Patents Assigned to British Gas
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Patent number: 11621563Abstract: A method of controlling energy supply in an energy distribution network is disclosed. The energy distribution network comprises an energy generation facility adapted to supply energy to the energy distribution network and an energy consumer adapted to consume energy from the energy distribution network. The method comprises, at the energy generation facility: detecting a curtailment condition, the curtailment condition indicating that the energy generation facility should curtail its supply of energy to the energy distribution network; in response to the curtailment condition, transmitting, via a communications link, a request to increase energy consumption to the energy consumer; receiving a reply message from the energy consumer via the communications link; and controlling energy output from the generation facility in dependence on the reply message.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: British Gas Trading LimitedInventor: David Parish
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Patent number: 11128145Abstract: A method of controlling energy supply in an energy distribution network comprising a first energy generation facility located at a first site and a second energy generation facility located at a second site is disclosed, where the first and second energy generation facilities are adapted to supply energy to the energy distribution network.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: British Gas Trading LimitedInventor: David Parish
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Patent number: 11015827Abstract: A method of controlling an environmental control system, where the environmental control system is configured to operate in accordance with a control schedule, in a scheduled mode of operation. At a control device that is associated with the environmental control system, a user can receive input indicative of a boost mode. In the boost mode, the environmental control system can disregard the control schedule and operate in accordance with a boost setting, with a target temperature. Responsive to the boost mode, further user input may be used to set the target temperature for boost mode. Boost mode can be activated based on the target temperature, and environmental control can be performed based on the target temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: British Gas Trading LimitedInventors: Nicola Combe, Curtis John Collinsworth, Brett Derek Middleton, Hideaki Matsui
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Publication number: 20190234636Abstract: A method of controlling an environmental control system, where the environmental control system is configured to operate in accordance with a control schedule, in a scheduled mode of operation. At a control device that is associated with the environmental control system, a user can receive input indicative of a boost mode. In the boost mode, the environmental control system can disregard the control schedule and operate in accordance with a boost setting, with a target temperature. Responsive to the boost mode, further user input may be used to set the target temperature for boost mode. Boost mode can be activated based on the target temperature, and environmental control can be performed based on the target temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: British Gas Trading LimitedInventors: Nicola Combe, Curtis John Collinsworth, Brett Derek Middleton, Hideaki Matsui
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Patent number: 10222079Abstract: A battery-powered environmental control and/or sensor device is disclosed. The device includes a mounting plate arranged to be affixed to a support surface; and a main body including a battery compartment. The main body is adapted to be releasably secured to the mounting plate, with the battery compartment being substantially inaccessible when the main body is secured to the mounting plate. The mounting plate and main body comprise complementary securing elements arranged to secure the main body to the mounting plate. The mounting plate or the main body include a lever having a portion extending beyond a periphery of the device so as to be operable by a device user when the main body is secured to the mounting plate. The lever is operable when activated to disengage the complementary securing elements and separate the main body from the mounting plate to provide access to the battery compartment.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2015Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: British Gas Trading LimitedInventors: John Gutch, John Mulcahy, Yves Béhar, Noah Murphy-Reinhertz, Moonchul Kim, Mirko Ihrig
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Patent number: 10218532Abstract: Determination of a state of operation of a domestic appliance In one embodiment it is provided a method for determining a state of operation of a domestic appliance (2) in a plurality of domestic appliances (2), having: receiving (S10), from the domestic appliance (2), a time series (51, 52, 53, 54) of data (5) relating to the operation of the domestic appliance (2) over a cycle (4, 7) of operation; and determining (S20) the state of operation of the domestic appliance (2) based on comparing the received time series (51, 52, 53, 54) with a model of time series (151, 152, 153, 154; 251, 252, 253, 254, 255; 351, 352, 353, 354, 355) of data (50) corresponding to the operation of the plurality of domestic appliances (2) over a cycle (4, 7) of operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: British Gas Trading LimitedInventors: Richard John Bryce, James Eric Anning
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Patent number: 10132518Abstract: A controller for a thermal appliance configured to heat or cool an area of a premises. The controller comprises: a communications interface, configured to communicate over a communications network; a data store comprising information regarding a transport infrastructure; and a processor coupled to the data store and to the first communications interface. The processor is configured to obtain an estimate of the time for a user carrying a mobile device to return to the premises via the transport infrastructure.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: British Gas Trading LimitedInventor: Andreu Tobella
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Publication number: 20160363342Abstract: A battery-powered environmental control and/or sensor device is disclosed. The device includes a mounting plate arranged to be affixed to a support surface; and a main body including a battery compartment. The main body is adapted to be releasably secured to the mounting plate, with the battery compartment being substantially inaccessible when the main body is secured to the mounting plate. The mounting plate and main body comprise complementary securing elements arranged to secure the main body to the mounting plate. The mounting plate or the main body include a lever having a portion extending beyond a periphery of the device so as to be operable by a device user when the main body is secured to the mounting plate. The lever is operable when activated to disengage the complementary securing elements and separate the main body from the mounting plate to provide access to the battery compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Applicant: British Gas Trading LimitedInventors: John Gutch, John Mulcahy, Yves Béhar, Noah Murphy-Reinhertz, Moonchul Kim, Mirko Ihrig
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Patent number: 7303609Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a polyimide hollow fibre comprising: (i) providing a dope solution comprising one or more polyimides dissolved in a solvent comprising 60-100 wt % N-methylpyrollidone and 0-40 wt % ethanol, (ii) providing a bore fluid, (iii) generating a tube of the dope solution filled with the bore fluid, (iv) bringing the product of step (iii) into contact with a coagulation solvent to form a hollow fiber.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: British Gas Asia Pacific Pte LimitedInventors: Tai-Shung Chung, Rong Wang, Ji Zhong Ren, Chun Cao, Ye Liu, Dong-Fei Li
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Patent number: 6344289Abstract: An arrangement is proposed for a system with at least two molten carbonate or solid oxide fuel cell stacks (1, 2, 3). The cathode flows (14) of these stacks are connected in series while the anode flows (25) are in parallel. All stacks have an internal reforming device for a hydrocarbon fuel. Anode gas is recycled (24) from the stack outlets to the inlets. The invention allows the stacks to be of the same design and this reduces manufacturing costs. The cathode streams between the stacks are cooled by, for example, adding streams of cool air (15) to them. The cathode inlet temperatures can, therefore, be controlled by relatively inexpensive low temperature air valves. The invention allows the system to be designed with few heat exchangers, if any. The per pass utilization of all the oxidant streams and fuel streams are low. The efficiency of the system is typically 4-5 percentage points higher than that of equivalent conventional systems.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignees: Stichting Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland, British Gas PLCInventors: Nicolaas Jacobus Joseph Dekker, Richard Griffith Fellows
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Patent number: 6240612Abstract: A method of lining installed pipework which includes the steps of taking a length of liner pipe made from a memory retaining plastics material of external diameter greater than the internal diameter of the pipework to be lined, drawing the liner pipe through a swaging die which is attached directly or indirectly to the pipe to be lined using pulling means under tension attached to the leading end of the liner pipe and threaded through the pipework to reduce the external diameter of the liner pipe by up to 15%, the tension applied by the pulling means being such as partially to restrain the radial expansion of the outer surface of the liner pipe after its emergence from the die, drawing the liner pipe after its emergence from the die, drawing the liner pipe through the installed pipework with its outer diameter reduced to and/or maintained at a dimension less than that of the inner diameter of the pipework and thereafter allowing the liner pipe to expand within the pipework by relaxation of the said tension foType: GrantFiled: June 2, 1997Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: British Gas plcInventor: Brian Edward McGuire
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Patent number: 6172134Abstract: An anaerobically curable composition for use in sealing gas pipeline leaks, comprising an anaerobically curable base preparation and a filler, wherein the filler is a metal-containing filler having a substantially metal free barrier coat.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1996Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: British Gas PLCInventor: Bernard Cooke
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Patent number: 6107795Abstract: An in-pipe vehicle for carrying out at least one operation in a pipeline. The vehicle comprises a train of modules 11-16 interlinked by suspension units 17 to allow serpentine movement through pipe bends. The vehicle train has its own internal power supply and drive mechanism in respective modules. A detector module 14 determines the presence of a service junction and a manipulative module 13 allows the vehicle to be temporarily wedged in the pipeline whilst providing rotational movement to facilitate the desired operation at the junction. This can include drilling and welding of a service pipe to the main using appropriate modules.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: British Gas plcInventor: Andrew Smart
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Patent number: 6056016Abstract: Apparatus is provided for introducing sealant into a clearance between a replacement pipe and an existing pipe within which in use the replacement pipe is located. The apparatus includes a nose-cone having a tubular body for connection to the upstream end of the replacement pipe, a frangible member in the form of a pop-out plug; pierceable metal foil; plastic film or membrane to seal the bore of the tubular body and at least one non return valve in the form of an elastic ring, rubber O-ring or plug and spring assembly to permit the flow of sealant from the bore of the body into the clearance by way of the wall of the body but to resist return-flow from the clearance into the bore.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1996Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: British Gas plcInventor: Alan Foster Rogers
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Porous amorphous silica-alumina refractory oxides, their preparation and use as separation membranes
Patent number: 6042727Abstract: A process for preparing a porous amorphous silica-alumina refractory oxide is described in which a source of silica, such as tetra ethyl ortho silicate, in a non-aqueous solvent, such as an alcohol, is hydrolysed by adding an aqueous solution containing aluminum ions, in particular a solution of aluminum nitrate, thereby to form a sol and calcining the sol at, for example, 200.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. The product, which may have a microporous or mesoporous structure, is useful in the separation of fluids, especially the separation of carbon dioxide from natural gas.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: British Gas plcInventors: Stephen David Jones, Timothy Neil Pritchard -
Patent number: 5993200Abstract: A flame support 20 has a plurality of discrete regions 22 through which fuel/air mixture can pass by means of burner ports 13 which extend through the support to a multiplicity of openings 25 at the flame supporting side 24. The support 20 comprises barriers 21/26 which extend between and separate the discrete regions 22. The barriers serve to prevent the passage of fuel/air mixture from upstream of the support to the downstream side 24 of the support in a region between the discrete regions. In burners provided with such a flame support, the likelihood of resonant combustion noise occurring has been found to be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1996Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: British Gas plc.Inventor: Roland Vincent Horatio Palmer-Jones
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Patent number: 5950969Abstract: A frame for supporting a sign comprises three members which are interconnectable in such a way as to form a three-sided figure with one side forming a base and at least one of the other sides forming a mounting for the sign, each member being in the form of a hoop of tubular section.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1995Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: British Gas plcInventors: Robert Neal Bennett, Anthony Dennis Elgar, Brian Thomas Sales
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Patent number: 5936156Abstract: A meter to measure the volumetric flow rate of a liquid, for example water, is formed with a pipe forming a liquid flow path containing a low power electrical heater. A first temperature sensor measures the temperature T of the liquid adjacent to an upstream end of the heater and a second temperature sensor measures the temperature T.sub.2 of the liquid adjacent to a downstream end of the heater. The heater adds heat power of a value P to the liquid. A control arrangement comprising a computer means calculates the flow rate Q using the expression ##EQU1## where ST.sub.1 and DT.sub.1 are respectively the specific heat capacity of the liquid and the density of the liquid at the temperature T.sub.1 measured by the first sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: British Gas plcInventors: Graham Richard Roberts, Andrew Jonathan Cole, Barry Leonard Price
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Patent number: D808828Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: British Gas Trading LimitedInventors: Yves Béhar, Noah Murphy-Reinhertz, Moonchul Kim, Mirko Ihrig, Curtis John Collinsworth, Brett Derek Middleton, Hideaki Matsui
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Patent number: D824786Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: British Gas Trading LimitedInventors: Nicola Combe, Yves Béhar, Noah Murphy-Reinhertz, Moonchul Kim, Mirko Ihrig, Curtis John Collinsworth, Brett Derek Middleton, Hideaki Matsui