coupled to the heater. The hot system includes a first heat exchanger configured to circulate a first vaporized stream of the working fluid from the heater in heat exchange relationship with a first condensed stream of the working fluid to heat the first condensed stream of the working fluid. A cold system is coupled to the heater and the hot system. The cold system includes a second heat exchanger configured to circulate a second vaporized stream of the working fluid from the first system in heat exchange relationship with a second condensed stream of the working fluid to heat the second condensed stream of the working fluid before being fed to the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Matthew Alexander Lehar
  • Publication number: 20120174584
    Abstract: A power plant system and a method for operating a power plant system are provided. An overload control valve is disposed in an overload line and can be actuated by means of a pressure regulator wherein the overload control valve opens before a diverting control valve opens the valve forming a bypass between the high-pressure steam inlet and the high-pressure steam outlet as soon as a target valve is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Martin Bennauer, Edwin Gobrecht, Karsten Peters
  • Publication number: 20120174585
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a thermodynamic machine operating according to the Brayton cycle and including a closed loop fluid circuit for circulating working fluid. A fluid compressor (8) and a fluid expander (10) are independently controllable variable positive displacement machines. The variable positive displacement machines incorporate working chambers of cyclically varying volume, the net fluid displacement of each working chamber being selectable on a cycle by cycle basis. The compressor and expander axles are linked and the compressor and expander can be controlled to independently vary the displacement of the compressor, the displacement of the expander and the net torque exerted on the axle. The machine works efficiently with a wide range of heat source and heat sink temperatures and can respond to varying power demands, including transient changes to power demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: New Malone Company Limited
    Inventors: William Hugh Salvin Rampen, Ronan Patrick Costello
  • Publication number: 20120174586
    Abstract: An exhaust duct for a gas turbine includes a transition section having an inlet for receiving turbine exhaust gas and a relatively larger outlet for interfacing with an auxiliary section housing an auxiliary device. The transition section has an interior surface extending from the inlet to the outlet. The interior surface has a segment generally adjacent to the inlet that is curved to induce a Coanda effect in which the turbine exhaust gas is caused to flow along said curved surface and to expand for distribution of the turbine exhaust gas over the auxiliary device in the auxiliary section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: BRADEN MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Alexander, Laquinnia Lawson, JR., Richard King
  • Publication number: 20120174587
    Abstract: A fuel flowmeter for being fed by a pump including an inlet and an outlet, including: a metering valve including an inlet and an outlet, and arranged downstream from the outlet of the pump; a return circuit connecting the inlet of the metering valve to the inlet of the pump; and a pressure regulator device including: a movable valve member to close and open the return circuit, a pressure difference detection surface fastened to the valve member and axially separating a first chamber in communication with the inlet of the metering valve from a second chamber in communication with the outlet from the metering valve, a piston axially separating the second chamber from a third chamber connected to the outlet of the metering valve, and a channel putting the second chamber in communication with the third chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: TURBOMECA
    Inventors: Philippe Jean Rene Marie Benezech, Bruno Facca, Ludovic Alexandre Leglise, Cedric Roger Zordan
  • Publication number: 20120174588
    Abstract: A gas-turbine lean combustor includes a combustion chamber (2) and a fuel nozzle (1) which includes a pilot fuel injection (17) and a main fuel injection (18). The main fuel injection (18) includes central recesses (23) for a controlled inhomogeneous fuel injection, the number of said recesses on the circumference ranging from 8 to 40 and said recesses having an angle of inclination ?2 in circumferential direction of 10°??2?60° and an axial angle of inclination ?1 relative to the combustor axis (4) between ?10°??1?90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Leif RACKWITZ, Imon-Kalyan BAGCHI, Thomas DOERR
  • Publication number: 20120174589
    Abstract: An end cover assembly is provided in combination with a gas turbine combustor for capping a back end of a combustion chamber. The end cover assembly includes an end cover plate securable to the back end of the combustion chamber, and a monolith block secured to the end cover plate. The end cover plate is constructed without welded gas passage plates and without brazed flow passage inserts and includes fuel channels therethrough, where the fuel channels are sized and positioned to interact with fuel nozzle inlet ports. The monolith block includes internal fuel gas passages positioned relative to the fuel channels in the end cover plate to commute fuel gas to the fuel channels of the end cover plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Donald Mark Bailey, Patrick Benedict Melton, William Lawrence Byrne
  • Publication number: 20120174590
    Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes a combustor having an end cover and at least one fuel nozzle assembly extending from an inner face of the end cover. A cartridge may extend through the end cover and into the fuel nozzle assembly. The cartridge may define an opening for receiving light emitted from within the combustor. Additionally, a fiber optic cable may be disposed within the cartridge and may be configured to capture at least a portion of the light received through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Anthony Wayne Krull, Nan Zong, Danielle Marie Kalitan
  • Publication number: 20120174591
    Abstract: A fuel line system for a gas turbine and a method for purging the same is provided. Parts of the line system may be purged using a comparatively low quantity of purging medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Matthias Hase, Axel Mayr, Jürgen Meisl
  • Publication number: 20120174592
    Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine includes supplying fuel via at least one control valve regulated using an open-loop control system based on a predetermined load setpoint value. A valve stroke control command (scmd) is generated based on a fuel mass flow control command (mcmd) using a mass flow-valve stroke converter. The valve stroke control command (scmd) is compared with a valve stroke limit value (min{slim1, slim2}) using a variable pressure regulator. A load limit value is generated if the valve stroke control command (scmd) exceeds the valve stroke limit value (min{slim1, slim2}) to reduce the load setpoint value. Operation of the gas turbine is stabilized using a low limit value (xlim) of a pressure drop ratio (x), wherein the pressure drop ratio (x) is a quotient of a pressure drop (dp) which occurs at the control valve and of a pressure (p1) upstream of the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Liedtke, Mengbin Zhang, Aysegul Kirecci, Ulf Schirmeister
  • Publication number: 20120174593
    Abstract: An exemplary gas turbine engine includes a turbine section operative to impart rotational energy to a compressor section. The turbine section includes at least a low-pressure turbine and a high-pressure turbine, and a number of stages in the low pressure turbine is from three to five.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Om P. Sharma, Michael F. Blair, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20120174594
    Abstract: An example method of fuel delivery to a turbomachine includes reaching a light-off speed of a turbomachine and delivering fuel to a combustor of the turbomachine at a first rate. The method also increases the rate of the delivery. The combustor achieves light-off at a fuel flow rate on or in-between the first rate and a second rate that is greater than the first rate. An example turbomachine fuel delivery assembly includes a fuel delivery component and a controller configured to adjust the fuel pump to increase a rate of fuel delivery from a fuel supply to a combustor of a turbomachine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Winston, Andre M. Ajami, David Lloyd Ripley
  • Publication number: 20120174595
    Abstract: An example auxiliary power unit air inlet assembly includes a noise attenuating component disposed within a conduit. The conduit is configured to communicate a first flow of fluid to an auxiliary power unit. A second flow of fluid is communicated to the noise attenuating component. The second flow of fluid limits formation of ice in the conduit. The first flow of fluid is different than the second flow of fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Jay M. Francisco, James C. Napier
  • Publication number: 20120174596
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the operation of a combustion device using a low heating value fuel that includes providing a supply of a low heating value fuel, introducing an oxidizing agent that includes an enriched oxygen source into the low heating value fuel, and directing the low heating value fuel and the oxidizing agent to the combustion device, whereby the operation of the combustion device is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard HUNTINGTON
  • Publication number: 20120174597
    Abstract: A magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration of an embodiment has a composition represented by the formula, Gd100-x-y(HoxEry), and satisfies 0<x+y?25 and 0?y/(x+y)?0.6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shiori Kaji, Akiko Saito, Tadahiko Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120174598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for detecting the point in time of commencement of crystallization of a heat storage material (40), in particular a latent heat storage material, which is supercooled by means of a Peltier element (32). The profile (10) of the current I of the Peltier element (32) is measured. The commencement of the crystallization process in the heat storage material (40) is deduced when a discontinuity (20, 22) which follows a continuous decrease (16) in the current and after which the current (I) increases again (18) is detected in the current profile (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Henrick Brandes, Lutz Rauchfuss
  • Publication number: 20120174599
    Abstract: A gas dryer is provided. The gas dryer includes a first opening structure forming a cooling pathway fluidly connected to the first opening; a first thermoelectric device thermally connected to the structure forming the cooling pathway and a heat exchanger. A condensate drain is located near an end of the cooling pathway and configured to drain condensate formed when a fluid is cooled along the cooling pathway. A structure forming a warming pathway is located between the condensate drain and a second opening, and a second thermoelectric device thermally connected between the structure forming cooling pathway and the structure forming the warming pathway and connected to exchange heat between the cooling pathway and the warming pathway. A method of drying a gas is provided. The method includes directing the gas through a cooling pathway, removing heat from the gas in the cooling pathway with a first thermoelectric device to a heat exchanger, condensing a fluid out of the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: James W. BARNWELL
  • Publication number: 20120174600
    Abstract: A system provides the flow control of a cryogenic element to remove heat from an environment. The system includes a cryogenic storage to store a cryogen; a cryogenic delivery system coupled to the cryogenic storage to transport the cryogen; a distributor coupled to the cryogenic delivery system, the distributor having a plurality of distribution lead tubes to evenly distribute the enthalpic potential of the cryogenic element; and a heat exchanger coupled to the distribution lead tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Boyd Bowdish, William Moon
  • Publication number: 20120174601
    Abstract: Articulated water curtains for ice making machines are comprised of two portions, an upper portion hingedly connected to the upper portion of the machine, and a lower portion that includes a bottom edge of the two-piece water curtain and that is pivotally-mounted to a lower portion of the machine or to the lower portion of the water curtain. Ice making machines utilizing two-piece or portion articulated water curtains are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SCOTSMAN GROUP LLC
    Inventor: JAY MARTIN ALMBLAD
  • Publication number: 20120174602
    Abstract: A system for overall control of heat for a passenger compartment and for electrical units in a motor vehicle that is completely or partially propelled by an electric engine powered by a battery, including a heat-control fluid circuit coupled to a heating device and/or to a cooling device enabling the fluid to store calories or frigories when the system is plugged into an electrical network outside of the vehicle. The fluid circuit is capable of releasing calories and/or frigories to the air of the passenger compartment, in an alternating manner, either through a heat exchanger between the circuit and the air of the passenger compartment, or using a climate circuit forming a heat pump and/or an air-conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Gerard Olivier, Jean-Philippe Claeys, Robert Yu
  • Publication number: 20120174603
    Abstract: An apparatus for water reclamation includes an inlet head for admitting warm humid ambient air, a buried pipe coupled at a first end to the inlet head and sloping downward in the ground from the first end. Water condenses as the air is cooled in the buried pipe and collects in a cistern coupled at a second end of the buried pipe. A tube coupled at a lower end near the second end of the buried pipe includes a heated element extending at least partially into the tube from an upper end of the tube. Cooled air is heated by the heated element and is expelled at the top of the tube. A heater is coupled to an upper end of the heated element. The heater may be a solar collector with a Bernoulli aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Javier Fernandez-Han
  • Publication number: 20120174604
    Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigeration system with a closed circuit for circulating a refrigerant wherein the closed circuit has a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, a condenser for receiving and condensing at least part of the compressed refrigerant, an evaporator for receiving and evaporating the condensed refrigerant, and a return conduit for returning the refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor. The evaporator has several evaporator sections with corresponding conduits that may be individually controlled so as to obtain individual refrigeration effects of corresponding individual evaporator sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ole Thøgersen, Allan Dyrmose
  • Publication number: 20120174605
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compressor having a suction port and a discharge port, an air-cooled heat exchanger operatively coupled to the discharge port, a liquid-cooled heat exchanger operatively coupled to the air-cooled heat exchanger, a coolant pump operatively coupled to a liquid coolant inlet conduit of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger, an evaporator heat exchanger unit operatively coupled to the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and the suction port, a coolant pump operatively coupled to the liquid coolant inlet conduit for pumping a liquid coolant, and a controller operatively associated with the liquid coolant inlet conduit for controlling the flow of liquid coolant into the liquid-cooled heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger comprises a low-profile enclosure defining an interior volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Huff, Zvonko Asprovski
  • Publication number: 20120174606
    Abstract: A building heat load reduction system is provided having a series of spray nozzles located on a building roof that are connected to a cooling liquid supply. A temperature sensor on the roof is connected to a controller and, depending upon the heat on the roof, supplies liquid coolant to the spray nozzles which sprays the liquid coolant onto the roof. A moisture sensor on the roof or in the roof drain provides a signal to the controller so that once the top of the roof is wet, the sprinkler is shut down so that excess water is not wasted. A liquid coolant/surfactant mixing system is provided which mixes a surfactant with the cooling liquid to provide enhanced cooling. The surfactant causes the liquid coolant being sprayed to have a smaller droplet size which creates a relatively higher specific surface area for the water droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Lothar Budike
  • Publication number: 20120174607
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit. The refrigeration system can have more than one refrigeration machine providing cooling to the secondary refrigeration loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: NIHAT CUR, STEVEN J. KUEHL, ENRICA MONTICELLI, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, DIEGO BARONE, LORENZO BIANCHI
  • Publication number: 20120174608
    Abstract: A control device controls a swing action of flaps of an air conditioning apparatus. The flaps are swung up and down. The control device includes an operation mode determining section, a swing pattern storage area and a control command generator. The operation mode determining section determines at least an air-cooling operation mode and an air-warming operation mode that are operation modes of the air conditioning apparatus. The swing pattern storage area stores a plurality of swing patterns that include information pertaining to the swing action. The control command generator generates a control command of the air conditioning apparatus on the basis of a swing pattern corresponding to the mode determined by the operation mode determining section from among the plurality of swing patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Gen Kumamoto, Satoshi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20120174609
    Abstract: Upon newly installing a system or installing an additional heat source apparatuses, manual adjustment of a number-of-units control device should be eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Matsuo, Kenji Ueda
  • Publication number: 20120174610
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigeration cycle formed by a first compressor, a radiator, an expander that expands a refrigerant that has passed through the radiator, and an evaporator. A bypass piping has one end connected to a discharge piping of the expander and the other end connected to a suction piping of the first compressor. A pressure sensor and a temperature sensor detect the suction pressure and suction temperature of the expander as physical quantities of the refrigerant to be sucked into the expander. A bypass valve controls the flow rate of the refrigerant. A control device determines the appropriate discharge pressure of the expander on the basis of the suction pressure and suction temperature of the expander, and opens the bypass valve when the pressure at which the expander discharges the refrigerant is higher than the determined appropriate discharge pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Takayama, Yusuke Shimazu, Masayuki Kakuda, Hideaki Nagata, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Publication number: 20120174611
    Abstract: To provide an air-conditioning apparatus capable of achieving energy saving, a pump control of controlling the operating capacity of a pump is performed such that an opening degree of a heat medium flow control device, controlled by a heat-medium-flow-control-device control, approaches a target opening degree, and a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerant circuit is controlled such that the temperature of a heat medium, whose flow rate is controlled by the heat-medium-flow-control-device control and the pump control, approaches a target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura
  • Publication number: 20120174612
    Abstract: A computer room air conditioner (“CRAC”) has a cabinet having an air inlet through which return air from an area is drawn and an air outlet through which air cooled by the CRAC is exhausted. An air moving unit is disposed in the cabinet as are a plurality of cooling coils, which are in separate cooling circuits. The cooling coils are arranged so that the air passes through the cooling coils in serial fashion, that is, first through an upstream cooling coil and then through a downstream cooling cool. The upstream cooling coil acts as a pre-cooler to the subsequent downstream cooling coil. The CRAC includes a controller that controls the cooling provided by the cooling circuits. The controller controls the cooling provided by the upstream cooling circuit so that when it is being used to provide cooling, it provides only sensible cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Madara, Thomas Harvey
  • Publication number: 20120174613
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a separate cool air supply channel formed in an ice making chamber door so as to supply cool air to a crushing chamber formed in the ice making chamber door, which is connected to the front portion of an ice bank storing ice dropped from an ice making tray, to open and close an ice making chamber, thereby preventing ice remaining in the crushing chamber from melting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung Ki PARK, Ji Hoon Kim, Sang Min Park, Jae Jio Lee
  • Publication number: 20120174614
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an air condition comprises: a first compressor and a second compressor which compress a refrigerant through multiple stages; a condenser which condenses the refrigerant compressed by the second compressor; a first flow channel through which a portion of the refrigerant condensed by the condenser passes, in order to be cooled; a supercooling heat exchanger having a second flow channel for exchanging heat with the first flow channel; an expansion instrument which expands the refrigerant cooled by the supercooling heat exchanger; a shell-tube-type evaporator which evaporates the refrigerant expanded by the expansion instrument, and which is connected to a location requiring cold water via a water pipe to supply cold water to said location requiring cold water; a first bypass channel which guides the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to the second flow channel; a supercooling expander installed in the first bypass channel; and a second bypass channel which interconnects th
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Eun Jun Cho
  • Publication number: 20120174615
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an air conditioner comprises: a first circulation channel which drives a thermodynamic cycle while normally circulating a refrigerant; a second circulation channel which is branched from an outlet of a condenser of the first circulation channel to recover oil from the refrigerant to a compressor and to cause the refrigerant to pass through a supercooling heat exchanger; and a third circulation channel which is directly branched from an evaporator of the first circulation channel, to recover oil from the refrigerant and send the same to the compressor, and to cause the refrigerant to pass through the supercooling heat exchanger, thereby preventing the wet compression of the compressor to achieve improved reliability of the compressor, and preventing the degradation of heat-exchange performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Eun Jun Cho
  • Publication number: 20120174616
    Abstract: A generator includes a liquid tank, a high temperature device and a nozzle unit. The liquid tank has a receiving room. The high temperature device is disposed on a surface of the liquid tank. The nozzle unit includes a tank, an injecting tube, a nozzle and an oscillating device. The tank is disposed in the receiving room and filled with a working fluid. The injecting tube has one end communicating with the tank. The nozzle is disposed on a surface of the tank and faces the high temperature device. The oscillating device is disposed on the tank to induce oscillation of the working fluid in the tank, wherein the oscillation changes the pressure of the working fluid so that the working fluid is pulled towards the nozzle and is sprayed on the high temperature device by the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Chang-Hsien TAI, Jr-Ming Miao, Ming-Hui Ho
  • Publication number: 20120174617
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor includes a compression unit having a roller and a vane for compressing refrigerant. The vane has a film having first to fourth layers on its metallic base member. The first layer is made of chromium. The second layer is made of chromium and tungsten-carbide. The third layer is made of metal-containing amorphous-carbon containing at least tungsten or tungsten-carbide. The fourth layer is made of non-metal-containing amorphous-carbon containing carbon and hydrogen. In the second layer, chromium content-rate on a first-layer side is larger than on a third-layer side, and tungsten-carbide content-rate on the third-layer side is larger than on the first-layer side. In the third layer, content-rate of the at least tungsten or tungsten-carbide on a second-layer side is larger than on a fourth-layer side. The roller with which an end-edge of the vane slidably-contacts is made of flake graphite cast iron containing molybdenum, nickel and chromium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Toshiba Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimasa Aoki, Koji Satodate, Kazu Takashima
  • Publication number: 20120174618
    Abstract: A rotary compressor (102) has a shaft (4), a cylinder (5), a piston (8), a first vane (32), a second vane (33), a first suction port (19), and a second suction port (20). The first vane (32) divides a space between the cylinder (5) and the piston (8) along a circumferential direction of the piston (8). The second vane (33) further divides the space divided by the first vane (32) along the circumferential direction of the piston (8) so that a first compression chamber (25) and a second compression chamber (26) having a smaller volume than the first compression chamber (25) are formed within the cylinder (5). The first suction port (19) introduces a working fluid into the first compression chamber (25). The second suction port (20) introduces a working fluid into the second compression chamber (26). The second suction port (20) is provided with a suction check valve (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Ogata, Atsuo Okaichi, Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20120174619
    Abstract: A rotary compressor (102) has a shaft (4), a cylinder (5), a piston (8), a first vane (32), and a second vane (33). The first vane (32) divides a space between the cylinder (5) and the piston (8) along a circumferential direction of the piston (8). The second vane (33) further divides the space divided by the first vane (32) along the circumferential direction of the piston (8) so that a first compression chamber (25) and a second compression chamber (26) having a smaller volume than the first compression chamber (25) are formed within the cylinder (5). The piston (8) and the second vane (33) are integrated together, or the piston (8) and the second vane (33) are coupled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Ogata, Atsuo Okaichi, Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20120174620
    Abstract: A closed compressor provided for achieving a wobbling suppressing effect of a rotating shaft by a bearing frame portion and improving a reliability thereof by preventing a bearing frame portion from being deformed due to a gas load includes a bearing member provided between the one end in the axial direction of the closed container and the electric motor and includes a bearing portion pivotally supporting the rotating shaft and a bearing frame portion holding the bearing portion, and the bearing frame portion includes a high rigidity portion and a low rigidity portion in a circumferential direction and the bearing frame portion is arranged in the closed container such that a direction in which a load acting on the bearing portion becomes maximum coincides with a direction in which rigidity of the bearing frame portion is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Toshiba Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Kazu Takashima, Kazuhiko Miura
  • Publication number: 20120174621
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed herein for enhancing energy usage while pressurizing a carbonaceous gas. Such systems include a carbon dioxide (CO2) liquefaction system. The CO2 liquefaction system includes a first cooling system capable of cooling a CO2 gas to liquefy greater than approximately 50 percent of the CO2 gas. The first cooling system produces a first CO2 liquid. The CO2 gas pressure is less than approximately 3450 kilopascals (500 pounds per square inch absolute).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Himanshu Raja, Ashok Kumar Anand, Veerappan Muthaiah, Jamal Abdul Ferguson, Paul Roberts Scarboro, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120174622
    Abstract: A power plant for the generation of electrical energy with a system (1) for processing flue gases resulting from a combustion of fossil fuels comprises, according to the invention, an adiabatic compressor (5) for a first low-pressure compression of the flue gases and a second multi-stage, low-pressure flue gas compression system (14) and a multi-stage, high-pressure CO2 compression system (15), where both the low-pressure flue gas compression system and the high-pressure CO2 compression systems are combined in one single machine (C2) and are arranged on one common shaft (16) driven by one common driver (17). A heat exchanger (8) facilitates an improved recovery of heat resulting from the cooling of the adiabatically compressed flue gases. The invention allows an improvement of the overall power efficiency of a power plant integrated with this processing system as well as a reduction of investment cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Francois Granier