Utilizing Fuel As Refrigerant Patents (Class 62/7)
  • Patent number: 11926427
    Abstract: A lightweight, high power density, fault-tolerant fuel cell system, method, and apparatus for full-scale clean fuel electric-powered aircraft having a fuel cell module including a plurality of fuel cells working together to process gaseous oxygen from air compressed by turbochargers, superchargers, blowers or local oxygen supply and gaseous hydrogen from liquid hydrogen transformed by heat exchangers, with an electrical circuit configured to collect electrons from the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells to supply voltage and current to motor controllers commanded by autopilot control units configured to select and control an amount and distribution of electrical voltage and torque or current for each of the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies, wherein electrons returning from the electrical circuit combine with oxygen in the compressed air to form oxygen ions, then the protons combine with oxygen ions to form H2O molecules and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Alakai Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brian D. Morrison
  • Patent number: 11912428
    Abstract: A fuel storage system is disclosed having a fuel tank configured to store a liquid fuel; a controllable pressure source for altering the pressure in an ullage space of the fuel tank; and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a target pressure for the ullage space at a given time based on information relating to a temperature of fuel inside the fuel tank at the given time; and to control the pressure source such as to cause the pressure in the ullage space to be substantially equal to the target pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Pierre Jomain, Ian Plastow
  • Patent number: 11773754
    Abstract: A cryogenic energy system for cooling and powering an indoor environment includes a cryogenic open loop comprising a cryogen source to supply a cryogen and at least one transfer-expansion stage in fluid connection with the cryogen source, each transfer-expansion stage comprising at least one heat exchanger for heat transfer therein from a hot fluid to the cryogen and a power unit for expansion therein of the cryogen that has been heated in the at least one heat exchanger to generate electricity, the at least one heat exchanger including an evaporator; and a heat supply open loop configured to provide the hot fluid for heat exchange with the cryogen in the at least one heat exchanger; the cryogenic energy system configured to perform heat removal from a first heat transfer loop of a conventional cooling system, the first heat transfer loop transferring heat obtained from air in the indoor environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Mohamed Fadhel Ayachi, Lizhong Yang, Alessandro Romagnoli
  • Patent number: 11745847
    Abstract: A hypersonic aircraft includes one or more leading edge assemblies that are designed to manage thermal loads experienced at the leading edges during high speed or hypersonic operation. Specifically, the leading edge assemblies may include an outer wall tapered to a leading edge or stagnation point. The outer wall may define a vapor chamber and a capillary structure within the vapor chamber for circulating a working fluid in either liquid or vapor form to cool the leading edge. In addition, a thermal enhancement feature can enhance a heat transfer from the outer wall at the leading edge to the outer wall within the condenser section of the vapor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas William Rathay, Gregory Alexander Natsui, Brian Magann Rush
  • Patent number: 11649059
    Abstract: An integrated multimode thermal energy transfer system, method and apparatus for full-scale clean fuel electric-powered multirotor aircraft with automatic on-board-capability to provide sensor-based temperature awareness and adjustment to critical components and zones of the aircraft. Automatic computer monitoring, including by a programmed triple-redundant digital autopilot computer, controls each motor-controller and motor to produce pitch, bank, yaw and elevation, while simultaneously measuring, calculating, and adjusting temperature and heat transfer of aircraft components and zones, to protect critical components from exceeding operating parameters and to provide a safe, comfortable environment for occupants during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Alakai Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Brian D. Morrison
  • Patent number: 11608804
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing having a fuel connector, and an outer housing surface extending around a longitudinal axis of the injector housing. The outer housing surface includes a cylindrical upper section, a cylindrical lower section, and a middle section. The fuel connector defines a connector axis oriented normal to a longitudinal axis of the injector housing and extending between a first connector end attached to the middle section, and a terminal connector end radially outward of the outer housing surface and having therein a fuel inlet. The fuel connector includes an outer connector surface having an unthreaded base section, and an externally threaded end section adjacent to the terminal connector end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Adam Bazyn, Kevin Weiss, Brenton William Bush
  • Patent number: 11499789
    Abstract: Provided are a novel heat utilization system and heat generating device that utilize an inexpensive, clean, and safe heat energy source. A heat utilization system 10 includes a heat-generating element 14 configured to generate heat by occluding and discharging hydrogen, a sealed container 15 having a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22 partitioned by the heat-generating element 14, and a temperature adjustment unit 16 configured to adjust a temperature of the heat-generating element 14. The first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 have different hydrogen pressures. The heat-generating element 14 includes a support element 61 made of at least one of a porous body, a hydrogen permeable film, and a proton conductor, and a multilayer film 62 supported by the support element 61.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: CLEAN PLANET INC.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Iwamura, Takehiko Ito, Jirota Kasagi, Hideki Yoshino, Shotaro Hirano, Masahide Ise, Tetsuharu Ibaraki
  • Patent number: 11486546
    Abstract: A liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering equipment test and evaluation system is provided. The system includes a storage tank module configured to store a liquefied natural gas, a supply module for connecting the storage tank module and the bunkering module, a bunkering module configured to perform bunkering by being supplied with the liquefied natural gas, a simulation module provided at a part under the bunkering module and the supply module and the simulation module is configured to simulate a maritime situation by giving a fluidity to the bunkering module and the supply module, and a controller configured to control a driving of the simulation module, thereby simulating various situations of sea areas by giving fluidity to the storage tank module and the bunkering module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA MARINE EQUIPMENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jae Hyoun Park, Jae Hwan Bae, Jin Won Jung, Soo Sung Jeon, Bong Jae Shin, Young Hun Jeon, Ji Hyun Jung, Dae Hwan Kim, Soon Hyeong Kwon, Kyu Eun Shim, Jeong Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 11448434
    Abstract: A thermal management system is described. The thermal management system includes an open circuit refrigeration circuit that has a refrigerant fluid flow path, with the refrigerant fluid flow path including a receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid, an ejector having a primary flow inlet configured to receive refrigerant, a liquid separator, an evaporator configured to extract heat from a heat load that contacts the evaporator, with the evaporator coupled to the ejector and the liquid separator, and an exhaust line coupled to a vapor side outlet of the liquid separator. In operation, the evaporator in the open circuit refrigeration circuit would be coupled to a heat load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vaisman, Joshua Peters
  • Patent number: 11431058
    Abstract: An inlet duct for a vehicle battery system includes an inlet part having an inlet hole open toward a vehicle interior, outlet parts divided from the inlet part and having outlet holes so as to supply air introduced to the inlet hole to the battery system via two separated paths, and a grill provided in the inlet part by having multiple ribs forming a grid to cover the inlet hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Byung Su Kim, Jun Seok Choi, Jin Won Kim
  • Patent number: 11407488
    Abstract: A hypersonic aircraft includes one or more leading edge assemblies that are designed to manage thermal loads experienced at the leading edges during high speed or hypersonic operation. Specifically, the leading edge assemblies may include an outer wall tapered to a leading edge or stagnation point. The outer wall may define a vapor chamber and a capillary structure within the vapor chamber for circulating a working fluid in either liquid or vapor form to cool the leading edge. In addition, a dual-modal cooling structure can enhance heat transfer from the outer wall at the leading edge to the outer wall within the condenser section of the vapor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas William Rathay, Corey Bourassa, Douglas Carl Hofer, Gregory Alexander Natsui, Brian Magann Rush
  • Patent number: 11402152
    Abstract: A method for large-scale offshore LNG production from natural gas gathered from an onshore gas pipe network is described. The natural gas is pre-treated on an onshore facility for removal of mercury, acid gas, water and C5+ hydrocarbons, and then compressed and piped to an offshore platform for further compression and cooling before being transferred to a floating liquefaction, storage and offloading vessel for liquefaction of the natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: GREEN LNG SERVICES AS
    Inventors: Tor Christensen, Pål Leo Eckbo
  • Patent number: 11325445
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes a cooling apparatus including a radiator, a first water pump, and a valve connected through a coolant line, a battery cooling apparatus including a second water pump and a battery module connected by a battery coolant line; a chiller connected to the battery coolant line and connected to an air conditioner through a refrigerant connection line connected to the battery coolant line and connected to a refrigerant line of the air conditioner through a refrigerant connection line, to adjust a temperature of the coolant by performing heat exchange between a coolant supplied to the battery coolant line and a refrigerant selectively supplied from the air conditioner; and a heating circuit for warming an interior of the vehicle by use of the coolant having a temperature increased while the coolant passes through at least one electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Gorporation
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Su Whan Kim
  • Patent number: 11262133
    Abstract: An electronics cooling system for an aircraft includes a heat exchanger comprising a coolant circuit, an air circuit, and a fuel circuit such that each of the circuits is in thermal communication with at least one of the other circuits. The coolant circuit is in thermal communication with one or more aircraft electronics. The air circuit is in fluid communication with at least one air source. The fuel circuit is in fluid communication with a fuel tank between the fuel tank and an engine of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Debabrata Pal
  • Patent number: 11002486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel solid heat exchanger module containing a plurality of heat exchanger tubes having a particular shape and being arranged in a special manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: DALLMANN ENGINEERING & SERVICE
    Inventor: Winfried Dallmann
  • Patent number: 10865740
    Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a liquefied gas tank that stores liquefied gas and a pressurized gas production unit connected to the liquefied gas tank to produce pressurized gas from the liquefied gas. A fuel rail is connected to the pressurized gas production unit. The fuel rail receives the pressurized gas and delivers the pressurized gas to a fuel injector that injects the pressurized gas into a cylinder of the engine. The pressurized gas production unit receives the liquefied gas via a mixing unit that is provided between the liquefied gas tank and the pressurized gas production unit. The mixing unit receives excess gas in the form of vaporized gas from the liquefied gas tank and/or pressurized gas from the fuel rail and mixes the excess gas with the liquefied gas received from the liquefied gas tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus Leidefeldt, Bengt Henström, Peter Gollungberg
  • Patent number: 10704828
    Abstract: Devices for cooling beverages in cooperation with a compressed gas cartridge. The devices include a housing, a head, a working fluid, and a release mechanism. The housing defines a chamber complementarily configured with the compressed gas cartridge to receive the compressed gas cartridge. The head couples to the housing and defines an interior void in fluid communication with the chamber. The working fluid is contained with the interior void of the head. The release mechanism is operably connected to the housing and configured to selectively release compressed gas from the compressed gas cartridge into the interior void of the head. The compressed gas cools the working fluid when the compressed gas is selectively released from the compressed gas cartridge and contacts the working fluid in the interior void. The head is configured to be placed in a beverage to cool the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventor: Taylor Cunningham
  • Patent number: 10654552
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fuel supply system and method for a ship engine. The fuel supply system for a ship engine of the present invention comprises: a submersible pump which is provided to an LNG storage tank of a ship for supplying LNG to the engine of the ship; a high-pressure pump which has the LNG supplied thereto from the submersible pump and pressurizes the same under high pressure; and a return flow channel which, at the upstream of the high-pressure pump, returns the LNG to the LNG storage tank, wherein the flow of the LNG returning through the return flow channel is controlled, and the temperature of the LNG is controlled at the front end of the high-pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Woo Lee, Dong Chan Kim, Young Sik Moon, Nam Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 10584830
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for capture, utilization and sendout of latent heat in boil off gas (“BOG”) onboard a cryogenic storage vessel is described. A liquefied gas vessel comprises a cryogenic cargo tank onboard a liquefied gas vessel, the cargo tank comprising a liquefied gas and a BOG, a latent heat exchanger fluidly coupled to a stream of the liquefied gas and a stream of the BOG, wherein the latent heat exchanger transfers a heat between the BOG stream and the liquefied gas stream to produce a condensed BOG, means for combining the condensed BOG and the liquefied gas stream to obtain a combined stream, the means for combining the condensed BOG and the liquefied gas stream fluidly coupled to the latent heat exchanger, and a liquefied gas regasifier onboard the vessel and fluidly coupled to the combined stream, wherein the liquefied gas regasifier regasifies the combined stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Nelson, Graeme David Trotter, Alan B. Nierenberg, Kenneth Hugh McGeachie
  • Patent number: 10508836
    Abstract: A heating/cooling system for furnishing employs an electrochemical heat transfer device. An electrochemical heat transfer device may be an electrochemical hydrogen compressor that pumps hydrogen into and out of a tank having a metal hydride forming alloy therein. The absorption of hydrogen by the metal hydride forming alloy is exothermic, produces heat, and the desorption of the hydrogen from the metal hydride forming, alloy is endothermic and draws heat in. An electrochemical hydrogen compressor may be configured between the tanks and pump hydrogen back and forth to form a heat transfer device. A heat exchange device may be coupled with the tank or may comprise the outer surface of the tank to transfer heat to an object or to the surroundings. A closed loop may be configured having two tanks and one or two electrochemical hydrogen compressors to pump the hydrogen in a loop around the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Xergy Inc.
    Inventors: Bamdad Bahar, William Parmelee
  • Patent number: 9356809
    Abstract: A method for performing communication in a multi-stage beam forming system includes determining statistical channel information which indicates a priority of analog beams transmitted by a base station, configuring an adaptive code book for digital beam forming, based on the statistical channel information and analog beams which the base station uses in actual communication among the analog beams, and performing communication with the base station through the digital beam forming based on the adaptive code book. A terminal includes a channel estimator configured to perform channel estimation for analog beams transmitted from a base station, a controller configure to determine statistical channel information indicating a priority of the analog beams, and configure an adaptive code book for digital beam forming based on the statistical channel information and analog beams that the base station uses in actual communication among the analog beams, and a communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Ho Park, Yong-Hoon Lee, Minhyun Kim, Seongjin Kim, Ji-Yun Seol, Eui-Tae Hwang
  • Patent number: 9206776
    Abstract: A fuel feeding system for storing liquefied gas and feeding gaseous fuel to be used in a piston engine, which fuel feeding system includes at least two cryogenic fuel tank arrangements having a first tank arrangement and a second tank arrangement in connection with each other. The fuel feeding system includes a gaseous fuel feed line connected at its first end to at least one piston engine, in which system the first tank arrangement is provided with a pressure build-up system having a first heat exchanger unit. The inlet of the heat exchanger unit is connected to a bottom section of the first tank arrangement the outlet of which is connectable to the top section of the first tank arrangement. The first tank arrangement and the second tank arrangement are both pressure vessels, and the first tank arrangement is selectively connectable to the fuel feed line by a gas line extending from an outlet in the top section of the first tank arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Yves Bui, Mathias Jansson, Soren Karlsson
  • Patent number: 9157672
    Abstract: A command device (13) includes a sensor (15,16) for the measurement of a measured value VM of a characteristic C of a fluid FR,A and a comparison (14) of the measured value VM of the characteristic C of the fluid FR,A with at least two step-values VSmin, VSmax of the characteristic C. The command device (13) includes an upstream temperature sensor (20) to be positioned upstream the evaporator (12) according to the air flow direction (6) to measure an upstream temperature T2 of the air flow (3) and give an information (18) which is taken into account by the command device (13) in order to determine the step-values VSmin, VSmax of the characteristic C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Jin-Ming Liu, Regine Haller, Stefan Karl, Eng Kuach
  • Patent number: 9097453
    Abstract: A liquid container of the present invention is designed to include an autonomous selective cooling device. The cooling device includes a heat exchanger (15) comprising a first body (20) with a cavity (21), a second body (22) inside the cavity (21), a fluid passage (25) formed between an outer surface of the second body (22) and the surface of the cavity (21), and some means for causing a cooling fluid to flow while expanding along fluid passage (25) up to an exhaust duct (19) of the second\0.8body (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: ICEJET, S.L.
    Inventor: Gustavo P Lopez
  • Patent number: 9090356
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling the flammability of fuel vapors in an aircraft main fuel tank that is located in whole or in part in the fuselage contour. The method comprises a fuel system architecture and fuel consumption sequencing maintaining liquid fuel in said main tanks during all normal operations. Ceasing the withdrawal of fuel from the main tank when the fuel reaches a predetermined level thereby limiting the volume and flammability exposure time of the fuel vapor ullage. Once the predetermined level is met the fuel is supplied from wing tanks throughout the remainder of the mission. The predetermined main tank fuel level at which wing tank fuel begins to be consumed is determined by the aircraft flight reserves fuel volume stored in the main tank as well as the amount necessary to continuously submerge the main tank fuel pumps during the entire mission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Scott Montgomery
  • Patent number: 8991197
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow
  • Patent number: 8763409
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a housing disposed in a first atmosphere and having an upstream end, a downstream end and a chamber within the housing; a metallic block disposed in the chamber and having a passageway therethrough and through which a cryogen can flow; and a heat pipe assembly in contact with the metallic block and extending to a second atmosphere which is separate from the first atmosphere for providing heat transfer at the second atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael D. Newman, Stephen A. McCormick
  • Patent number: 8726676
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow
  • Publication number: 20140069117
    Abstract: Provided is a nonflammable mixed refrigerant for use in a reliquefaction apparatus of a fuel supply system that compresses BOG generated in an LNG storage tank to a medium pressure, reliquefies the compressed BOG, compresses the reliquefied BOG to a high pressure, gasifies the compressed requefied BOG, and supplies the gasified BOG to a high-pressure natural gas injection engine. A nonflammable mixed refrigerant for use in a fuel supply system for a high-pressure natural gas injection engine is provided. The nonflammable mixed refrigerant cools the BOG by heat exchange with the BOG in the reliquefaction apparatus. The nonflammable mixed refrigerant comprises a mixture of nonflammable refrigerants with different boiling points, and the boiling point of each of the nonflammable refrigerant ranges between a room temperature and a liquefaction temperature of natural gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Kyo Jung, Je Heon Jung, Dong Kyu Choi, Jung Han Lee, Young Sik Moon, Jin Yeol Yu
  • Patent number: 8522572
    Abstract: An aircraft adaptive power thermal management system for cooling one or more aircraft components includes an air cycle system, a vapor cycle system, and a fuel recirculation loop operably disposed therebetween. An air cycle system heat exchanger is between the air cycle system and the fuel recirculation loop, a vapor cycle system heat exchanger is between the vapor cycle system and the fuel recirculation loop, and one or more aircraft fuel tanks are in the fuel recirculation loop. An intercooler including a duct heat exchanger in an aircraft gas turbine engine FLADE duct may be in the air cycle system. The system is operable for providing on-demand cooling for one or more of the aircraft components by increasing heat sink capacity of the fuel tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George Albert Coffinberry, Neil Richard Garrigan
  • Patent number: 8505852
    Abstract: A reversible aerospace plane includes an air intake at a first end of the aerospace plane, at least one heat exchanger disposed in the aerospace plane, and an engine at a second end of the aerospace plane, wherein the aerospace plane is configured to accelerate in a first direction and configured to glide and land in a second direction, wherein the second direction is substantially in a reverse direction from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Charl E. Janeke
  • Publication number: 20130055728
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigeration vehicle comprising at least one refrigeration space, which can be cooled via at least one supplemental heat exchanger. The supplemental heat exchanger in the refrigeration space is connected to other components, preferably via couplings and flexible lines, establishing a heat exchange loop being able to exchange heat with an evaporator for low-temperature liquefied combustible gas. Moreover the Refrigeration vehicle comprises at least one first vehicle part and one second vehicle part being dividable and wherein the first vehicle part comprises an internal combustion engine and the evaporator for the low-temperature liquefied combustible gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Franz Lurken, Helmut Henrich
  • Publication number: 20120285402
    Abstract: A controller, for use in a power plant having a liquid cooling system and an air cooling system, comprising one or more inputs, configured to receive a signal from at least one deposit sensor, wherein the signal from the deposit sensor is indicative of deposits in the liquid cooling system; and one or more processors, configured to process the signal received from the deposit sensor to control the air cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Peter FW FOSTER
  • Patent number: 8042343
    Abstract: An avionics cooling system including an avionics cooling circuit operating with a liquid coolant; a fuel circuit; and a vapor cooling cycle operating with a refrigerant. The avionics cooling circuit transfers heat withdrawn from avionics to the fuel circuit, whereby the heat is dumped into fuel, and the vapor cooling cycle transfers heat that cannot be dumped into the fuel from the fuel circuit to ram air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Anders Järlestål
  • Publication number: 20110219786
    Abstract: An aircraft cooling system includes a refrigerant cycle including a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a compressor. A component of the aircraft is in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger. A heat sink fluid passes through the second heat exchanger to absorb heat from the refrigerant cycle. A hydraulic motor is mechanically connected with the compressor and powered by the heat sink fluid, which is circulated by a pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Andres, Kris H. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7955568
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a chemical reaction-based thermal management system and method. The system comprises a heat source for heating a first flow element, a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the first flow element to a reaction mixture flow, and a heat sink comprising one or more endothermic chemical reactions to absorb heat from the heat exchanger. The system further comprises a reactor element for approaching chemical equilibrium of the reaction mixture flow, a product removal element for removing one or more products from the one or more endothermic chemical reactions, and a plurality of driver elements for moving the first flow element and for moving the reaction mixture flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alan Z. Ullman, Clyde D. Newman
  • Publication number: 20110056216
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a combination refrigeration and combustion system including a tank that holds liquefied gas, an expansion valve in fluid connection with the tank, and a sealable chamber housing an evaporator, with the evaporator in fluid connection with the expansion valve. The system is configured for expulsion of the liquefied gas from the tank into the expansion valve. The expulsion takes place in at least one pulse over part of a defined time interval. After an expulsion of gas, the liquefied gas expands into gaseous form in the evaporator, allowing for continuous combustion of the gas in gaseous form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Randall O. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20100108811
    Abstract: A fuel tank safety system includes an ullage cooling assembly and a system controller. The ullage cooling assembly includes a compressor configured to extract a quantity of ullage gas from the fuel tank, a heat exchanger coupled in flow communication downstream of the compressor, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to receive the quantity of ullage gas from the compressor and reduce a temperature of the ullage gas. The ullage cooling assembly includes a turbine coupled in flow communication downstream of the heat exchanger, wherein the turbine is configured to further reduce the temperature of the ullage gas and facilitate channeling the ullage gas to the fuel tank. The system controller is operatively coupled to the ullage cooling assembly and is configured to transmit to the ullage cooling assembly one of a start signal to activate the ullage cooling assembly or a stop signal to deactivate the ullage cooling assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Alankar Gupta
  • Publication number: 20090133674
    Abstract: A fuel gas supply system of a vessel, such as an LNG carrier, is provided for supplying fuel gas to a high-pressure gas injection engine of an LNG carrier, wherein LNG is extracted from an LNG storage tank of the LNG carrier, compressed at a high pressure, gasified, and then supplied to the high-pressure gas injection engine. In one embodiment, the system includes a boil-off gas reliquefaction apparatus for reliquefying boil-off gas generated in the LNG tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Hyun Ki Park
  • Publication number: 20090126704
    Abstract: A fuel gas supply system of a vessel, such as an LNG carrier, is provided for supplying fuel gas to a high-pressure gas injection engine of an LNG carrier, wherein LNG is extracted from an LNG storage tank of the LNG carrier, compressed at a high pressure, gasified, and then supplied to the high-pressure gas injection engine. In one embodiment, the system is operated to supply fuel to an MEGI engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Hyun Ki Park
  • Patent number: 7497191
    Abstract: A system for producing, dispensing, using and monitoring a hydrogen enriched fuel includes a producing system configured to produce the hydrogen enriched fuel, a vehicle having an engine configured to use the hydrogen enriched fuel, and a dispensing system configured to store and dispense the hydrogen enriched fuel into the vehicle. The system also includes a fuel delivery system on the vehicle configured to deliver the hydrogen enriched fuel to the engine, and a control system configured to control the producing system and to monitor the use of the hydrogen enriched fuel by the vehicle. A method includes the steps of producing hydrogen gas and a hydrocarbon fuel, blending the hydrogen gas and the hydrocarbon fuel into the hydrogen enriched fuel, using the hydrogen enriched fuel in the engine, and tracking emissions during the producing step and during the using step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Eden Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin Fulton, Roger W. Marmaro, Gregory J. Egan
  • Publication number: 20080276627
    Abstract: A fuel gas supply system of a ship is provided for supplying fuel gas to a high-pressure gas injection engine of the ship, wherein the ship has an LNG fuel tank for storing LNG as fuel and LNG is extracted from an LNG fuel tank of the ship, compressed at a high pressure, gasified, and then supplied to the high-pressure gas injection engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Hyun Ki Park
  • Publication number: 20080178609
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a combined cooling and heating system comprises a hydrogen reservoir. The combined cooling and heating system may be used in an aircraft. During a charging of the hydrogen reservoir, with hydrogen, a kitchen appliance is heated, and during the discharging process, the hydrogen reservoir cools the fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hansgeorg Schuldzig
  • Patent number: 7360368
    Abstract: A system and method for vaporizing a cryogenically stored fuel, particularly hydrogen, liquefied by cooling below the ambient temperature is provided. A system for vaporizing a cryogenically stored fuel uses heat arising in the area of a fuel consumer, and includes: a withdrawing line device for drawing fuel out of a tank device; a vaporizer device for vaporizing the fuel drawn via the withdrawing line, while introducing the vaporization heat; a gas line device for feeding the vaporized fuel to each consumer; a heat transfer system provided in the vicinity of the consumer while serving to absorb heat arising in the vicinity of the consumer, and; a fuel/heat exchanger device, through which a heat transfer fluid flows and which forms a part of the vaporizer device, for providing the vaporization heat via a heat flux drawn out of the heat transfer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Fickel, Andres Groetzbach
  • Publication number: 20070144183
    Abstract: A liquid fuel storage system to be mounted on an electric motorcar has a first storage container for storing liquid fuel such as liquid hydrogen, one or more heat exchangers performing heat exchange between air and the liquid fuel or fuel gas vaporized from the liquid fuel, a second storage container, and a low temperature air supply line. The second storage container surrounds the outer periphery of the first storage container and stores the liquid air obtained by the heat exchange. An air conditioning system and/or a cold container that are mounted on the electric motorcar use the air supplied through the low temperature air supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Sakajo
  • Patent number: 7155916
    Abstract: A feed gas supply unit for a fuel cell system uses a feed gas supply and/or cooling fluid passages to cool the control unit, bearings, and motor of the feed gas supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, Barber Nichols Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Hobmeyr, Dirk Wexel, Robert Linden
  • Publication number: 20040182090
    Abstract: The invention relates to feeding a gas terminal with energy from a ship transporting liquefied gas while said liquefied gas is being transferred between a tank of the ship and a tank of the gas terminal, wherein a portion of the energy produced by the propulsion system of the ship is delivered to the gas terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: SNECMA MOTEURS
    Inventor: Damien Feger
  • Publication number: 20040079090
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermoelectric conversion apparatus having a thermoelectric conversion module and a temperature restoration module. The thermoelectric conversion module comprises hydrogen storage and release devices provided with circulating heating medium changeover valves and containers in which are formed inside a plate cassette laminate or a pipe aggregate provided with a hydrogen storage alloy in the form of a thin film on the outer surfaces of the plate cassettes or pipes, a pump device for an working liquid provided with a liquid piston, an electronic control device that controls the changeover valves, and an electric power generation device that converts the flowing force of the actuator liquid into electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicants: IP TRADING JAPAN CO., LTD., TECHNO BANK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 6584780
    Abstract: A system stores densely dissolved methane-base gas and supplies gas of a predetermined composition. A container (10) stores methane-base gas dissolved in hydrocarbon solvent and supplies it to means for adjusting composition, through which an object of regulated contents is obtained. Preferably, the means for adjusting composition is means for maintaining the tank in a supercritical state, or piping (48) for extracting substances at a predetermined ratio from the gas phase (12) and liquid phase (16) in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouetsu Hibino, Nobutaka Honma, Yukio Terashima, Tamio Shinozawa, Toshiharu Okui, Kiyoto Inomata
  • Publication number: 20030110780
    Abstract: A fuel supply system has a pump, a common rail, and injectors. Pressurized fuel is stored in the common rail. The common rail distributes the fuel to the injectors. A liquid fuel and a liquefied gas fuel such as dimethyl ether and a liquefied petroleum gas may be used as a fuel. In each injector, a valve element is actuated directly by an electromagnetic actuator. The injector has a low pressure chamber for decreasing a biasing force which acts on the valve element in a valve closing direction. The valve element can be divided for replacement. The injector has means for suppressing the bounce of the valve element. A hydraulic unit which utilizes the fuel suppresses the bounce of the valve element. The fuel supply system is connected to a refrigerating cycle. The fuel leaking from the fuel supply system is cooled and again liquefied by the refrigerating cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Shigeiku Enomoto, Moriyasu Goto, Tetsuo Morita, Masaaki Kato, Hisaharu Takeuchi