Heat Supply Or Removal Control Patents (Class 261/130)
  • Patent number: 11852807
    Abstract: A system for downhole optical analysis includes a housing forming at least part of a pressure barrier. The system also includes a window, formed at an end of the housing, the window being at least semi-transparent to permit light to travel through the window. The system further includes at least one light source, arranged within the housing, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit a beam of light at a wavelength to enable non-contact, optical cleaning of the window, the wavelength being selected to reduce interaction with the window while heating a fluid film formed on the window outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Rocco DiFoggio
  • Patent number: 11801980
    Abstract: Systems and methods including a container assembly configured to maintain a controlled environment for storing a product therein are disclosed. Controlled environmental parameters may include at least one of the following: temperature, humidity, payload moisture content, solar radiation, magnetism, microwave, or light illumination. In certain implementations, the system includes a payload chamber and a self-contained lid-integrated environmental control unit (ECU) that may be coupled to the payload chamber using a substantially airtight seal. In certain embodiments, the ECU may include a condenser, a humidity controller, a liquid tank and a power source. Certain embodiments may include a warmer, temperature and/or humidity sensors, and/or a lock. Various combinations of the foregoing components and features may be incorporated, depending on the requirements of each particular implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: PENDRAM, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Siann, Wilson C. Ng
  • Patent number: 11497407
    Abstract: A gas delivery conduit adapted for fluidly connecting to a respiratory gases delivery system in a high flow therapy system, the gas delivery conduit includes a first connector adapted for connecting to the respiratory gases delivery system, a second connector adapted for connecting to a fitting of a patient interface, tubing fluidly connecting the first connector to the second connector where the first connector has a gas inlet adapted to receive the supplied respiratory gas, one of electrical contacts and temperature contacts integrated into the first connector. The gas delivery conduit further can include a sensing conduit integrated into the gas delivery conduit, where the first connector of the gas delivery conduit is adapted to allow the user to couple the first connector with the respiratory gases delivery system in a single motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Robert M. Landis, Charles A. Lewis, Louis Javier Collazo
  • Patent number: 11491298
    Abstract: Provided are a humidification device and a humidification system, the humidification device includes a desorption structure, where the desorption structure includes a first housing, a heating layer and a desorption metal organic framework (MOF) portion; the first housing is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet; the heating layer is arranged in an inner side of the first housing; the desorption MOF portion is arranged inside the first housing and attached to the heating layer, where a temperature of the desorption MOF portion is adjusted based on a temperature of the heating layer, and the desorption MOF portion is of a preset moisture. The humidification device provided by the present disclosure can realize precise control on the humidity of the air, and have the properties of ease of use, high capacity, portability and low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TELESAIR, INC.
    Inventor: Qing Wang
  • Patent number: 11207487
    Abstract: A humidifier for delivering humidified gases to a patient includes an inlet, an outlet, a gases flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet, a permeable wall, a liquid reservoir, and a heater. The permeable wall separates the gases flow path from the liquid reservoir. The heater heats liquid stored in the liquid reservoir to form vapour, and the vapour passes through the permeable wall to the gases flow path to humidify gases in the gases flow path. Another inline humidifier for delivering humidified gases to a patient includes an inlet and an outlet and holds a tape made of hydrophilic or hygroscopic material. The tape is pre-soaked with water and can include a heating element. The heating element heats the tape and the stored water to release the stored water as vapour and thereby humidify gases passing through the inline humidifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Richard John Boyes, Christian Francis Fischer, Charlotte Grace Laus, Elmo Benson Stoks
  • Patent number: 11009239
    Abstract: A fresh air dehumidification device of a PTAC includes a cross-flow fan, a main evaporator, an air supply channel communicated with the cross-flow fan via the main evaporator, and an air exhausting device formed in the air supply channel for supplying air to the main evaporator. The air inlet of the air supply channel is connected to outdoor and the air outlet of the air supply channel is formed on a first air intake of the main evaporator. Fresh air passing through the air supply channel and the air exhausting device and is dehumidified by the main evaporator and then flows into the indoor so that the main evaporator of a PTAC is used as a dehumidifier in the dehumidification process, but without needing to increase a separate dehumidification system. So, the structure of the present disclosure can reduce the manufacturing cost of the PTAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGDONG CHIGO HEATING AND VENTILATION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming Zhou, Huandi Yang
  • Patent number: 10960167
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide for an inspiratory limb for a breathing circuit that includes a first segment that comprises a first heater wire circuit and a second segment that comprises a second heater wire circuit. The inspiratory limb can include an intermediate connector that includes a connection circuit that electrically couples the first heater wire circuit to the second heater wire circuit. The inspiratory limb can be configured to operate in two modes wherein, in a first mode, electrical power passes through the first electrical connection to provide power to the first heater wire circuit without providing power to the second heater wire circuit, and in a second mode, electrical power pass through the first electrical connection to provide power to both the first heater wire circuit and the second heater wire circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Po-Yen Liu, Peter Alan Seekup, Anthony James Newland, Malcolm David Smith, Ping Si, Helgard Oosthuysen, Matthew Robert Wilson, Ian Lee Wai Kwan, Sinaa Alnashi, Paul James Tonkin, Kiel Anthony McCool, David Robert Kemps, Yayi Lin, Callum McDonald Ross, David John Sims
  • Patent number: 10928106
    Abstract: A device, for cooling a liquid, especially a beverage, comprising a cold accumulator and a thermal line, the cold accumulator and the liquid to be cooled being thermally connected by means of the thermal line, and the cold accumulator comprising a phase change material, the device also comprising means for dissipating heat from at least the thermal line, and the cold accumulator comprising a carrier material into which the phase change material is integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Gerrit Sonnenrein
  • Patent number: 10767544
    Abstract: An object is to provide a type of device capable of properly cooling a bearing of a throttle body even under a condition that the throttle body receives heat of high-temperature intake air or exhaust gas. In the present invention, an engine coolant passage that guides a coolant of an engine is provided integrally with a member fixing a bearing to be adjacent to a circumferential wall of the bearing of the member fixing the bearing, which supports a throttle shaft, and heat transferred from the bearing (or likely to be transferred to the bearing) via the member fixing the bearing is carried away to the outside of a throttle body by the engine coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidefumi Hatsuzawa, Makoto Kawano, Toshio Hori, Toyoshi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 10651056
    Abstract: A treating liquid vaporizing apparatus includes a buffer tank for storing a treating liquid, a vaporizing container connected to the buffer tank for vaporizing the treating liquid, a further vaporizing container connected to the buffer tank in parallel with the vaporizing container for vaporizing the treating liquid, a switch valve for opening and closing a flow path of the treating liquid between the buffer tank and the vaporizing container, and a switch valve for opening and closing a flow path of the treating liquid between the buffer tank and the further vaporizing container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tanaka, Yukihiko Inagaki, Koji Nishi, Shigehiro Goto, Toru Momma
  • Patent number: 10359456
    Abstract: A multichannel fuel cell test station for testing a performance of a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is provided. The multichannel fuel cell test station may include a cell mounting portion configured to receive a plurality of unit cells, a gas supply configured to supply fuel gas to the unit cells and including a pressure generator and a mass flow controller (MFC), a temperature controller configured to maintain a constant ambient temperature of the unit cells, a humidifying portion configured to maintain a constant humidification state around the unit cells, a measurer configured to measure performances and electrochemical impedances of the unit cells, and a controller configured to control the gas supply, the temperature controller, the humidifying portion and the measurer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Young Gi Yoon, Young Woo Choi, Tae Young Kim, Beom Jun Kim, Min Ho Seo, Jong Min Lee, Chi Young Jung
  • Patent number: 10058665
    Abstract: A method for controlling a humidifier of a CPAP device including a controller, the method including controlling a heating element in the humidifier with command signals from the controller, sensing a temperature of a fluid in the humidifier with a sensor in the humidifier that transmits signals to the controller, establishing an acceptable operating range for the signal transmitted to the controller, determining whether the transmitted signal is within the acceptable operating range, if the signal is within the acceptable operating range treating the signal as being indicative of the temperature of the fluid in the humidifier and using the signal to control the heating element, and if the signal is outside of the acceptable operating range, the controller determines the humidifier to be unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Zhuo Ran Tang, Cem Tarakci, John Michael Snow, Kenneth Lee, Steven Paul Farrugia, Dmitri Anatolievich Doudkine, Ian Malcolm Smith
  • Patent number: 10004870
    Abstract: An aerosol inhalator containing has an inner tube forming part of a suction path, a capillary tube extending within the inner tube and configured to discharge a solution therefrom in conjunction with a user's inhalation, and a heater extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the inner tube so as to traverse the inner tube and configured to receive the solution discharged from the capillary tube, wherein the heater atomizes the received solution by heating to generate, inside the inner tube, an aerosol to be inhaled by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu Yamada, Hiroshi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9599355
    Abstract: A dry air-water heat exchanger, wherein a cooling fan, a main tube row, at least an air pre-cooling water tube row, a water evaporator and a catchment chamber are set in a housing, wherein the air pre-cooling water tube row is provided to pre-cool for the entering air, and the water evaporator is provided to evaporate water for heat exchanging after air pre-cooling to thereby lower the temperature of the entering air, and the circulating refrigerant (or the circulating water) inside the main the row is heat exchanged by the main tube row, to thereby perform the high-efficiency cooling process with minimum energy and water consumption, to thereby cool and lower the temperature of the circulating refrigerant (or circulating water), to improve the cooling efficiency of the circulating refrigerant (or circulating water), and achieve the purpose of reducing bacterial growth and scale formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: HER JIU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Liang Weng, Chien-Lun Weng, Ling-Hua Weng, Ching-Ju Weng
  • Patent number: 9186477
    Abstract: A breathing assistance apparatus adapted to deliver humidified gases at a desired level of humidity to a patient including a humidifier and a heated conduit is disclosed. The humidifier includes a controller which controls the humidifier, or the humidifier and the heated conduit to deliver the gases to the patient at the required humidity or temperature, without the requirement for sensors in the gases stream. The controller uses information already available to the controller, without the requirement for additional information to be provided by sensors in the gases stream. This means the need for sensors in the gases stream is dispensed with. A significant benefit is achieved as sensors are not required in the conduit and thus the apparatus is simple and less bulky.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter John Hunt, Mohammad Thudor, David Wixey, Stephen William McPhee
  • Patent number: 9119933
    Abstract: A modular respiratory system to which different parts can be added in a convenient way enabling such upgraded respiratory system to deliver the most comfortable respiratory conditions at an acceptable cost of ownership.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: PLASTIFLEX GROUP
    Inventors: Jon Richard Bedford, Malcolm Graham James, Neil Anthony Kaye, Jeno Kurja, Rik Julia Raoul Langerock
  • Patent number: 9057531
    Abstract: A thermal humidifier includes an upper housing provided with a steam outlet for conveying steam into a room and combined with a fundamental base having a PTC heating tube installed therein. A water-absorption member is mounted around the PTC heating tube and has a large portion soaked in a water box for absorbing liquid or water from the water box. The water-absorption member, after fully soaking up water, contacts with the PTC heating tube to enable the PTC heating tube to quickly heat the water of the water-absorption member to produce steam to be sent into a room through the steam outlet of the upper housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Chin-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 9038992
    Abstract: An apparatus directed to reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower, using a control unit to selectively irrigate the drift eliminators based on the fluid temperature in the basin and the temperature inside and outside of the cooling tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Ty Sween
  • Publication number: 20150137396
    Abstract: The present invention provides a humidifying unit, a humidification method, and a humidification system, whereby the efficiency of diffusing water vapor into the air, the absorption amount (absolute humidity), and the water supply utilization can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SINNIHON BIFUU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dai Aramaki, Yoshinobu Murakami, Shinsuke Ohara, Hiroshi Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 9004461
    Abstract: A humidifier having a field-replaceable water heating enclosure and a humidifier main unit configured to receive the field-replaceable water heating enclosure is provided. The field-replaceable water heating enclosure may include a water inlet, a water outlet, a water vapor outlet, and a resistive heating element. The humidifier main unit may be configured to provide water to the field-replaceable water heating enclosure via the water inlet when the field-replaceable water heating enclosure is received by the humidifier main unit. To facilitate this, the humidifier main unit may include a manifold structured to interface with the water inlet, the water outlet, and the water vapor outlet. The humidifier main unit also may be configured to provide electrical power to the resistive heating element of the field-replaceable water heating enclosure when the field-replaceable water heating enclosure is received by the humidifier main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Schwendinger, David J. Emmons, Andrew Morris, XinHua Cao, Eric Barton, Steven Wolff
  • Patent number: 8973383
    Abstract: A humidity control apparatus has a humidity control apparatus having a humidifying part for humidifying air and a dehumidifying part for dehumidifying to control humidity of a humidity control space. The dehumidifying part has: a main body part that is configured to encapsulate a working fluid therein and to cause a heat-pipe phenomenon. A heat-insulating part fits externally to the main body part and a heat absorption part absorbs heat from a base side part located on one side of the main body part in relation to the heat-insulating part and thereby condenses the working fluid that evaporated into gas in a front side part located on the other side of the main body part in relation to the heat-insulating part. The dehumidifying part dehumidifies the air by means of the front side part of the main body part where the working fluid in liquid form evaporates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Espec Corp.
    Inventor: Shinichirou Sakami
  • Publication number: 20150020682
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for treatment of volatile organic compounds and the process comprises an untreated airflow dew point temperature sensing step of sensing a dew point temperature of the untreated airflow as a reference temperature, a humidification and condensation processing step of spraying water mist all over the exhaust gas flow and condensing the exhaust gas flow into condensate contained the volatile organic compounds, a treated exhaust gas flow dew point temperature sensing step of sensing a dew point temperature of the treated exhaust gas flow after the humidification and condensation processing step, a collection step of collecting dropped condensate from the humidification and condensation processing step and then transporting the dropped condensate back to the humidification and condensation processing step for circulation spray, and a control step of controlling the dew point temperature of the treated exhaust gas flow to be close to the reference temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Yi-Cheng Lin
  • Publication number: 20150014874
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a pressure support system configured to provide pressure support therapy to a subject, wherein the pressure support system is configured to determine a volume of liquid held by a humidifier. The liquid volume determination is based on the temperature of the liquid in the humidifier, the temperature of the heater in the humidifier, and/or the temperature of a component of the heater (e.g., a heating element), subsequent to modulation of the rate at which energy is dissipated into the liquid by a heater. Applying a known amount of energy for a known amount of time (power) increases the temperature of the liquid in the humidifier. The amount of liquid in the humidifier can be determined from the applied power and the rise in liquid temperature, heater temperature, and/or heater component temperature over time because the rise in liquid temperature over time is proportional the volume of liquid in the humidifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ronald Winski
  • Publication number: 20140328767
    Abstract: A method of producing lipid-based micro/nano bubbles includes steps of (a) preparing a lipid mixture including one or more first lipids with different phase transition temperature, and a second lipid bonding with a hydrophilic polymer moiety or molecules capable of getting across a lipid membrane and decreasing van der Waals forces between lipid bilayers; (b) emulsifying the lipid mixture with a solvent, to form a transparent lipid carrier solution; (c) placing the transparent lipid carrier solution in a closed vessel with halo-substituted hydrocarbon; (d) manipulating temperature of the transparent lipid carrier solution to be close to a main phase transition temperature thereof; and (e) agitating in a mechanical manner the vessel containing the transparent lipid carrier solution to form micro/nano bubbles within the closed vessel. This method contributes to form micro/nano bubbles with desired diameters in a way of optimal material utilization efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Trust Bio-sonics Inc.
    Inventor: Chung-Hsin Wang
  • Patent number: 8814149
    Abstract: A humidity generator and method for setting operating parameters of the humidity generator to controllably generate humidity levels below 100% and greater than 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Nabin C. Panda, Carl W. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20140145358
    Abstract: A humidifier having a field-replaceable water heating enclosure and a humidifier main unit configured to receive the field-replaceable water heating enclosure is provided. The field-replaceable water heating enclosure may include a water inlet, a water outlet, a water vapor outlet, and a resistive heating element. The humidifier main unit may be configured to provide water to the field-replaceable water heating enclosure via the water inlet when the field-replaceable water heating enclosure is received by the humidifier main unit. To facilitate this, the humidifier main unit may include a manifold structured to interface with the water inlet, the water outlet, and the water vapor outlet. The humidifier main unit also may be configured to provide electrical power to the resistive heating element of the field-replaceable water heating enclosure when the field-replaceable water heating enclosure is received by the humidifier main unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Paul Schwendinger, David J. Emmons, Andrew Morris, XinHua Cao, Eric Barton, Steven Wolff
  • Patent number: 8678359
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems directed to reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower. Some embodiments of the invention allow irrigation of the drift eliminators of the cooling tower with fluid in the basin of the cooling tower to reduce mineral buildup. In other embodiments, the systems disclosed can be integrated with the drift eliminators to provide constant irrigation of to reduce mineral buildup. In some other embodiments, a control unit is used to selectively irrigate the drift eliminators based on the fluid temperature in the basin and the temperature inside and outside of the cooling tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Ty Sween
  • Patent number: 8661919
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to improve response property and accuracy of temperature control of a liquid sample, and is provided with a vaporization tank that retains the liquid sample, one or more heaters that are provided in the vaporization tank and respectively have heating parts that come into contact with the liquid sample to heat the liquid sample, a temperature detection part that is provided in contact with an outer surface including the heating part of any of the heaters and detects a temperature of the outer surface, and a control part that receives a temperature detection signal from the temperature detection part to control electric power supplied to the heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Horiba STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Oba, Tadayuki Nagano
  • Publication number: 20140010725
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method of processing oil, comprising providing a high shear device comprising at least one rotor and at least one complementarily-shaped stator configured to mix a gas with a liquid; contacting a gas with an oil in the high shear device, wherein the gas is an inert gas or a reactive gas; and forming a product, wherein the product is a solution, a dispersion, or combination thereof. Herein also disclosed is a high shear system for processing oil, comprising; at least one high shear device, having an inlet and at least one rotor and at least one complementarily-shaped stator configured to mix a gas with a liquid; a gas source fluidly connected to the inlet; an oil source fluidly connected to the inlet; and a pump positioned upstream of a high shear device, the pump in fluid connection with the inlet and the oil source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: H R D Corporation
    Inventors: Abbas HASSAN, Aziz Hassan, Rayford G. Anthony
  • Patent number: 8602398
    Abstract: A bathroom sauna device having a heating device for heating air in a bathroom, a humidifying device for humidifying the air in the bathroom, and an airflow path for sending the air, which is adjusted in temperature and humidity by the heating device and humidifying device, to the bathroom. The temperature and humidity of the air in the bathroom are controlled by the heating device and humidifying device to a temperature and humidity immediately before which a human body starts sweating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kyou Hayasi, Yoshihiro Nishizuru
  • Publication number: 20130313729
    Abstract: A humidifier includes a first electrode that is a porous metal body having a three-dimensional porous structure, a second electrode that is a conductor electrode arranged opposite to the first electrode with a space of a predetermined distance from the first electrode, a power supply that forms an electric field in the space between the first electrode and the second electrode, a water supply unit that supplies water to the first electrode, and a fan that sends air to the space to evaporate and disperse the water that is supplied from the water supply unit to the first electrode and retained by the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Sakai, Akira Morikawa, Koji Ota, Yasutaka Inanaga, Yasuhiro Tanimura, Hiroshi Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 8584473
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling apparatus, especially for cryogenically preserving biological samples, comprising a duct (5) for delivering a coolant (3) to a cooling chamber (1), a heater (6) that has an adjustable first heating performance (P2) for heating the coolant (3) delivered to the cooling chamber (1), a first temperature sensor (8-10) for measuring the temperature (T2-T4) in the cooling chamber (1), a second temperature sensor (7) for measuring the temperature (T1) of the coolant (3) delivered to the cooling chamber (1), and a regulator (11) for regulating the temperature. Said regulator (11) is embodied as a multiple regulator which detects several temperatures (T1-T4) as control variables and/or adjusts several heating performances (P1, P2) as manipulated variables. The invention further relates to a corresponding operating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung, e.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Schon, Heiko Zimmermann, Gunter Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20130249125
    Abstract: A vapor source generator comprising: a vapor pressure chamber within which carrier gas flows over a vapor source; means to regulate chamber temperature; and means to regulate chamber pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: James J. McKinley
  • Patent number: 8517285
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher comprises a conduit having an air inlet and outlet. A blower unit is used for delivering a stream of air from said inlet to said outlet for extinguishing a fire. The extinguisher includes a cooling device using water to cool the stream of air entering said inlet prior to it being delivered to said fire via said outlet, and a powder delivery system for injecting and mixing a powder into said cooled stream of air prior to it leaving said outlet. The cooling device utilizing a tiny fraction of water to cool air as it passes there through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Geoffrey Paul Sandford
  • Patent number: 8489240
    Abstract: A control system for industrial water systems that utilizes multiple measurements of information and models to decide optimal control actions to maximize corrosion/scaling/fouling inhibition and particulate dispersancy performance and minimize cost of water and treatment chemicals. This system is capable of automatic operation for a wide range of process conditions, ensures multiple performance objectives, achieves robust operation under a variety or un-measurable disturbances and achieves the least costly solution delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zhaoyang Wan, Gary E. Geiger, Yong Zhang, Yu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130175717
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the abatement of cooling tower plumes is provided. A cooling tower is disclosed comprising a plume abatement system which includes a burner that heats ambient air drawn from outside the cooling tower to produce heated air, wherein the plume abatement system is arranged to deliver the heated air to mix with the air within the cooling tower. A method for use in abating plumes from cooling towers is disclosed comprising the steps of: burning fuel within a burner to heat ambient air drawn from outside the cooling tower, thereby producing heated air; introducing the heated air into the cooling tower to mix with the air within the cooling tower, thereby transferring the heat from the heated air to the air within the cooling tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Boonkoom Boonyasopath
  • Patent number: 8327473
    Abstract: A sauna cabinet is humidified and heated without airborne perceivable water drops by the use of a fine spray. The user can thus remain comfortably in the sauna cabinet that is free of airborne perceivable water drops. The user's view is also not clouded by mist. Accordingly, the user can enjoy viewing images and reading books in the sauna cabinet, and a user's sensible temperature distribution in the sauna cabinet is also uniform. This sauna equipment thus provides uniform temperature and humidity even in a large bathroom. The sauna equipment includes a first circulator and a second circulator for circulating air in the sauna cabinet, an air heater for heating supplied air, and a water atomizer for turning supplied water into fine water drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsunori Matsubara, Yoshimasa Katsumi, Yoshihiro Nishizuru, Satoshi Fujii, Bungo Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20120248636
    Abstract: A heater unit is adapted to determine if a humidification chamber thermally coupled to a hot plate of the heater unit is effectively dry based on determining a thermal response of a hot plate of the heater unit. Also, the activation period during which the hot plate is being heated is adjusted toward an optimum period by adjusting the energization or power level to the heater element thereof in relation to the duration of a prior activation period. Further, the air flow rate of gas through the humidification chamber may be estimated based on a temperature of the hot plate determined in predetermined relationship to the beginning of an activation period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Fridberg, Boris Dubinsky
  • Publication number: 20120211907
    Abstract: A humidity generator and method for setting operating parameters of the humidity generator to controllably generate humidity levels below 100% and greater than 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Nabin C. Panda, Carl W. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20120161340
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems directed to reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower. Some embodiments of the invention allow irrigation of the drift eliminators of the cooling tower with fluid in the basin of the cooling tower to reduce mineral buildup. In other embodiments, the systems disclosed can be integrated with the drift eliminators to provide constant irrigation of to reduce mineral buildup. In some other embodiments, a control unit is used to selectively irrigate the drift eliminators based on the fluid temperature in the basin and the temperature inside and outside of the cooling tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventor: Ty Sween
  • Patent number: 8181943
    Abstract: A humidifier (1), including at least one housing (2), in which multiple fibers (3) constructed as water-permeable hollow fiber membranes are arranged, wherein a first air stream (4) is passed inside the fibers (3) and a second air stream (5) is passed outside the fibers (3), and wherein the housing (2) is of flattened design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Klaus Leister, Harald Ehrentraut
  • Publication number: 20120067219
    Abstract: Disclosed is a measurement device with which it is possible to quickly measure the carbon dioxide content of an absorbent solution circulating through a carbon dioxide recovery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Ogawa, Masatoshi Hodotsuka, Yukio Oohashi, Manabu Sakurai, Susumu Yamanaka, Naomi Tsuchiya, Haruhiko Hirata
  • Patent number: 8132795
    Abstract: A bathroom sauna device having a heating device for heating air in a bathroom, a humidifying device for humidifying the air in the bathroom, and an airflow path for sending the air, which is adjusted in temperature and humidity by the heating device and humidifying device, to the bathroom. The temperature and humidity of the air in the bathroom are controlled by the heating device and humidifying device to a temperature and humidity immediately before which a human body starts sweating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kyou Hayasi, Yoshihiro Nishizuru
  • Publication number: 20110133349
    Abstract: A device for dehumidifying an air stream includes at least one first module including at least one Peltier element and at least one second module including at least one Peltier element. The entirety of the first module forms a first zone for cooling the air stream. The entirety of the second module forms a second zone for dehumidifying the air stream. The entirety of the first and the second modules forms an air channel for the air stream. A water discharge channel is disposed below the entirety of the second module and receives water accumulating during the dehumidifying of the air stream in the second zone. At least one sensor for measuring a temperature and/or a moisture of the air stream provides at least one output signal. A control unit including at least one controller controls the Peltier elements based on the at least one output signal of the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Mentus Holding AG
    Inventors: Urs A. Weidmann, Gustav Hans Weber, Reto Holzner
  • Patent number: 7942389
    Abstract: An evaporator defines an evaporator volume, and boils the liquid inside evaporator volume. A mixing chamber is in communication with the evaporator volume and mixes the vapor or moisture from the liquid in the evaporator with the breathing gas of the patient. The mixing chamber is a separate structure than the evaporator. The mixing chamber and the evaporator are connected by a first connection that is repetitively connectable and disconnectable without significant destruction of a respective connection. A heater is arranged outside of the evaporator and in a heat conducting connection with the evaporator. The heater is a separate structure than the evaporator. The evaporator and the heater are connected by a second connection that is repetitively connectable and disconnectable. A liquid storage tank is in communication with the evaporator and supplies a liquid to the evaporator through a flow channel. The liquid storage tank is larger than the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Jochim Koch, Klaus Radomski, Andreas Krause
  • Publication number: 20110074053
    Abstract: A humidifying apparatus is disclosed in which gas is provided to a first side of a membrane and liquid to a second side of the same membrane. The membrane is non-porous to the liquid but porous to vapour of the liquid and is liquidphilic to said liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Antonius Johannus VAN DER NET
  • Publication number: 20100155971
    Abstract: A gas mixture supplying method includes supplying plural kinds of gases through gas supply lines connected to a common pipeline and supplying a gas mixture of the plural kinds of gases from a gas outlet of the common pipeline into a region where the gas mixture is used through a gas mixture supply line. When a typical gas supplied in a gaseous state from a gas supply unit and a liquid source gas vaporized by heating a liquid source material supplied from a liquid source material supply unit by a vaporizing unit are supplied simultaneously, the liquid source gas is supplied from one of the gas supply lines provided at a position closer to the gas outlet than that for the typical gas, and the liquid source gas is supplied to a downstream side of a filter for removing particles in the typical gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yohei Uchida
  • Patent number: 7685829
    Abstract: Process and device for generating a current of humid air having a defined relative humidity comprising the steps of generating a current of air in a tubing arrangement, generating hot water vapor, introducing the water vapor into the air current to generate flowing hot humid air, passing the hot humid air through a water separator while lowering the temperature of the humid air below the dew point temperature to generate saturated humid air having a defined temperature, heating the humid air coming from the water separator above the defined temperature to achieve a defined relative humidity, and discharging the humid air from the tubing arrangement as a current of humid air having a relative humidity of not less than 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Mueller, Karl-Heinz Mann
  • Publication number: 20100024816
    Abstract: An inline vaporizer disposed in a carrier gas line vaporizes a fluid and adds such vaporized fluid to a carrier gas that flows within the carrier gas line. The vaporizer includes a reservoir or wick that transfers a fluid to a vaporizing element that is adjacent to the reservoir or wick. The vaporizer releases a vapor into the carrier gas line so that the carrier gas flows past the vaporizer to form a vapor and carrier gas mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Hydrate, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. WEINSTEIN, Douglas H. CURRIE, JR., James R. SCOTT, Tuan Q. TRAN
  • Patent number: RE46543
    Abstract: Apparatus for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea includes a CPAP device and a detachable humidifier. The humidifier includes a tank that is removably insertable into a humidifier base. A sealed air flow path from the CPAP device and through the water tank is established when the water tank is placed in the humidifier base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Duncan Lovel Trevor-Wilson, Perry David Lithgow, Alexander Virr, Andrew Roderick Bath, Michael Thomas Janiak, Dan Kao, Jim Saada