Cleaning Patents (Class 122/379)
  • Patent number: 11542868
    Abstract: An exhaust energy recovery system (EERS) and associated methods for an engine are disclosed. An embodiment of an EERS, for example, includes an inlet duct that is configured to divert exhaust gas from an exhaust duct of the engine into the recovery system and an outlet duct configured to return the exhaust gas to the exhaust duct downstream of the inlet duct. The recovery system is configured to heat components or fluids associated with engine to operating temperatures. The recovery system may be part of a mobile power system that is mounted to a single trailer and includes an engine and a power unit such as a high pressure pump or generator mounted to the trailer. Methods of operating and purging recovery systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11083321
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a main body that defines a cooking chamber, a steam generator comprising a steam heater that is configured to heat food in the cooking chamber by generating steam, a lower heater located vertically below a bottom wall of the cooking chamber and configured to heat food in the cooking chamber, and a controller configured to control the steam heater and the lower heater. The controller is configured to: based on selection of a steam cooking mode, operate the steam heater to generate steam; and turn on the lower heater in a state in which steam cooking is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yoojin Jung, Hoonseob Sim, Jaekyung Yang, Yongsoo Lee, Hakjoo Lim
  • Patent number: 10962311
    Abstract: A cleaning system and method includes suspending and exploding, adjacent a bank of HRSG finned-tubing, a plurality of generally uniformly spaced detonation cords. Each detonation cord has an explosive grain loading of 18-50 grains per foot. A detonation delay assembly attached to each of the plurality of detonation cords creates a predetermined delay between each detonation cord explosion. After the detonation cords are exploded, a suspended elongated beam, having a transport assembly and a pressurized air blower assembly directs pressurized air towards an adjacent the bank of HRSG finned-tubing as the pressurized air blower assembly is moved along a portion of the beam. A suspension assembly moves the beam, the transport assembly, and the pressurized air blower assembly up or down so that a next portion of the bank of HRSG finned-tubing may be cleaned by the pressurized air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Dos Viejos Amigos, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley A. McGinnis, Rodrick E. Hall
  • Patent number: 10814362
    Abstract: A self-cleaning duct assembly. The self-cleaning duct assembly includes a hollow member having an inner surface, the inner surface defining a central axis and a flow passage for directing a fluid flow along the central axis. The self-cleaning duct assembly also includes a resilient member including a plurality of arcuate segments disposed along the central axis, each of the arcuate segments spaced from the inner surface. The arcuate segments intermittently contact the inner surface as the resilient member is induced to move within the hollow member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Patrick Malachy Pierz
  • Patent number: 10807129
    Abstract: A conduit cleaning device is provided and includes a center structure having a center structure wall, a center structure top and a center structure bottom, wherein the center structure wall and center structure top define a center structure cavity and a center structure opening communicated with the center structure cavity. Additionally, a plurality of outer structures is provided, wherein the plurality of outer structures are associated with the center structure wall to extend out of and away from an outer surface of the center structure wall, wherein the plurality of outer structures are disposed in an inclined fashion between the center structure bottom and the center structure top and arranged along the outer surface of the center structure wall to form a helical pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventor: Brian Good
  • Patent number: 10724858
    Abstract: A boiler system includes a boiler having at least one heat exchanger having a surface on which a deposit may form. The boiler system further includes at least one retractable sootblower having a lance tube for carrying a high pressure fluid into the boiler. The lance tube is configured such that the high pressure fluid impacts the heat exchanger surface to effect a vibration in the boiler system. The boiler system also includes at least one vibration measuring device coupled to the boiler system. The vibration measuring device is configured to measure the vibration in the boiler system, and the measured vibration indicates presence or absence of the deposit on the heat exchanger surface. The vibration measuring device may optionally detect a vibration caused by the release of the deposit from the surface of the heat exchanger or the impact of the released deposit with a surface in the boiler system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Integrated Test & Measurement (ITM), LLC
    Inventor: Timothy M. Carlier
  • Patent number: 10702786
    Abstract: A noise generation device comprising: a housing defining a chamber, the housing comprising a wall member moveable between a sealed position and an open position, wherein in the sealed position the chamber is fluidly sealed and in the open position the chamber is open; an injection assembly for injecting combustible material into the chamber; and a triggering assembly for triggering the combustible material to combust inside the chamber to generate a noise, wherein the noise generation device is configured such that the moveable wall member moves from the sealed position to the open position on combustion of the material inside the chamber to allow material to exit the chamber. A gun attachment and a simulation weapon are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Daniel Hugill, Shane Ross Hugill
  • Patent number: 10627104
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for commissioning steam turbine generator power plants to advance the cleanliness of the complete steam cycle by the conditioned discharge of steam to the plant surface condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Boyle Energy Services & Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Bloch
  • Patent number: 10590007
    Abstract: Systems for and methods of monitoring and analyzing deposit in an industrial water system are provided. The methods comprise heating a substrate while the substrate contacts industrial water in the industrial water system to form deposit on the substrate. A series of digital images of the substrate while the substrate contacts the industrial water in the industrial water system is created. A region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is defined. A deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is identified. The deposit feature in the region of interest in the series of digital images of the substrate is analyzed to determine a deposit trend of the substrate in the industrial water system. Generally, the systems are configured so as to be capable of carrying out one or more of the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Von Drasek
  • Patent number: 10551063
    Abstract: A boiler ash remover based on a combined flow includes a frequency-adjustable acoustic flow generator, a fixing bracket, a compressed air source, a three-way air-source electric-control valve, an air jet generator, an acoustic-jet combined transmission tube, an acoustic jet intelligent control system, and a scale measurement and control sensor. The compressed air source is connected to an inlet end of the three-way air-source electric-control valve. An outlet end of the three-way air-source electric-control valve is connected to the frequency-adjustable acoustic flow generator and an air source inlet end of the air jet generator respectively. An acoustic flow outlet end of the frequency-adjustable acoustic flow generator is connected to an inlet end of the acoustic-jet combined transmission tube. An outlet end of the acoustic-jet combined transmission tube and a jet outlet end of the air jet generator are both disposed opposite to an external heat exchange component by means of the fixing bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: NANJING CHANGRONG ACOUSTIC INC.
    Inventors: Rongchu Zhang, Weiguo Sun, Xiaoming Wen
  • Patent number: 10527371
    Abstract: An anomaly monitoring device is installed in an integrated gasification combined cycle plant that experiences varying loads, and the device monitors a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a carbon-containing fuel and a heat exchange medium flowing through a heat transfer tube. For each load on the integrated gasification combined cycle plant, the anomaly monitoring device calculates the average value and the standard deviation of a state quantity of the heat exchanger, calculates the Mahalanobis distance on the basis of the average value and the standard deviation, and from the calculated Mahalanobis distance determines the presence or absence of an anomaly of the heat transfer surface of the heat transfer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kubo, Hiromi Aota, Yoshinori Koyama, Kenichiro Kosaka, Yasunari Shibata, Yuichiro Urakata
  • Patent number: 10488323
    Abstract: The steel panel with an integrated corrosion sensor is a steel panel having an integrated sensor for monitoring dissolution of a magnetite layer during acid cleaning of the steel panel. The steel panel has an opening formed therethrough, and a hollow insulator is secured to the steel panel within the opening. The hollow insulator is formed from an electrical insulation material and electrically isolates the steel panel from a steel core, which is mounted within the hollow insulator. A reference electrode is positioned near the steel panel. A voltmeter is electrically connected between the reference electrode and a first surface of the steel core. An opposed second surface of the steel core has a layer of magnetite formed thereon. An alarm is in electrical communication with the voltmeter, such that the alarm generates an alarm signal when the voltmeter detects a corrosion potential at a preset threshold potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mayouf, Matar Naif Al-Shalwi
  • Patent number: 10435313
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of filtering water include a dome shaped lid and middle disk to separate filtration media materials. The domed shaped lid eliminates air locks in the filter media that can slow or stop the filtration process. A flow control output port regulates the flow level and flow speed of the filtered water. An angled flow output port improves flow by accelerating flow at an angled bottom section of the filter. Water permeable filter bag materials house the filter media. An additional washing process improves the taste of the filtered water. A color change resin in the mixed bed resin indicates expiration of the filter. Similarly, a filter expiration indicator assists users in determining when a filter should be replaced. An integrated TDS meter is used for testing the filtered water. The devices can be used individually or in combination to provide performance improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ZERO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Doug Kellam, Rajan Rajan, Liu Guang Wei, Ajit Dighe, Charles Lieppe
  • Patent number: 10429063
    Abstract: A technique for determining a boiler water condition includes a boiler controller (aka PSE unit) having a signal processor that implements a boiler control algorithm to receive signaling containing information about sets of N consecutive probe data samples related to a boiler water condition; determine stable average signaling containing information about a stable average by averaging a set of N consecutive probe data samples in the signaling received; determine present stable average signaling containing information about a present stable average by averaging a present set of N consecutive probe data samples in the signaling received; and determine corresponding signaling containing information about the boiler water condition, based upon whether the present stable average is within an allowable limit and a comparison of the present and previous stable average signaling determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Fluid Handling LLC
    Inventors: Pratik N. Shah, James J. Gu
  • Patent number: 10222769
    Abstract: A process characteristic parameter determination system uses a process model and a tuning module to accurately determine a value for a process characteristic parameter within a plant without measuring the process characteristic parameter directly, and may operate on-line or while the process is running to automatically determine a correct value of the process characteristic parameter at any time during on-going operation of the process. The process characteristic parameter value, which may be a heat transfer coefficient value for a heat exchanger, can then be used to enable the determination of a more accurate simulation result and/or to make other on-line process decisions, such as process control decisions, process operational mode decisions, process maintenance decisions such as implementing a soot blowing operation, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT POWER & WATER SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Xu Cheng
  • Patent number: 10119700
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method in a soda recovery boiler. The soda recovery boiler comprises a second pass which is provided with at least one superheater and a second pass ash hopper, a front and/or rear wall of the ash hopper being connected to steam circulation of the soda recovery boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Valmet Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Jussi Nyman, Kari Haaga, Taisto Rajala
  • Patent number: 10094660
    Abstract: A boiler system includes a boiler having at least one heat exchanger having a surface on which a deposit may form. The boiler system further includes at least one retractable sootblower having a lance tube for carrying a high pressure fluid into the boiler. The lance tube is configured such that the high pressure fluid impacts the heat exchanger surface to effect a vibration in the boiler system. The boiler system also includes at least one vibration measuring device coupled to the boiler system. The vibration measuring device is configured to measure the vibration in the boiler system, and the measured vibration indicates presence or absence of the deposit on the heat exchanger surface. The vibration measuring device may optionally detect a vibration caused by the release of the deposit from the surface of the heat exchanger or the impact of the released deposit with a surface in the boiler system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Integrated Test & Measurement (ITM), LLC
    Inventor: Timothy M. Carlier
  • Patent number: 10047956
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are described herein. One method embodiment includes determining an unscaled efficiency signal of combustion equipment using data measured from the combustion equipment, determining a theoretical efficiency signal of the combustion equipment using a theoretical efficiency surface of the combustion equipment and a subset of the measured data, and normalizing the unscaled efficiency signal using values from a correlated portion of the theoretical efficiency signal to monitor efficiency of the combustion equipment. Other embodiments can include providing a performance indicator of the combustion equipment in response to an operational mode change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Strelec, Jiri Vass, David Kucera
  • Patent number: 10048027
    Abstract: A method for cleaning tube bundles with open end faces, in particular tube bundles of heat exchangers, air coolers, or condensers. A cleaning device which has at least one cleaning unit is positioned adjacently to the open ends of the tube bundle, and the at least one cleaning unit which has a high-pressure hose is then arranged in a successive manner by a controller so as to be flush with the respective tube of the tube bundle. The cleaning unit is inserted into the respective tube and supplied with a liquid under high-pressure. The aim of the invention is to improve such a method and device such that a reliable cleaning process is carried out without operating errors. This is achieved in that the insert depth is measured when inserting the at least one cleaning unit into the respective tube and monitored by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: LOBBE INDUSTRIESERVICE GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Eisermann, Bodo Skaletz
  • Patent number: 9927231
    Abstract: A boiler system includes a boiler having at least one heat exchanger having a surface on which a deposit may form. The boiler system further includes at least one retractable sootblower having a lance tube for carrying a high pressure fluid into the boiler. The lance tube is configured such that the high pressure fluid impacts the heat exchanger surface to effect a vibration in the boiler system. The boiler system also includes at least one vibration measuring device coupled to the boiler system. The vibration measuring device is configured to measure the vibration in the boiler system, and the measured vibration indicates presence or absence of the deposit on the heat exchanger surface. The vibration measuring device may optionally detect a vibration caused by the release of the deposit from the surface of the heat exchanger or the impact of the released deposit with a surface in the boiler system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Integrated Test & Measurement (ITM), LLC
    Inventor: Timothy M. Carlier
  • Patent number: 9841182
    Abstract: A steam generator comprises a water storage chamber which stores water, a steam generating heater which heats water in the water storage chamber, a water supply pump which supplies water stored in a water supply tank through a water supply port provided in the water storage chamber and a water supply passage, a discharge passage which discharges water formed with a first water discharge passage having a U shape to be convex downward, which is in fluid communication with a discharge port provided in the water storage chamber, and a second water discharge passage having an inverted U shape to be convex upward, and configured such that water stored in the water storage chamber is discharged through the discharge port and the water discharge passage according to the theory of a siphon, wherein the first water discharge passage is formed by a nonmetallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Shibuya, Hiroshi Kawai, Yuji Hayakawa, Kuniaki Abe
  • Patent number: 9791222
    Abstract: A rubber ball cleaning multipoint centralized ball serving system for a condenser includes a condenser water chamber, a cooling water outlet pipe, a cooling water inlet pipe, a ball recovery net, a second isolating valve, a rubber ball pump, and a check valve. A water inlet end of the condenser water chamber is connected to a plurality of pulse ball serving valves. The plurality of pulse ball serving valves is connected to a ball adding chamber via a rubber ball transfer pipe. The rubber ball transfer pipe is connected to the cooling water inlet pipe via another pulse ball serving valve. The ball adding chamber is connected to the circulating cooling water outlet pipe via a hot water discharging pipe. The hot water discharging pipe is provided with a third isolating valve and a hot water discharging valve. A lower portion of the ball adding chamber is provided with a rubber ball discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SHAANXI HAND ENERGY CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Pingsuo Jiang, Jieyu Jiang
  • Patent number: 9788679
    Abstract: A steam generator system for a cooking appliance includes an in-line heating element coupled to a heating tube, wherein water from a water reservoir is gravitationally fed into the heating tube for heating by the in-line heating element to produce a hot water and steam mixture. A first supply line is coupled to the heating tube to carry the mixture to a separator without the need for moving or complex pump parts. The separator separates steam and hot water from the mixture of the two. A second supply line is coupled to the separator at a first end and opens into the cooking cavity of the cooking appliance at a second end. The second supply line is configured to supply steam separated at the separator to the cooking cavity via a steam outlet disposed in the cooking cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Donarski, Nicholas E. Crow, Jason Schneemann
  • Patent number: 9773573
    Abstract: An elongated control rod guide thimble for a nuclear reactor having a tube-in-tube dashpot design that has circumferential slots in the dashpot walls that align with spaced openings in the guide thimble sheath. The dashpot tube has an end plug with a threaded opening extending axially therethrough which is captured by a thimble screw that extend through an opening in the bottom nozzle and sandwiches an end plug attached to the guide thimble sheath between the dashpot tube end plug and the bottom nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventor: Jin Liu
  • Patent number: 9709262
    Abstract: A superheated steam recycling apparatus includes a superheated steam generating part; a steam supply flow path for supplying saturated steam to the superheated steam generating part; a superheated steam utilization part that is supplied with superheated steam generated by the superheated steam generating part; a steam return flow path for returning used steam having passed through the superheated steam utilization part to the superheated steam generating part; and a flowmeter that measures a flow rate of the used steam returned to the superheated steam generating part, and on the basis of the difference between a desired flow rate of the superheated steam to be generated by the superheated steam generating part and the flow rate of the used steam obtained by the flowmeter, controls a flow rate of the saturated steam to be supplied to the superheated steam generating part through the steam supply flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Tokuden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Tonomura, Yasuhiro Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9709384
    Abstract: A method of direct on-line measurement of thickness of fouling deposits created on the tube walls in a pulverized-coal firing furnace is described, as well as an apparatus suitable for implementation of the method. The method is based on imaging of a light spot, generated on the deposit surface by the apparatus. A position-sensitive image detector is used to track the spot as deposits accumulate, and the image signal is processed in real time, which allows for monitoring the creation of fouling deposits during operation of the furnace. The system simultaneously determines the reflectivity of the deposit surface. The apparatus can be used as part of an automatic soot blowing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: AB Sensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Naftaly Menn, Joseph Krimerman
  • Patent number: 9696235
    Abstract: Water is circulated through a cooling system within a compute node to remove heat from a heat-generating component within the compute node. Water leakage from the cooling system is collected into a containment reservoir within the compute node. A rate of the water leakage is measured, a temperature of the compute node is measured, a rate of water evaporation from the containment reservoir is determined based upon the measured temperature, and the rate of water leakage is compared to the rate of water evaporation to determine whether water is accumulating in the containment reservoir. A period of time before the containment reservoir reaches a critical level may also be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shareef F. Alshinnawi, Gary D. Cudak, Mark E. Steinke, Edward S. Suffern, J. Mark Weber
  • Patent number: 9671183
    Abstract: A cleaning system and method for cleaning heat transfer surfaces in a boiler using a temperature measuring system for measuring and monitoring wall temperature of an annular wall of the tube of a lance of one or more sootblowers. Controlling a flow of steam or other fluid through the tube during the cooling portions of the strokes based on wall temperature measurements from the temperature measuring system. Infrared or thermocouple temperature measuring systems may be used. The steam or other fluid may be flowed at a default flowrate that may be substantially zero until the temperature measuring system indicates the wall temperature of the annular wall begins to exceed a predetermined temperature limit which may be the softening point of the annular wall. Then the steam or other fluid is flowed at a rate greater than the default flowrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Andrew K. Jones
  • Patent number: 9657431
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet, a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet, a heat exchanger disposed in the cabinet and receiving air from the drum, and a cleaning device disposed in the cabinet and moved by an external force in a first direction to remove lint accumulated on the heat exchanger. The lint may be simply removed from the heat exchanger and air may smoothly flow through the heat exchanger, thus improving performance of the laundry treating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seonghwan Kim, Bio Park, Yongju Lee
  • Patent number: 9630218
    Abstract: An air-flushing device cleans a cleaning object by air-blowing to the object from a nozzle. The air-flushing device outputs a pressure value changing according to electromagnetic valve's opening/closing, and controls the valve's opening/closing based on two reference values of an upper-limit setting value and a lower-limit setting value lower than that. The air-flushing device closes the valve if the pressure value changes from lower than the upper-limit setting value to that or higher, and opens the valve if the pressure value changes from higher than the lower-limit setting value to that or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Akinobu Kakutani, Satoshi Shiroko, Haruyuki Fujitsuna
  • Patent number: 9587894
    Abstract: A gas to gas heat exchanger 110 is equipped with a heat transfer element cleaning system 160, effluent collector hopper 162 and effluent collector hopper cleaning system 164. The heat transfer element cleaning system 160 is useful to remove accumulated substances from the heat exchanger 110 heat transfer elements 134. The effluent collector hopper 162 is useful to capture a cleaning fluid used to remove accumulated substances from the heat exchanger 110 heat transfer elements 134. The effluent collector hopper cleaning system 164 is useful to remove accumulated substances captured with the cleaning fluid from the effluent collector hopper 162 to prevent clogging thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Peter Nilsson, Friedrich Weyland
  • Patent number: 9533277
    Abstract: To enable long-term continuous operation by preventing blocking of a reaction pipe line disposed in a multi-pipe or double-walled-pipe heat exchanger, provided is a device for producing gas hydrate including a multi-pipe or double-walled-pipe device 1 for generating gas hydrate having a reaction pipe line 2 for flowing raw material water w and raw material gas g and a coolant circulation region 3 for circulating a coolant c and thereby cooling the reaction pipe line 2, wherein a coil spring 4 extending in the longitudinal direction of the reaction pipe line 2 is provided in the reaction pipe line 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUI ENGINEERING & SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Ohya, Noriya Tokunaga, Tetsuo Hayase, Masahiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9341087
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The arrangement has a line circuit (3), circulation device (4) for circulating a zeotropic refrigerant mixture in the line circuit (3), an evaporator (6) in which the refrigerant mixture is vaporized by a heat source (7), a turbine (9) driven by the vaporized refrigerant mixture, and a condenser (12) which cools the refrigerant mixture so that it condenses. A control unit assesses whether the refrigerant mixture does not become fully vaporized in the evaporator (6) and, leads incompletely vaporized refrigerant mixture leaving the evaporator to a separating device (14) in which a liquid portion of the refrigerant mixture is separated from the gaseous portion, after which only the gaseous portion proceeds towards the turbine (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SCANIA CV AB
    Inventor: Ola Hall
  • Patent number: 9279627
    Abstract: A sootblower having a nozzle that includes one or more deep reaching jets aligned with its respective platen bank to clean slag deposits inset from the leading edge of the platen bank. The nozzle also includes one or more edge cleaning jets substantially angled with respect to the platen bank for cleaning the leading edges of the platen bank. For most applications, the major axis of the sootblower is perpendicular to the major axis of its respective platen bank, resulting in a sootblower with a nozzle having angled and perpendicular jets, referred to as angled-perpendicular nozzles. The jet sizes are selected to balance the opposing components of force perpendicular to the sootblower to avoid the imposition of torque on the lance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CLYDE BERGEMANN POWER GROUP AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Danny S. Tandra
  • Patent number: 9243518
    Abstract: To mitigate the potential significant impact on our society due to the continued reliance on high-cost diesel hydrocarbon fuel and the implementation of increasingly strict emission controls, an apparatus is disclosed which provides the means for extracting additional heat from an internal combustion engine while providing the cooling needed to meet stricter emissions standards. The present disclosure describes an apparatus operating on a Rankine cycle for recovering waste heat energy from an internal combustion engine, the apparatus including a closed loop for a working fluid with a single shared low pressure condenser serving a pair of independent high pressure circuits each containing zero or more controlled or passive fluid splitters and mixers, one or more pressure pumps, one or more heat exchangers, and one or more expanders, and the means for controlling said apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: David Cook
  • Publication number: 20150144074
    Abstract: A water heating apparatus includes a burner, a heat exchanger for heating hot and cold water with use of heat from the burner, a scale detector for detecting occurrence of scale clogging in the heat exchanger, a notifying unit for notifying an error when the scale detector detects occurrence of a scale greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and a controller performing a control of allowing the notifying unit to notify an error and prohibiting combustion operation of the burner when the scale detector detects occurrence of a scale greater than or equal to the predetermined amount. The controller is configured to start a cleaning mode for cleaning inside the heat exchanger when the controller detects shifting operation to the cleaning mode after the combustion operation of the burner is prohibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu FUJIMOTO, Scott ISAKSEN, Bronwyn PLANASCH
  • Patent number: 9016243
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed boiler includes a rectangular furnace having multiple particle separators connected to an upper portion of each of a front wall and a back wall of the furnace. Each particle separator includes a gas outlet, and a flue gas duct system connected to the gas outlets for conducting cleaned flue gas to a back pass. The particle separators are arranged in pairs. Each pair includes a front separator arranged adjacent to the front wall and a back separator arranged adjacent to the back wall. The flue gas duct system includes cross over ducts, each duct connecting the gas outlet of a front separator of a pair of particle separators, across and over the furnace, to the gas outlet of the back separator of the same pair of particle separators, and to the back pass, which back pass is arranged on the back wall side of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energia Oy
    Inventors: Pentti Lankinen, Kari Kauppinen, Pertti Kinnunen
  • Publication number: 20150083110
    Abstract: A steam generator comprises a water storage chamber which stores water, a steam generating heater which heats water in the water storage chamber, a water supply pump which supplies water stored in a water supply tank through a water supply port provided in the water storage chamber and a water supply passage, a discharge passage which discharges water formed with a first water discharge passage having a U shape to be convex downward, which is in fluid communication with a discharge port provided in the water storage chamber, and a second water discharge passage having an inverted U shape to be convex upward, and configured such that water stored in the water storage chamber is discharged through the discharge port and the water discharge passage according to the theory of a siphon, wherein the first water discharge passage is formed by a nonmetallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Masaki Shibuya, Hiroshi Kawai, Yuji Hayakawa, Kuniaki Abe
  • Patent number: 8938044
    Abstract: A robotic tubesheet walker having two rails connected by a central hinge, wherein the central hinge can be opened or closed by an actuation device. Upon each rail is mounted a carriage, wherein each carriage can move along its respective rail toward or away from the central hinge by means of a drive mechanism. Each carriage further contains at least two “gripper” attachment mechanisms, such as camlocks, to grip the tubesheet. The grippers either insert into tube holes within the tubesheet to fasten the respective carriage to the tubesheet, or retract to disengage. Further attached to the central hinge is a tool support fixture, and attached to the tool support fixture is a coupler that holds maintenance or inspection tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Lyman J. Petrosky, Phillip J. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20150007782
    Abstract: Systems and methodologies for detection and monitoring of the soot build up and clinker formation in coal fired power stations in which there is disclosed early identification of soot build up and hard sintered formation and adopting corrective measures for soot cleaning by automatic cleaning events based on observed levels of heat transfer within the boiler region of the power station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: IT-1 ENERGY PTY LTD
    Inventor: Vladimir Medic
  • Patent number: 8924024
    Abstract: A controller determines and adjusts system parameters, including cleanliness levels or sootblower operating settings, that are useful for maintaining the cleanliness of a fossil fuel boiler at an efficient level. Some embodiments use a direct controller to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower operating settings. Some embodiments use an indirect controller, with a system model, to determine cleanliness levels and/or sootblower settings. The controller may use a model that is, for example, a neural network, or a mass energy balance, or a genetically programmed model. The controller uses input about the actual performance or state of the boiler for adaptation. The controller may operate in conjunction with a sootblower optimization system that controls the actual settings of the sootblowers. The controller may coordinate cleanliness settings for multiple sootblowers and/or across a plurality of heat zones in the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: NeuCo, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Curt Lefebvre, Daniel W. Kohn
  • Publication number: 20140360443
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating a tool within the secondary side of a steam generator having a tube sheet with a tube bundle having a plurality of heat exchange tubes extending from the tube sheet in rows with an annulus extending around the heat exchange tubes on a periphery of the tube bundle, between the tubes and a wrapper which surrounds the tube bundle. A robot is introduced into the annulus and extends a probe with a tool across selected lanes between the rows of tubes. A method and apparatus is also disclosed for cleaning sludge from the top of a tube sheet that includes introducing a moveable suction apparatus having attached vacuum inlets into either the no tube lane or the circumferential annulus and sludge vacuuming the top of the tube sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: David W. Selfridge, JR., Martin Le Goff
  • Publication number: 20140308027
    Abstract: The device for heating liquid generates steam, receives a fluid in liquid form at its inlet, and ejects the fluid heated up or in gaseous form at its outlet. The device includes a heater positioned inside a sleeve having a longitudinal axis. There is a scraper that fits onto the heater to scrape it the heater in case of movement along the longitudinal axis. A stopper fits snugly between the heater and the sleeve in order to stopper the passage. The scraper, the stopper, and a spring are configured so that an increase in pressure causes the scraper and the stopper to move along the longitudinal axis so that the stopper is shifted to a point where space between the heater and the sleeve allows fluid to pass, and a reduction in pressure causes a shift in the opposite direction by the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: ECODROP
    Inventor: Gerard Curien
  • Publication number: 20140261246
    Abstract: A method of cleaning sludge from the top of tube sheet (34?) of a nuclear steam generator (10) includes introducing a moveable suction apparatus (120) having attached vacuum inlets (148), said moveable suction apparatus introduced through handholes (62) in the side of the generator and into either the no tube lane (60) or the circumferential annulus, and sludge vacuuming the top of the tube sheet (34?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: David W. Selfridge, JR., Martin Le Goff
  • Patent number: 8800499
    Abstract: A miniature sludge lance for a steam generator in a pressurized water nuclear reactor is provided. The sludge lance is structured to enter the steam generator via an inspection opening and has a body sufficiently thin to fit between adjacent tubes. The sludge lance rail has at least two types of nozzle assemblies that may be attached thereto. One nozzle assembly rotates and another nozzle assembly translates in a vertical direction. A drive assembly, a mounting assembly, an oscillation assembly, and flow straighteners are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Eric R. Haberman, Jerod J. Rudish, David W. Selfridge
  • Patent number: 8800500
    Abstract: A miniature sludge lance for a steam generator in a pressurized water nuclear reactor is provided. The sludge lance is structured to enter the steam generator via an inspection opening and has a body sufficiently thin to fit between adjacent tubes. The sludge lance rail has at least two types of nozzle assemblies that may be attached thereto. One nozzle assembly rotates and another nozzle assembly translates in a vertical direction. A drive assembly, a mounting assembly, an oscillation assembly, and flow straighteners are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Eric R. Haberman, Jerod J. Rudish, David W. Selfridge
  • Patent number: 8757104
    Abstract: A miniature sludge lance for a steam generator in a pressurized water nuclear reactor is provided. The sludge lance is structured to enter the steam generator via an inspection opening and has a body sufficiently thin to fit between adjacent tubes. The sludge lance rail has at least two types of nozzle assemblies that may be attached thereto. One nozzle assembly rotates and another nozzle assembly translates in a vertical direction. A drive assembly, a mounting assembly, an oscillation assembly, and flow straighteners are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Eric R. Haberman, Jerod J. Rudish, David W. Selfridge
  • Patent number: 8752511
    Abstract: A miniature sludge lance for a steam generator in a pressurized water nuclear reactor is provided. The sludge lance is structured to enter the steam generator via an inspection opening and has a body sufficiently thin to fit between adjacent tubes. The sludge lance rail has at least two types of nozzle assemblies that may be attached thereto. One nozzle assembly rotates and another nozzle assembly translates in a vertical direction. A drive assembly, a mounting assembly, an oscillation assembly, and flow straighteners are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Phillip J. Hawkins, Eric R. Haberman, Jerod J. Rudish, David W. Selfridge
  • Publication number: 20140145359
    Abstract: A water boiling chamber for a steam humidifier may include an enclosure having a water volume and scale collection surfaces that are exposed to water in the enclosure. The scale collection surfaces may have a scale collection surface area that is at least two times greater than a reference surface area, where the reference surface area is defined as the surface area of a sphere having a volume equal to the water volume of the enclosure. Scale collection surfaces may be part of the enclosure and project into an interior of the enclosure. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more scale collectors may be disposed within the enclosure. Methods for capturing scale in a steam humidifier are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Paul Schwendinger, David Emmons, Steven Wolff
  • Publication number: 20140110109
    Abstract: Systems and methods generate steam from produced water by passing the produced water through first and second steam generators coupled together. The first steam generator produces wet steam in which a liquid effluent with impurities of the produced water passes to the second steam generator. The second steam generator combusts fuel and oxidant in direct contact with the liquid effluent. The first and second steam generators limit fouling and waste while providing a combined steam output that may include combustion products from only the second steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Edward G. LATIMER, Michelle R. FIEDLER