Patents Assigned to Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
  • Capillary electrophoresis probes and method
    Patent number: 6953520
    Abstract: A novel class of capillary electrophoresis probes and a method of employing the same are described. The novel class of capillary electrophoresis probes are comprised of one or more vinylogous carboxylic acid compounds or their derivatives. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of detecting ions in water by capillary electrophoresis is provided wherein: water is introduced into a capillary filled with an electrolyte which contains UV absorbing species comprised of one or more vinylogous carboxylic acid compounds. An electric voltage is applied along the capillary to cause ions present in the water to move along the capillary and separate. The ions displace the UV absorbing species and are detected indirectly by a UV/visible light photometric detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon S. Yengoyan, Paul L. Frattini
  • Method and apparatus for removing vapor phase contaminants from a flue gas stream
    Patent number: 6905534
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing trace contaminants from a gas stream or flue gas. In one embodiment, the present invention an apparatus for removing a trace contaminant from a gas stream, comprising a gas duct configured to receive a gas stream comprising a trace contaminant; a plurality of substrates disposed within the gas duct; a trace contaminant sorbent disposed on at least a portion of each of the substrates; an isolation device for separating the portion of each of the substrates from the gas stream; and a regenerator for regenerating the trace contaminant sorbent. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for removing a trace contaminant from a gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Sharon Sjostrom
  • Application of symbol sequence analysis and temporal irreversibility to monitoring and controlling boiler flames
    Patent number: 6901351
    Abstract: The current invention provides a method and apparatus, which uses symbol sequence techniques and/or temporal irreversibility derived from chaos theory to monitor the operating state of individual burner flames on a appropriate time scale. Both the method and apparatus of the present invention may be used optimize the performance of burner flames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Daw, Timothy A. Fuller, Thomas J. Flynn, Charles E. A. Finney
  • Controlled composition welding method
    Patent number: 6884959
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the composition of a weld. More particularly it relates to welding using an electric circuit, thereby creating a weld puddle, and adding at least one filler that is electrically independent from the electric circuit to the weld puddle at a controllable rate to obtain a target weld composition. The filler can be added to the extent limited by practical weld puddle geometry and, thus, the method and apparatus also facilitate increased weld deposition rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wayne Gandy, James William Hales, William Frederick Newell, Jr., Roger Allen Swain, James Franklin Turner, Ramaswamy Viswanathan
  • Apparatus and method for monitoring a cable
    Patent number: 6873746
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides a device for monitoring a cable, comprising an imaging device having a field of view; a target, distinguishable within the field of view of the imaging device, associated with a cable; and a computer processor connected to the imaging device for analyzing images of the target produced by the imaging device to determine a position of the cable. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for monitoring a cable, comprising calibrating a first image of a predetermined field of view showing a portion of a cable to be monitored; capturing a second image of the predetermined field of view; correlating the first image with the second image to determine a position of the portion of the cable within the second image; and reporting said position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Stewart, K. Arun Pandey, Glenn M. Light, Richard F. Tennis, Bernard A. Clairmont, Edward A. Bloom, Keith A. Bartels
  • Apparatus and method for measuring current flow in an animal or human body
    Patent number: 6865410
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring contact current includes data acquisition circuitry with at least two sensor contacts to measure the voltage drop across an animal or human body. A portable data processing unit is connected to the data acquisition circuitry to process the voltage data to produce current flow data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Kavet, John C. Niple, Thomas P. Sullivan, Luciano E. Zaffanella
  • Vapor-phase contaminant removal by injection of fine sorbent slurries
    Patent number: 6818043
    Abstract: A method for efficiently removing vapor-phase contaminants from gas streams is described. A powdered adsorbent such as activated carbon is ground into a fine powder by wet grinding to form a slurry. Chemicals are added to the slurry to impregnate the sorbent to enhance sorbent effectiveness. The slurry chemical mixture is sprayed into the gas stream in the form of small droplets which evaporate to produce an aerosol of fine adsorbent particles. Vapor-phase contaminants in the gas stream adsorb onto the fine adsorbent particle surfaces and the adsorbent particles are removed from the gas stream by a conventional particle collection method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Frank Meserole, Carl Richardson
  • Apparatus and method for analyzing anisotropic particle scattering in three-dimensional geometries
    Patent number: 6795801
    Abstract: The disclosed method, a technique for analyzing anisotropic particle scattering, includes the step of establishing a three-dimensional geometric representation of an object. A set of rays is then projected through the three-dimensional geometric representation to produce simulated anisotropic particle scattering. An integral particle transport analysis is then executed on the simulated anisotropic particle scattering to produce particle transport data. The disclosed apparatus, a computer readable memory to direct a computer to function in a specified manner, includes a computer aided design system to establish a three-dimensional geometric representation of an object. The computer aided design system includes a line-of-sight analysis feature to project a set of rays through the three-dimensional geometric representation to produce simulated anisotropic particle scattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Watkins, Dean B. Jones, Kathleen S. Ramp
  • Method and apparatus for detecting wear in components of high voltage electrical equipment
    Patent number: 6777948
    Abstract: A tracer material is embedded in a component of electrical equipment to detect excessive wear of the component when it is exposed to an electrical arc. As the component wears, the tracer material becomes exposed to the electrical arc and emits electromagnetic radiation, which is monitored continuously. The tracer material is selected so that it emits electromagnetic radiation when it is exposed to an electrical arc that is distinct from electromagnetic radiation emitted by any other parts of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicola Dominelli, Hans Schellhase, David W. Casson, Edward A. Hall
  • Application of symbol sequence analysis and temporal irreversibility to monitoring and controlling boiler flames
    Patent number: 6775645
    Abstract: The current invention provides a method and apparatus, which uses symbol sequence techniques and/or temporal irreversibility derived from chaos theory to monitor the operating state of individual burner flames on a appropriate time scale. Both the method and apparatus of the present invention may be used optimize the performance of burner flames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Daw, Timothy A. Fuller, Thomas J. Flynn, Charles E. A. Finney
  • Inspection of shrunk-on steam turbine disks using advanced ultrasonic techniques
    Patent number: 6736011
    Abstract: A method of ultrasonically testing the disk bore and keyway area of a shrunk-on steam turbine rotor disk or hub is provided. The method employs a one or more scanning ultrasonic phased linear array probes mounted on the disk to inspect the disk bore and keyway area on the opposite side of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Zayicek, Greg P. Selby, Mark A. Dennis
  • Method and apparatus for renewable mercury sorption
    Patent number: 6712878
    Abstract: A method of removing trace contaminants, such as mercury, from a flue gas by passing the gas over a sorbent structure on which is coated a renewable layer of sorbent. The sorbent structure can be a tube or plate and can be porous or non-porous and is placed inside a duct through which the flue gas flows. The sorbent particles comprise noble metal or activated carbon particles and can be injected into the gas stream before it passes over the sorbent structures. The sorbent structures can be periodically recoated with sorbent while the gas is still flowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Sharon Sjostrom
  • Low power gate trigger circuit for controlling a silicon-controlled rectifier circuit
    Patent number: 6710994
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling a silicon-controlled rectifier includes a high breakdown voltage metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) connected to drive the gate of the silicon-controlled rectifier. The high breakdown voltage MOSFET is itself controlled by a gate voltage. The power requirements for the gate trigger circuit of a series string silicon-controlled rectifier are greatly reduced by using the high breakdown voltage MOSFET as a gate triggering circuit for the silicon-controlled rectifier. Because the MOSFET consumes little power, a limited power source, such as a snubber capacitor voltage that is developed during the OFF-state of the silicon-controlled rectifier, can be used to power the gate trigger circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Deam
  • Controlled fumigation of wooden structures
    Patent number: 6706344
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlled release of a fumigant into a wooden structure to prevent decay of that structure. According to the present invention, a fumigant in an ampule or container is inserted into the wooden structure. The ampule or container is made of a polymeric material that does not react with the fumigant, but having walls which are permeable to the fumigant such that, when inserted into the wooden structure, the rate of release of the fumigant through the walls of the ampule is slow enough to continuously treat and arrest decay of the wooden structure, particularly decay caused by fungi, over extended periods of time (i.e., 1, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 or 30 years). The rate of release of the fumigant can be controlled by the type of fumigant, the shape of the container, the specific polymer used to make the container, and by the thickness of the container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Harlowe, Jr., William A. McMahon, Donald J. Mangold, Bruce Bernstein
  • Method and system for a thermodynamic process for producing usable energy
    Patent number: 6694740
    Abstract: The present invention comprises, in one embodiment, a process for producing energy through a thermodynamic cycle comprising transforming a first working fluid having at least two components into usable energy and a first exhaust stream; diverting at least a portion of the first exhaust stream to form a diverted first exhaust stream; transferring heat from the diverted first exhaust stream to the first working fluid, thereby partially condensing the diverted first exhaust stream to form a partially condensed diverted first exhaust stream; separating the partially condensed diverted first exhaust stream into a vapor stream and a liquid stream; and transforming the vapor stream into usable energy. The present invention also comprises a system for producing energy through novel implementation of a thermodynamic cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh C. Nayar
  • Method and apparatus for removing vapor phase contaminants from a flue gas stream
    Patent number: 6695894
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing trace contaminants from a gas stream or flue gas. In one embodiment, the present invention an apparatus for removing a trace contaminant from a gas stream, comprising a gas duct configured to receive a gas stream comprising a trace contaminant; a plurality of substrates disposed within the gas duct; a trace contaminant sorbent disposed on at least a portion of each of the substrates; an isolation device for separating the portion of each of the substrates from the gas stream; and a regenerator for regenerating the trace contaminant sorbent. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for removing a trace contaminant from a gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Sharon Sjostrom
  • Impulse ash deposit removal system and method
    Patent number: 6684823
    Abstract: An impulse generator produces controlled pressure waves for removing ash deposits from heat exchangers in a boiler. The impulse generator has a fuel inlet, an air inlet, an ignitor, an outlet, and a control system for selectively and intermittently igniting the fuel and air to produce the pressure waves. In a first exemplary embodiment, the impulse generator includes a toroidal-shaped body with a tangential air inlet for inducing a helical swirling flow of the fuel and the air. In a second exemplary embodiment, the impulse generator includes a turbulizer with a corkscrew-shaped vane for inducing a helical swirling flow of the fuel and the air. In addition, an exemplary ash deposit removal method includes adjusting the fuel flow, airflow, ignition dwell time, and/or ignition interval time to selectively adjust the combustion mode between deflagrative and detonative combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Zinovy Z. Plavnik, Arun Mehta
  • Apparatus and method for measuring current flow in an animal or human body
    Publication number: 20040005024
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring contact current includes data acquisition circuitry with at least two sensor contacts to measure the voltage drop across an animal or human body. A portable data processing unit is connected to the data acquisition circuitry to process the voltage data to produce current flow data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Kavet, John C. Niple, Thomas P. Sullivan, Luciano E. Zaffanella
  • Method and apparatus for repairing superalloy components
    Patent number: 6673169
    Abstract: A method of repairing a metallic component, such as a superalloy turbine blade or turbine nozzle, includes the step of preparing the component by stripping the protective coatings from the component. The component is then pre-conditioned for welding by a first hot isostatic process. Once the conditioning sequence is complete, the component is welded using any of a number of welding techniques and by adding weld fillers to the weld area. After the welding step, the component is sealed by a second hot isostatic process treatment performed at conditions similar to the first hot isostatic process. The component is finally prepared for re-entry into service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Artie Gene Peterson, Jr., David Wayne Gandy, Gregory J. Frederick, Jan T. Stover, Ramaswamy Viswanathan
  • Method and apparatus for increasing power generated by a steam turbine by controlling the electric charge in steam exiting the steam turbine
    Patent number: 6672825
    Abstract: A method of increasing the power generated by a steam turbine includes the step of receiving, at a steam turbine final stage, a steam byproduct with an electrically charged component. An electric field is created immediately proximate to the steam turbine final stage to substantially eliminate the electrically charged component from the steam byproduct and thereby reduce turbulence associated with the steam byproduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly O. Tarelin, Volodymyr P. Skliarov