Patents Examined by Hoang M. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11713696
    Abstract: Method for driving machines, in an ethylene plant steam generation circuit, the method including recovering heat as high pressure steam from a cracking furnace; providing said high pressure steam to at least one steam turbine, wherein the steam turbine is configured to drive a machine, such as a process compressor; condensing at least part of the high pressure steam in a condenser; pumping condensed steam as boiler feed water back to the cracking furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TECHNIP ENERGIES FRANCE
    Inventor: Peter Oud
  • Patent number: 11713694
    Abstract: A turbine shroud assembly includes a carrier assembly, a blade track segment, and a retainer. The carrier assembly is arranged circumferentially at least partway around an axis and includes a fore carrier segment and an aft carrier segment coupled with the fore carrier. The blade track segment is supported by the carrier assembly to locate the blade track segment radially outward of the axis and define a portion of a gas path of the turbine shroud assembly. The retainer extends into the fore carrier segment, the blade track segment, and the aft carrier segment to couple the blade track segment with the carrier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Ted J. Freeman, Aaron D. Sippel
  • Patent number: 11703278
    Abstract: A liquefied natural gas compression system includes: a first gas turbine that drives a rotary machine; a first steam boiler including a first heat recovery steam generator that recovers heat from exhaust gas from the first gas turbine; a first steam turbine that drives a first refrigerant compressor; a common header steam line through which steam from the first steam boiler flows to an inlet of the first steam turbine; an auxiliary steam line; and a letdown valve that connects the common header steam line to the auxiliary steam line and that opens in response to pressure of the common header steam line exceeding a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation
    Inventors: Keizo Yoneda, Peter Clifford Rasmussen, Bernard Quoix, Takeshi Hataya, Yoshinori Matsubara
  • Patent number: 11703036
    Abstract: Thermal energy is extracted from geological formations using a heat harvester. In some embodiments, the heat harvester is a once-through, closed loop, underground heat harvester created by directionally drilling through hot rock. The extracted thermal energy can be converted or transformed to other forms of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: XGS Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Piotr D. Moncarz, Walter R. Kolbe, Louis E. Capuano, Jr., Keanen Ryan
  • Patent number: 11703027
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a WEC controller that uses a self-tuning proportional-integral control law prescribing motor torques to maximize electrical power generation and automatically tune the controller to maximize power absorption. In an embodiment, the controller may be part of any resonant WEC system. The control law relies upon an identified model of device intrinsic impedance to generate a frequency-domain estimate of the wave-induced excitation force and measurements of device velocities. The control law was tested in irregular sea-states that evolved over hours (a rapid, but realistic time-scale) and that changed instantly (an unrealistic scenario to evaluate controller response).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Giorgio Bacelli, David G. Wilson, Dominic Forbush, Steven J. Spencer, Ryan G. Coe
  • Patent number: 11698058
    Abstract: A method, approach, system, apparatus and solution that generates electricity from the removal heat of sustainable thermal cycles combined with a renewable thermal energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: UNM Rainforest Innovations
    Inventors: Nima Fathi, Peter V. Vorobieff, Patrick McDaniel, Seyed Sobhan Aleyasin, Mahyar Pourghasemi
  • Patent number: 11691742
    Abstract: A hybrid powerplant is provided for an aircraft. This aircraft hybrid powerplant includes a housing, an electric machine, a heat engine and a geartrain. The housing includes a containment zone located within the housing. The electric machine is arranged within the containment zone. The heat engine is arranged partially or completely within the housing and outside of the containment zone. The geartrain is arranged partially or completely within the housing and partially or completely outside of the containment zone. The electric machine, the heat engine and the geartrain are operatively interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp
    Inventors: Michael Mark, Ion Dinu
  • Patent number: 11686223
    Abstract: A system includes an electric generator, a power electronics system, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The electric generator includes a turbine wheel, a rotor, and a stator. The turbine wheel is configured to receive process gas and rotate in response to expansion of the process gas flowing through the electric generator. The rotor is configured to rotate with the turbine wheel. The electric generator is configured to generate electrical power upon rotation of the rotor within the stator. The power electronics system is configured to receive the electrical power from the electric generator and convert the electrical power to specified power characteristics. A heat transfer fluid receives waste heat from the power electronics system through the first heat exchanger. The heat transfer fluid transfers the received waste heat to the process gas through the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Sapphire Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Liu, James Ryan Yates
  • Patent number: 11680496
    Abstract: A method for extracting and storing, respectively, energy in the form of concentration gradients wherein a process of extracting energy comprising the steps of feeding stored gaseous working medium into a working volume (2), compressing the working medium in the working volume (2), spraying a dilute solution into the working volume (2) before or during compression, increasing the temperature of the working medium fed in the working volume (2) by compression, evaporating the dilute solution with the working medium of increased temperature, removing heat from the working medium by the evaporating solution, keeping the heat extracted from the working medium in the form of latent heat of the vapor in the working volume (2), further increasing the temperature of the working medium until the partial pressure of the vapor in it approaches the vapor pressure of a solution of higher concentration at a corresponding temperature, spraying a solution of higher concentration of a vapor pressure of up to 60% of the vapor p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: WiGNER FIZIKAI KUTATÓKÖZPONT
    Inventor: Zoltán Németh
  • Patent number: 11680517
    Abstract: A method and a turbine-compressor assembly of a system having a turbine-compressor device fluidly coupled with a heat source, a compressor, and a turbine via plural valves. A power device may be coupled with the turbine-compressor device. A controller may control operation of the plural valves to control movement of fluids within the assembly to selectively switch between the turbine-compressor device operating in one of plural modes. In a turbine mode of operation, the turbine-compressor device may generate electrical power and direct the electrical power to the power device. In a compressor mode of operation, the turbine-compressor device may receive electrical power from the power device to consume the electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Xavier Blythe, Pradheepram Ottikkutti, Rogier Giepman, Michael Majewski, Kevin McElhaney, Najeeb Kuzhiyil, Adam Edgar Klingbeil, Adam C. Felton, Christopher Joseph Homison
  • Patent number: 11668287
    Abstract: Locking device comprising: a support, a first locking member and a second locking member, the first locking member being mounted on the support and configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, an intermediate member movable between a retaining position and a release position, the intermediate member in the retaining position retaining the first locking member in the locked position, and a shape-memory member, the shape-memory member being connected to the intermediate member and configured to move the intermediate member to the release position when the shape-memory member is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AEROTECHNICS
    Inventors: Charles Naly, Benoit Bruiant Chrysostom, Matthieu Luc Fromage, Florian Damien Romain Klockiewicz
  • Patent number: 11655796
    Abstract: A hydro power generating system and device is configured to generate electrical power from the movement of water. The device consists of an elongated cylindrical hull to which comprises of a helical screw attached around the outer surface of a hull of the device. Movement of water over the screw causes the hull to rotate. The power created by the rotation of the hull is transferred to a generator located in the hull interior. The hull also contains water ballast tanks and a compressed air source in an air tank allowing adjusting the buoyancy of the device. The system is configured to couple adjacent devices in an array that can extend longitudinally, laterally and/or vertically via a common frame. At least a pair of counter-rotating screws is attached to a common frame, wherein the entire assembly of the system is anchored in flowing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Walter B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 11655801
    Abstract: A geothermal well is provided including a first tube including at least one opening in a first depth; a second tube having a closed bottom in a second depth; and a third tube having a closed bottom in a third depth. The first tube is inside the second tube, which is inside the third tube, wherein the first tube has at least one opening in fluid communication with a first interspace between the first tube and the second tube; wherein the third depth and the first depth are smaller than the second depth. Through-holes are formed in the second tube above the bottom of the third tube, which allow fluid communication between the first interspace and a second interspace between the second tube and the third tube. A first sealing element and a heat insulating material are disposed in the first interspace above the through-holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: GEOMAX PROJECT KFT.
    Inventors: István Bánhidi, Zoltán Árpád György
  • Patent number: 11644220
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using a hot sedimentary aquifer (HSA) in geothermal energy generation applications. An example embodiment operates by pumping, via multiple extraction wells, heated water from one or more extraction depths of an HSA. The HSA is identified based on a permeability satisfying a threshold permeability range. The example embodiment further operates by extracting, via a power generation unit, heat from the heated water to generate power and transform the heated water into cooled water. Subsequently, the example embodiment operates by injecting, via multiple injection wells, the cooled water at one or more injection depths of the HSA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Geothermal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce D. Marsh, Saman Karimi, James Hollis, J. Gary McDaniel
  • Patent number: 11644014
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and a controller for controlling generation of geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to thereby supply electrical power to one or more of in-field operational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storage device. In an embodiment, during hydrocarbon production, a temperature of a flow of heated fluid from a source or working fluid may be determined. If the temperature is above a vaporous phase change threshold of the working fluid, heat exchanger valves may be opened to divert flow of heated fluid to heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to working fluid through the heat exchangers, thereby to cause the working fluid to change from a liquid to vapor, the vapor to cause a generator to generate electrical power via rotation of an expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ICE Thermal Harvesting, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Benjamin Bodishbaugh, Carrie Jeanne Murtland
  • Patent number: 11639729
    Abstract: An explosively propelled piston assembly (EPPA) comprising an optional mounting plate; at least one lower cylinder fastener; a breach bolt with a base and an upward extending member; a breach plate having a plurality of surround openings; a breach gasket having a plurality of openings; a combustion piston with a base, a center opening, and upward extending side wall and a threaded opening; a piston dampening ring; a combustion cylinder having an upper section, a lower section, upward extending members and at least one ventilation bore; and a plurality of threaded plate fasteners. Once the EPPA is assembled, an explosive charge is placed into the EPPA. The charge is then activated which produces a contained explosive force that actuates the piston, causing the piston to extend outward, applying the force onto an object in contact with or adjacent to the EPPA. The force can be used to produce pushing, flipping, rolling or other movement of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventor: Eric J. Allard
  • Patent number: 11629705
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize polymer fibers non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described. In some embodiments, thermally-powered polymer fiber torsional actuator has a twisted, chain-oriented polymer fiber that has a first degree of twist at a first temperature and a second degree of twist at a second temperature in which the bias angles of the first degree and second degree of twist are substantially different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marco D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Patent number: 11624318
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for storing electrical energy which are based on a closed thermodynamic cycle. They make it possible to store electrical energy in a very efficient, cost-effective, and safe manner. No environmentally hazardous or expensive materials are required. The system comprises a compressor, a turbine, and two packed-bed storage units which are operated at different temperature levels. In order to load the packed-bed storage units, the cycle is operated as a counterclockwise heat pump process. In this process, the heat generated at the outlet of the compressor is expanded at a high temperature level into a first packed-bed storage unit and stored therein. The “cold” produced during the subsequent expansion of the gaseous working medium in a turbine is stored in a second packed-bed storage unit. This requires mechanical energy which is provided by an electrical machine. In order to discharge the energy storage system, the cycle is operated in reverse (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ENOLCON GMBH
    Inventors: Günter Schneider, Hartmut Maier
  • Patent number: 11624299
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a system for generating steam. The system can include a direct steam generator configured to generate saturated steam and combustion exhaust constituents. A close coupled heat exchanger can be fluidly coupled to the direct steam generator, the close coupled heat exchanger can be configured to route the saturated or superheated steam and combustion exhaust constituents through an exhaust constituent removal system. The system can include an energy recovery system that reclaims the energy from the exhaust constituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: XDI Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: James Charles Juranitch, Raymond Clifford Skinner, Thomas Raymond Juranitch, Alan Craig Reynolds
  • Patent number: 11624354
    Abstract: An energy collection apparatus includes an upper body and a lower body. The upper body has a first storage compartment, and is arranged to connect to an external energy generator. The lower body downwardly extends from the upper body, and has a second storage compartment. The energy collection apparatus is securely supported in a deep sea level above seabed so that when sea water enters the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment, geothermal energy and pressure difference between the sea water in the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment create upthrust steam at a top portion of the first storage compartment, the upthrust steam being guided to reach the external energy generator for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Xiangyang Xu