Patents Examined by Denise L. Esquivel
  • Patent number: 6748748
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage and supply apparatus is described. The apparatus has a container that includes a cold enclosure. A porous material capable of occluding hydrogen pervades the cold enclosure. The porous material contains a plurality of light elements including Be, B, C, N, O, F, Mg, P, S, Li, Na, Al, Si and Cl. The cold enclosure can have a temperature in a range between about 30K and 270K and can withstand pressures up to about 50 bara. The container can have a layered wall structure with at least two walls, and there can be a cavity between the walls, which can provide thermal insulation. A hydrogen-consuming system is described in which the hydrogen storage and supply apparatus is used to provide hydrogen to a hydrogen-fueled device. A hydrogen production and distribution system, which used the hydrogen storage and supply apparatuses is described. Methods of storing, supplying and using hydrogen are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Nanomix, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Bradley, Jeff D. Wyatt, Jean-Christophe P. Gabriel, George Gruner
  • Patent number: 6740062
    Abstract: The invention relates to an injector device for delivery of liquid from a high pressure source, and also to a method of performing such an injection. The device comprises a storage chamber 6, for the liquid or the liquid precursor components, comprising a storage barrel 16 with at least a section of substantially constant cross-section, defining a storage chamber axis, and a pressure chamber 4 comprising a pressure barrel 10 of substantially constant cross-section, defining a pressure chamber axis, for accommodation of at least one piston therein and having a front end opening 14 for ejection of the liquid. The pressure chamber being of sufficient strength to sustain the liquid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Pharmacia AB
    Inventor: Birger Hjertman
  • Patent number: 6729153
    Abstract: Disclosed is an indoor unit in an air conditioner of which components are arranged symmetrically so as to enable a compact design. The present invention includes a case having an intake port and a blow outlet, a blower installed inside a central part of the case along a length direction of the case, a heat exchanger installed between the intake port and blower so as to heat-exchange a room air which is sucked in, a fan motor coupled with one side of the blower so as to drive the blower, and a pipe part installed at a space opposite to the fan motor centering around the blower and connected between the heat exchanger an outdoor unit so that an operational fluid circulates through the pipe part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Soo Moon, Mun Kee Chung
  • Patent number: 6725684
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioner including a main chassis receiving various components inside, a heat exchanger installed inside the main chassis so as to exchange heat with a room air, a blow fan installed inside the main chassis so as to suck in and blow out the room air, a front panel attached to a front side of the main chassis and having an intake inlet at a front face so as to make an air flow in the heat exchanger, and an intake panel installed at the front face of the front panel to revolve to move so as to close/open the intake inlet selectively, the intake panel installed at the front face of the front panel so as to be detachable. The present invention enables to provide a compact air conditioner having an improved exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hae Rim Lee, Yong Woo Kim, Jae Buem Bae, Yong Min Song, Kam Gyu Lee, Ju Ho Ock, Sung Jin Hwang
  • Patent number: 6725672
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage apparatus M stores a liquid hydrogen tank 1, hydrogen filling passage 3 that fills liquid hydrogen in to the liquid hydrogen tank, a degassing passage 4 provided with a relief valve V1 that opens when the pressure of hydrogen gasified in the liquid hydrogen tank reaches a predetermined level, and a hydrogen occlusive tank 2 that accommodates a hydrogen occlusive alloy 21 for storing the gasified hydrogen. When liquid hydrogen is being filled into the liquid hydrogen tank 1, the pressure in the hydrogen occlusive tank 2 is lowered using a duct 51, a cooling fan 52, and a conduit 54 for cooling the hydrogen occlusive tank 2. Accordingly, the filling time is shortened and the fuel efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Shimada, Takahiro Kuriiwa, Yoshio Nuiya
  • Patent number: 6718776
    Abstract: A passive thermal control enclosure for transporting and storing payloads in earth orbit includes an inner box-like enclosure surrounded by an outer box-like enclosure with insulation in the space between the enclosures. The walls of the inner enclosure are fiber-matrix composite skins with honeycomb sandwiched therebetween. Each enclosure has its own door latched closed by releasable latches formed in opposed pairs that can be operated without any net force on the operator. Packs of phase change material (PCM) are placed into the inner enclosure with the payload. The PCM is contained in flexible packages. The packs of PCM are removed when they melt and replaced with fresh packs, and the melted packs preferably are re-frozen on-board the orbiting spacecraft. Freezing preferably is carried out such that the freeze front moves substantially in only one direction from one end of the pack to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: University of Alabama in Huntsville
    Inventors: Francis C. Wessling, James M. Blackwood, Gabrial A. Elliott, Susan K. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6718777
    Abstract: A working medium is used which is composed of an R32 refrigerant or a mixed refrigerant containing at least 70 wt % of the R32 and a polyvinyl ether oil whose viscosity at 40° C. is 46-82 cst. Thus, a refrigeration system capable of improving COP while ensuring sufficient reliability using a working medium containing an R32 refrigerant having a low GWP (Global Warming Parameter) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeharu Taira
  • Patent number: 6715301
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for controlling a driving of a reciprocating compressor for a refrigerator using a linear motor, in which a capacitance is varied according to a variation of a driving load, thereby improving a driving efficiency of the compressor. To this end, the apparatus for controlling a driving of a reciprocating compressor for a refrigerator using a linear motor comprises a first capacitor for attenuating an inductance of a coil wound on a motor; a second capacitor connected to the first capacitor in parallel; and a relay connected to the second capacitor in series to be turned on/off; and a microcomputer for outputting a control signal to turn on/off the relay according to the driving load of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Gye-Young Song
  • Patent number: 6708521
    Abstract: An electrically driven refrigeration system (10), in particular for a vehicle air conditioner, comprises a compressor (12), an electric motor (14) for driving the compressor (12), an electronic controller (16) for controlling the motor (14), a condenser (18), an expansion device (20) and an evaporator (20). These elements are interconnected in such a way as to form a refrigeration circuit for circulating a refrigerant from the compressor (12) through the condenser (18), the expansion device (20) and the evaporator (22) back to the compressor (12). The electronic controller (16) is arranged in such a way as to be in thermal exchange relationship with the refrigerant at a point of the refrigeration circuit situated between the compressor outlet (26) and the condenser outlet (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lukas M. Wurth
  • Patent number: 6701720
    Abstract: A sleeve or a wrapper is used to keep liquid contained in a container, such as a glass or bottle or can, cool. The sleeve contains materials that generate light when activated and chemicals that absorb heat when combined. The light is generated in an upper portion of the sleeve while heat is absorbed in a lower portion of the sleeve. The sleeve can be re-used by storing the sleeve in a refrigerator or freezer after the initial use which does not require such pre-cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin M. Stone, Renee Stone
  • Patent number: 6694776
    Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system for producing oxygen wherein essentially all of the power produced by a gas turbine system is used to compress feed air for the cryogenic air separation, and wherein preferably a facilitating column is employed to enhance the production of oxygen from the double column system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Parsnick, Andrew E. Taraboletti
  • Patent number: 6675465
    Abstract: A pick-up tool for the mounting of semiconductor chips onto a substrate has a suction device which consists of a plate made out of a dimensionally stable material one surface of which has structures made of hardened adhesive. The material for the plate is, for example, aluminum, a carbon fiber composite material or a dimensionally stable plastic. A suitable material for the structure is, for example, an adhesive which has Teflon® as the filing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: ESEC Trading SA
    Inventor: René Josef Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6672077
    Abstract: A hydrogen containing nanostructure is provided, where the hydrogen is adsorbed to the nanostructure by physisorption. The nanostructure includes light elements, selected from the second and third rows of the periodic table. The nanostructure is formed as a layered network of light elements coupled with covalent sp2 bonds. The chemical composition of the nanostructure can be such that the desorption temperature of hydrogen is greater than the liquefaction temperature of nitrogen, 77 K. Further, a hydrogen storage system is provided, including a container and a nanostructured storage material within the container, wherein the nanostructured storage material includes light elements, and the nanostructured storage material is capable of adsorbing hydrogen by physisorption. The hydrogen storage system can include a liquid nitrogen based cooling system, capable of cooling the nanostructured storage material below the desorption temperature of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Nanomix, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Bradley, Philip G. Collins, Jean-Christophe P. Gabriel, Young-Kyun Kwon, Seung-Hoon Jhi, George Grüner
  • Patent number: 6672076
    Abstract: An improved efficiency thermoelectric system is disclosed wherein convection is actively facilitated through a thermoelectric array. Thermoelectrics are commonly used for cooling and heating applications. Thermal power is convected through a thermoelectric array toward at least one side of the thermoelectric array, which leads to increased efficiency. Several different configurations are disclosed to provide convective thermal power transport, using a convective medium. In addition, a control system is disclosed which responds to one or more inputs to make adjustments to the thermoelectric system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: BSST LLC
    Inventor: Lon E. Bell
  • Patent number: 6658894
    Abstract: Xenon and/or krypton are recovered from oxygen containing gas, typically derived from liquid oxygen bottoms in a cryogenic air separation plant, by selective adsorption on a Li and Ag exchange zeolite containing 5 to 40% Ag exchange capacity on an equivalents basis, with periodic thermal regeneration of the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Christopher Golden, Thomas Stephen Farris, Robert Ling Chiang, Roger Dean Whitley, Fred William Taylor
  • Patent number: 6644068
    Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a compressor for increasing a temperature and a pressure of a refrigerant vapor, a condenser fluidly coupled to the compressor for condensing the refrigerant vapor, an expansion device for decreasing the temperature and pressure of a refrigerant liquid, and an evaporator fluidly coupled to the expansion device for evaporating the refrigerant liquid by transferring thermal energy between the refrigerant liquid and a second fluid. The refrigeration system also comprises a heat exchanger having a first flow path fluidly coupled to the compressor and the evaporator and a second flow path fluidly coupled to the condenser and the expansion valve. The heat exchanger is adapted to superheat the refrigerant vapor in the first flow path and subcool the refrigerant liquid in the second flow path by transferring thermal energy between the refrigerant in the first and second flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: E-Pak Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian E. Guckin
  • Patent number: 6637433
    Abstract: A gas forwarding apparatus for respiration and narcosis devices including a radial compressor and a drive apparatus which produces a magnetic rotary field, with the radial compressor including a housing within which a compressor wheel and a rotor which is connected thereto are arranged, with the drive apparatus being arranged outside the housing and with the drive apparatus and the rotor being designed to be mutually matched and arranged in such a manner that the rotor can be driven by the drive apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Levitronix LLC
    Inventor: Reto Schöb
  • Patent number: 6634118
    Abstract: Wood is disposed in a container having at least one flexible wall, and vacuum is applied to the container. The flexible wall presses against a surface of the wood. The container and wood are them immersed in a heated bath (e.g. comprising water, air, or other fluids). The wood is heated by conduction through the flexible wall, and maintained at accurate temperature by the bath. The wood is thereby rapidly dried by heat and vacuum. The present invention is energy efficient, and provides rapid, uniform drying of the wood without checking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhangjing Chen, Fred M. Lamb
  • Patent number: 6631567
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for the removal of moisture from particulized, solid food products, comprising; a housing (9); a perforated plate (2), creating two chambers (3, 4) in the housing (1), gas-inlets (5, 6), present below the perforated plate (2); an outlet (8) in the perforated plate (2), provided with a removable plug (9); heating means (15, 18) for the gases. The invention further concerns a process for the removal of moisture from solid, small particles, by subjecting these particles, while in an annular, fluidized bed to a heat treatment for a specific time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventor: Sander ten Have
  • Patent number: 6631617
    Abstract: A two stage hermetic compressor which uses carbon dioxide as the working fluid. A pair of modules individually housing compression mechanisms are located at opposite ends of a module housing an electric motor. The modules are secured to one another when the compressor is assembled. Suction pressure carbon dioxide gas is compressed in the first compression mechanism to an intermediate pressure which is introduced into an electric motor module compartment. The intermediate pressure gas enters the second compression mechanism module through a suction port. A conical baffle is affixed to the upper compression mechanism module to protect the suction port from direct suction of oil and to separate oil entrained in the gas therefrom. The intermediate refrigerant gas is compressed to a discharge pressure and is discharged into a compartment defined in the second compression mechanism module. The discharge pressure gas is then exhausted to the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Nelik I. Dreiman, Rick L. Bunch