Patents Issued in July 19, 2012
  • Publication number: 20120180476
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a supercharged internal combustion engine having at least one liquid-cooled cylinder head with at least two cylinders, each cylinder having at least one exhaust gas outlet opening with an exhaust line attached to each outlet. The exhaust lines from each outlet merge to form an integrated exhaust manifold within the cylinder head and an overall exhaust line directing exhaust gas outside of the cylinder head, and the at least one liquid-cooled turbine having a turbine housing arranged in said overall exhaust line. Further, a bypass line, separate from the exhaust lines forming the integrated exhaust manifold, branches off upstream of the turbine conducting blown-off exhaust gas past the turbine and outside of the turbine housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Steiner, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Rainer Friedfeldt
  • Publication number: 20120180477
    Abstract: Thermal management systems and methods related to controlling temperature of internal combustion engines are provided. In one embodiment, a thermal management system includes an air intake structure defining an air intake passage therethrough coupled to a plurality of cylinders in an engine, a first turbocharger including a first compressor positioned in the air intake passage, a second turbocharger including a second compressor positioned in the air intake passage between the first compressor and the plurality of cylinders, a multi-stage cooling assembly, positioned in the air intake passage between the first compressor and the second compressor, including an air-to-coolant intercooler for cooling intake air and an air-to-air heat exchanger for cooling intake air, and an air-to-coolant radiator fluidly coupled with the air-to-coolant intercooler of the multi-stage cooling assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Gregory Alan MARSH, Mahesh Aggarwal
  • Publication number: 20120180478
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises an intake system to deliver a compressed intake charge thereto. A venturi assembly is disposed in the intake system and defines a venturi defining a low pressure zone “Z” for the intake charge passing therethrough. An annular exhaust gas recirculation conduit distribution passage extends circumferentially about an inlet annulus of an intake manifold and receives diverted exhaust gas from an exhaust system for delivery to the intake charge through exhaust gas recirculation diffuser passages disposed at circumferentially spaced locations about the annular exhaust gas recirculation conduit distribution passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Johnson, Scott Igram, Carl Eric Fonville
  • Publication number: 20120180479
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine and a method of operation the internal combustion engine which includes a high pressure and a low pressure turbocharger having exhaust gas turbines arranged in series in an engine exhaust line provided with a high pressure exhaust gas recirculation line and a low pressure exhaust gas recirculation line via which exhaust gas can be conducted to an inlet line of the engine, the arrangement is switchable depending on the engine speed between an exhaust gas recirculation by way of the high pressure line and an exhaust gas recirculation by way of both, the high pressure and the low pressure line, to achieve low emissions and low fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Heiko Beil, Florian Wegenast
  • Publication number: 20120180480
    Abstract: A hybrid hydraulic turbocharger system for internal combustion engines. The turbocharger system includes a hydraulic pump motor in mechanical communication with said engine drive shaft. A hybrid turbocharger unit includes an engine exhaust gas turbine driving a compressor, a hydraulic turbine and a hydraulic pump, all mounted on said turbocharger shaft. The hydraulic pump motor functions as a hydraulic pump driven by the drive shaft of the engine to provide additional boost to the turbocharger unit at low engine speeds and functions as a hydraulic motor driven by the turbocharger pump to provide additional torque to the engine drive shaft high engine speeds. Additionally, this system provides for brake energy recovery by storing the energy absorbed during the breaking cycle and releasing it back to the pump motor when required during the subsequent acceleration cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Davorin Kapich
  • Publication number: 20120180481
    Abstract: A hybrid hydraulic turbocharger system for internal combustion engines. The turbocharger system includes a hydraulic pump motor in mechanical communication with said engine drive shaft. A hybrid turbocharger unit includes an engine exhaust gas turbine driving a compressor, a hydraulic turbine and a hydraulic pump, all mounted on said turbocharger shaft. The hydraulic pump motor functions as a hydraulic pump driven by the drive shaft of the engine to provide additional boost to the turbocharger unit at low engine speeds and functions as a hydraulic motor driven by the turbocharger pump to provide additional torque to the engine drive shaft high engine speeds. Additionally, this system provides for brake energy recovery by storing the energy absorbed during the breaking cycle and releasing it back to the pump motor when required during the subsequent acceleration cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Davorin Kapich
  • Publication number: 20120180482
    Abstract: A hybrid hydraulic turbocharger system for internal combustion engines. The turbocharger system includes a hydraulic pump motor in mechanical communication with said engine drive shaft. A hybrid turbocharger unit includes an engine exhaust gas turbine driving a compressor, a hydraulic turbine and a hydraulic pump, all mounted on said turbocharger shaft. The hydraulic pump motor functions as a hydraulic pump driven by the drive shaft of the engine to provide additional boost to the turbocharger unit at low engine speeds and functions as a hydraulic motor driven by the turbocharger pump to provide additional torque to the engine drive shaft high engine speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Davorin Kapich
  • Publication number: 20120180483
    Abstract: A solar receiver is disposed on a top portion of a tower provided upright on the ground for heating a compressible working fluid by means of heat converted from sunlight collected by heliostats disposed on the ground, to raise the temperature of the compressible working fluid. The solar receiver has modules disposed back-to-back, and each of which includes a casing having a bottom plate to be fixed to the top-portion upper surface of the tower. A heat-transfer-tube unit is accommodated in the casing and includes heat transfer tubes. A sunlight inlet port having a circular shape in front view or an elliptical shape in front view is provided at the center portion of a plate-like member whose lower end is connected to an outer circumferential end of the bottom plate to constitute the casing and that extends obliquely upward from the outer circumferential end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuta KOBAYASHI, Masashi TAGAWA, Toshiyuki OSADA, Kuniaki AOYAMA, Masahiro MASUDA, Takeshi OKUBO, Shuhei SASAKI, Akira FURUTANI, Jin KATO, Hiromi NAKATANI
  • Publication number: 20120180484
    Abstract: By the invention a heat storage system for storing solar heat is provided, the system including a subterranean heat storage (2) for storing heat at temperatures above 800° C., a collector structure (8) being placed on or above the ground, the collector structure having at least one reflecting surface (10) or converging lens for deflecting solar radiation (12), an absorber body (6) positioned so as to receive solar radiation (12) deflected by the collector structure (8) and be heated by said solar radiation (12), and a solid material heat conductor (4) for transferring heat from the absorber body (6) to the subterranean heat storage (2). A method of storing solar heat is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Jorgen BAK
  • Publication number: 20120180485
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a plurality of turbines. An exhaust gas outlet is positioned on each of the plurality of turbines. The exhaust gas outlet provides a way of discharging any exhaust gas produced by a turbine during operation of the turbine. A common exhaust is operatively connected to the exhaust gas outlet of each of the plurality of turbines. The common exhaust is disposed to receive any exhaust gas produced by the plurality of turbines during the operation of at least one of the turbines. A back flow damper is positioned on the exhaust gas outlet for each of the plurality of turbines. An isolation damper is disposed on the back flow damper. The isolation damper is in fluid communication with the common exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: David C. Smith, David R. Blair
  • Publication number: 20120180486
    Abstract: A combustor is provided and includes a center body having a tubular inner wall, a cartridge disposed within the tubular inner wall to define an outer annular space between an outer surface thereof and the tubular inner wall and an inner annular space having an open end and a closed end opposite the open end and an insert disposed within the outer annular space to envelop the cartridge proximate to the open end, the insert including a body having a tubular forward portion and a partially tubular aft portion, the partially tubular aft portion thereby forming a recessed track having a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the outer annular space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kwanwoo Kim, Nishant Govindbhai Parsania, Dheeraj Sharma
  • Publication number: 20120180487
    Abstract: A system includes a multi-tube fuel nozzle. The multi-tube fuel nozzle includes a fuel conduit, a fuel chamber coupled to the fuel conduit, and multiple tubes concentrically arranged in multiple rows about a central axis of the multi-tube fuel nozzle and extending through the fuel chamber to a downstream end portion of the multi-tube fuel nozzle. The multiple tubes include fluids flow and different flow control features including at least one of different fuel/air premixing ratios, different tube diameters, or different outlet distances relative to the downstream end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jong Ho Uhm, Thomas Edward Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120180488
    Abstract: An endcover assembly for a turbine combustor adapted to support one or more combustor nozzles includes a substantially flat plate having one side which in use, faces a combustion chamber and an opposite side which, in use, faces away from the combustion chamber. At least one fuel passage extends through the substantially flat plate. A fuel manifold porting block is secured to the opposite side of the flat plate with at least one port aligned with the at least one passage. A fuel restrictor insert formed with multiple flow orifices is located between the flat plate and the fuel manifold porting block in alignment with the at least one fuel passage and the at least one port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Mark BAILEY, Donald Timothy LEMON, Kwanwoo KIM, Patrick Benedict MELTON
  • Publication number: 20120180489
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided and includes a first tube connectable with a vessel and second and third tubes to deliver fuel to an interior of the vessel, the second and third tubes being supported within the first tube such that the second and third tubes are offset in first and second opposing directions from a first plane of the first tube, respectively, and in a third direction from a second plane of the first tube, the first tube defining an annulus about the second and third tubes through which gas is deliverable to the vessel interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Allan Hadley, Jayaprakash Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20120180490
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle for a gas turbine combustor includes: an internal cylinder; a burner cylinder concentrically provided on the outer circumference of the internal cylinder in the vicinity of its distal end to surround the distal end portion of the internal cylinder; an air passage provided between the burner cylinder and the internal cylinder for delivering combustion air; a space provided at an axial center of the internal cylinder and extending in the axial direction of the internal cylinder; a plurality of inner passages provided at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the internal cylinder for injecting fluid through its distal end portion; and at least one communication portion provided on the upstream side of the distal end portion of the internal cylinder and extending from the outer wall of the internal cylinder toward the inner side in the radial direction to communicate with the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Takami, Katsunori Tanaka, Koichi Nishida, Shinji Akamatsu, Hideki Haruta, Tomo Kawakami, Kei Inoue
  • Publication number: 20120180491
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided and includes a first tube, having first and second opposing ends, which is supplied with fuel, and one or more second tubes disposed within the first tube, each of the one or more second tubes being supplied with air and having sidewalls defining injection holes through which the fuel enters the one or more second tubes to mix with the air, and an outlet end of the sidewalls corresponding to the second end of the first tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Allan Hadley, Rajani Kumar Akula, Jayaprakash Natarajan, Chetan Babu Velkur
  • Publication number: 20120180492
    Abstract: A sleeve component assembly for a combustor, and a method for forming the sleeve component assembly for the combustor, are disclosed. The sleeve component assembly includes a sleeve component, the sleeve component comprising one of an inner sleeve component or an outer sleeve component. The sleeve component assembly further includes at least one support feature extending from the sleeve component, the at least one support feature configured to contact and provide vibratory support to an adjacent sleeve component. The at least one support feature is integral with the sleeve component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Alfred Simo, Patrick Benedict Melton, David William Cihlar
  • Publication number: 20120180493
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a first compressor that produces a compressed working fluid and a turbine downstream of the first compressor. The turbine includes stationary components and rotating components and produces an exhaust. A heat exchanger downstream of the turbine receives the exhaust from the turbine, and a second compressor downstream of the heat exchanger and upstream of the turbine receives the exhaust from the heat exchanger and provides a flow of exhaust to the turbine. A method for reducing oxygen emissions from a gas turbine includes flowing an exhaust from a turbine to a heat exchanger and removing heat from the exhaust. The method further includes increasing the pressure of the exhaust to produce a pressurized exhaust and flowing the pressurized exhaust back to the turbine to remove heat from the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel David Snook, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell
  • Publication number: 20120180494
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a fuel nozzle assembly for a turbine includes an inner conduit and a flange coupled to the inner conduit thereby forming a chamber for flow of a gas fuel. In addition, the flange includes a diaphragm member coupled to the inner conduit, the diaphragm member being configured to flex in response to relative movement between the inner conduit and the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Donald Mark Bailey, Patrick Benedict Melton
  • Publication number: 20120180495
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system includes a staggered multi-nozzle assembly. The staggered multi-nozzle assembly includes a first fuel nozzle having a first axis and a first flow path extending to a first downstream end portion, wherein the first fuel nozzle has a first non-circular perimeter at the first downstream end portion. The staggered multi-nozzle assembly also includes a second fuel nozzle having a second axis and a second flow path extending to a second downstream end portion, wherein the first and second downstream end portions are axially offset from one another relative to the first and second axes. The staggered multi-nozzle assembly further includes a cap member disposed circumferentially about at least the first and second fuel nozzles to assemble the staggered multi-nozzle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jong Ho Uhm, Thomas Edward Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120180496
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has in flow series: a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section. The engine further has a steam generator, and a water and steam delivery system. During an engine start-up period, the delivery system delivers liquid water to the combustor and mixes the delivered water in its liquid state with working gas in the combustor. After the start-up period, the delivery system accepts steam from the steam generator, delivers the steam to the combustor and mixes the delivered steam in its gaseous state with the working gas in the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Paul FLETCHER, Andrew C. GRAHAM
  • Publication number: 20120180497
    Abstract: A turbomachine system includes a compressor portion having a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, a turbine portion operatively connected to the compressor portion, a combustor having a combustor inlet fluidly connected to the compressor outlet and a combustor outlet fluidly connected to the turbine portion; and a reformer having a reformer inlet fluidly connected to the compressor outlet and a reformer outlet fluidly connected to the combustor inlet. The reformer partially combusts air from the compressor portion and a fuel to form a hydrogen-rich syngas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kihyung Kim, Hasan Karim, Abdul Rafey Khan
  • Publication number: 20120180498
    Abstract: An APU has a gas turbine engine and a starter generator to be selectively driven by the gas turbine engine. A sensor senses windmilling of components associated with the starter generator. A lock feature limits rotation within the starter generator when windmilling is sensed. A method of operation is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Jay M. Francisco
  • Publication number: 20120180499
    Abstract: A power generation system is provided and includes a compressor to increase a pressure of inlet ambient air and a turbine downstream from the compressor having a first stage and additional stages downstream from the first stage, the first stage structurally incorporating a combustor in which the compressed ambient air is mixed with fuel and in which the mixture is combusted to generate high temperature exhaust gas from which mechanical energy is derived in the first and additional stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: JOHN CHARLES INTILE
  • Publication number: 20120180500
    Abstract: A system, including, a turbine combustor, including, a first wall disposed about a flow path of hot combustion gases, a second wall disposed about the first wall, and a damping system disposed between the first and second walls, wherein the damping system is configured to dampen vibration, and the damping system is tuned to dynamic drivers in the turbine combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard Martin DiCintio
  • Publication number: 20120180501
    Abstract: A bleed valve module for mounting to a support structure within an aircraft includes a pipe, a plurality of bleed valves connected to the pipe, a plurality of pneumatic actuators connected to the plurality of bleed valves, and a vibration isolating element. The pipe contains a flow of bleed air and includes a plurality of inlets and an outlet. The plurality of bleed valves controls the flow of bleed air in the pipe. The plurality of pneumatic actuators actuate the plurality of bleed valves. The vibration isolating element connects the bleed valve module to the support structure within the aircraft and isolates the bleed valve module from vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donald E. Army
  • Publication number: 20120180502
    Abstract: Systems and methods to create and store a liquid phase mix of natural gas absorbed in light-hydrocarbon solvents under temperatures and pressures that facilitate improved volumetric ratios of the stored natural gas as compared to CNG and PLNG at the same temperatures and pressures of less than ?80° to about ?120° F. and about 300 psig to about 900 psig. Preferred solvents include ethane, propane and butane, and natural gas liquid (NGL) and liquid pressurized gas (LPG) solvents. Systems and methods for receiving raw production or semi-conditioned natural gas, conditioning the gas, producing a liquid phase mix of natural gas absorbed in a light-hydrocarbon solvent, and transporting the mix to a market where pipeline quality gas or fractionated products are delivered in a manner utilizing less energy than CNG, PLNG or LNG systems with better cargo-mass to containment-mass ratio for the natural gas component than CNG systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Ian Morris, Bruce Hall, Tolulope O. Okikiolu
  • Publication number: 20120180503
    Abstract: A cryopump includes: a vent valve provided with a cryopump housing to discharge a gas pumped on a cryopanel to the outside of the cryopump housing; and a control unit configured to determine, based on the pressure measured by a pressure sensor, whether a positive pressure is generated in the cryopump housing relative to the external pressure of the cryopump housing, and configured to open the vent valve when it is determined that the positive pressure is generated, and configured to close the vent valve when it is determined that the positive pressure is not been generated. The valve-closing force of the vent valve is arranged such that, when the vent valve is closed by the control unit, the vent valve can be mechanically opened by being subjected to the differential pressure between the internal pressure and the external pressure of the cryopump housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Ken Oikawa
  • Publication number: 20120180504
    Abstract: A refrigerator has an icemaker that includes a partition arm extending from the outside of the ice making tray into the ice making tray, the partition arm constituting a part of an ice compartment structure to define ice making cells. When the ice making tray is rotated in a given direction, the ice making tray allows ice to be separated from the ice making cells by being twisted by the partition arm. When the ice making tray is rotated in an opposite direction, the ice making tray allows the ice still present in the ice making cells to fall from the ice making cells by interference with a rotation stopper formed at the partition arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Koog An, Sung Cheol Kang, Chang Uo Hong, Young Il Song, Hae Ryong Jeon, Se Woong Kim
  • Publication number: 20120180505
    Abstract: A heat pump system is operable in winter mode and/or summer mode, and may be selectively operated in a defrost mode or cycle. The system includes an energy recovery module that receives and conditions air in a regeneration air channel. A pre-processing module is positioned downstream of the energy recovery module. The pre-processing module receives and heats air from the energy recovery module. A regeneration air heat exchanger is positioned downstream of the pre-processing module. The regeneration air heat exchanger receives and conditions air from the pre-processing module. The pre-processing module heats the air from the energy recovery module to increase efficiency of the regeneration air heat exchanger. During the defrost mode, a loop of regeneration air may be recirculated between the supply air channel and the regeneration air channel in order to defrost the regeneration air heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Venmar CES, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Gerber, Can Wen Rong
  • Publication number: 20120180506
    Abstract: When an operating state indicated by a set of operation data measured during normal operation becomes a state satisfying an operation data obtaining condition, the set of operation data at the time is obtained as a set of operation data for initial learning, and an inner volume of a refrigerant extension piping is calculated based on the obtained set of operation data for initial learning. A total amount of refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit 10 is calculated based on the calculated inner volume of the refrigerant extension piping and the current set of operation data, and the calculated total refrigerant is compared with a reference amount of refrigerant to determine a presence or absence of refrigerant leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Yasutaka Ochiai, Kosuke Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120180507
    Abstract: A user interface system includes a data receiving device and a portable data device having a memory. The portable data device may include a wireless interface configured to transmit data stored in the memory. A user may interface with the data receiving device by physically manipulating the portable data device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Eric Leebow
  • Publication number: 20120180508
    Abstract: Problem to be Solved: A discharged warm/cold heat of a refrigerant circuit is effectively utilized in order to attain high energy efficiency. Particularly, an appropriate operation control is executed when a hot-water supplying operation and an air cooling operation are simultaneously performed, whereby high energy efficiency is attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Hazuhiro Endoh, Tatsuo Fujii
  • Publication number: 20120180509
    Abstract: A bleed air conditioning system within an aircraft including a low-pressure bleed air line and a high-pressure bleed air line. The system includes an air-to-air heat exchanger and an un-cooled bleed air line to connect the air-to-air heat exchanger to the low-pressure bleed air line and the high-pressure bleed air line. The un-cooled bleed air line carries a flow of un-cooled bleed air from at least one of the low-pressure bleed air line and the high-pressure bleed air line to the air-to-air heat exchanger. The system also includes a cooled bleed air line connected to the air-to-air heat exchanger for carrying cooled bleed air from the air-to-air heat exchanger and a low-pressure bypass line connecting the low-pressure bleed air line to the cooled bleed air line, bypassing un-cooled bleed air from the low-pressure line around the air-to-air heat exchanger to the cooled bleed air line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory L. DeFrancesco
  • Publication number: 20120180510
    Abstract: In a heat pump apparatus, switching between high efficiency operation, being efficient, and high capacity operation, having high capacity, is performed according to the state of the load. There are provided a main refrigerant circuit that uses an ejector, a first sub-refrigerant circuit that connects a portion between a heat exchanger and an ejector to a portion between a gas-liquid separator and a heat exchanger, and a second sub-refrigerant circuit that connects a portion between the heat exchanger and the ejector to an injection pipe of a compressor. When the load is about medium, refrigerant is circulated in the main refrigerant circuit to perform an efficient ejector aided operation utilizing the ejector. When the load is large, a high capacity injection operation is performed by flowing refrigerant to the second sub-refrigerant circuit. When the load is small, a simple bypass operation which prevents degradation of efficiency is performed by flowing refrigerant to the first sub-refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Okazaki, So Nomoto, Shinya Higashiiue, Hirokazu Minamisako
  • Publication number: 20120180511
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for collection of thermal energy. The system comprises an energy collector, an energy reservoir, an energy collection medium enclosed in a loop allowing fluid flow of the energy collection medium between the energy collector and the energy reservoir in a forward flow from the energy collector and in a backward flow to the energy collector for transferring energy between the energy collector and the energy reservoir, a collector pump adapted to control a flow rate of the energy collection medium, and a reservoir temperature measuring device being adapted to measure a reservoir temperature of the energy reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: COLIPU A/S
    Inventor: Troels Gottfried Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20120180512
    Abstract: A water recovery system for a cooling tower includes an intercooler having a first circuit portion and a second circuit portion. The first circuit portion is configured and disposed to receive a liquid desiccant and the second circuit portion is configured and disposed to receive coolant. A flash drum includes an inlet connected to the first circuit portion, a vapor outlet and a liquid desiccant outlet. A condenser is fluidly coupled to the vapor outlet of the flash drum. The condenser includes a condensate outlet. A cooling tower is fluidly connected to the liquid desiccant outlet of the flash drum and the condenser. The cooling tower includes a water stripper having a collector member, and a heat exchanger arranged below the water stripper. The collector member is configured to receive water laden liquid desiccant and the heat exchanger is configured and disposed to receive make-up water from the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Gordon Laing, Harish Chandra Dhingra, Andrew Philip Shapiro, Ching Jen Tang
  • Publication number: 20120180513
    Abstract: To provide an air-conditioning apparatus capable of achieving energy saving. The air-conditioning apparatus capable of executing an oil collection mode that collects a refrigerating machine oil stagnating in heat exchangers related to heat medium into a compressor by changing a flow velocity or a flow direction of the refrigerant flowing in the heat exchangers related to heat medium depending on each operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Yuji Motomura
  • Publication number: 20120180514
    Abstract: A refrigerator may include a drain hose assembly. The refrigerator includes an upper hose, a lower hose connected to the upper hose while being arranged in a machinery chamber, the lower hose being provided with an air inlet hole to introduce outside air, and an opening and closing unit provided at the lower hose to be upwardly pivoted by negative pressure in a storage chamber and to be downwardly pivoted by gravity, in order to open and close the air inlet hole, respectively. As a result, it may be possible to achieve an enhancement in energy efficiency and to reduce the force required to open door according to an improvement of sealing-tightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Nam LEE, Sang Soo Kim, Sang Gyu Jung, Mu Yeol Sun, Sang Hyeok Park
  • Publication number: 20120180515
    Abstract: A heat medium relay unit and an air-conditioning apparatus or the like are provided that are compact and have improved serviceability while achieving energy saving. A heat medium relay unit according to the invention includes heat medium delivering devices and heat medium flow switching devices (first heat medium flow switching devices and second heat medium flow switching devices) that are provided so as to be detachable from a predetermined side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Morimoto, Koji Yamashita, Yuji Motomura, Katsuhiko Hayashida, Hiroto Nakao
  • Publication number: 20120180516
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: LUKASZ D. SKALSKI, TIEMEN T. VAN DILLEN
  • Publication number: 20120180517
    Abstract: An improvement in a liquids dispensing means comprising a niche for accommodating a container to be filled with liquid, the niche being associated with the outer panel (12) of a cabinet, being lighted from the rear wall thereof (21, 56), a part of the light flux impinging on a window provided with a sheet of translucent material (29) located in the closing means (21, 51) of the niche, the window being in substantial alignment/register with the lighting means (36, 37, 54) provided on the rear wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Electrolux Do Brasil S. A.
    Inventors: Mario Gnypek Filho, Jacques E. Miranda, Rodrigo Telles Wolff, Lizandro Chestenzen, Luis Fernando Zeni Filho, Adriano Davin
  • Publication number: 20120180518
    Abstract: A gas refrigerant separator-cum-refrigerant flow divider includes an inlet chamber having a circular cross section, a speed increasing chamber having a circular cross section, and an outlet chamber having a circular cross section, which are coaxially arranged in series. The outlet chamber introduces refrigerant from a refrigerant inlet port and guides and swirls the refrigerant along an inner wall surface of the outlet chamber. The speed increasing chamber increases the speed of a swirling refrigerant flow sent from the inlet chamber and jets the swirling refrigerant flow into the outlet chamber through a communication port, which is formed at the distal end of the speed increasing chamber. The diameter of the outlet chamber is greater than the diameter of the communication port at the distal end of the speed increasing chamber. The gas refrigerant separator-cum-refrigerant flow divider further has a gas refrigerant extracting pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Toru Yukimoto
  • Publication number: 20120180519
    Abstract: A conduit is processed for installation in a heat exchange system as an expansion. In particular, the conduit is crushed to modify one or more flow parameters of the invention. The crushing of the conduit is preformed according to one or more crush parameters determined to ensure that refrigerant flowing through the conduit within the heat exchange system will experience a pressure drop of a predetermined amount while travelling through the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Brian Edward Dickerson, John Truitt Sosebee
  • Publication number: 20120180520
    Abstract: A fluid is liquefied from a gaseous state to a liquid state, and the liquefied fluid is stored. In one embodiment, the fluid is oxygen. Mechanisms are employed that enhance the durability, longevity, reliability, efficiency, of a system used to liquefy the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Brian Edward Dickerson, Laurent Brouqueyre, Gregg Russell Hurdst
  • Publication number: 20120180521
    Abstract: A system for scrubbing acid gases from a gas stream, and particularly adapted for scrubbing CO2 from flue gas and recovering the CO2 at high pressure and good purity using an aqueous scrubbing medium such as aqueous ammonia scrubbing solution. A scrubber, regenerator, and stripper are provided, with each having two parts that are each multistage countercurrent vapor-liquid contactors. The required compression energy is minimized by providing necessary refrigeration from an ammonia absorption refrigeration plant that is powered by heat extracted from the gas being scrubbed. The amount of reboil required for the regenerator and stripper is minimized by providing internal heat exchangers (non-adiabatic distillation) in those components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Charles Erickson
  • Publication number: 20120180522
    Abstract: The present invention is a jewelry device comprising a base unit which may be affixed to clothing or otherwise adapted to be worn on a person and a front unit which concentrically fits inside base unit and either serves as an enclosure for an ornamented object or itself bears ornamentation. Base unit contains a ring or radial magnet which is of a shape to fit inside the inner perimeter of base unit. Front unit contains a ring or radial magnet which is of a shape to fit around the outside perimeter of front unit. Both front unit and base unit magnets are of a similar circumference allowing magnetic forces to secure front unit to base unit. Front unit, or ornamented objects enclosed by front unit, are interchangeable with other like elements bearing different ornamentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Noah Severs
  • Publication number: 20120180523
    Abstract: A jewelry shank comprises a ring configured to encircle a wearer's finger and a moveable tab positioned along the inner surface of the ring. The tab is shiftable between a retracted position that allows the shank to easily slide over a knuckle of the wearer's finger and an extended position that helps hold the shank in place on the wearer's finger after it has passed over the knuckle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: John E. Meyerhoff, Parker Exposito
  • Publication number: 20120180524
    Abstract: A gemstone setting for gemstones that present as a single stone on the viewing face or top including a plurality of anchor gemstones and a larger touchstone wherein the gemstones are held in place with no metal from the setting visible between the gemstones. The gemstones are positioned in the setting with the lower girdle facets of the anchor gemstones overlapping and contacting the upper girdle facets of the touchstone so that at least one of the contact points between the touchstone and an anchor gemstone forms an angle and helps to hold the touchstone in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: FANTASY DIAMOND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph H. Wein, Stephen A. Roehl
  • Publication number: 20120180525
    Abstract: A gemstone cut with a table facet, where the gemstone receives existing light from around the viewer and the facets on the bottom of the diamond effectively reflect the existing light back into the eyes of the beholder in such a manner as to maximize light performance, and to produce a unique and distinct look of light in the form of a flower with eight rounded pedals under the table facet which can be observed in natural ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan WEINGARTEN