Patents Examined by Jonathan Matthias
  • Patent number: 10054078
    Abstract: A device for compressing a gaseous fluid includes a first chamber thermally coupled with a hot source, a second chamber thermally coupled with a cold source, a movable piston moved by a rod, and a regenerating exchanger establishing fluid communication between the first and second chambers. The rod is arranged in a cylindrical socket and guided in axial translation by a linear guiding system such as to guide the piston without contact relative to the sleeve. A sealing ring attached to the cylindrical socket surrounds the rod with a very low radial clearance, in order to limit the passage of the gaseous fluid along the mobile rod. Also disclosed is an integral cold casing having machined boreholes, a thermal screen in the hot casing, and a self-driving system with a resilient return means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Boostheat
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Joffroy, Martin Bidar, Luc Dando
  • Patent number: 10036118
    Abstract: A plurality of wire elements for use in an energy recovery device comprising Shape Memory Alloy or other Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) material, wherein at least one wire element is fixed at one end and free to move at a second end, such that the wire elements are arranged adjacently and are in friction or interference contact with each other and are secured at the outer perimeter of wires utilising a securing means. In such arrangement, during the operation of the bundle arrangement in a heat engine system, the plate elements act to transmit the aggregated force generation of the wire grouping and thus usefully recover and transmit power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: EXERGYN LIMITED
    Inventors: Barry Cullen, Kevin O'Toole, Georgiana Tirca-Dragomirescu, Keith Warren, Ronan Byrne, Rory Beirne
  • Patent number: 10036293
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying an exhaust gas includes an engine, an exhaust pipe, a first lean NOx trap (LNT) adapted to absorb nitrogen oxide (NOx) contained in the exhaust gas, to release the absorbed NOx, and to reduce the NOx contained in the exhaust gas or the released NOx or to generate ammonia (NH3), a second LNT adapted to absorb the NOx, to release the absorbed NOx, and to reduce the NOx contained in the exhaust gas or the released NOx or to generate the NH3, and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst adapted to temporarily absorb the NH3 and to reduce the NOx contained in the exhaust gas, wherein the second LNT is positioned such that an average temperature of the second LNT is lower than that of the first LNT by 50-150° C. based on an average temperature of the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jun Sung Park
  • Patent number: 10030561
    Abstract: A method for operating a device configured to provide a dosed supply of a liquid. The device has: a pump delivering the liquid and having a pump housing having an inlet and an outlet, an eccentric on the pump housing, and a deformable diaphragm arranged between the pump housing and the eccentric. The deformable diaphragm and the pump housing delimit a delivery path from the inlet to the outlet and form at least one seal of the delivery path, the seal being displaceable along the delivery path by a movement of the eccentric to deliver the liquid. The method comprises: detecting a demanded dose amount of the liquid; activating the pump to deliver the liquid by the pump; stopping operation of the pump when the delivered amount of the liquid corresponds to the demanded dose amount; deactivating the pump when the eccentric is situated in a predefined park position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Brück, Jan Hodgson
  • Patent number: 10024196
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for lubricating an expansion machine (30) in a thermodynamic cycle device, wherein the thermodynamic cycle device comprises the expansion machine, a feed pump (50), a lubricant separator (10) and a working medium containing a lubricant, and wherein the method comprises the following steps: The working medium is subjected to pressure by means of the feed pump. The pressurized working medium is delivered by the feed pump to the lubricant separator. At least part of the lubricant is separated from the working medium by means of the lubricant separator. At least part of the separated lubricant is delivered by the lubricant separator to the expansion machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AG
    Inventors: Richard Aumann, Andreas Schuster, Andreas Sichert
  • Patent number: 10012128
    Abstract: An engine includes an exhaust sensor projecting from an opening in an inner surface of a first exhaust pipe to inside of an exhaust passage, and a projection provided in the inner surface of the first exhaust pipe along the opening, and positioned farther inside the exhaust passage than the opening, wherein at least a portion of the projection is positioned upstream of the opening in a flow direction of exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10006332
    Abstract: An engine system includes a turbocharger (16), an exhaust gas control apparatus (81), a fuel addition device (82), a heating unit, and an ECU. The turbocharger includes a variable nozzle mechanism (34). The exhaust gas control apparatus is disposed on an exhaust downstream side of the exhaust turbine in an exhaust passage. The fuel addition device is configured to add a fuel to the exhaust gas of the engine to recover the function of the exhaust gas control apparatus on a further exhaust upstream side than the exhaust turbine. The heating unit is configured to heat the link chamber (52). The ECU is configured to execute heating control for controlling the initiation and the stopping of heating by the heating unit and execute the heating control in a period overlapping with at least part of a period when the addition of the fuel by the fuel addition device is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kuma
  • Patent number: 10001091
    Abstract: Catalyst compositions suitable for use in the exhaust gas recycle stream of an internal combustion engine are provided. Such catalyst compositions typically provide significant amounts of methane in addition to syngas. A reformer incorporating such a catalyst for use in an exhaust gas recycle portion of an internal combustion engine powertrain is described. A powertrain incorporating such a reformer, a method of increasing the octane rating of an exhaust gas recycle stream, and a method of operating an internal combustion engine using methane-assisted combustion are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian M. Weiss, Walter Weissman, Tilman W. Beutel, John F. Brody, Eugine Choi, Wenjun Li, Paul D. Madiara, Chris E. Esther Kliewer, Karl G. Strohmaier, Scott J. Weigel, Brett Loveless, Makoto Kioke, Hiroshi Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 10001113
    Abstract: The invention provides an energy recovery device comprising a first SMA core housed in a first immersion chamber and adapted to be sequentially filled with fluid to allow heating and/or cooling of the first SMA core wherein a first shaft is adapted to be turned by the SMA core mounted concentrically around said first shaft. The SMA core comprises a plurality of SMA elements to define a module, wherein a plurality of modules are mounted in series and whereby movement of a first module is configured to be input to a second module enabling cumulative rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: EXERGYN LTD.
    Inventors: Georgiana Tirca-Dragomirescu, Ronan Byrne, Rory Beirne, Kevin O'Toole
  • Patent number: 9995288
    Abstract: Described herein is a motor comprising a first rotatable member and an anchor, spaced apart from the first rotatable member. The motor also comprises a belt, in tension about the first rotatable member and the anchor. The belt is co-rotatably engaged with the first rotatable member. Further, the belt is made from a shape-memory alloy. Additionally, the motor comprises a thermal regulation device, positioned between spaced-apart first and second portions of the belt. The thermal regulation device is also configured to concurrently cool the first portion of the belt to contract the first portion of the belt and heat the second portion of the belt to expand the second portion of the belt. Concurrent contraction and expansion of the first and second portions of the belt cause rotation of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Morteza Safai, Kimberly D. Meredith
  • Patent number: 9995289
    Abstract: The invention provides an energy recovery device comprising an engine comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to a drive mechanism wherein a holder is configured with a plurality of slots adapted to receive the plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) or NTE elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: EXERGYN LIMITED
    Inventors: Barry Cullen, Kevin O'Toole, Geogiana Tirca-Dragomirescu, Keith Warren, Rory Beirne
  • Patent number: 9995182
    Abstract: A support structure for a condensation system is disclosed having a pair of tube bundles connected at its respective upper ends to steam distribution lines for introducing steam into the tube bundles. The lower ends of the tube bundles are connected to condensate collectors for receiving condensate from the tube bundles and the tube bundles are arranged in a V shape such that the steam distribution lines of a pair of tube bundles are further apart from one another than are the condensate collectors of the pair of tube bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ENEXIO GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Alexander Scholz
  • Patent number: 9995287
    Abstract: The present invention is about an actuator comprising at least one shape-memory-alloy based converter in a housing and at least one preload spring. The actuator is configured to cause a motion of at least one movable member. The optimal structures along with corresponding methods for improving an actuator are claimed in the independent claims. Preferable embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SYNOSTE OY
    Inventors: Harri Hallila, Juha Haaja, Antti Ritvanen
  • Patent number: 9989040
    Abstract: The present invention is about an actuator comprising at least one shape-memory-alloy based converter in a housing and at least one preload spring. The actuator is configured to cause a motion of at least one movable member. The optimal structures along with corresponding methods for improving an actuator are claimed in the independent claims. Preferable embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SYNOSTE OY
    Inventors: Harri Hallila, Juha Haaja, Antti Ritvanen
  • Patent number: 9988961
    Abstract: A method of purifying exhaust gas may include predicting a slip probability of ammonia (NH3) to a rear end of a selective catalytic reduction on diesel particulate filter (SDPF), comparing the predicted ammonia slip probability with a slip probability of ammonia limiting operation of a low pressure-exhaust gas recirculation (LP-EGR) system, comparing an absorption amount of ammonia with a value obtained by multiplying an ammonia absorption target amount by a minimum target absorption amount ratio when the predicted ammonia slip probability is larger than the slip probability of ammonia limiting operation of the LP-EGR system, limiting the operation of the LP-EGR when the absorption amount of ammonia is not larger than the value obtained by multiplying an ammonia absorption target amount by a minimum target absorption amount ratio, and dosing a urea solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ji Ho Cho, Jong Hag Kim
  • Patent number: 9988944
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel turbo-generator unit, which at least comprises a boiler and a superheater and a reheater provided in the boiler. On the boiler, the positions corresponding to the header of the steam inlets and outlets of the superheater and reheater form the header-connection area; the steam pipe system at least comprises the pipes that connect the boiler with the HP cylinder and the IP cylinder and are used to transmit the HTHP steam; the HP cylinder and the generator constitute the high-level shafting, and the high-level shafting is positioned outside of boiler and close to the header-connection area. The present invention can also comprise a low-level shafting positioned at a low level. Since the high-level shafting and the low-level shafting are arranged at different levels, the lengths of costly HTHP steam pipes in the pipe system and the pressure drop and heat radiation loss of the pipe system are significantly reduced, and the work capability of the unit is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Weizhong Feng
  • Patent number: 9976464
    Abstract: An after-treatment (AT) system for an exhaust gas flow from an internal combustion engine includes first and second AT devices positioned in the exhaust gas flow. The AT system also includes an exhaust passage for carrying the flow of exhaust gas from the first AT device to the second AT device. The AT system additionally includes an injector configured to generate a reductant spray into the exhaust passage and a sensor positioned proximate the injector for detecting a concentration of a pollutant in the exhaust gas flow downstream of the first AT device. The AT system furthermore includes a deflector arranged between the injector and the sensor and configured to guide the flow of exhaust gas to the sensor to thereby concentrate the flow of exhaust gas at the sensor and direct the reductant spray away from the sensor to thereby minimize detection of the reductant by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Claudio Ciaravino, Joshua Clifford Bedford, Andrea Arnone
  • Patent number: 9976463
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an ammonia storage structure in particular for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases of combustion vehicles, including at least one storage material in which the ammonia can be stored, where the structure includes at least two different storage portions, each storage portion containing a storage material, and not all the storage materials of the different storage portions being identical. The disclosure also relates to an ammonia storage and removal system of a vehicle that includes a storage chamber, including such a storage structure. A selective catalytic reduction system for internal combustion engine exhaust gases, includes such an ammonia storage system and to a module for feeding ammonia into the exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: AAQIUS & AAQIUS SA
    Inventor: Jean-Baptiste Dementhon
  • Patent number: 9976470
    Abstract: An aftertreatment module is disclosed for use with an engine. The aftertreatment module may have an inlet housing at least partially defining an inlet passage for exhaust, and at least one mixer disposed in the inlet passage. The aftertreatment module may also have an outlet housing at least partially defining an outlet passage for exhaust, and a catalyst housing removably connected between the inlet housing and the outlet housing. The aftertreatment module may further have a plurality of catalyst substrates configured to be mounted in the catalyst housing, to receive exhaust from the inlet passage in parallel, and to discharge exhaust to the outlet housing in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond U. Isada, Kurtis E. Chenoweth, Eric Spaeth, Ping Xiang, Yung T. Bui
  • Patent number: 9976467
    Abstract: An exhaust system includes: an exhaust pipe defining an exhaust path of exhaust gas to atmosphere; a recirculation pipe defining a recirculation path separating a part of exhaust gas passing through the exhaust pipe and allowing the part to flow back to a power unit; a purification unit purifying exhaust gas by catalyst; and a heating device heating exhaust gas before purification to activate the purification ability of the catalyst. The heating device includes: an acoustic-wave generator generating acoustic waves by absorbing heat from exhaust gas passing through the recirculation pipe and by giving the heat to working fluid to cause the working fluid to oscillate, and a heat transfer part transferring heat of exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe passing through a downstream position from the purification unit to exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe passing through an upstream position from the purification unit by using acoustic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kasai, Yukio Miyairi, Shinichi Miwa