Plural Pumps Having Separate Drive Motors, Supply Sources, Or Delivery Destinations Patents (Class 417/2)
  • Patent number: 11835055
    Abstract: Provided are a fan control device and a setting method capable of appropriately controlling fans even if a fan configuration pattern is modified. A fan control device is provided with: an acquiring unit for acquiring the quantity and types of fans connected to input/output ports; a storage unit for storing a plurality of fan configuration patterns indicating the quantity and types of the fans; a specifying unit for specifying a fan configuration pattern matching the quantity and types of fans acquired by the acquiring unit, from among the plurality of fan configuration patterns stored in the storage unit; and a setting unit for setting, in the fans connected to the input/output ports, a rotational speed threshold for use when the fans are rotated, associated with the fan configuration pattern specified by the specifying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kwangsoo Kim, Tetsuro Matsudaira
  • Patent number: 11464899
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for the wireless communication of medical devices in a subcutaneous fluid delivery system are disclosed. A system for subcutaneous fluid delivery includes a primary patch pump adapted to attach a first infusion cannula to a user and to perform a plurality of primary patch pump functions, and a secondary patch pump adapted to attach a second infusion cannula to a user. The secondary patch pump is further adapted to perform a plurality of secondary patch pump functions substantially similar to the plurality of primary patch pump functions if an error condition associated with the primary patch pump is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Gary Searle, Deborah Burns, Bruce Burns, David Mason, Charles Hwang
  • Patent number: 11404629
    Abstract: A treating solution supply apparatus which supplies a treating solution for treating a substrate includes a liquid passage for allowing the treating solution to flow therethrough; and a pump including a chamber with a variable volume for receiving and feeding the treating solution from/to the liquid passage, and a chamber driver electrically driven to vary the volume of the chamber. The liquid passage, chamber, and chamber driver are arranged in the stated order laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Junki Nishimura, Hiroyuki Ogura, Masahito Kashiyama, Toru Momma, Shoji Kirita, Hidetoshi Sagawa, Shogo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11289933
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a battery charging enclosure which includes an outer shell and lid portion each covered by a fire protective insulation layer forming an internal volume of the enclosure, wherein a battery is housed within the internal volume, and various safety features for preventing catastrophic charging-related events are implemented. Certain safety features include, disabling air-flow through the internal volume upon detection of smoke, fire, lid-opening event, or a change of orientation of the enclosure. Other features and aspects concerning the battery charging enclosure are further described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Ahmad Eivaz
  • Patent number: 11286924
    Abstract: A control device is provided for controlling a rotation speed of an electric oil pump, including a motor and a pump mechanism connected to the motor, based on a command value input from a host device. The control device includes: a first calculator calculating a first duty value of current to be output to the motor based on a deviation between the command value and a rotation speed of the motor; a second calculator calculating a second duty value of current to be output to the motor based on a deviation between a current limit value of the motor and a current value of the motor; and a drive current determiner comparing the first duty value calculated by the first calculator and the second duty value calculated by the second calculator, and selecting the lower duty value as a duty value of current that drives the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shirai, Koji Higuchi
  • Patent number: 11274674
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a motor, a compression mechanism configured to be driven by the motor to generate compressed air, a tank configured to store the compressed air, a controller configured to control driving of the motor, an air extraction port configured to extract compressed air from the tank, and an extraction pressure sensor configured to measure an extraction pressure that is a pressure of compressed air extracted from the air extraction port. The controller is configured to control the driving of the motor by referring to the extraction pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Morimura, Takuya Osawa
  • Patent number: 11272606
    Abstract: An extreme ultra violet (EUV) radiation source apparatus includes a collector, a target droplet generator for generating a tin (Sn) droplet, a rotatable debris collection device and a chamber enclosing at least the collector and the rotatable debris collection device. The rotatable debris collection device includes a first end support, a second end support and a plurality of vanes, ends of which are supported by the first end support and the second end support, respectively. A surface of at least one of the plurality of vanes is coated by a catalytic layer, which reduces a SnH4 to Sn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shang-Chieh Chien, Po-Chung Cheng, Chia-Chen Chen, Jen-Yang Chung, Li-Jui Chen, Tzung-Chi Fu, Shang-Ying Wu
  • Patent number: 11248617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fan control system, which comprises a controller and a detection circuit. The controller controls a fan. The detection circuit detects at least one state of the fan control system, and generates a confirmation signal according to the at least one state. The confirmation signal represents the state of the fan control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sitronix Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chung-Hsin Su, Hui-Tsung Yang, Feng-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 11248611
    Abstract: A general-purpose engine control device capable of improving operation efficiency when transferring a liquid using a plurality of liquid pumps and containers. In a liquid transfer system that transfers water of a river to a container by way of a liquid pump, a container, a liquid pump, and a liquid pump in this order, an engine device has a communication interface for performing communication with another engine device, and transmits, after the driving of a liquid pump is started, start instruction information instructing the start of driving a liquid pump to an engine device installed next to the liquid pump on a downstream side in a water transferring direction on the basis of information indicating a driving record of the liquid pump. In an engine pump having received the start instruction information, the driving of the liquid pump is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Hashizume, Hisanori Kanayama, Akifumi Fujima, Keiichiro Bungo
  • Patent number: 11187223
    Abstract: A home flood prevention appliance system includes controller circuitry disposed in a shroud above a cover of a sump basin, and a plurality of electrically operated sump pumps disposed in a lower portion of a structural frame positionable below the cover in the sump basin. The system also includes a water control actuator operable as a water main control device for a domestic water distribution network and a flow meter to measure the flow of municipal water supplied to the network. The controller circuitry configured to selectively energize the pumps to extract liquid from a sump basin based on a liquid level in the sump basin. The water control actuator controlled by the controller circuitry to shut off a municipal water supply to the domestic water distribution network in response to detection of a leak. Communication circuitry included in the home flood prevention appliance may wirelessly communicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: LOGICAL CONCEPTS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Owen Ward, David Lee Brown, Casey Wayne Hampton, Gage Herbert Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 11112283
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for detecting one or more trigger condition on a mobile platform and activating an offline calibration of one or more sensors on the mobile platform in response to the one or more trigger conditions. Additionally, an operational profile of the one or more sensors may be updated based on the offline condition. In one example, the trigger conditions include one or more of a time condition, a temperature condition, a motion condition or a system event condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lev Y. Lavy, Yehiel Shilo, Ke Han
  • Patent number: 11073154
    Abstract: A water pumping control device may include a primary power source and a secondary power source. The primary power source may be configured to provide a primary power input to a processing unit, and the secondary power source may be configured to provide a secondary power input to the processing unit. A primary pump and a secondary pump may be in communication with the processing unit, and the primary pump and the secondary pump may each be variable in speed. The primary pump and the secondary pump may each be in fluid communication with a sump so that when a pump is activated, the pump may remove water from the sump. A water level sensor may be in communication with the processing unit, and the water level sensor may be configured to provide a water level input describing a water level in the sump to the processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: SAFESUMP INC.
    Inventor: Daniel D. Correia
  • Patent number: 11033672
    Abstract: A control system controlling the blood flow rate in a blood supply system (1) in which a pump (18) transports blood from a reservoir (10) toward multiple outlets (30, 26, 26a) of which one or more outlets are openable to permit flow and closable to block flow, wherein the control system comprises a monitoring arrangement (22, 32, 32a) to determine the flow rate through a first outlet (30), and a controller responsive to the monitoring arrangement and controlling the pump (18) to maintain the flow rate through the first outlet (30) at a pre-determined level. This allows a flow rate through the first outlet to be maintained independently of any active blood diversions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Spectrum Medical Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen Turner
  • Patent number: 10907641
    Abstract: A fan assembly includes a first fan, a second fan, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine that an air movement demand corresponds to operation of the first fan and the second fan at a resonance speed, instruct the first fan to operate at a first speed which is less than the resonance speed, and instruct the second fan to operate at a second speed which is greater than the resonance speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LAU HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Brendel
  • Patent number: 10890193
    Abstract: A multiphase pump for pumping a multiphase mixture containing hydrocarbon includes a separation system and a supply system. The separation system has a first separation stage configured to at least partly separate at least one portion of the multiphase mixture into a plurality of phase-enriched components, the first separating stage including an impeller attached to a pump shaft of the multiphase pump and being having an inlet side formed by a seal. The supply system is configured to supply a liquid-enriched liquid component as a lubricant to a pump element to be lubricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SULZER MANAGEMENT AG
    Inventor: Benedikt Trottmann
  • Patent number: 10888022
    Abstract: In one example, an electronic device is described, which includes a cooling element and a controller coupled to the cooling element. The controller may detect environmental data and system operating data of the electronic device during a period of time, obtain a user input associated with an acceptable noise level for the cooling element, and control the cooling element based on the environmental data, the system operating data, and the acceptable noise level of the cooling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Fu-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 10857293
    Abstract: A pump for pumping fluid includes a tube platen, a plunger, a bias member, inlet and outlet valves, an actuator mechanism, a position sensor, and a processor. The plunger is configured for actuation toward and away from the infusion-tube when the tube platen is disposed opposite to the plunger. The tube platen can hold an intravenous infusion tube. The bias member is configured to urge the plunger toward the tube platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, John M. Kerwin, Colin H. Murphy, Jonathan Parker, Daniel F. Pawlowski, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Larry B. Gray, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael S. Place, Michael J. Slate
  • Patent number: 10855142
    Abstract: A power system for use in hydraulic fracturing or fracking of wells is disclosed. The power system is generally self-contained on a transportable system, such as a trailer. The weight and configuration of the trailer must be sized to be hauled legally on United States roadways. The system components include a turbine generator, rectifier, inverter units and AC motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Supreme Electrical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Glass Cory
  • Patent number: 10816092
    Abstract: A comparison determination unit of a hydraulic control device determines whether a characteristic abnormality occurs in at least one hydraulic sensor of an output pressure sensor and a lateral pressure sensor by comparing an output pressure detected by the output pressure sensor and a lateral pressure detected by the lateral pressure sensor. An individual determination unit determines whether the characteristic abnormality occurs in the hydraulic sensor as a determination target by individually determining whether the output pressure and the lateral pressure are out of a predetermined range. A characteristic abnormality detection unit determines the hydraulic sensor in which the characteristic abnormality occurs by using each determination result in the comparison determination unit and the individual determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masamichi Harada, Keiichi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 10808730
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pumping system to generate a vacuum (SP), comprising a main vacuum pump which is a claw pump (3) having a gas suction inlet (2) connected to a vacuum chamber (1) and a gas discharge outlet (4) leading into a gas evacuation conduit (5) in the direction of a gas exhaust outlet (8) outside the pumping system. The pumping system comprises a non-return valve (6) positioned between the gas discharge outlet (4) and the gas exhaust outlet (8), and an auxiliary vacuum pump (7) connected in parallel to the non-return valve. In a pumping method by means of this pumping system (SP), the main vacuum pump (3) is started up in order to pump the gases contained in the vacuum chamber (1) and to discharge these gases through its gas discharge outlet (4), simultaneously to which the auxiliary vacuum pump (7) is started up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Ateliers Busch SA
    Inventors: Didier Müller, Jean-Eric Larcher, Théodore Iltchev
  • Patent number: 10738913
    Abstract: A subsea pump and power system having a base unit positioned on the seabed to which is detachably mounted a power module tethered to a surface power source via a power umbilical. The base unit includes process pumps for carrying out subsea pumping operations and is lowered by a heavy lift cable into position on the seabed adjacent a hydrocarbon production facility prior to lowering of the power module on a tether. The power module includes a power unit which may include an electrical motor, or a hydraulic pump or both, one or more of which are driven by the umbilical extending from the surface. The tether supports the weight of the power module as it is lowered to the base unit and includes an electrical umbilical, a hydraulic umbilical or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Cameron Clunie, Jeffrey Gee Wai Lee, Iain James Shepherd, Scott Robert Greig, Christopher Jake White
  • Patent number: 10690371
    Abstract: A method for outputting constant air volume by a fan system including at least two brushless DC (BLDC) motors, the method including: storing a constant air volume control function Q=F (n, C) in a data processor, where Q indicates an air volume, n indicates a rotational speed of the BLDC motors, and C indicates an operating parameter of the BLDC motors; transmitting, by the data processor, identical speed signal commands to the BLDC motors, and allowing the BLDC motors to operate at equal or approximately equal rotational speeds; and feedbacking, by the BLDC motors, motor operating parameters C to the data processor, calculating, by the data processor, a motor speed n for outputting and maintaining a constant air volume, and transmitting the motor speed to the BLDC motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ZHONGSHAN BROAD-OCEAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hairong Sun, Jipeng Wu
  • Patent number: 10669002
    Abstract: A sea water cooling system including a first fluid cooling loop coupled to a first side of a heat exchanger and to a thermal load, a second fluid cooling loop coupled to a second side of the heat exchanger and including a pump for circulating fluid through the second fluid cooling loop, and a controller operatively connected to the pump, wherein the controller is configured to monitor an actual temperature in the first fluid cooling loop and to adjust a speed of the pump based on the monitored temperature to achieve a predetermined temperature in the first fluid cooling loop. The system may be selectively operable in one of a plurality of operating modes, wherein in a first operating mode the pump operates based entirely on cooling demands of the thermal load, and in a second operating mode the pump operates to maintain a fluid pressure above a predefined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Circor Pumps North America, LLC
    Inventors: Dan Yin, Stefan Werner, Christian Martin, Martin Hoffmann, David McKinstry
  • Patent number: 10653834
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for training users of ambulatory medical devices. The methods relate to improving user interactions with the touchscreens of devices. In one embodiment there is an operating mode that records all user interactions along with various device parameters and allows the clinician to review the patient's performance for the initial use period. Automated analysis software may be employed to analyze the data generated by the device. The results of the analysis may be used by the clinician to improve the patient and device interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Kruse, Kim Blickenstaff, Michael J. Rosinko
  • Patent number: 10495019
    Abstract: A variable output fuel pump includes a BLDC motor and a control module to supply three power phases A, B and C to the motor, wherein the control module connects to a power supply connection of a vehicle, and to a vehicle communications network such as a CANbus to control operation of the BLDC motor. The motor is driven by a motor driver that is connected to a micro-controller and in turn, the micro-controller is connected to a communications or CANbus I/F module. In this manner, the micro-controller can be operated by the vehicle control system such as an engine control unit (ECU) through a connection with the vehicle CANbus or other vehicle communications network. The motor driver also detects characteristics of the power used in the three power phases of the motor so that the system is operated with or without motor sensors located within the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Troy Blackman, Wally Gebhardt, Dan Vandre
  • Patent number: 10393099
    Abstract: A cryopump system includes a cryopump, and a regeneration control unit that controls the cryopump according to a regeneration sequence including a discharge process of rough pumping the cryopump to discharge condensate from it. The regeneration control unit includes a pressure drop rate computation unit that computes a pressure drop rate for the cryopump during the rough pumping of the cryopump, and a pressure drop rate monitoring unit that detects diminishment in the pressure drop rate during the rough pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Yatsu
  • Patent number: 10343689
    Abstract: An integrated control method of a motor for a vehicle includes detecting an output torque value of a drive motor and an output torque value of a ventilation system compressor motor by a controller when a vehicle start and a ventilation system are turned on, determining whether an error is occurred in the drive motor and the compressor motor as an output torque value of the drive motor and an output torque value of the ventilation system compressor motor are respectively compared with a drive motor torque reference value and a compressor motor torque reference value which are predetermined by the controller, and adjusting output torque values of the drive motor or the compressor motor depending on a result of determining whether an error is occurred in the drive motor and the compressor motor by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Mun Soon Kwon
  • Patent number: 10190600
    Abstract: A pressure increasing system includes a plurality of stages of compressors configured to compress carbon dioxide to a pressure higher than a critical pressure; intermediate coolers cooling the carbon dioxide discharged from a compressor in a preceding stage; a subcooler provided between a seventh stage compressor in the final stage and a sixth stage compressor in a preceding stage and cools the carbon dioxide; a bypass line through which the carbon dioxide in the inlet of the seventh stage compressor is extracted, depressurized and supplied to the subcooler as a refrigerant; a flow rate adjusting valve provided on the bypass line; and a control unit configured to regulate a degree of opening of the flow rate adjusting valve so that at least one of a temperature and a pressure of the carbon dioxide in the inlet of the seventh stage compressor remains constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Nagao, Naoto Yonemura
  • Patent number: 10082804
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about system energy consumption related to multiple pump combinations running in a multiple pump system; and determine whether to stage or de-stage a pump in the multiple pump system, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor or processing module is configured to provide corresponding signaling containing information about whether to stage or de-stage the pump in the multiple pump system, and to implement control logic or a control logic algorithm based at least partly on the system energy consumption taking the form of specific energy that is a measure of energy used per unit mass for the multiple pump combinations running in the multiple pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Anthony E. Stavale
  • Patent number: 10060438
    Abstract: A fan control method, apparatus, and system, so as to implement speed regulation and rotation direction control on a four-wire system counter-rotating fan with a conventional four-wire fan interface by using a PWM control bus. The method provided by the embodiments of the present invention includes: receiving a first fan regulation and control signal sent by a system control module; converting the first fan regulation and control signal to a forward-rotating control signal, a counter-rotating control signal, or a rotation direction switchover control signal according to a duty cycle range of the first fan regulation and control signal and a current rotation direction of the fan; and sending a control signal obtained by the conversion to a fan driving module, so that the fan driving module drives, according to the control signal obtained by the conversion, the fan to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weifeng Duan, Xi Chao
  • Patent number: 9823627
    Abstract: A control system for an operable system such as a flow control system or temperature control system. The system operates in a control loop to regularly update a model with respect at least one optimizable input variable based on the detected variables. The model provides prediction of use of the input variables in all possible operation points or paths of the system variables which achieve an output setpoint. In some example embodiments, the control loop is performed during initial setup and subsequent operation of the one or more operable elements in the operable system. The control system is self-learning in that at least some of the initial and subsequent parameters of the system are determined automatically during runtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: S.A. Armstrong Limited
    Inventor: Marcelo Javier Acosta Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9695830
    Abstract: A control device controls a plurality of inverter-driven pumps disposed between a heat source device and an air-conditioner. The control device includes a perceiving unit that perceives a cumulative operation time and a rotation speed distribution during operation of each of the pumps, a degradation degree derivation unit that derives a degradation degree of each of the pumps based on the cumulative operation time and the rotation speed distribution during operation of each of the pumps, and a determining unit that determines the pump to be next operated/stopped based on the degradation degree of each of the pumps. The degradation degree derivation unit further derives an increased amount of the degradation degree of each of the pumps in a predetermined period. The determining unit determines the pump to be next operated/stopped based on the increased amount of the degradation degree of each of the pumps in the predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nakahara, Mizuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9574564
    Abstract: A system for maintaining a high vacuum in a vacuum enclosure such as cryostat, for example, is described. The system includes a high-vacuum pump having an input that is connected to the cryostat and an output. A vacuum vessel is connected to the output of the high-vacuum pump. A second vacuum pump is connectable to the vacuum vessel. The system is operated such that the high-vacuum pump maintains the cryostat at a high vacuum and the second vacuum pump is periodically operated to maintain the pressure of the vacuum vessel below a threshold pressure. The second vacuum pump may be either permanently connected to, or removable from, the vacuum vessel. The vacuum vessel acts to maintain the output of the high-vacuum pump within a suitable pressure range. This removes the need for the output of the high-vacuum pump to be connected to a continuously operating, second-stage vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology LTD.
    Inventors: Martin Richard Ingles, Ruben Fair, Joseph Eugene
  • Patent number: 9506478
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum system for evacuating a chamber of a metallurgical processing system. The system comprises a vacuum pumping arrangement for evacuating gas from the chamber, a foreline connecting the vacuum pumping arrangement to the chamber, a filter volume located in the foreline for filtering gas evacuated from the chamber along the foreline, and a by-pass line connecting the vacuum pumping arrangement to the chamber and arranged to by-pass the filter volume selectively dependent on monitored characteristics of the degassing chamber or the vacuum system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Graham Thomas Legge, Michael Andrew Galtry
  • Patent number: 9223326
    Abstract: An approach is provided in which a master thermal controller utilizes a primary fan manager to control fans included in a computer system to cool various devices. When the master thermal controller determines that the primary fan manager is unresponsive, the master thermal controller transfers master thermal control to a backup thermal controller. The backup thermal controller creates fan control information based upon sensor information corresponding to the various devices, and sends the fan control information to a backup fan manager. In turn, the backup fan manager adjusts the speed of the fans according to the fan control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Scott Allen-Ware, Timothy Glen Hallett, Wei Huang, Charles Robert Lefurgy, Glenn Rueban Miles, Guillermo Jesus Silva
  • Patent number: 9052882
    Abstract: A blower control device changes a PQ characteristic in a second table so that an operating point (QN, PN) on the PQ characteristic in the second table agrees with an operating point (Q0, P0) on a PQ characteristic in a first table. At this time, the blower control device changes the PQ characteristic in the second table at a rate based on QN and Q0. Furthermore, the blower control device changes a load noise characteristic in the second table at a rate based on QN and Q0. Then, the blower control device calculates load noise corresponding to the operating point (Q0, P0) with respect to each rotation frequency ratio from the changed load noise characteristic. And then, the blower control device determines a rotation frequency ratio corresponding to the lowest load noise as a rotation frequency ratio at which a plurality of fans is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nitta, Akira Ueda, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Furuya, Akihiro Otsuka
  • Patent number: 9030146
    Abstract: A digital filter is configured to convert, into a digital value, the duty ratio of a control signal subjected to pulse width modulation according to a target toque to be set for a fan motor to be driven. A sampling circuit is configured to perform sampling of the output value of the digital filter at a sampling timing that is asynchronous with respect to the cycle of the control signal, so as to generate a torque instruction value. A driving circuit is configured to drive the fan motor according to the torque instruction value thus generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiya Suzuki, Shinsuke Sano
  • Publication number: 20150118065
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pump unit provided for piping which feeds a liquid at a preset unit flow rate includes (n+1) pumps and a constant flow valve. The (n+1) pumps are arranged in series and set to pressurize the liquid so as to achieve the unit flow rate when n pumps are arranged in series. The constant flow valve is installed downstream of the (n+1) pumps. The constant flow valve feeds the fluid at the unit flow rate by giving first resistance to the fluid when the fluid is pressurized by n pumps of the (n+1) pumps. The constant flow valve feeds the fluid at the unit flow rate by giving second resistance larger than the first resistance to the fluid when the fluid is pressurized by the (n+1) pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Kensuke Aoki
  • Publication number: 20150104328
    Abstract: This disclosure includes subsea pumping apparatuses and related methods. Some apparatuses include one or more subsea pumps, each having an inlet and an outlet, and one or more motors, each configured to actuate at least one pump to communicate a hydraulic fluid from the inlet to the outlet, where the subsea pumping apparatus is configured to be in fluid communication with a hydraulically actuated device of a blowout preventer. Some subsea pumping apparatuses include one or more of: a desalination system configured to produce at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid; one or more valves, each configured to selectively route hydraulic fluid from an outlet of a pump to, for example, a subsea environment, a reservoir, and/or the inlet of the pump; and a reservoir configured to store at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid. Some apparatuses are configured to be directly coupled to the hydraulically actuated device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Guy Robert Babbitt, John Mathew Dalton, Luis Pereira, James Edward Kersey
  • Publication number: 20150086387
    Abstract: A method for warming up a vacuum pump arrangement having a booster pump and a backing pump downstream of the booster pump for evacuating a process chamber includes setting the booster pump at a first speed higher than an idle speed of the booster pump when the same is in an idle mode; and controlling a backing pressure at an outlet of the booster pump within a range from 0.1 mbar to 10 mbar at least for a period of time from when the vacuum pump arrangement is activated from the idle mode to when the booster pump reaches a temperature equal to or exceeding a first predetermined threshold value. Such method is implemented in system where a controlled is configured to carry out the above-motioned actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Jack Raymond Tattersall
  • Patent number: 8985964
    Abstract: A float switch apparatus for controlling the energization of multiple electric circuits in response to the level of a liquid in a vessel, and a pump system incorporating same, are provided. The apparatus has a guide structure adapted to be mounted in a fixed position relative to the vessel. A first micro-switch with a normal and an engaged position is mounted to the guide structure and is adapted to be connected into a first electric circuit to control the energization thereof. A second microswitch with a normal and an engaged position is mounted to the guide structure at a location above the first micro-switch and is adapted to be connected into a second electric circuit to control the energization thereof. A float rod is slideably mounted to the guide structure for reciprocating movement in a generally vertical direction in a zone above a resting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Raymond Ascord Noel
  • Patent number: 8961145
    Abstract: A compressor system is disclosed, comprising a first pump driven by a D/C motor, a second pump driven by an A/C motor, and a switch which allows a user to manually selectively engage of one of the D/C motor or A/C motor, including a gauge having a user settable shut-off mechanism which interrupts power to at least one of D/C or A/C motors. Also disclosed is a gauge configured to display system pressure independent of the user settable shut-off mechanism. A gauge having a rotatable bezel with a needle stop comprising a first needle rotatably coupled to a gauge shaft, and a second needle fixable coupled to the gauge shaft, and a spring disposed between the first and second needles, the spring configured to bias the first needle into the second needle so changes in pressure causes rotation of both is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Sean D. Hill, Lumin Li
  • Patent number: 8956125
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a flow rate indicator relating to the output flow rate of one or more activated pumps of a pumping station. The pumping station includes a well to be at least partially emptied by the pumps and an inlet through which inflow can be supplied into the well. The method includes the step of determining, using a computational device, an operating condition relating to the activated pumps. The pumps are temporarily deactivated and an inflow rate indicator relating to the inflow is determined using the computational device, responsive to the determination of the operating condition. The method further includes the step of determining, using the computational device, the flow rate indicator using the determined inflow rate indicator. The present invention is equally applicable to a well to be at least partially filled by the pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Multitrode Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Stuart McMillan Duncan
  • Patent number: 8939730
    Abstract: A fan control system includes first and second fan control units. Each fan control unit includes a connector, a delay circuit, a switch unit, and a control circuit. Each connector is connected to a corresponding fan interface to receive a voltage signal. The delay circuit of the first fan control unit delays the voltage signal for a first period of time, and turns on the corresponding switch unit after the first period of time. The delay circuit of the second fan control unit delays the voltage signal for a second period of time, and turns on the corresponding switch unit after the second period of time. Each control circuit receives the corresponding delayed voltage signal, to start the corresponding fan. The first period of time is unequal to the second period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kang Wu
  • Patent number: 8932026
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus includes a fuel pump having an electrically driven motor. A controller is connected to the motor of the first fuel pump and is capable of determining an estimated pressure based on a value of current supplied to the motor and a rotational speed of the motor. The controller controls the motor so that the estimated pressure becomes relatively equal to a target pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru Akita
  • Patent number: 8911216
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for controlling the torque load of multiple variable displacement hydraulic pumps are described herein. A pump displacement limit for each variable displacement hydraulic pump is determined using a nonlinear control law to limit the total pump torque load of the variable displacement hydraulic pumps on the engine. The value of the actual pump displacement of each variable displacement hydraulic pump is controlled based upon the respective determined pump displacement limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hongliu Du, Patrick W. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8857465
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for realizing a vacuum in at least one vacuum chamber. The method comprises providing an arrangement comprising a plurality of vacuum chambers, wherein each vacuum chamber is connected to a shared vacuum system. The shared vacuum system comprises a plurality of turbo molecular pumps, at least one common fore pump, and a piping system comprising one or more pipes for connecting the at least one common fore pump to each of the plurality of turbo molecular pumps. Each turbo molecular pump is separately connected to a corresponding vacuum chamber. The piping system further comprises flow regulators for controlling a flow within the piping system. The method further comprises selecting at least one vacuum chamber for pump-down, and separately pumping down the at least one selected vacuum chamber by means of the shared vacuum system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mapper Lithography IP B.V.
    Inventor: Sander Baltussen
  • Publication number: 20140294599
    Abstract: A pump motor control system provides for a low-pressure hydraulic pump and a high-pressure hydraulic pump on one shaft of a pump motor. A method includes detecting information including engine speed, a shift range selected, a rotation speed of the pump motor, and hydraulic pressure in a high-pressure part, controlling the rotation speed of the pump motor to be the same as the engine speed, when engine is turned on and the P range or the N range is selected by the shift lever, generating hydraulic pressure for operating a friction element in the high-pressure part by increasing the rotation speed of the pump motor, when the shift lever is moved to the D range or R range, and keeping the hydraulic pressure in the high-pressure part stable, by controlling the rotation speed of the pump motor in accordance with the hydraulic pressure at the high-pressure part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Taehwan Wi, Jin Young Hwang, Se Hwan Jo
  • Patent number: 8845299
    Abstract: System and methods are provided for reducing vibration in server or data storage units. An anti-vibration system according to the present invention includes one or more disk drives and one or more fans in a defined area, and a controller which is configured to control operation of each of the one or more fans. A nominal speed setting and a speed range are determined for the one or more fans, either commonly or independently with respect to each, and the fans are caused to be driven in accordance with the determined speed setting and speed range. As a result the occasions in which individual fan speeds are coincident with fixed frequency sensitivities for each disk drive are substantially minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: PAI Capital LLC
    Inventor: Robert William Hughes
  • Patent number: 8845298
    Abstract: Driving arrangement (11) for a pump, compressor or similar, adapted to provide alternating pressure in at least two chambers (27a, 27b, 27?, 27?), such as chambers of a pump or compressor, as result of a reciprocating movement of a bar element (23). The bar element is connected to two movable pressure chamber faces being pistons (21a, 21 b) or plungers having fluid connection to said chambers, which bar element (23) is reciprocally supported in a housing (19). The driving arrangement further comprises an electric motor (31) which is adapted to provide the reciprocating movement of the bar element (23). The bar element extends through the rotor (31b) of the electric motor (31). The electric motor is an electric rotary motor. The invention also relates to a pump assembly with a plurality of such driving arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Ing. Per Gjerdrum AS, Techni AS
    Inventors: Andreas Børre Larsen, Jan Martin Bendiksen, Trond Sjulstad, Tor Helge Brandsæter, Ola Strand, Christian Petersen