Sequentially Filled And Emptied (e.g., Holding Type) Patents (Class 137/256)
  • Patent number: 11396379
    Abstract: An airplane has main propulsion engines and a first fuel supply for the main propulsion engines. The airplane further has an auxiliary propulsion engine and a second fuel supply for the auxiliary propulsion engine, this second fuel supply being separate from the first fuel supply. The auxiliary propulsion engine can be switched on independently from the main propulsion engines. Such airplane has increased safety, since it will be possible to maintain flight, particularly when at high altitude, even if all main propulsion engines have failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventor: Steven Low
  • Patent number: 11313753
    Abstract: System and methods are provided for a contamination test rig that includes a particle injection chamber including a pressure chamber, wherein a hopper, scale, and feeder are inside of the particle injection chamber, and wherein the test valve is disposed in a valve line that runs parallel to a by-pass line. A by-pass valve permits at least a portion of a mixture of air and contaminate particles to flow through the by-pass line instead of through the valve line when the by-pass valve is open, and prevents the mixture of air and contaminate particles from flowing through the by-pass line when closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Emily Holdmeyer, Bruce Crook
  • Patent number: 10930486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for extracting volatile species from a liquid (20) connected to an inlet of an analysis instrument, such as a mass spectrometer (MS). The device has a chamber (4), a membrane (5) forming a barrier for the liquid at zero differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the chamber, and allowing passage of the volatile species at zero differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the chamber. The device has an inlet capillary channel (3) to feed in a carrier gas and prevent back-diffusion from the chamber, and an outlet capillary channel (6) which provides a significant pressure reduction, e.g. from atmospheric pressure in the chamber (4) to near-vacuum suitable for an MS. The invention combines the best of two worlds, i.e. the fast time-response of a DEMS system and the high sensitivity of a MIMS system, since a differential pumping stage is not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET
    Inventors: Daniel Bøndergaard Trimarco, Peter Christian Kjærgaard Vesborg, Thomas Pedesen, Ole Hansen, Ib Chorkendorff
  • Patent number: 10850610
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an alternative fuel system, comprising a plurality of fuel tank assemblies interconnected with fuel lines; the plurality of fuel tank assemblies comprising a CNG fuel tank and a fuel tank shield; wherein a first and second fuel tank assembly is disposed immediately in front of a rear wheel assembly, and a third fuel tank assembly is disposed immediately behind the rear wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventors: Tony Matijevich, Mark Matijevich, Terry McCrea
  • Patent number: 10627797
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for remote control of a hydrogen filling station includes providing a remote server operatively connected for computer communication via a communication network to a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC is configured to execute a control logic at the hydrogen filling station to control vehicle fueling. The method includes receiving at least one input parameter from the PLC at the remote server and generating by a processor at the remote server an updated control logic based on at least the input parameter. The method includes transmitting the updated control logic to the PLC for execution by the PLC at the hydrogen filling station to control vehicle fueling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven R. Mathison
  • Patent number: 9880042
    Abstract: Apparatus, computer-readable medium, and method for calculating a mass of propellant in a propellant storage volume. A density of the propellant is calculated based on a detected pressure and temperature of the propellant and actual thermodynamic properties of the propellant. A volume of the propellant storage volume is calculated based on a measured nominal volume and changes to the nominal volume based on pressure. The mass of the propellant is calculated by multiplying the calculated volume of the propellant storage volume by the calculated density of the propellant in the propellant storage volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven E. Core, Michael Novean, Linton Honda
  • Patent number: 9696726
    Abstract: An orbit attitude control device includes a plurality of nozzles for injecting combustion gas supplied from a combustion chamber, and a control section configured to calculate nozzle opening degree correction values so that a deviation between a detection value of the pressure of the combustion chamber and a command value becomes smaller. The control section is configured to calculate a total correction value so that the deviation between the detection value and the command values becomes smaller. A total value T1 for first group nozzles and a total value T2 for second group nozzles are calculated. The total correction value is distributed to the opening degree correction values for the first group nozzles with a ratio of T2/(T1+T2) and to the opening degree correction values for the second group nozzles with a ratio of T1/(T1+T2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Fujita, Nobuaki Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 9499969
    Abstract: The present invention describes a system (1) for recovering liquid or free-flowing chemicals in a chemical plant (3), comprising at least two plant sections (3a, 3b), for each plant section (3a, 3b) at least one connecting device (5a, 5b) arranged at the lowest point, at least one common collecting line (7) which runs beneath the connecting devices (5a, 5b) and connects them to one another, at least one collecting vessel (9) arranged at the same height as or higher than the at least two plant sections (3a, 3b) and above the collecting line (7), at least one pump (11) provided in the collecting line (7) between the connecting devices (5a, 5b) and the collecting vessel (9) for drawing off the at least one liquid or free-flowing chemical combined in the collecting line (7) and introducing it into the collecting vessel (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Ulrich Hammon, Thomas Walter
  • Patent number: 8912298
    Abstract: An apparatus (2) includes: a first tank (4); a line mixer (6); a second tank (8); a cooling jacket (10); a first tube (12); a second tube (14); and a third tube (16). In the first tank (4), (i) sodium persulfate serving as a polymerization initiator and (ii) water are fed so as to obtained an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is continuously taken out and transferred via the first tube (12) to the line mixer (6). Between the first tank (4) and the line mixer (6), water is injected into the first tube (12). The water and the sodium persulfate aqueous solution are stirred together in the line mixer (6). This stirring decreases a concentration of the aqueous solution. The resulting aqueous solution is continuously fed to the second tank (8) via the second tube (14). The aqueous solution is then continuously taken out via the third tube (16) and is continuously added to an acrylic acid (salt) aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Matsumoto, Shuji Kanzaki
  • Publication number: 20140332083
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches an apparatus and a method for providing one or more substance liquids to a microfluidic channel network (30). The microfluidic apparatus includes valves for switching the one or more substance liquids to a microfluidic channel network (30). The apparatus can be used to generate a sequence of the one or more substance liquids as individual droplets in an immiscible separation liquid wherein individual ones of the sequence of droplets are located between the separation liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Christoph Merten, Ramesh Utharala
  • Patent number: 8714183
    Abstract: A system for hydrogen charging has an orifice provided as a flow restrictor between a hydrogen charging port and a hydrogen tank having a larger heat flux value. No orifice is provided on the side of a hydrogen tank having a smaller heat flux value. The orifice has a function of increasing the channel resistance. With the above, it is possible to initially have the hydrogen tank having a smaller heat flux value in the fully charged state, and thereafter the hydrogen tank having a larger heat flux value in the fully charged state. Alternatively, a check valve having a cracking pressure ?P2 can be provided as a flow restrictor on the side of the hydrogen tank having larger heat flux, and a check valve having a cracking pressure ?P1 can be provided as a flow restrictor on the side of the hydrogen tank having smaller heat flux, wherein ?P2>?P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daigoro Mori, Kenji Komiya, Kumiko Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 8707937
    Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 8539938
    Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 8381756
    Abstract: [Problem] The present invention provides a gas supply method by which a gas in a gas container can be effectively utilized. [Means for Solving the Problem] On the basis of: the maximum flow rate (a first preset flow rate (Q1)) and the minimum flow rate (a second preset flow rate (Q2)) at the place where the gas is used; a first preset pressure (P1) at which the gas can be supplied at a first preset flow rate (Q1); a second preset pressure (P2) at which the gas can be supplied at a second preset flow rate (Q2); a third preset pressure (P3) which is higher than the first preset pressure (P1); residual pressures (PA, PB) in gas containers (SA, SB); a supplied gas flow rate (Q); and the relationship between the residual pressures (PA, PB) and suppliable gas flow rates (QPA and QPB, respectively), the residual pressures (PA, PB) and the supplied gas flow rate (Q) are monitored and the gas supply is switched between the first gas container (SA) and the second gas container (SB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Sakane, Takashi Yoneda, Yoshinori Ito
  • Patent number: 8376088
    Abstract: A twin lubrication oil tank filling system with a single oil fill port that prevents overfilling of both a primary oil tank and a secondary oil with a gravity fill system by directing oil primarily into the secondary oil tank by means of a special oil diverter, a float valve for the secondary oil tank that closes when the oil level in the secondary tank reaches a full level to cause additional oil flow to pour into the primary oil tank and a float valve for the primary oil tank that closes when the oil level in the primary tank reaches a full level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney
    Inventors: Michael J. Rollins, Mark N. Shatz, Jeffrey C. Brill
  • Patent number: 8197988
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high pressure tank configured to store hydrogen and includes a metal hydride (MH) tank capable of storing hydrogen, mounted therein. First and second solenoid valves are provided at both ends of the high pressure tank. A fuel cell stack is then connected to the buffer tank so that hydrogen from the high pressure tank or the MH tank is supplied to the stack through the buffer tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Kim, Hoon Hee Lee, Hyung Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 8011383
    Abstract: A fuel tank for an agricultural vehicle, comprises a main fuel tank 10 having a filler pipe 11 and a separate inlet 15 and a removable auxiliary tank 30 having a second filler pipe 32 and an outlet 36 for supplying fuel into the separate inlet 15 of the main tank. To avoid spillage from the filler pipe of the main tank 10, in one aspect of the invention, a valve 16 is provided in the main fuel tank 10 to close off the second inlet 15 when the fuel level within the main tank 10 reaches a predetermined level. In a second aspect of the invention, spillage is avoided by means of an extension tube 40 which sealingly engages the filler tube 11 of the main tank at its lower end and opens at its upper end into the filler pipe 46 of the auxiliary tank 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey William Mowatt, Thomas Charles Kindred
  • Patent number: 8011317
    Abstract: An integrated processing tool is described comprising a full-wafer processing module and a combinatorial processing module. Chemicals for use in the combinatorial processing module are fed from a delivery system including a set of first manifolds. An output of each first manifold is coupled to at least one mixing vessel. An output of each mixing vessel feeds more than one of a set of second manifolds. An output of each set of second manifolds feeds one of multiple site-isolated reactors of the combinatorial processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt H. Weiner, Tony P. Chiang, Aaron Francis, John Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7987877
    Abstract: In order to increase the hydrogen utilization rate of the cascade storage system, after dispensing gaseous hydrogen to a hydrogen vehicle, gaseous hydrogen is transferred via a compressor from at least one storage vessel at a lower pressure to at least one storage vessel at a higher, dispensable pressure. The methods of the present invention economically and efficiently increase the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system by managing the storage of gaseous hydrogen and increasing the utilization rate of gaseous hydrogen stored in a cascade storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Farshad Alexander Bavarian, Dennis J. Benedetto, John Michael Brady, Daniel Glenn Casey, Dean Alan Kenefake, Charles Franklin Perdue, Jr., Hongqiao Bruce Sun
  • Patent number: 7980425
    Abstract: A pump for metering a liquid is disclosed comprising a flexible tube connected to a container with a pressure relief valve located in the flexible tube. A housing defines an aperture for receiving the flexible tube with a compression surface located adjacent to the aperture. A reciprocating member has a sealing element and a pumping element. A drive moves the sealing element for pinching the flexible tube against the compression surface upstream from the pressure relief valve for trapping liquid between the sealing element and the pressure relief valve. The drive moves the pumping element for collapsing the flexible tube against the compression surface for pumping the trapped liquid to discharge a metered quantity of the liquid from the pressure relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Richard D. Baron, Steven A. Garbee, Valdemiro M. Quadros, Alan Lee Hackey
  • Patent number: 7846314
    Abstract: A method for handling samples in a microfluidic system is described. The microfluidic system includes an injection channel fluidically coupled to an injection point adapted for injecting an amount of fluid, a first sample well containing a first sample, the first sample well being fluidically coupled with the injection channel, and a second sample well containing a second sample, the second sample well being fluidically coupled with the injection channel. The method includes moving the second sample from the second sample well towards the first sample well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies , Inc
    Inventor: Marcus Gassmann
  • Patent number: 7814926
    Abstract: A liquid aspirator, in particular for liquids containing solids such as sludge, has a receptacle into which liquid can be sucked in by an aspirator motor through a vacuum connector and from which the liquid can drain through a drainage. The receptacle has at least two separate receiving chambers and a control that controls that the receiving chambers are filled alternatingly with liquid while the receiving chambers that are not being filled are drained. The receiving chambers are sealable relative to the vacuum side of the aspirator motor by main valves that are preferably mechanically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: OASE GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Hoffmeier, Reinhard Wesselmeier, Utz Wagner
  • Patent number: 7618407
    Abstract: The invention includes a bag system for collecting a biological fluid, in particular blood. The system includes a device for collecting the fluid which is in fluid communication with at least one fluid collection bag, and a device for sampling the fluid to be collected which includes at least one sampling receptacle. The sampling device includes a device for transferring the fluid from the bag system into the sampling receptacle or receptacles, in which the transfer device is provided with a device for associating the receptacle or receptacles. The transfer device may be arranged to allow the support of the receptacle or receptacles in a standby position, the guidance of the receptacle or receptacles to a transfer position and, after transfer, the dissociation of the receptacle or receptacles from the bag system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: MacoPharma
    Inventors: Sylvie Demay, Francis Goudaliez, Thierry Verpoort
  • Patent number: 7357142
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously aspirating a fluid from a fluid source. A vacuum source is operatively connected to a first container forming a first chamber and a second container forming a second chamber. A fluid collection tube provides communication between the fluid source and each of the first chamber and the second chamber. A first level sensor is positioned within the first chamber and a second level sensor is positioned within the second chamber. Upon receiving a signal generated by one of the first level sensor and the second level sensor, a relay responsively exposes a vacuum within one of the first chamber and the second chamber to continuously aspirate at least a portion of the fluid from the fluid source. A shut-off valve is preferably positioned within each of the first chamber and the second chamber to prevent communication between the vacuum source and the corresponding chamber with a fluid level within the chamber at a fluid level setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: MD Technologies inc.
    Inventor: William L. Merkle
  • Patent number: 7325561
    Abstract: A system for increasing the overall efficiency of a hydrogen fueled vehicle and refilling station infrastructure wherein the process of (1) consuming pressurized hydrogen gas that is stored in on board tanks used to power hydrogen fueled motor vehicles and (2) refueling the vehicle tanks at a hydrogen refilling station after the available on board fuel supply in the tanks is consumed is controlled according to a predetermined sequence involving the utilization of the hydrogen in the on board tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven R. Mathison, Shiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7311116
    Abstract: A gas regulation system includes a manifold, a plurality of control modules in fluid communication with the manifold, and a power source. Each control module includes an actuatable valve that is in fluid communication with an associated gas storage device and in electrical communication with the power source. The power source is adapted to prevent more than one of the actuatable valves from simultaneously having an actuated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Lillis
  • Patent number: 7287543
    Abstract: A hydraulic device is provided herein. The hydraulic device mainly contains a reservoir having an airbag inside. The reservoir is provided with an inlet pipe and a plurality of outlet pipes, both extended from a top side of the reservoir. The inlet pipe receives water from a pumper and fills the reservoir via a back-pressure valve. The airbag expands by the air driven by an air compressor to force water from the reservoir into the outlet pipes. When the water level of the inlet pipe is higher than that of the outlet pipes, due to the siphon principle, water will continuously flows from the inlet pipe, through the vacuumed reservoir, into and then out of the outlet pipes. The water poured out of the outlet pipes can be utilized for hydroelectricity or irrigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Ching-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 7201178
    Abstract: A method of providing a continuous, sequential, and cyclic, if desired, liquid feed to a processor from a plurality of containers, which comprises feeding the liquid from a first of the containers through a first conduit to a reservoir having a float valve, to keep the level of the liquid in the reservoir high enough to maintain the float valve in an upper floating position that closes the float valve. The first conduit is uncontrolled by the float valve. The float valve controls a second conduit which connects with a second container. As liquid is withdrawn from the reservoir for processing, liquid from the first conduit and container replenishes the reservoir until it is exhausted. Then, the liquid level drops, and the float valve opens the second conduit for replenishing the reservoir with liquid from the second container. A crossover valve may be used so that the float valve controls flow from either container connected to the second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Amit Gupta, David A. Grattan
  • Patent number: 7168442
    Abstract: A liquid handling system transfers liquid (e.g. water, bearing marine animals) between two tanks each having a respective liner which is movable between a lining position (when filled with liquid) and an inverted position (when its respective tank is emptied). In an initial state, liquid is held in a first tank. By supplying air to a space between the first tank and its liner, its liner is progressively lifted and liquid passes along a channel onto the initially inverted second liner (which acts as a baffle to slow the liquid flow). Air in a space between the second liner and the second tank is vented so transferred liquid sinks the second liner to fill the second tank. A ballast liquid may be used in the spaces. Initially held in the second tank, the ballast liquid flows via a passage into the first tank as transfer of liquid progresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Ian McRobert
  • Patent number: 7044152
    Abstract: A pressurized delivery system for in-situ delivery of sub-soil remediation compounds to underground contaminated matter includes a liquid diaphragm pump connected to an inflow source of water, the pump being also in fluid communication with a plurality of bioslurry tanks connected in parallel, the bioslurry tanks each having a drain. Valve means are located between the liquid diaphragm pump and each of the bioslurry tanks for controlling either the alternate or simultaneous flow of fluid from the pump to each of the bioslurry tanks. A second liquid diaphragm pump having an inlet port for receiving the combined flow of the bioslurry tanks has an outlet in fluid communication with a system discharge port. The system further includes a source of compressed gas in fluid communication with the discharge port. A discharge rod is connected to the discharge port for delivery of remedial fluids to underground soils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Innovative Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scalzi, Wade Meese
  • Patent number: 6886582
    Abstract: A spare fuel tank, installed inside a main fuel tank, having a reasonable volumetric capacity, of small box shape, and having a spare fuel suction pipe there from to the fuel injection pipe. The spare tank of this invention is manufactured at the same time with the main tank, therefore, does not need separate fuel supplying or specific piping connection with the main fuel tank owing to its place. Releasing of the fuel from inside the spare tank is activated by power on the switch connected to a solenoid valve blocking the spare fuel suction pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Young Ill Choi
  • Publication number: 20040216656
    Abstract: A marine gas storage and transport system formed of small diameter steel pipe, which is coiled and stacked in a specific manner. The system is suitable for use on top of a barge or inside the holds of a ship, when contained within a secondary containment system. Various ways of stacking and coiling coiled pipe are disclosed. Specific materials for making the pipe are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: P John Fitzpatrick, David G Stenning, James A Cran
  • Patent number: 6666226
    Abstract: A reliable and economical apparatus for relieving pressure in a large aircraft cabin oxygen supply, where multiple oxygen cylinders are used concurrently. A series-parallel array of valves actuated by changes in differential pressure between the oxygen supply and the ambient cabin atmosphere provides overpressure relief The series connection of the valves reduces the risk of open-valve failures, while the parallel connection of sets of series-connected valves reduces the risk of closed-valve failures. The small number of valves used in its design reduces the cost of the apparatus. The series-parallel structure is optionally extended to larger numbers of valves to facilitate the use of less-expensive valves and supporting components without loss of reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Carleton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence H. Gill, Gary Thomasulo, Glenn Maslowsky, William D. Siska, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6659122
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, comprises a fluid inlet line configured to receive fuel from a vehicle refueling station. A manifolded Y-connector includes an inlet port at an upper end of the Y-connector and in fluid communication with the fluid inlet line, an elliptical lower wall, a manifolded section extending from the inlet port to the elliptical lower wall, and a first and a second outlet port having substantially equal circular cross sections and each having a straight portion extending perpendicularly from the lower wall. A height of the manifolded section from the upper end to the lower wall is approximately four to five times a diameter of one of the outlet ports. The supply system further includes first and second fuel tanks fluidly connected to the first and second outlet ports of the manifolded Y-connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Akram R. Zahdeh, Edward J. Strzelecki
  • Patent number: 6530393
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle has at least one reservoir which is arranged within the fuel tank, and a fuel pump associated with the reservoir. A filling conduit for filling the tank with fuel is of such a design that at least a partial flow of the fuel flowing through the filling conduit can be fed directly to the reservoir. The filling conduit opens at its delivery end into an open catch receptacle which communicates with the reservoir by way of at least one discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Georg Reinelt
  • Patent number: 6508265
    Abstract: A dual fuel tank (10) including first fuel tank (12) and a second fuel tank (14). A single fuel hose (16) allows fuel to enter the first fuel tank (12) from an outside source. When the fuel level in the first fuel tank (12) reaches an overflow level (17), fuel passes through a transfer tube (18) from the first fuel tank (12) into the second fuel tank (14). A transfer fuel pump (20) communicates fuel from the second fuel tank (14) to the first fuel tank (16) such that the level of fuel in the first tank (12) is maximized relative to the available fuel in the system. A main fuel pump (22) communicates fuel from the first fuel pump (12) to a remote target (24). In this way the fuel is available from a single location within the dual fuel tank (10) at a wider range of angles of vehicle travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Anthony Bertouille, James Michael Cook
  • Patent number: 6450193
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank (101) comprises an inner and an outer chamber (103, 105) which are fluidly interconnected via a plurality of open-ended pipes (109). A non-flammable gas, which is immiscible with the fuel (119), is pumped into the outer chamber (103) on demand to displace the fuel (119) into the less vulnerable inner chamber (105) and thereby forms a protective non-flammable gaseous barrier around the fuel-retaining inner chamber (105). The fuel tank (101) is used primarily for military aircraft and provides the ability to attenuate hydrodynamic ram effects arising in the fuel following penetration of the fuel tank (101) by a projectile. All round protection is achieved because the inner chamber (105) is contained wholly within the outer chamber (103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: Chrisostomos Constantinou
  • Patent number: 6314978
    Abstract: To produce a high pressure stream of fluid, such as propellant, the fluid is transfered from a low pressure reservoir into a plurality of intermediate storage tanks, in which the fluid is pressurized. The fluid is drained from the storage tanks to an outlet in sequence. While one pressurized storage tank in a three pressurized tank system is being drained, the most recently drained one of the storage tanks is being vented, and still another of the storage tanks is being filled or replenished with fluid, as the case may be, from the low pressure reservior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Eric Lanning, James B. Blackmon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6269851
    Abstract: In the case of a filling pipe for a fuel tank a branching element is arranged in a section of the filling pipe. The flow of the inflowing fuel preferably runs along an outer wall of the filling pipe, so that a subflow is in each case conducted directly to the antisurge tower through a lower cross-sectional area. Larger volume flows, which completely fill the cross section, pass for the most part directly into the fuel tank. By this means, a sufficient basic supply of the antisurge tower is ensured irrespective of the volume flow produced during filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Knut Meyer, Peter Andreas Löw
  • Patent number: 6240868
    Abstract: A marine gas storage and transport system formed of small diameter steel pipe, which is coiled and stacked in a specific manner. The system is suitable for use on top of a barge or inside the holds of a ship, when contained within a secondary containment system. The specific manner in which the pipe is coiled is such that about 97% of the total length of pipe coiled may be described by constant curvature or pure circles. Additionally these circles lie directly on top of one another about 94% of the time and vertical stacking stresses are minimized. Only about 6% of the pipe is involved in crossover geometry. This method, of about 97% circular coiling, combined with about 3% transitional coiling results in a continuous length of pipe that nests easily, provides greatly reduced contact stresses and is very economic to construct due to its ease of nesting and it's long lengths of constant curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Wild Rose Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: P. John Fitzpatrick, David G. Stenning, James A. Cran
  • Patent number: 6216755
    Abstract: A device for simultaneously filling a container serving as a fuel tank and a container serving as a reducing-agent container with a single pump nozzle is used for environmentally friendly internal combustion engines with exhaust-gas purification systems requiring both tanks which are to be refilled repeatedly. Filler necks of the containers as well as outlet pipes disposed in the pump nozzle and assigned to the filler necks, are combined. A method for filling the containers is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Ronald Neufert
  • Patent number: 6209594
    Abstract: In the case of a filling pipe for a fuel tank a branching element is arranged in a section of the filling pipe. The flow of the inflowing fuel preferably runs along an outer wall of the filling pipe, so that a subflow is in each case conducted directly to the antisurge tower through a lower cross-sectional area. Larger volume flows, which completely fill the cross section, pass for the most part directly into the fuel tank. By this means, a sufficient basic supply of the antisurge tower is ensured irrespective of the volume flow produced during filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Knut Meyer, Peter Andreas Löw
  • Patent number: 6206027
    Abstract: The tank is made up of a plurality of elementary tanks such as tubes (20) connected in parallel to at least one manifold device (30, 32), and it includes closure valves enabling any one of the elementary tanks to be isolated in response to a drop in the pressure contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation - S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Lionel Ponnet, Patrick Jacquier, Jean-Louis Charles
  • Patent number: 6158485
    Abstract: In the case of a filling device for a motor vehicle fuel tank, a distributing element extends from a filling nozzle to an anti-surge tower of the motor vehicle. When there is a low volume flow of fuel in the filling nozzle, the distributing element supplies all of the fuel to the anti-surge tower. When there is a large volume flow, the greater part of the fuel passes directly into the fuel tank. It is thereby ensured that during an initial filling or emergency filling with a jerrycan, virtually all of the fuel passes into the anti-surge tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Knut Meyer, Peter Andreas Low, Thomas Zapp, Christian Kochsmeier
  • Patent number: 6125876
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering abrasive suspensions includes a reservoir containing an abrasive suspension, a loop for delivering the abrasive suspension to a point of use, the loop being connected to the reservoir, a pumping arrangement for circulating the abrasive suspension in the loop and for ensuring its return into the reservoir, the loop and the reservoir being arranged for recovering the abrasive suspension after circulation in the loop at a recovery point of the reservoir, and a control system for controlling the pumping arrangement so as to maintain a continuous circulation of the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Thierry Laederich, Georges Guarneri, Herve Dulphy
  • Patent number: 6089282
    Abstract: A gas recovery and reuse/recycle method is disclosed which can readily and economically recover valuable and/or environmentally hazardous gases from a manufacturing or chemical process and then return the gas to the process for reuse, and repeat this many times without significant contamination or degradation of the gas or the produced products. All gas transport, compression and storage equipment is designed and maintained so that it is non-contaminating to the process gas. Commonly the process gas will be a Group VIII gas, preferably He, Ne, Kr or Xe, or a gas which comprises a hazard to the ambient environment or beings therein, such as a carbon oxide gas, a halocarbon gas, an acid-precursor gas, a biologically hazardous gas, or a radioactive gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Aeronex, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Spiegelman, Peter K. Shogren
  • Patent number: 6085762
    Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for supplying pulsed fluids to pressure vessels which comprises: at least one reservoir for the fluid to be pulsed; valved conduits connecting the reservoir to a pump; a conduit with control valves from the pump to one or more ballast tanks with the control valves able to sequentially or intermittantly direct a flow of fluid into each of the ballast tanks; conduits from each of the ballast tanks to a control valve and injection valve which injects fluid from the conduits from each of the ballast tanks into a high pressure processing vessel where materials to be contacted with the pulsed fluid are contacted with the fluid. For recycling the processing fluid, a conduit from the high pressure processing vessel can be connected to a separator vessel, secondary processing vessel or storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Jerome C. Barton
  • Patent number: 6070610
    Abstract: A fluid operated timer includes an input for the fluid, a reservoir receiving fluid from the input, an actuator responsive to the fluid pressure in the reservoir reaching a threshold value, wherein the reservoir includes a plurality of separate reservoirs. The timer further includes an element for selectively controlling operative connection of at least one of the plurality of separate reservoirs to the input so that the volume of the reservoir presented to the input fluid can be selectively varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Expo Safety Systems Limited
    Inventor: Anthony McKenzie Owler
  • Patent number: 6058954
    Abstract: It is known to supply solution to a process and to collect effluent therefrom using `bag-in-box` arrangement each having a predetermined volume. However, if the process must be supplied with greater volumes of solution, the use of larger `bag-in-box` arrangements is limited by weight restrictions that an operator can handle. Described herein is a method of using a number of `bag-in-box` arrangements coupled together to provide a larger volume of replenisher solution to a process and to collect of effluent therefrom than would be the case if only a single `bag-in-box` arrangement is used. An automatic changeover system can be utilised which allows the process to be supplied with a greater volume of solution than that which corresponds to the legal weight limit without having to empty the supply `bag-in-box` arrangements into a large replenisher tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward Charles Glover, Anthony Earle, Christopher Barrie Rider
  • Patent number: 6014995
    Abstract: An onsite petrochemical storage and transport system comprising a land based facility, which provides storage at a well site for hydrocarbon reservoir products which include gas, oil and water at a high pressure. The pressurized mixture is transferred, by means of pressure equalization, into a truck with multiple pressure containing vessels and transported to a plant suitable for processing the raw hydrocarbon mixture. The well site facility and transport truck are configured to allow for separation of gas and liquids to selectively transfer the gas or liquids as desired. Remote well sites may be periodically serviced by transport trucks while maintaining continuous production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: A. Patrick Agnew