Patents Examined by Mickey France
  • Patent number: 11767784
    Abstract: An expander system for recovering waste heat, a waste heat recovery system including such an expander system, a vehicle including such a waste heat recovery system and a method for manufacturing such an expander system. The expander system includes a shaft and a coupling portion including a first sealing unit and a second sealing unit. The shaft is inserted through the coupling portion to an expanding unit. The first sealing unit and the second sealing unit are arranged facing one another along the shaft. The first sealing unit and the second sealing unit are configured to seal the shaft in an axial direction relative to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Ola Rolandson
  • Patent number: 11293310
    Abstract: A steam network assembly for a plant including an ammonia-producing unit and a urea-producing unit, including a high-pressure steam line, two medium-pressure steam lines and first and second turbines supplied with high-pressure steam by the high-pressure steam line; wherein the first turbine is a condensing-type turbine with extraction into one of the two medium-pressure steam lines, and is configured to deliver power to a syngas compressor in the ammonia-producing unit of the plant, and the second turbine is a counter-pressure type turbine with extraction connected to the two medium-pressure steam lines and is configured to deliver power to a CO2 compressor in the urea-producing unit of the plant. A method to distribute high-pressure steam in a steam network assembly for a plant including an ammonia-producing unit and a urea-producing unit and a method to revamp the steam network assembly for a plant including an ammonia-producing unit and a urea-producing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA
    Inventors: Danny Franceus, Lino Giovanni Porro
  • Patent number: 10378379
    Abstract: A spoolie manifold including two or more spaced apart caps including outlets and one pair of caps connected together in flow communication by a jumper tube assembly. Jumper tube assembly including a jumper tube having first and second spoolies attached to opposite ends of the jumper tube. Ends may be welded into counterbores of the spoolies having spherical spoolie ends press-fitted into first and second sleeves in bores in pair of the caps and sleeves retained in bores with retainer clips. A duct connected in flow communication to an inlet of one of the caps. Spoolie manifold may include three spaced apart caps including a distributor cap between two port caps connected in flow communication to distributor cap by jumper tube assembly. Cap outlets may be feed strut ports in casing of turbine frame including hub spaced inwardly from casing and having spaced apart hollow struts with strut ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Alan Manteiga, Sydney Michelle Wright, Christopher Richard Koss, Tod Kenneth Bosel
  • Patent number: 10330348
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for extracting geothermal energy, by providing salt into a well shaft that ends in a chamber in the Earth surrounded by a source of geothermal energy. The salt melts and heats up to the temperature within the chamber. The hot molten salt is then extracted and the heat from the molten salt is used as a source of energy to generate electricity or drive an industrial process. The salt can be re-used once the heat is extracted in a closed-loop system. According to some techniques, the salt is conveyed down the well by a pneumatic conveyer system or in other cases by using a mechanical system, such as a screw drive. Once returned to the surface, the molten salt can be used to heat graphite blocks for energy storage or be stored and transported to remote locations to extract the heat energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: David Alan McBay
  • Patent number: 10294891
    Abstract: Disclosed is an energy collector system applicable to internal combustion engines. It may include: a) a collector of thermal energy from the exhaust gases; b) a thermal tank covered by helical tubes to gain heat by the exhaust gases; c) a heat exchanger; and d) an outer element capable of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, such as a closed Brayton cycle turbine, a Stirling engine, a Rankine turbine or an open loop air motor for converting mechanical energy (coupling the difference in rpm) into electrical energy with an electrical generator. The thermal energy collector may be composed of a heat exchanger that collects energy from the exhaust gases. The electrical energy generated may be used for driving a hybrid vehicle. The thermal tank is capable of storing energy as heat, as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: INNOVATION MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Noel Leon-Rovira, Humberto Tellez-Aguayo, Eduardo Mariscal-Hay, Armando Jesús Guerrero-Serrano, Luis Daniel Cedeño-Viveros
  • Patent number: 10265817
    Abstract: A turbine power unit for a power tool having a turbine housing with an interior space configured to receive therein a fluid powered turbine supported for rotation on a bearing within the turbine housing. A service opening through the turbine housing into the interior space thereof, the service opening configured to permit installation and removal of a bearing into and out of the interior space of the turbine housing. A removable cover releasably securable to the turbine housing over the service opening and transitionable between an open configuration in which a bearing can be installed into and removed from the interior space of the turbine housing through the service opening and a closed configuration in which an installed bearing within the interior space is secured for operation in the turbine housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SFI Alpha Spin Ltd.
    Inventor: Gerald Jay Sanders
  • Patent number: 10253655
    Abstract: A method for coupling a gas turbine connected to a generator and a steam turbine, wherein the generator has an excitation winding, the excitation of which can be changed by changing an excitation current flowing through the excitation winding, the method having the following steps: a) accelerating and/or decelerating the steam turbine in such a way that the coupling takes place with a target coupling angle; b) if necessary, changing the excitation current such that the excitation of the excitation winding changed in this way leads to a changed polar wheel angle, wherein the polar wheel angle is changed in such a way that the achieving of the target coupling angle is supported. In an analogous method, the polar wheel angle is changed for the purposes of improved decoupling. A corresponding control device is for coupling a gas turbine connected to a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Berning, Marc Diefenbach, Marcel Langer, Martin Ophey, Dennis Schlüter, Michael Winkel
  • Patent number: 10233948
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a rotor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The rotor may include a rotor disk and a plurality of blade extending radially outward from the rotor disk. At least one of the blades may have a physical nonuniformity. The blades may be distributed about the rotor disk based on any physical nonuniformities of the blades to generate at least one decay-resistant harmonic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Topol, Dilip Prasad
  • Patent number: 10227950
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic engine is provided that uses acoustic energy to operate a piston in a double-acting action. The acoustic energy is amplified as a sound wave travels through the thermoacoustic engine. The amplified acoustic energy is extracted and converted into usable electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Rodger W. Dyson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10215048
    Abstract: An adjustable stator vane for a turbine engine includes a shaft, a flange and a stator vane body that pivots about a variable vane axis. The stator vane body extends axially between a first end and a second end. The stator vane body includes an airfoil, a cavity, and a body surface located at the first end. The cavity extends axially from an inlet in the body surface and into the airfoil. The shaft extends along the variable vane axis from the first end. The flange extends circumferentially around the inlet and the shaft, and radially from the stator vane body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, Raymond Surace, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 10203069
    Abstract: A steam turbine pipe 1 of an embodiment includes: an upper half side main steam pipe 11 that leads steam to a steam turbine; an upper half side main steam control valve 30 that intervenes in the upper half side main steam pipe 11; and a post-valve drain pipe 31 that is connected to the upper half side main steam control valve 30 and leads drain to an outside. The steam turbine pipe 1 further includes: a shut-off valve 32 that intervenes in the post-valve drain pipe 31; and a branching pipe 60 that makes the post-valve drain pipe 31 on the side closer to the upper half side main steam control valve 30 than is the shut-off valve 32 communicate with the upper half side main steam pipe 11 between the upper half side main steam control valve 30 and a high-pressure turbine 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignees: TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION, TOSHIBA PLANT SYSTEMS & SERVICES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichi Nakamura, Tomoo Ohfuji, Tsutomu Shioyama, Hiroki Shiraishi, Makoto Takahashi, Tsutomu Ooishi, Daisuke Asakura, Toshihiko Endo, Hiroyuki Tao, Tetsuya Yamanaka, Koji Kanbe, Hiroryuki Nishi
  • Patent number: 10180096
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment fluid delivery system (16, 22, 116) may include a supply passageway (46, 146), a supply manifold (38, 138), injectors (42, 142), a bypass passageway (50, 150) and first and second pressure sensors (34, 134, 40, 140). The supply passageway (46, 146) receives the exhaust treatment fluid from a tank (26, 126) and provides the exhaust treatment fluid to the supply manifold (38, 138). The bypass passageway (50, 150) connects the supply passageway (46, 146) with the return passageway (48, 148) and includes a bypass valve (36, 136) controlling fluid flow therebetween. The first pressure sensor (34, 134) measures a first pressure of exhaust treatment fluid in the supply passageway (46, 146) based upon which the bypass valve (36, 136) is controlled. The second pressure sensor (40, 140) measures a second pressure of exhaust treatment fluid in the supply manifold (38, 138) based upon which the injectors (42, 142) are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Gaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 10180102
    Abstract: An intake air cooling device includes an intake manifold communicating with intake ports, and an intercooler disposed laterally of a cylinder head for cooling intake air. The intake manifold includes a manifold body fastened to the cylinder head, and a cooler forming portion communicating with the upstream end of the manifold body and constituting the lower end of the intercooler. Assuming that the cooler forming portion is a second cooler forming portion, the intercooler includes a first cooler forming portion mounted on the upper portion of the second cooler forming portion. The intercooler is constituted by the first and second cooler forming portions. The manifold body includes a plurality of fixing portions fastened to the surface of the cylinder head. The fixing portions are located on the outside of the second cooler forming portion in a side view along a direction orthogonal to the cylinder array direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidenari Kondo
  • Patent number: 10174638
    Abstract: A device for expanding steam, whereby this device comprises an expander with an inlet that is connected to an inlet pipe and an outlet that is connected to an outlet pipe, whereby the inlet pipe is provided with an inlet valve and the outlet pipe is provided with an outlet valve for isolating the space between the valves, by closing these valves when the expander is not operating, whereby the device is provided with a steam supply that conditions the space between the valves when the expander is not operating, such that no air can penetrate into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP
    Inventors: Kris Van Campfort, Kristof Pascal Hubin
  • Patent number: 10174635
    Abstract: A rolling element bearing includes a plurality of rolling elements that are arranged circumferentially around an axis, and radially between a bearing inner ring and a bearing outer ring. The inner ring extends axially between a first end and a second end, and includes a plurality of passages that are fluidly coupled with a channel. The passages are arranged circumferentially around the axis. The channel extends axially into the inner ring from the second end, and includes a gutter that extends radially into and axially within the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brady Walker, Ronnie K. Kovacik
  • Patent number: 10174632
    Abstract: A borescope plug assembly includes a borescope plug having a shaft section and a tip section, a bushing engageable with the shaft section and a seal engageable with the tip section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Porter, David T. Feindel, Matthew Budnick, Conway Chuong
  • Patent number: 10167733
    Abstract: A vibration resistant fan guide vane for a gas turbine engine is provided. The fan guide vane comprises a vibration damping component made of a MAXMET composite. The damping component may be a cover that covers some or all of the fan guide vane body. Alternatively, portions of the fan guide vane body or the entire vane body may be made from MAXMET composites. The disclosure makes use of the ultrahigh, fully reversible, non-linear elastic hysteresis behavior that MAXMET composites exhibit during cyclic elastic deformation in order to damp vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shahram Amini, Christopher W. Strock, Sergei F. Burlatsky, Dmitri Novikov
  • Patent number: 10167843
    Abstract: The generator comprises: at least one energy capturing float (2) which is movable in response to wave motion; a reaction member (1) to be positioned below the energy capturing float; connecting lines (4a, 4b,4c,4d) for connecting the at least one energy capturing float to the reaction member and defining a spacing (D3) between the energy capturing float and the reaction member; energy converters (3a,3b,3c,3d) for converting relative movement between the reaction member and at least one respective energy capturing float to useful energy. The generator includes depth setting means such as adjustable lines (8a,8b) connected to auxiliary floats (7a,7b) or adjustable mooring lines (9a,9b 9c,9d) securing the reaction member to the sea bed B for setting the depth (D1) of the reaction member in the sea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Marine Power Systems Limited
    Inventor: Graham Foster
  • Patent number: 10161254
    Abstract: A method of forming a guide vane is disclosed. The method includes forming a vane blank with sufficient material to fabricate the guide vane in accordance with any one of a plurality of different vane classes. The vane blank is inspected for material inconsistencies, and material is removed from the vane blank to form a desired guide vane in accordance with one of the plurality of vane classes. The inspection process includes disregarding at least one material inconsistency in a region of the vane blank that is removed to form the guide vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Hyatt, William Richard Ganoe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10161260
    Abstract: A variable area vane arrangement includes a stator vane including a shaft having an axis. The vane arrangement also includes a vane lever arm that rotates the stator vane about the axis. The vane lever arm includes a base, a first tab and a second tab. The base is arranged laterally between the first tab and the second tab. The first tab laterally overlaps the base. The second tab includes an aperture and laterally overlaps the base and the first tab. The shaft extends through the aperture and is connected to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas G. Morganti, Bernard W. Pudvah, Christopher R. Osborne