Expansion And Contraction Of Pump Fluid Patents (Class 417/52)
  • Patent number: 10903768
    Abstract: A method of correcting a signal delay of a Hall sensor for an air compressor motor when the air compressor motor rotates at a high speed includes: a first step of calculating an offset angle ? from a voltage equation, to which a q-axis voltage and a d-axis voltage are applied, by performing zero current control when an inertia braking section occurs during an operation of the motor; a second step of calculating a reference offset angle ?offset of the Hall sensor and a delay time t by using an angular velocity ? at any two points in the inertia braking section by using the equation for calculating the offset angle ?; and a third step of calculating a corrected q-axis voltage and a corrected d-axis voltage through the zero current control corrected and comparing the corrected q-axis voltage and the corrected d-axis voltage with a reference error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sung-Do Kim, Min-Su Kang, Chang-Seok You, Dong-Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 10895481
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for liquid measurements including: —providing a sensor including a surface arranged to receive a liquid thereupon, an electrical heating element arranged to heat the surface, and an arrangement for measuring a temperature of the surface; —receiving liquid on the sensor surface; —heating the surface by means of the electrical heating element at a known rate while taking a plurality of temperature measurements thereof in function of time, the heating being at an absolute temperature of at least 90% of the boiling point of the liquid under ambient pressure; and—deriving a volume or a flow rate measurement related to the liquid from the electrical heating rate and the temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA—RECHERCHE ET DÉVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: David Schmid, Silvia Generelli, Fiona Pereira
  • Patent number: 9995512
    Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration system constructed in such a way that a refrigerant transfer part transfers refrigerant from a first refrigerant discharge part of one refrigerant port to a first refrigerant circulation circuit after a magnetic field is applied to a magnetic working material by a magnetic field applying and removing part and that the refrigerant transfer part transfers refrigerant from a second refrigerant discharge part of other refrigerant port to a second refrigerant circulation circuit after the magnetic field is removed from the magnetic working material by the magnetic field applying and removing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Morimoto, Naoki Watanabe, Shinichi Yatsuzuka, Katzutoshi Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 9267497
    Abstract: A micro-fluidic pump comprises one or more channels having an array of resistive heaters, an inlet, outlet and a substrate as a heat sink and a means of cooling the device. The pump is operated with a fire-to-fire delay and/or a cycle-to-cycle delay to control the pumping rate and minimize heating of liquid inside the pump during its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Yimin Guan, Steven Bergstedt, Eunki Hong
  • Patent number: 8469503
    Abstract: A method of reducing air in an ink passageway in an inkjet printer by pressurizing a thermally actuated degassing unit that includes an air chamber, venting air through a check valve configured to allow air to vent from the air chamber to ambient when the pressure in the air chamber exceeds ambient air pressure by a predetermined amount The pressurizing is performed by heating an element inside the air chamber. A power supply is connected to the heating element, and power is applied to the heating element during a first time interval to increase the pressure in the air chamber above ambient pressure. Gas is vented from the check valve which allows the heating element to cool during a second time interval to reduce the pressure in the air chamber below ambient pressure. Gas is then drawn from the ink passageway through the membrane into the air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian G. Price, Gary A. Kneezel
  • Patent number: 8465139
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a drop ejector array, an ink passageway for providing ink to the drop ejector array, and a thermally actuated degassing unit. The degassing unit itself includes a body enclosing an air chamber, a check valve configured to allow air to vent from the air chamber to ambient when the pressure in the air chamber exceeds ambient air pressure by a predetermined amount. The thermal degassing unit includes a thermally-induced pressure build-up time to increase the pressure in the air chamber. The air chamber is allowed to cool which causes internal pressure to drop below ambient and draws gas out of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian G. Price, Gary A. Kneezel
  • Patent number: 7931019
    Abstract: A self-powered pump for heated liquid is provided. The pump includes an airtight container for containing the heated liquid. A heated liquid inlet pipe extends upwardly into the container such that its end is within the container. A heated liquid outlet is lower than the end of the inlet pipe. A breathing pipe extends upwardly into the container such that its end is within the container and is higher than both of the outlet and the end of the inlet pipe but lower than an interior side of the container top. An opposite end of the breathing pipe is outside the container, lower than the container base, and is received by an open container such that the opposite end can become submerged in heated liquid accumulated within the open container during pump operation. A fluid or liquid heating system incorporating the self-powered pump may operate without external power for the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: Huazi Lin
  • Patent number: 7896621
    Abstract: Provided is a micro pump having a simple structure. The micro pump includes a pump chamber including inflow and outflow passages through which a drive fluid flows, a first valve configured to open or close the inflow passage, a second valve configured to open or close the outflow passage, and a pump chamber heating and cooling unit configured to heat or cool the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-sik Park, Young-il Kim, Jung-ho Kang, Moon-chul Lee
  • Patent number: 7740454
    Abstract: A simple structured thermal actuation pump for reducing energy loss is provided. The thermal actuation pump includes: a first chamber having at least one working fluid inlet and at least one working fluid outlet; a second chamber having at least one working fluid inlet and at least one working fluid outlet; and a thermoelectric element arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber and including one side being cooled and the other side being heated according to a direction of current for changing inside pressures of the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-gyun Kim, Young-ki Hong
  • Patent number: 7572109
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of thermopneumatic capillary micropumps and manufacturing methods thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, a thermopneumatic capillary micropump generally includes a lower substrate having a pump-entrance for injecting fluids and a pump-exit for exhausting the fluids. The micropump also includes one or more micro-heaters for generating heat and electrodes for applying voltage to the micro-heaters. One or more air chambers substantially cover the micro-heaters. A pump chamber unit, which is capable of being filled up with the fluids, is coupled to the air chambers, the pump-entrance, and the pump-exit. An airing channel is coupled to the air chambers for helping maintain the pressure of the air in the air chambers at about the same level. An oxide layer is deposited on an upper substrate of the micropump. The upper and lower substrates are thermopneumatically coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Ajou University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventor: Sang Sik Yang
  • Publication number: 20070274841
    Abstract: A micro-absorption pump can be used to form microsystems with microdevices such as a mass spectrometer, micro chromatograph, micro crack sensing devices which can be used in microcrack detection of large aeroplane and other structures and chemical or gas sensing lab-on-chip devices, which need evacuation prior to their use. The micro-absorption pump has a chamber containing a cooled absorbent material which is capable of retaining gas molecules on a surface and reducing the pressure of the atmosphere containing the gas molecules. The absorbent is cooled by a liquid, such as liquid nitrogen, or a peltier device and the absorbed gas can be released by heating the absorbent. The micro-absorption pump can be connected to the microdevice to create a low-pressure environment therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Muralidhar K. Ghantasala, Richard L. Barber, Erol C. Harvey
  • Patent number: 7287842
    Abstract: In a printing apparatus of an off-carriage type, when a pump motor is rotated regularly for delivering pressurizing air to an ink cartridge, rotation thereof is converted into a linear reciprocating movement of a pressing member by a cam mechanism and a pressurizing operation is executed by repeating to operate to expand and contract a diaphragm. On the other hand, the pump motor is started to rotate inversely, a driven part is rotated by a friction clutch mechanism, and a pressing portion of the driven part is brought into contact with a valve opening lever of an atmospheric release valve. At this occasion, the valve opening lever is pivoted to bring a valve hole into an opened state and pressurizing air is discharged to outside by bringing the atmospheric release valve into an opened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Aruga
  • Patent number: 6655924
    Abstract: A pump comprises a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. A first heating element is located in proximity with the inlet, and a second heating element is located in proximity with the outlet. The first and second heating elements are configured when heated to form a bubble within the chamber. By controlling the first and second heating elements, fluid is expelled from the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Qing Ma
  • Publication number: 20030215334
    Abstract: The invention discloses a micropump having heating elements in which an essentially pulsed operation of the heating elements occurs by means of a control unit. The pulsed operation of the heating elements enables an exact control of the flow rate. With the aid of the control unit it is possible to keep the flow rate constant over a long period of days or to change the flow rate rapidly and precisely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Carlo Effenhauser, Herbert Harttig, Tony Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6638032
    Abstract: Vacuum pump with a chamber (1) having, on one side, an intake (2) for pumping gas and, on the opposite side, an outlet (3) for the gas, displacement elements (4) being provided to drive the gas from the intake (2) towards the outlet (3), the displacement elements (4) including at least a vibrating element (4) for generating sound waves moving in the chamber (1), elements for closing (6) the outlet (3) being provided synchronously co-operating with the displacement elements (4) so as to clear the outlet opening (3) when the gas pressure in the proximity of the outlet (3) is higher than that in the proximity of the intake (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventors: Pierre Vanden Brande, Alain Weymeersch
  • Patent number: 6585491
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head is provided having a heating member for generating thermal energy to create a bubble in liquid, a discharge port adapted to discharge the liquid, and a liquid flow path communicated with the discharge port having a bubble generating area for enabling the liquid to create the bubble. A movable member is arranged in the bubble generating area to be displaced along with the development of the bubble. A regulating portion regulates the displacement of the movable member within a desired range, and by means of energy at the time of bubble creation, the liquid being discharged from the discharge port. The regulating portion is arranged to face the bubble generating area in the liquid flow path. A support member is directly connected to the movable member. The bubble development causes the movable member and the regulating portion to be in contact forming an essentially closed space with the exception of the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichi Taneya, Sadayuki Sugama, Hiroyuki Ishinaga, Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Satoshi Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20020081866
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS); and, more particularly, to a micro pump used in micro fluid transportation and control and a method for fabricating the same. The micro pump according to the present invention comprises: trenches formed in a silicon substrate in order to form a pumping region including a main pumping region and an auxiliary pumping region; channels formed on both sides of the pumping region; a flow prevention region having backward-flow preventing layers to resist a fluid flow; inlet/outlet regions formed at each of the channels which are disposed on both ends of the pumping region; an outer layer covering the trenches of the silicon substrate and opening portions of the inlet/outlet regions; and a thermal conducting layer formed on the outer layer and over the main pumping region so that a pressure of the fluid in the main pumping region is increased by the thermal conducting layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Chang-Auck Choi, Won-Ick Jang, Chi-Hoon Jun, Yun-Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 6386832
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head is provided having a heating member for generating thermal energy to create a bubble in liquid, a discharge port adapted to discharge the liquid, and a liquid flow path communicated with the discharge port having a bubble generating area for enabling the liquid to create the bubble. A moveable member is arranged in the bubble generating area to be displaced along with the development of the bubble. A regulating portion regulates the displacement of the moveable member within a desired range, and by means of energy at the time of bubble creation, the liquid being discharged from the discharge port. The regulating portion is arranged to face the bubble generating area in the liquid flow path. A support member is directly connected to the moveable member. The bubble development causes the moveable member and the regulating portion to be in contact forming an essentially closed space with the exception of the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichi Taneya, Sadayuki Sugama, Hiroyuki Ishinaga, Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Satoshi Shimazu
  • Patent number: 6283718
    Abstract: A micro-pump pumps either electrically conductive or non-conductive liquids through channels of the micro-pump and/or micro-devices. A conductive or non-conductive liquid, depending on the specific application of the present invention, is disposed within a liquid chamber and/or channel of the micro-pump. An energy source is then applied to the micro-pump of the present invention in order to form one or more vapor bubbles within the chamber and/or channel. Thereafter the vapor bubble(s) is collapsed, and the process of forming and collapsing the vapor bubble may thereafter be repeated. By the formation and collapsing cycle of the vapor bubble, a pumping action of the liquid is effectuated thereby transporting the liquid within the micro-pump of the present invention and/or micro-devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: John Hopkins University
    Inventors: Andrea Prosperetti, Hasan N. Oguz, He Yuan
  • Patent number: 6224728
    Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flows. This valve, which includes both an actuation device and a valve body provides: the ability to incorporate both the actuation device and valve into a unitary structure that can be placed onto a microchip, the ability to generate higher actuation pressures and thus control higher fluid pressures than conventional microvalves, and a device that draws only microwatts of power. An electrokinetic pump that converts electric potential to hydraulic force is used to operate, or actuate, the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Oborny, Phillip H. Paul, Kenneth R. Hencken, Gregory C. Frye-Mason, Ronald P. Manginell
  • Patent number: 6079953
    Abstract: A raising siphon for transferring fluids from a lower level to a higher level. The raising siphon works on the principal of increasing and/or decreasing the molecular size of fluids being transferred. Larger molecules are less dense than smaller molecules of the same type. Molecular manipulation occurs by the application of electrical current, magnetic flux and application of heat. When molecular expansion is applied to the intake column of fluid conduit, or siphon, a fluid flow from the intake column to the out take column is induced. Similarly when a molecular contraction force is applied to the out take column of a fluid conduit, a fluid flow is induce in the direction of the out take column. When the out take column outlet is at a higher level than the intake fluid level, an upward siphoning action is induced. Fluid flow therefore occurs in an upward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Interactive Return Service, Inc.
    Inventor: Fernando Morales
  • Patent number: 6071081
    Abstract: A liquid transport device has a chamber, an inlet and an outlet for supplying liquid to and from the chamber through one-way valves, and a bubble forming system for film boiling the liquid to form a precisely controlled film bubble which expands and contracts within the liquid. The expansion and contraction motion of the bubble acts as a pressure source for expelling liquid from the chamber during bubble expansion and withdrawing liquid into the chamber during bubble contraction. Pulses of heat energy are applied to the liquid to form the film bubbles, either by pulse driving an electric heating element with power pulses or by irradiating the liquid with laser beam pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Sadasumi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 6053704
    Abstract: A cryogenic vacuum pump system in which a pump out system such as a cryotrap 13, with which gas is subjected to vacuum pump out by condensing or adsorbing said gas on a cryopanel which has been cooled to a very low temperature, is used, and a radiant heat absorbing baffle 18 which has been subjected to a blackening surface treatment is established up stream of, or around, the cryopanel 15. The radiant heat which is absorbed by the radiant heat absorbing baffle is released outside the chamber. The total thermal load on such a cryotrap is greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Yamamoto, Tatunori Koizumi
  • Patent number: 6007302
    Abstract: A micromechanical valve for communicating a fluid is constructed from n-type and p-type materials forming a peltier junction interface which can be selectively cooled to freeze the fluid into a plug to obstruct the flow of fluid, or selectively heated to melt the plug to communicate the fluid in a tube extending through the junction. A plurality of valves connected in series can be used together as a pump to pump the fluid from an inlet through the valves to an outlet. Selective heating and cooling of the junction provides varying fluid pressures and/or plugs along the tube to pump the fluid through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Richard P. Welle
  • Patent number: 5660528
    Abstract: A liquid delivery system is provided, which enables to deliver a liquid source material at a specified flow rate without contamination of the source material and blocking of the delivering channel. A liquid forwarding device is provided for forwarding a liquid source material. The device has a communication path communicating with the channel. An elastic outer tubular member and an elastic inner member form the communication path therebetween. The device has ultrasonic vibrators placed onto the outer wall of the outer member. The vibrators vibrates the outer member to generate a surface acoustic wave travelling along the inner wall of the outer member. The travelling wave forwards the material existing in the communicating path. The device is controlled by a forwarding rate controller to adjust a forwarding rate of the material existing in the communication path. A flow rate of the material is sensed by a flow rate sensor. The forwarding rate is adjusted by changing vibration of the vibrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kinji Tsunenari
  • Patent number: 5472032
    Abstract: A gas transfer system is provided for establishing or maintaining a predetermined gas pressure within a plenum, such as a tire. In an exemplary embodiment, the gas transfer system includes a power source, a pressure sensor, a control unit, and a gas transfer mechanism. Preferably, a gas transfer mechanism includes a micromechanical device, comprising one or more pumping units that transfer gas from one pressure zone to another. In one embodiment, pumping is accomplished, in part, by heating the gas within a sealable chamber of a pumping unit to cause the pressure of the gas to increase. In another embodiment, the change in pressure of the gas caused by compression of a tire provides a pumping force. Valves are provided for regulating movement of the gas through the gas transfer mechanism and can include electromechanical valves responsive to signals from the control unit, or passively biased valves responsive to applied gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventors: Patrick H. Winston, Thomas F. Knight, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5375979
    Abstract: In a micropump having a working chamber (1), an intake valve (2), and a discharge valve (3), the valves (2,3) are etched out of silicon wafers (4,5). The gas in the working chamber (1) is heated by a heating element (6), so that an overpressure is produced in the working chamber. A partial vacuum is created by cooling the gas in the working chamber (1). The pump action of the micropump is achieved through the succession of overpressure and partial-vacuum cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Trah
  • Patent number: 5327038
    Abstract: This invention is for an object moving actuator composed of a stack of independently controllable layers which convert thermal exobaric pulses into mechanical motion. Each layer can be a lifter for moving the stack normal to the object to be moved or a tangenter for moving the stack tangentially to the object. Each layer has a plurality of chambers having a heat source and a thermal expansive material contained therein. The heat source is controlled by a controller to generate a heat pulse which expands the thermal expansive material thereby moving a rolling barrier to make the layer move normally or tangentially. Preferably two pair of actuator stacks work together to alternately engage and move the object. The first pair makes contact with the object by lifter motion and moves the object by tangenter motion while the second pair is lifted off the object and retraces to get into position to contact and translate the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon W. Culp
  • Patent number: 5295791
    Abstract: A fluid compressor or pump includes a driver such as a reciprocating piston or a voice-coil actuated diaphragm, which creates pressure waves in the fluid. The waves propagate through a tapered tube, in which the pressure increases as the waves move toward the small end. A valve at the small end of the tapered tube allows higher-pressure portions of the pulses of fluid to emerge. The pulses of pressurized fluid may be applied directly to a utilization apparatus, or they may be accumulated in a tank. The tapered tube may be more than one-tenth wavelength long, and preferably one-quarter wavelength long, to take advantage of the effects of reflections. A refrigeration unit including such a compressor dispenses with an accumulator, and provides heat-dissipating fins on the outer surface of the tapered tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventor: William H. Meise
  • Patent number: 5267836
    Abstract: A multiplicity of heaters 50 on the surface 10 of a hollow torus chamber 4 are employed to exobarically stimulate the fluid contained in the chamber to make a resonant traveling wave 20 which has its high pressure peaks 22 adjacent outlet ports 16 and its negative pressure peaks 26 adjacent inlet ports 12, thus pumping the fluid. The traveling wave can be composed of two waves having a phase difference. A controller 62 directs the heaters to exobarically stimulate the fluid so as to create the traveling wave in the fluid. Heaters 50 can act as anemometers to detect the position of the waves in the chamber so that the controller may determine when to add pulses to the wave. By having a traveling wave which always has a high pressure peaks 22 adjacent to outlet ports 16 and its negative pressure peaks 26 adjacent inlet ports 16, no valves are required to make the pump function, thus eliminating any moving parts in the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon W. Culp
  • Patent number: 5263341
    Abstract: A compression-evaporation refrigeration system, wherein gaseous compression of the refrigerant is provided by a standing wave compressor. The standing wave compressor is modified so as to provide a separate subcooling system for the refrigerant, so that efficiency losses due to flashing are reduced. Subcooling occurs when heat exchange is provided between the refrigerant and a heat pumping surface, which is exposed to the standing acoustic wave within the standing wave compressor. A variable capacity and variable discharge pressure for the standing wave compressor is provided. A control circuit simultaneously varies the capacity and discharge pressure in response to changing operating conditions, thereby maintaining the minimum discharge pressure needed for condensation to occur at any time. Thus, the power consumption of the standing wave compressor is reduced and system efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Sonic Compressor Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Lucas
  • Patent number: 5174130
    Abstract: A compression-evaporation refrigeration system, wherein gaseous compression of the refrigerant is provided by a standing wave compressor. The standing wave compressor is modified so as to provide a separate subcooling system for the refrigerant, so that efficiency losses due to flashing are reduced. Subcooling occurs when heat exchange is provided between the refrigerant and a heat pumping surface, which is exposed to the standing acoustic wave within the standing wave compressor. A variable capacity and variable discharge pressure for the standing wave compressor is provided. A control circuit simultaneously varies the capacity and discharge pressure in response to changing operating conditions, thereby maintaining the minimum discharge pressure needed for condensation to occur at any time. Thus, the power consumption of the standing wave compressor is reduced and system efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Sonic Compressor Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Lucas
  • Patent number: 5129788
    Abstract: A heat-driven pump includes a fluid suction port defining unit which introduces liquid into a heating chamber. Bubbles are formed by heating liquid introduced through the fluid suction port defining unit into a heating chamber. The bubbles cause fluid in the heating chamber to flow out through condensation means and enter the condensation means whereas the bubbles are prevented from flowing through the fluid suction port defining unit due to capillary phenomenon of the fluid suction port defining unit. The bubbles are eliminated by cooling in the condensation means, and elimination of the bubbles causes fresh liquid is introduced through the fluid suction port defining unit into the heating chamber, thereby successive pumping of the fluid being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Kenji Okayasu
  • Patent number: 4917575
    Abstract: A liquid chromatographic method and apparatus is disclosed which employs an improved pump not requiring driven pistons or sliding seals. The pump comprises at least one length of tubing forming a chamber disposed between first and second check valves, controllable heating means to periodically heat liquid in said chamber effective to pump relatively low volumes of liquid from the chamber at relatively high pressures, means for measuring the pressure developed by the pump, and control means to increase and decrease the amount of heat imparted to the liquid to maintain the pump operation at a controlled pressure setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Theodore E. Miller, Jr., Charles M. Davis
  • Patent number: 4792283
    Abstract: A heat-driven pump for performing the transport of liquid by the function of bubbles produced by vaporization and condensation of the liquid under heating includes an inlet pipe, an inlet-side check valve, a charging pipe, a bubble forming portion, a discharging pipe, an outlet-side check valve, and an outlet pipe. The bubbles forming portion includes a heating portion for receiving heat supplied from outside, a liquid cavity formed in the heating portion having a cross-sectrion which is reduced along the longitudinal axis of the heating portion, and a vapor-liquid exchange chamber communicated with the liquid cavity and having a volume greater than the volume of a bubble extruded from the liquid cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Inventor: Kenji Okayasu
  • Patent number: 4740796
    Abstract: Liquid droplets are formed by instantaneous state change by thermal energy of a liquid filled in a thermal chamber, said droplets being deposited onto a recording member to achieve recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Endo, Yasushi Sato, Seiji Saito, Takashi Nakagiri, Shigeru Ohno
  • Patent number: 4723129
    Abstract: A liquid jet recording process comprises the step of providing a continuous passageway defining a path through which liquid can flow. The passageway has an inlet thereto and an outlet orifice therefrom and further defines a thermal chamber portion located directly in the path intermediate the inlet and the outlet orifice and spaced upstream from the outlet orifice. Liquid is supplied to the passageway to fill it and an input signal is generated each time it is desired to produce a liquid droplet. The liquid in the thermal chamber portion is heated in response to each input signal and heating is sufficient instantaneously to cause a change of state of the liquid in the thermal portion chamber sufficient to produce a force acting on liquid filling the passageway between the thermal chamber portion and the orifice that overcomes the surface tension of liquid at the orifice and thereby projects a droplet of liquid from the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Endo, Yasushi Sato, Seiji Saito, Takashi Nakagiri, Shigeru Ohno
  • Patent number: 4640667
    Abstract: The apparatus for conveying and compressing a gaseous medium utilizes thermoacoustic oscillations. The oscillations are generated in a tubular cavity by means of a heat source or heat sink with the medium to be conveyed being taken in through a check valve on one side while being exhausted after compression through a second check valve on an opposite side. During operation, the heat is supplied to the medium within the tubular cavity to generate thermoacoustic oscillations.In one embodiment, a plurality of tubes can be disposed in series relative to a common line. Also, the apparatus can be used in combination with a helium liquifying plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Christian Trepp
  • Patent number: 4451210
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump for liquids operating by heating and vaporizing a part of the pumped liquid on the motive side of the diaphragm. A center spindle upon which the diaphragm slides is shaped to permit a limited amount of liquid to leak through into the vapor side while also permitting a release of pressure at the top end of the stroke. The spindle is also shaped to permit a suitable pressure buildup during the midportion of the stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Thermacore, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Shaubach, George Y. Eastman, Vincent P. Roehm
  • Patent number: 4441321
    Abstract: An ocean thermal energy converter (OTEC) generates electricity from warm surface water in dropping 100 meters or so, and then raises it back to the surface using its own thermal energy in a large floating vacuum chamber. The mist flow process as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,657 is employed to accelerate water droplets and water vapor upward from the bottom of the chamber under a pressure difference created by spraying cold water from lower ocean levels into the same chamber. The cold water is sprayed upward and parallel to the upper side walls of the chamber to control the flow of the warm droplets, as well as condense the vapor. This cold spray has too small an initial velocity to reach the top of the chamber, but receives momentum from the accelerated warm droplets. The warm water may be injected substantially vertically or alternatively at an angle inclined toward the axis of the chamber to assist in coalescing and concentrating the stream after the individual droplets have been accelerated upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: R & D Associates
    Inventor: Stuart L. Ridgway
  • Patent number: 4416587
    Abstract: A pump comprising a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet, pumping means disposed within the chamber, the pumping means being temperature sensitive and having a first stable position when at a first temperature and a second stable condition when at a second temperature, and means operable to alternately change the temperature of the pumping means from its first to its second temperature whereby fluid within the chamber is pumped out of the outlet by the movement of the pumping means between the first and second stable positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Malz Nominees Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: John M. Trihey
  • Patent number: 4356697
    Abstract: A new heat engine is provided in the form of a pressure oscillation generation device having a chamber with two spaced apart walls, means on the outside of one wall continuously heating said one wall, means on the other of said walls continuously cooling said other wall, a thermal shield movable between said walls, means alternating said thermal shield back and forth between said walls whereby a heat expansible fluid contained in said chamber is alternately heated and cooled thereby causing said fluid to undergo alternate expansions and contractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Inventor: Eugene W. White
  • Patent number: 4333312
    Abstract: A thermodynamic energy conversion system includes a thermodynamic working fluid made up of thousands of expandites at a given pressure to thereby change buoyancy with respect to a thermal fluid; a mass transport conduit circuit for introducing the expandites to a thermal fluid at different combinations of temperature and pressure and transporting the thermodynamic working fluid and thermal fluid in response to pressure differentials created by concomitant buoyancy volume and density changes of the expandites as the thermodynamic working fluid is exposed to thermal fluid at different combinations of pressure and temperature; and a transducer for converting the pressure of fluid transported by the circuit to a useful form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Trade Finance International
    Inventor: Jens O. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 4281969
    Abstract: A cell for pumping a fluid is provided, wherein the fluid is alternately heated and cooled by a transfer medium, and comprises a fluid-type chamber which communicates with a source of fluid via a one-way valve and with a sink for the fluid via another one-way valve, which valves allow flow only in the direction from the source into the sink. Heated thermal medium and chilled thermal medium are alternately admitted from respective sources to a heated transfer jacket about the chamber so that at least some of the fluid in the chamber is alternately cooled to reduce pressure to draw fluid from the fluid source via the one-way valve, and is heated to increase pressure to discharge pumped fluid to the sink via the other one-way valve. Where the pumped fluid is a gas, the cell pumps, or more specifically compresses, the gas and pumps it toward the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Ernest L. Doub, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4260334
    Abstract: This is concerned with a submersible pump deep well system for dewatering construction excavations in which a solid, airtight casing and attached well screen are disposed in a generally upright position in a hole in the ground adjacent an excavation or the like with a pump disposed down in the airtight casing and a water discharge line extending upwardly therefrom with the casing being sealed so that it is airtight with a vacuum created therein with the arrangement being such that the pump is at a level above the well screen so that water in the surrounding ground formation will fill in the bottom of the hole through the well screen openings and rise to a level above the bottom of the casing, thereby sealing the lower end thereof to prevent air from flowing through the surrounding formation into the casing to break the vacuum therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Kelley Contract Dewatering Company
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Kelley, Wayne E. Nelson, Clark J. Quist
  • Patent number: 4258700
    Abstract: Many acids, bases and the familys of liquid chemicals which are exothermic when mixed with water, and are reversible as endothermic are usable as "heat sinks" to store solar and waste heat energy. Selection of a liquid combination of any of these which when heated releases some or all the water provides a means of producing a "heat sink" for storage of solar or waste heat energy. The confined evaporation of the water produces a pressure which is used to move a piston thus moving a column of liquid being pumped. Moving the column of cool liquid through a condenser then reduces the temperature and pressure which in turn withdraws the piston so it can do additional work, as well as heats the column of pumped water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Inventor: Vesper A. Vaseen
  • Patent number: 4253801
    Abstract: An array of several convection tubes are positioned in a series configuration to provide the equivalent of a very tall convection current generating tower, the pressure and fluid flow of the array thereby becoming capable of significant pressures such as the pressures necessary to move solar heated air into the confines of a rock storage area, the pressure increases of this array being achieved by the additive effects of connecting heated and cooled convecting columns together alternately in such a way that the output of one is connected to the input of another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Inventor: Louis R. O'Hare
  • Patent number: 4059126
    Abstract: An enclosed container has a chamber in which a gaseous fluid is heated as by solar radiation and a first valve permits some of the fluid to be ejected as it expands during heating. The remaining fluid is then cooled as by clouds blocking the sun or during the night and a subatmospheric pressure is developed in the chamber. Through a second valve in the container this negative pressure is communicated to a siphon having an inlet immersed in liquid at an upper level and an outlet closed by a third valve at a lower level. The subatmospheric pressure causes the siphon to be filled with liquid and the weight of the liquid opens the third valve at the outlet causing the siphon to operate. The second valve prevents the loss of subatmospheric pressure in the siphon. The siphon may be used to automatically drain water from areas such as flat roofs of buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1977
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventor: Malcolm Horace Nickerson
  • Patent number: 4028008
    Abstract: This disclosure pertains to tanks, operated in pairs disposed above the surface of the earth. Each is adapted with sunshading deflectors selectively operated so as to permit the air contained within one such tank to be heated and thus elevated in pressure, by the rays of the sun. A receiving tank, disposed below the surface of the earth, collects the pressurized air and enables the cooling thereof. Condensation occurs while the pressure level within the receiving tank is elevated. A plurality of such units comprising above ground pairs of tanks and below ground cooled receiving tanks are arranged in a series circuit so as to increase the available air pressure at the last receiving tank. A centralized condensate tank collects all the water condensed within each receiving tank and utilizes the elevated air pressure therewithin to discharge the water as required. The air pressure at the last receiving tank may be utilized to drive a motor which in turn can operate an electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Inventor: Herbert P. Shelton