Friction Generator Patents (Class 122/26)
  • Patent number: 11817765
    Abstract: Presented are oleophobic surface treatments for electric machines, methods for making/using such electric machines, and vehicles employing traction motors having oleophobic treatments on select “non-target” surfaces. An electric machine includes a direct-cooling thermal management system that circulates a coolant fluid to the electric machine's outer housing. A stator assembly, which is attached to the housing, includes a stator core with one or more electromagnetic windings mounted to the stator core. A rotor assembly is rotatably mounted to the hosing adjacent the stator assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotor core with one or more magnets mounted to the rotor core and spaced across an air gap from the winding(s). Select components of the outer housing, rotor assembly, and/or stator assembly have a target surface with an oleophobic surface treatment that reduces the non-target surface's wetted area and decreases the mass of coolant fluid contacting the non-target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: SeungHwan Keum, Mei Yang, Neal Parsons, Ruth Herrera Reed
  • Patent number: 11573034
    Abstract: A device including a liquid's flow path having an upstream side and a downstream side, a plurality of flow restrictive elements providing material communication between the upstream side to the downstream side, a thermoelectric generator or a thermophotovoltaic cell in thermal connection with a portion of the device located at the downstream side with respect to the plurality of flow restrictive elements. The portion is provided with roughness elements for, in use, contacting a fluid flowing through the device and facilitating collapse of cavitation bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SABANCI ÜNIVERSITESI
    Inventor: Ali Kosar
  • Patent number: 11415367
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system having a refrigeration unit including: a refrigeration circuit (23) configured to circulate a first refrigerant; a mechanical subcooler (23a); and a battery system (190) configured to power the mechanical subcooler. The mechanical subcooler is thermally connected to the refrigeration circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ciara Poolman, Robert A. Chopko
  • Patent number: 11319217
    Abstract: A system and method for cleaning dirty water is disclosed. The systems and methods may include two heat exchangers, including a high temperature/high pressure (HT/HP) heat exchanger that receives superheated steam and hydrogen gas and a low temperature/low pressure (LT/LP) that receives steam at a reduced temperature and pressure. The LT/LP heat exchanger provides first stage heating to dirty water that is input into the system for cleansing. The LT/LP heat exchanger has a first coil and a second coil. The first coil carries the dirty water to be cleaned. The HT/HP heat exchanger provides a second stage of heating to the dirty water that is output from the LT/LP heat exchanger. A first coil of the HT/HP heat exchanger carries the superheated steam and hydrogen gas. A second coil carries the preheated dirty water that is output from the LT/LP heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Clean Water Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy H. DiBenerdini, Bernard F. Coll
  • Patent number: 11293334
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a fan, a first fluid circuit, and a second fluid circuit. The first fluid circuit includes a first fluid, a first heat exchanger, a first exchanger bypass, and a first thermostat to selectively control flow of the first fluid between the first heat exchanger and the first exchanger bypass. The second fluid circuit is fluidly independent of the first fluid circuit. The second fluid circuit includes a second fluid separate from the first fluid, a second heat exchanger, a second exchanger bypass, and a second thermostat to selectively control flow of the second fluid between the second heat exchanger and the second exchanger bypass. The fan is positioned in proximity to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to cool the first fluid and the second fluid dependent upon operation of the first thermostat and the second thermostat, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Alan D. Sheidler
  • Patent number: 11285782
    Abstract: A cooling system mounted in a vehicle includes a radiator exchanging heat with the outside air; first and second flow paths; and a control device. The first path is configured so that when the first pump is operating, a heat medium circulates through the radiator and a first heat exchanger exchanging heat with the inverter. The second flow path is connected to the radiator in parallel with the first flow path, and is configured so that when the second pump is operating, the heat medium circulates through the radiator and a second heat exchanger exchanging heat with the battery. The control device controls the outputs of the first and second pumps so that when making both of the outputs rise or fall, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing through the first flow path becomes temporarily larger than the target flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidefumi Aikawa
  • Patent number: 10752518
    Abstract: A system and method for cleaning dirty water is disclosed. The systems and methods may include two heat exchangers, including a high temperature/high pressure (HT/HP) heat exchanger that receives superheated steam and hydrogen gas and a low temperature/low pressure (LT/LP) that receives steam at a reduced temperature and pressure. The LT/LP heat exchanger provides first stage heating to dirty water that is input into the system for cleansing. The LT/LP heat exchanger has a first coil and a second coil. The first coil carries the dirty water to be cleaned. The HT/HP heat exchanger provides a second stage of heating to the dirty water that is output from the LT/LP heat exchanger. A first coil of the HT/HP heat exchanger carries the superheated steam and hydrogen gas. A second coil carries the preheated dirty water that is output from the LT/LP heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Clean Water Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy H. DiBenerdini, Bernard F. Coll
  • Patent number: 10753280
    Abstract: A field of turbine engines, and more particularly to an engine including a compressor; a combustion chamber; a first turbine connected to the compressor by a first rotary shaft; an actuator device for actuating the first rotary shaft in order to keep the first turbine and the compressor in rotation while the combustion chamber is extinguished; and a lubrication circuit for lubricating the engine. The circuit passes through at least one heat source suitable for heating the lubricant in the lubrication circuit while the first turbine and the compressor are rotating with the combustion chamber extinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES
    Inventors: Romain Thiriet, Vincent Poumarede, Camel Serghine
  • Patent number: 10743701
    Abstract: An evaporator device for water for installation in a steamer has a water tank having an encircling outer wall and an encircling inner wall, wherein a heating device is provided on the outer wall. The inner wall extends within the outer wall and with a clearance relative thereto, wherein a water zone is formed between the outer wall and the inner wall. A pump is arranged within the inner wall in order to pump water from a water reservoir into the water zone. A steam outlet emerges upwards from the water zone and leads into the steamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad Schoenemann, Tobias Albert
  • Patent number: 10654337
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an accessory powered by an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle are provided. The method includes a control module determining when a primary power source of a vehicle is deactivated. The method also includes the control module determining when an auxiliary power unit is activated after deactivation of the primary power source. Also, the method includes the control module automatically controlling the accessory powered by the auxiliary power unit when the control module determines that the primary power source is deactivated and the auxiliary power unit is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Miller, Mark D. Leasure
  • Patent number: 10654336
    Abstract: A heating system for an electric or hybrid vehicle, to which a high-voltage accumulator is connected, includes a coolant circuit having a heating circuit to which a heating heat exchanger is connected for air-conditioning the interior, and having a cooling circuit to which a cooler and a heat source are connected. The heating system has at least two refrigerating circuits, wherein a first refrigerating circuit includes an air-conditioning evaporator for air-conditioning the interior, and a first condenser, by which the first refrigerating circuit is thermally coupled to the coolant circuit in order to dissipate heat from the first refrigerating circuit. The second refrigerating circuit is thermally coupled by a second condenser to the coolant circuit. The two refrigerating circuits, however, are not coupled to each other. At least one of the refrigerating circuits further includes a chiller in order to dissipate heat from the coolant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Allgaeuer, Nicolas Flahaut, Markus Moser, Marion Mack, Oliver Horn
  • Patent number: 10605449
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying hot water and, more particularly, to a hot water supply apparatus using a revolving magnetic body, wherein the apparatus is driven with low power consumption while being environment-friendly and having excellent safety when hot water and heating are supplied, the apparatus including: a heat exchange body containing water, and including a circular heating pipe circumferentially provided in the heat exchange body; a stator provided to encompass an outside of the heat exchange body and wound with a plurality of coils, the stator being magnetized when an electric current is applied thereto, wherein the heating pipe includes therein a magnetic body that revolves along the circumference of the heating pipe due to a magnetic field formed by the stator, so that water is heated by frictional heat generated when the magnetic body revolves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: CRITICAL FACILITY SERVICE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Young Taek Lee
  • Patent number: 10576806
    Abstract: A battery powered auxiliary HVAC system designed to heat and cool at least a sleeper compartment of a vehicle such as a truck with a management system for conserving battery power. The management system includes a processor connected to temperature sensors, motion sensors, occupancy sensors, etc. for controlling a variable speed compressor, evaporator fan and condenser fan. A fuel fired heater is positioned between an evaporator coil in the inlet of an enclosure and the evaporator fan in an outlet of the enclosure such that air flow passes around the heater. The power electronics to operate the system may be actively cooled by connection tubing providing a heat sink between an evaporator outlet and a compressor inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: DClimate, Inc.
    Inventors: Sesha C. Madireddi, Sainath Kouda, Meena Murugasundaram
  • Patent number: 10573863
    Abstract: An assembly may include an auxiliary power unit housing, a battery box, and a pair of brackets. The battery box may include a base, a first cover and a second cover. The first cover may be removably attached to the base. The auxiliary power unit housing may be mounted to the second cover. The first cover may include a lip that engages a flange of the second cover. The brackets may extend laterally outward from lateral sides of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Phillips & Temro Industries Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Sweazey, Mark A. Fancher, Robert H. Jordan
  • Patent number: 10495025
    Abstract: A dual heating process is performed in the absence of an open flame. Heat is created by a rotating prime mover(s) driving a fluid shear heater. Heat is also collected from a cooling system of the prime mover, and from any exhaust heat generated by the prime mover. The heat energy collected from all of these sources is transmitted through heat exchangers to a fluid where heat energy is desired. The fluid being heated may be glycol or air, depending on the type of heat desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ConleyMax Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick G. Bell, William N. Beckie
  • Patent number: 10385549
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for production of water from atmospheric air comprises a condensation unit (20) comprising: an inlet opening (21) of the moist air with a dew point of lower than 0° C., an outlet opening (22) of the dehumidified air, at least a ventilator (23) configured so as to force an air flow and enter through the inlet opening (21) and exit from the outlet opening (22), a heat exchange plate (24), interposed between the inlet opening (21) and the outlet opening (22), so as to intercept the air flow and able to be crossed by the air flow, in which a refrigerating fluid of a refrigerating unit (30) circulates at a lower temperature than a dew point temperature of the air flow and at least a heating element configured so as to heat the heat exchange plate (24) for defrosting the ice condensed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: SEAS SOCIÉTÉ DE L'EAU AÉRIENNE SUISSE SA
    Inventors: Rinaldo Bravo, Luca Dal Canto
  • Patent number: 10364795
    Abstract: A wind energy generation turbine is built to take advantage of high winds in mountain passes and other areas of extreme wind velocity. A windmill section is raised high by support structures. Electricity generators are kept in the base of the windmill to reduce elevated weight. A nozzle or shroud channels wind into a narrow raceway to take advantage of the Venturi effect. Windmill blade tips housed within a circular raceway are strengthened by blade tip connectors and blade spar struts against high wind forces. Windmill blade angle and windmill wind facing are dynamically altered by computerized motors for maximum efficiency. Windmill blade angle and/or generator load maintain ratio of windmill blade tip speed to wind speed for efficiency. Turbine speed translation gears are able to decouple windmill from 60 Hz cycle or use water pumps and gravity to store energy at peak generation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Darell Allen Williams
  • Patent number: 10348161
    Abstract: A hybrid module for a hybrid drive unit, where the hybrid module may have a stream of coolant flowing through it, which also flows through a power electronics module for operating the hybrid module is provided. A power electronics module and to a method for installing a hybrid module is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Mackowiak, Cedric Blaes
  • Patent number: 10258944
    Abstract: A cavitation device is supplied by a disc pump with fluids for mixing. A cavitation rotor, having an array of cavities on its cylindrical surface, is fixed to a shaft for rotation by a motor. The disc pump and the cavitation device are beneficially in the same housing. At least one disc is spaced from and attached to the rotor near the inlet end of the cylindrical housing, so it will rotate with the rotor. A central hole in the (at least one) disc permits fluid to enter the space between the disc and the rotor; it is flung toward the peripheral space between the rotor and the cylindrical housing, where it is subjected to cavitation, and then passed to an outlet. The shaft may pass through one or both of the end walls of the cylindrical housing. The cavitation pump is especially useful for mixing oil field fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Highland Fluid Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Jeff Fair
  • Patent number: 10260824
    Abstract: A cooler bypass valve assembly for an agricultural implement includes a cooler bypass valve configured to receive hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic supply. The cooler bypass valve position is adjustable between a first position that facilitates flow of the hydraulic fluid to a cooler bypass and restricts flow of the hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic fluid cooler, and a second position that blocks flow of the hydraulic fluid to the cooler bypass and facilitates flow of the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic fluid cooler. The hydraulic fluid cooler is capable of reducing a temperature of the hydraulic fluid, and the cooler bypass directs the hydraulic fluid around the hydraulic fluid cooler. Additionally, the cooler bypass valve assembly includes a control assembly that controls the cooler bypass valve position based on the temperature of the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Lee Brinkley, Guy Thomas Stoever, Gerard Restaino, III
  • Patent number: 10166489
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for heating and manipulating a fluid to heat the fluid, evaporate water from the fluid, concentrate the fluid, separate the fluid into fractions; and/or pasteurize the fluid, comprising a closed-loop heating subsystem coupled to a primary fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger, and one or more fluid manipulation subsystems also coupled to the primary fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Phoenix Caliente, LLC
    Inventor: Franklin Alan Frick
  • Patent number: 10151539
    Abstract: A heating system for heating at least one of a fluid-filled conduit arrangement and a volume of air includes an internal combustion engine provided with engine coolant that flows to and from the engine and is heated thereby. A fluid heat exchanger is provided in fluid communication with a heat transfer fluid stored in a reservoir and the engine coolant of the internal combustion engine. The fluid heat exchanger receives heated engine coolant from the internal combustion engine, and transfers heat from the heated engine coolant to the heat transfer fluid to provide heated transfer fluid. A heat generator is provided in fluid communication with the fluid heat exchanger, and receives the heated transfer fluid from the fluid heat exchanger for further heating. This heated transfer fluid may then be selectively used to heat a conduit or a volume of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Multitek North America, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Kamps, Timothy C. Stolar, Thomas J. Umlauf
  • Patent number: 10107455
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for vaporizing LNG while producing sufficient volume of compressed natural gas at sufficient pressure to meet the needs of internal combustion engines, gas turbines, or other high consumption devices operating on natural gas or on a mixture of diesel and natural gas. The LNG vaporizer of the present invention incorporates a reciprocating pump to provide vaporized LNG to an output at rates and pressures as required by the particular application. The heat rejected into the engine coolant and the exhaust stream from an artificially loaded internal combustion engine, as well as the hydraulic heat resulting from artificially loading the engine, is transferred to the LNG as the LNG passes through a heat exchanger. Exhaust heat is transferred to the engine coolant after the coolant passes through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventors: Khaled Shaaban, Dinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10039996
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for heating and manipulating a fluid comprising a closed loop heating assembly thermally coupled to a fluid manipulation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Phoenix Callente LLC
    Inventor: Franklin Alan Frick
  • Patent number: 9958189
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a compressor having a suction unit and a plurality of injection inlets, an inside heat exchanger into which refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced during a heating operation, an outside heat exchanger into which refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced during a cooling operation, a plurality of refrigerant separation devices through which refrigerant condensed in the inside heat exchanger or the outside heat exchanger pass, a plurality of injection flow paths which extends from the three refrigerant separation devices to the plurality of injection inlets, and a bypass flow path which extends from any one injection flow path among the plurality of injection flow paths to the suction unit of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Byoungjin Ryu, Younghwan Ko, Byeongsu Kim, Beomchan Kim, Baikyoung Chung
  • Patent number: 9562462
    Abstract: A powertrain waste heat recovery system includes a first powertrain component and a second powertrain component. The powertrain waste heat recovery system also includes a heat recovery circuit circulating a heat recovery fluid through a heat recovery heat exchanger. The heat recovery heat exchanger transfers heat from the first powertrain component to the heat recovery fluid during a powertrain propulsion mode and transfers heat from the second powertrain component to the heat recovery fluid during a powertrain retarding mode. The powertrain waste heat recovery system also includes a conversion device for converting thermal energy from the heat recovery fluid to an energy form other than thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Edmond M. Etchason
  • Patent number: 9528530
    Abstract: A fluid heating and pumping system comprising a housing that has an inlet and outlet opening as well as a plurality of turbine chambers. Each of the turbine chambers has: an inlet end, outlet end, is mounted to a driveshaft, a stator and rotor, and is constructed to create a circuitous flow path for fluid flow. Each of the rotors is: designed to move the fluid through the housing, and has a plurality of rotor vanes with each having a fin at the inlet end. The fin extends past the plane of an adjacent rotor vane to extend the circuitous flow path through the rotors. The fins, shearing plane, and outlet orifice all create thermal energy as the fluid is transferred along and between the rotor and stator vanes, through the shearing plane and between the adjacent turbine chambers as the fluid flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Kirk D. Hummer
  • Patent number: 9301424
    Abstract: A structure and method of using the structure. The structure including an integrated circuit chip having a set of micro-channels; an electro-rheological coolant fluid filling the micro-channels; first and second parallel channel electrodes on opposite sides of at least one micro-channel, the first channel electrode connected to an output of an auto-compensating temperature control circuit, the second channel electrode connected to ground; the auto-compensating temperature control circuit comprising a temperature stable current source connected between a positive voltage rail and the output and having a temperature sensitive circuit connected between ground and the output, a leakage current of the temperature stable current source being essentially insensitive to temperature and a leakage current of the temperature sensitive circuit increasing with temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kerry Bernstein, Kenneth J. Goodnow, Clarence R. Ogilvie, John Sargis, Jr., Sebastian T. Ventrone, Charles S. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 9257366
    Abstract: A structure and method of using the structure. The structure including an integrated circuit chip having a set of micro-channels; an electro-rheological coolant fluid filling the micro-channels; first and second parallel channel electrodes on opposite sides of at least one micro-channel, the first channel electrode connected to an output of an auto-compensating temperature control circuit, the second channel electrode connected to ground; the auto-compensating temperature control circuit comprising a temperature stable current source connected between a positive voltage rail and the output and having a temperature sensitive circuit connected between ground and the output, a leakage current of the temperature stable current source being essentially insensitive to temperature and a leakage current of the temperature sensitive circuit increasing with temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kerry Bernstein, Kenneth J. Goodnow, Clarence R. Ogilvie, John Sargis, Jr., Sebastian T. Ventrone, Charles S. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 8857181
    Abstract: A drive train, especially a vehicle drive train, includes: an engine for supplying drive power into the drive train; a cooling circuit in which a cooling medium is revolved in order to cool the engine or an electric generator or another unit; an expansion machine which is driven with fluid or steam as a working medium and by way of which additional drive power can be supplied to the drive train or which drives an electric generator or another unit, the cooling medium of the cooling circuit being simultaneously the working medium of the expansion machine; and a bypass to the expansion machine which is provided through which the working medium of the expansion machine is forced through a switching valve or can be guided past the expansion machine automatically by the prevailing pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: SteamDrive GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Bartosch, Jürgen Berger
  • Publication number: 20140261243
    Abstract: A turbine thermal generator and controller includes first and second members having opposing surfaces together defining boundaries of a fluid chamber, a means for rotating about an axis said first member relative to said second member thereby generating heat in a fluid contained in said fluid chamber, and means for transferring heat from said fluid to a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Carl Bickel, Justin R. Chambers, Franz A. Pertl, Brian Rampolla, Tom A. Risley, James E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130270352
    Abstract: A system for supplying supplemental heat to a vehicle, particularly a vehicle with a diesel engine. A driven viscous plate with different viscous clutch faces on either side is provided between the engine and the coolant pump. One side clutches to the engine structure (ground) to generate heat, and the other side clutches to the coolant pump to vary the pump drive. The two sides are controlled by a valve operated by signals from the engine computer. The valve varies the supply of viscous fluid from a common reservoir independently to both sides of the driven viscous plate. The signal from the engine control unit is based on the instantaneous desired supplemental heat and coolant flow. In another embodiment, two separate viscous clutches are utilized and positioned on opposite sides of the coolant pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: David B. Roth, Olaf E. Weber
  • Patent number: 8528833
    Abstract: A portable heating system used to heat a person while in cold environments. A heating unit containing a fuel combustion chamber and a heat exchanger oxidizes a fuel to produce heat. The heat from the oxidation process is transferred to the fluid using the heat exchanger. The fluid either boils or simply becomes less dense than cooler fluid in the heat exchanger and thus more buoyant. Convection moves the heated fluid upwards in to a thin bladder encapsulating the fluid and held against a person. The elevated kinetic energy in the bladder creates an entropy differential to the person. This differential allows the kinetic energy in the bladder to flow to the person thus warming them. The fluid now having less energy, now denser, flows back down the bladder to the heating unit by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan Robert Munson
  • Patent number: 8480006
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a supplemental heating system including a liquid heat generator having a hydrodynamic chamber for selectively heating a fluid. The hydrodynamic chamber having an inlet port for delivering the fluid to the hydrodynamic chamber, and a discharge port for removing heated fluid from the hydrodynamic chamber. The inlet port is fluidly connected to a first check valve and the discharge port is fluidly connected to a second check valve. The first check valve adapted to receive an input from the second check valve. The first check valve operable to close the fluid path between the first check valve and the inlet port in response to an input received from the second check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ventech, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Sanger, Franco Garavoglia
  • Patent number: 8469283
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exemplary supplemental heating system including a hydrodynamic heater and a heat exchanger. The hydrodynamic heater includes a hydrodynamic chamber disposed within an interior cavity of the hydrodynamic heater. The hydrodynamic chamber is operable for selectively heating a fluid present within the hydrodynamic chamber when the heating apparatus is connected to a fluid supply source. The hydrodynamic heater includes an inlet port fluidly connected to a discharge port of the heat exchanger, and a discharge port fluidly connected to an inlet port of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger core disposed within an interior cavity of the heat exchanger. A wall at least partially defines the interior cavity of the hydrodynamic heater and the interior cavity of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Ventech, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Sanger, Franco Garavoglia
  • Patent number: 8464963
    Abstract: A system for supplying supplemental heat to a vehicle, particularly a vehicle with a diesel engine, A driven viscous plate with different viscous clutch faces on either side is provided between the engine and the coolant pump. One side clutches to the engine structure (ground) to generate heat, and the other side clutches to the coolant pump to vary the pump drive. The two sides are controlled by a valve operated by signals from the engine computer. The valve varies the supply of viscous fluid from a common reservoir independently to both sides of the driven viscous plate. The signal from the engine control unit is based on the instantaneous desired supplemental heat and coolant flow. In another embodiment, two separate viscous clutches are utilized and positioned on opposite sides of the coolant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Roth, Olaf E. Weber
  • Publication number: 20130032099
    Abstract: A frictional fluid heating device and a method relating thereto. The device comprises a shaft fixed part, a drive shaft that is supported by the shaft fixed part to be rotatable about an axis of rotation thereof, a disc assembly, and a frame assembly. The disc assembly comprises a plurality of first-type discs, each of which comprises a front surface, a rear surface, a peripheral surface, and an impeller for facilitating fluid flow in the device. An elevated portion is located on the front surface of each of the first-type discs around the opening of the disc. The elevated portion has a peripheral surface, and the impeller is mounted on the peripheral surface of the elevated portion. The impeller comprises grooves and gear tops that are substantially diagonally formed and are alternately located on the circumference of the impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Chi-Hyun Han
  • Patent number: 8302876
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment supplemental heating system is fluidly connectable to a vehicle cooling system and includes a liquid heat generator operable for heating a cooling fluid delivered to the supplemental heating system from the vehicle's cooling system. The liquid heat generator includes a discharge passage connectable to a heater core of the vehicle and a inlet passage connectable to the vehicle's cooling system. The supplemental heating system further includes a control valve having an inlet connectable to an exit passage of a heater core of the vehicle, a discharge passage fluidly connected to the liquid heat generator, and a second discharge passage connectable to the vehicle's cooling system. The control valve is operable for controlling the proportion of cooling fluid exiting the heater core that is returned to the vehicle's cooling system and recirculated back to the liquid heat generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ventech, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Sanger, Franco Garavoglia
  • Patent number: 8291868
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for heating liquid for use in a radiant heating system. More specifically it relates to transferring heat generated from friction caused by pressing brake pads against rotating wheels to a thermally conductive liquid being pumped through said rotating wheels and circulating the heated liquid through a radiator type space heating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Lester P. Whallon
  • Patent number: 8162233
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exemplary liquid heat generator including a housing and a rotor disposed within the housing. A flexible pressure relief diaphragm is attached to the rotor. The pressure relief diaphragm includes a seal ring that engages a seal seat attached to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ventech, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Sanger, Franco Garavoglia
  • Patent number: 8113440
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an exemplary supplemental heating system including a liquid heat generator having a hydrodynamic chamber for selectively heating a fluid. The supplemental heating system further includes a manifold having an inlet passage fluidly connectable to a discharge passage of a heat exchanger, a first discharge passage fluidly connectable to an engine cooling system, and a second discharge passage fluidly connected to an inlet passage of the hydrodynamic chamber. A control valve comprising a spool slideably disposed within the manifold controls distribution of the fluid between the manifold inlet passage and the first manifold discharge passage, and the manifold inlet passage and the manifold second discharge passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ventech LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Sanger, Franco Garavoglia
  • Publication number: 20110239959
    Abstract: A water heat source generator device, including an airtight water storage tank, a feeding structure linked to the water storage tank, and a guide-in structure connected to the water storage tank and the feeding structure. In which the water storage tank enables normal passing in and out of water, and the feeding structure enables water to be drawn from the water storage tank, before which the guide-in structure guides in hydrogen, oxygen or common air, and high speed rotation is used to cause friction between the gas and water to effect an approximately cavitation phenomenon, generating a heat source, which is carried to a decompression structure along with the water to produce microscopic water air bubbles, whereupon a burst temperature is generated when the air bubbles instantaneously burst, and the generated heat source diffuses into the water storage tank for continuous circulation thereof to achieve production of hot water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Shuo-Wei CHUANG
  • Patent number: 7942144
    Abstract: A heating apparatus and a system that utilize friction to generate thermal energy. The heating apparatus comprises a housing unit, a plurality of heating chambers for generating heat, an actuating unit, a shaft; and at least one blade unit. Each heating chamber comprises a stationary disc member, a rotating disc member, and a medium disposed between the stationary disc member and the rotating disc member. The actuating unit drives the rotating disc member in the heating chamber to generate thermal energy by friction among the stationary disc member, the rotating disc member, and the medium. Thermal energy generation is controlled by rotating speed, diameter of the disc member, and contact pressure between the rotating disc member and the stationary disc member. Tube members can also be used in the heating chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Derman
  • Publication number: 20110088681
    Abstract: A device for heating fluids by employing a rotor-housing mechanism. The device comprises a rotor assembly comprising a cylindrical rotor attached to a shaft with an annular space defined therebetween, a multiplicity of oblique bores disposed on the surface the rotor, a closely conforming cylindrical housing enclosing the rotor air tightly. The housing is defined by a cylindrical wall with first and second end-sealing plates sealing the opposite ends of the wall. The device further comprises an inlet and an outlet for the ingress and egress of a fluid from in and out of the housing respectively. A motive means, such as an electric motor, is connected to the shaft. A fluid received within the housing is primarily subjected to fluid hammer effect and for increasing the temperature thereof substantially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: HADI Khodaverdyan
  • Publication number: 20100192875
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for heating, concentrating and/or evaporating a fluid by heating the fluid in a heating subsystem comprising a rotary heating device, such as a water brake dynamometer, and then evaporating all or a portion of the fluid in an evaporation subsystem and/or concentrating the fluid in a concentration subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: F. ALAN FRICK
  • Publication number: 20100154772
    Abstract: A fluid-charged heating device comprising a cylindrical housing in fluid communication with a housing extension; a cylindrical rotor disposed centrally and mounted for rotation in said cylindrical housing in spaced relation to provide an annular passage for heat transfer fluid to recirculate between the cylindrical housing and the housing extension. The rotor has a surface with a continuous helical groove along the longitudinal axis of the rotor and rotation of the helically grooved rotor causes fluid shearing, heat-generating cavitation, and recirculation of the heat transfer fluid between the housing and the housing extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Howard Harris, Jane Harry
  • Publication number: 20100139577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for heating liquid for use in a radiant heating system. More specifically it relates to transferring heat generated from friction caused by pressing brake pads against rotating wheels to a thermally conductive liquid being pumped through said rotating wheels and circulating the heated liquid through a radiator type space heating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Lester P. Whallon
  • Publication number: 20100012049
    Abstract: The cavitation heating system of the preferred embodiment includes a reservoir to contain an operating fluid, and a cavitator subsystem with an inlet to receive the operating fluid from the reservoir, a cavitator to cavitate the operating fluid, and an outlet to transfer the cavitated operating fluid to the reservoir. The cavitation of the operating fluid generates heat. The cavitation heating system may use various techniques either singly or in combination to increase the heat generated from the cavitation of the operating fluid, including: the use of oil as an operating fluid, the addition of dissolved noble gases in the operating fluid, the use of a pump to create jets that cavitate the operating fluid in a vessel and heat the operating fluid, and the use and control of pressure on the cavitation of the operating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: JMS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Benjamin Pless
  • Patent number: 7647896
    Abstract: The centrifugal rotary device for heating and/or vaporizing liquids comprises a casing (1) within which is positioned a truncated conical chamber (12) having an inlet orifice (18) through which a liquid, such as water, to be heated is introduced, and an outlet orifice (19) through which a heated liquid and/or vapor emerges. It comprises a pair of hollow truncated conical rotors (2, 3) positioned coaxially one inside the other, both being inside the truncated conical chamber (12), the inner rotor (3) of this pair being fixed to the end of a first drive shaft (30) passing through an aperture (17) formed in the major base (15) of the truncated conical chamber (12), while an outer rotor (2) of the pair if fixed to the end of a drive shaft (20) passing through an aperture (16) formed in the minor base (14) of the truncated conical chamber (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Cristian Isopo
  • Patent number: 7637232
    Abstract: A flameless boiler comprising generator means for generating heat in fluid circulated therethrough by shearing of the fluid; a prime mover drivingly connected to the generator means for shearing of the fluid; a supply reservoir for the fluid; a first pump for circulating the fluid from the supply reservoir to the generator means; and a pressure vessel in fluid communication with the generator means for receiving heated fluid therefrom, the pressure vessel having an outlet for drawing steam therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Leader Energy Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Foster