Patents Examined by Shafiq Mian
  • Patent number: 11959484
    Abstract: Disclosed is a direct-drive refrigerant screw compressor, having: a housing; a compression chamber in the housing; a pair of rotors, each rotor of the pair of rotors being rotationally disposed in the compression chamber and including an outer surface with a screw-geared profile; wherein, for each rotor, the compressor includes: a plurality of bearing packs disposed within a respective plurality of bearing chambers; a working fluid disposed within each of the plurality of bearing chambers, the working fluid providing oil-free lubrication to the plurality of bearing packs; a plurality of bearing lubrication ports extending through the housing and into each of the plurality of bearing chambers, and configured for injecting the working fluid into each of the plurality of bearing chambers when the compressor is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yifan Qiu, David M. Rockwell, Amit Vaidya
  • Patent number: 11953011
    Abstract: “The disclosure relates to a pump at least for conveying a fluid, comprising at least one conveyor device which has at least one conveyor chamber, at least one dimensionally stable conveyor chamber element that at least partly delimits the conveyor chamber, and at least one elastically deformable conveyor element that together with the conveyor chamber element delimits the conveyor chamber and is arranged on the conveyor chamber element; at least one drive unit for acting on the conveyor device; and at least one housing for receiving the conveyor device, wherein the housing is formed at least separately from the conveyor chamber element of the conveyor device, in particular from the conveyor device as a whole, in particular such that the conveyor chamber element, in particular the conveyor device, can be removed as a whole from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Watson Marlow GmbH
    Inventors: Alois Krutzenbichler, Lars Freiherr Varnbuler Von Und Zu Hemmingen-Redschlag, Raymond Ritschka, Nico Haug
  • Patent number: 11952683
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an actuator device having a large ratio of contraction ratio to initial tension. The actuator device according to the present disclosure comprises an actuator band and a control device. The actuator band is formed by braiding, knitting, or weaving a plurality of actuator single wires. The plurality of the actuator single wires each comprise an actuator wire and a mesh-shaped heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire. The actuator wire is formed of a polymer fiber. The fiber is twisted around the long axis thereof and folded so as to have a cylindrical coil shape. The control device is configured to supply electric power for heating the mesh-shaped heating element. The actuator band is heated to be contracted along the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuriko Kaneko, Maki Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 11953237
    Abstract: There is disclosed a foundation system for providing support to a structural load thereon and geothermal heat exchange using a fluid. In an embodiment, the foundation system includes at least one vertical pile member configured to install into a ground surface. A central insulated tube extends in a longitudinal direction within the vertical pile member. The central insulated tube is configured to transmit a geothermal heat exchange fluid therein. An input pipe and an output pipe are configured to transmit the geothermal heat exchange fluid through the vertical pile member and extend through the sidewall of the vertical pile member. A closed end, provided at the end of the pile member is configured to provide densified soil to increase heat transfer capability and efficiency in combination with the heat exchange limited by the central insulated tube. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Bernard J. Gochis
  • Patent number: 11953056
    Abstract: A shaft bearing assembly having a shaft supported in a bearing housing is described. The shaft bearing assembly includes a pressure reduction device for generating an underpressure inside the bearing housing. The pressure reduction device is operated by employing an incompressible fluid. Further, a method of reducing a pressure inside a bearing housing supporting a shaft is described. The method includes using an incompressible fluid for operating a pressure reduction device for generating an underpressure inside the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TURBO SYSTEMS SWITZERLAND LTD.
    Inventors: Moritz Mosdzien, Andreas Schmid, Peter Limacher, Marcel Joho, Wolfgang Joos
  • Patent number: 11953006
    Abstract: A screw compressor (100), comprising a screw rotor (110) and a spool valve (120). The screw rotor (110) comprises a suction head end (111) and an exhaust tail end (112). Gas is sucked in from the suction head end (111) and compressed gas is discharged from the exhaust tail end (112). The spool valve (120) comprises a working side (125) for sealing a compression chamber of the screw rotor (110). The working side (125) comprises a spool valve head end (121) and a spool valve tail end (122) and can do a reciprocating motion along the axis direction of the screw rotor (110). When the spool valve (120) moves to a suction capacity adjusting position (240), the spool valve head end (121) is located at the inner side of the suction head end (111) of the screw rotor (110), and a suction capacity adjusting distance (D2) is formed between the spool valve head end (121) and the suction head end (111) so that the suction capacity of the screw compressor is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Tyco Fire & Security GMBH, York (Wuxi) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Zhu, Zhengxiang Yu, Fanfei Zeng, Fengzhi Zhang
  • Patent number: 11946410
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may cause first adjustment of at least one component of a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) of the machine. The controller may cause, based on causing the first adjustment of the at least one component of the VGT, second adjustment of the at least one component of the VGT. The controller may determine, based on causing the second adjustment of the at least one component of the VGT, an amount of time for a speed of the VGT to decrease to less than or equal to speed threshold. The controller may determine, based on the amount of time, VGT assessment information. The controller may determine, based on the VGT assessment information, one or more actions to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Layne, Alok K. Puri
  • Patent number: 11946424
    Abstract: A processing method for a camshaft sensor including a toothed wheel, rotationally integral with a camshaft, rotating in front of a fixed sensing element capable of transmitting a signal indicating the profile of the toothed wheel, the method including the following steps: receiving a tooth edge, identifying the corresponding index, performing at least one first processing operation using each index, further including the following steps: qualifying an index and performing at least one second processing operation using the index, if it is qualified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Stéphane Eloy, Benjamin Marconato
  • Patent number: 11946700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat storage system (2) comprising a storage space (20), a heat storage medium in the storage space (20), and an extraction device (26) for extracting heat from the heat storage medium, the extraction device (26) comprising a first solid body arrangement (28) contacting the heat storage medium. The extraction device (26) further comprises a second solid body arrangement (30), wherein a solid body contact between the first solid body arrangement (28) and the second solid body arrangement (30) can be modified by increasing or decreasing a heat flow from the first solid body arrangement (28) to the second solid body arrangement (30). The present invention further relates to a method for storing and extracting heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Rowe Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Zehe
  • Patent number: 11939880
    Abstract: A turbine engine stage includes a plurality of airfoils extending between an inner band and an outer band. Each airfoil in the plurality of airfoils can have an outer wall defining a pressure side and a suction side, with the outer wall extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. An intervening flow passage is defined between two adjacent airfoils in the plurality of airfoils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Hadley Vitt, Matthew Brian Surprenant, Brian David Keith, Prem Venugopal, Thomas William Vandeputte
  • Patent number: 11940224
    Abstract: A method of operating an energy storage system (100), the system (100) comprising a thermodynamic cycle including a first thermal energy storage container (5) and an energy converter (1, 2, 3) for converting between electrical energy and thermal energy of the working fluid in the thermodynamic fluid cycle. For controlling the thermocline in the system without large thermal energy loss, it is pushed only partially out of the first thermal energy storage container (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Stiesdal Storage A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 11939978
    Abstract: In order to improve a machine for depressurizing or compressing substantially gaseous media, comprising a machine casing and at least one screw rotor, which is arranged in a screw rotor bore in the machine casing, extends between a low-pressure side and a high-pressure side of the screw rotor bore, cooperates with the substantially gaseous medium and is mounted on both sides in the machine casing by means of a respective bearing set, and a motor/generator unit that is coupled or couplable to the at least one screw rotor, it is proposed that the at least one screw rotor should be provided with at least one axial support bearing that axially supports the at least one screw rotor such that a high-pressure end face of the at least one screw rotor is guided, without making contact, to an end wall, which faces this end face, of the machine casing that receives the at least one screw rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: BITZER Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Marcus Blumhardt
  • Patent number: 11933303
    Abstract: Provided is a sliding component capable of stably reducing the frictional resistance between sliding surfaces entailing eccentric rotation. A sliding component has a sliding surface sliding relatively to a facing sliding surface with eccentric rotation. The sliding surface is provided with a plurality of dynamic pressure generation grooves arranged in a circumferential direction and each having, in a plan view, a tapered portion configured to become narrower toward a downstream side in an eccentric rotation direction of the facing sliding surface relatively to the sliding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11933278
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and a method for generating energy from geothermal sources. The system includes an injection well and a production well extending underground into a rock formation, a first lateral section connected to the injection well and a second lateral section connected to the production well, the first and second lateral sections connected with a multilateral connector, defining a pressure-tested downhole well loop within the rock formation and in a heat transfer arrangement therewith. The downhole well loop cased in steel and cemented in place within the rock formation. The downhole well loop to receive working fluid capable of undergoing phase change between liquid and gas within the downhole well loop as a result of heat transferred from the rock formation. The system also includes a pump to circulate working fluid, a turbine system to convert the flow of working fluid into electricity, and a cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Roda Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis Cook, Neal Gartner, Shane Engelking, Jeff Peterson
  • Patent number: 11920501
    Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery Von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Jeremy Quentin Keller, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
  • Patent number: 11920484
    Abstract: An energy storage device is provided with at least one energy storage unit (1). The energy storage unit (1) comprises a thermal storage element (3) made of a solid material and an electrical heating device (5) for heating the thermal storage element (3). According to a first concept, the electrical heating device (5) is adapted to heat the thermal storage element (3) by means of generating an electric current within the material of the thermal storage element (3). According to a second concept, an electric gas insulation (8) is provided, in order to electrically insulate the electrical heating device (5) from the thermal storage element (3). Furthermore, a method for storing energy by means of such an energy storage device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: E2S Power AG
    Inventors: Sasha Savic, Vladimir Vassiliev, Dylan Cuskelly, Sergey Pancheshnyi, Erich Herold Kisi
  • Patent number: 11920529
    Abstract: A first output limit value is determined as an intersection point of a knock-limit output line which is set according to an exhaust gas recirculation rate and ignition timing and an exhaust-temperature-limit output line which is set according to the exhaust gas recirculation rate and ignition timing; a second output limit value is determined as an intersection point of the knock-limit output line and an air-quantity-limit output line which is set according to the exhaust gas recirculation rate, ignition timing and atmospheric pressure; and a third output limit value is determined as an intersection point of the knock-limit output line and a thermal-management-limit output line which is set according to the exhaust gas recirculation rate, ignition timing and vehicle running speed. A value of the exhaust gas recirculation rate at which the condition “P1?P2 or P1?P3” is satisfied is set as a target exhaust gas recirculation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Kodama, Yoshihiko Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 11913361
    Abstract: An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the TES provides higher-temperature heat through non-combustible fluid to an alumina calcination system used to remove impurities or volatile substances and/or to incur thermal decomposition to a desired product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
  • Patent number: 11913408
    Abstract: A trunnion-to-disk connection for use on an open fan configuration of a gas turbine engine may include an integral trunnion and blade spar inserted through a trunnion aperture of a fan disk and supported by top bearing and a bottom bearing. A cavity can be provided between a trunnion of the integral trunnion and blade spar and the fan disk, as well as between the top bearing and bottom bearing. Pressurized hydraulic fluid can be supplied to the cavity to urge the integral trunnion and blade spar in a direction to preload the bearings. Prior to pressurization, and prior to installation of the bottom bearing, the trunnion can be inserted into a trunnion aperture of the fan disk such that an end of the trunnion extends past the fan disk to provide sufficient space to insert the bottom bearing from within the open interior of the fan disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: General Electric Company, GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Daggett, Frank Worthoff, Pawel Pres, Daryl John Burford
  • Patent number: 11913362
    Abstract: An energy storage system (TES)converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a steam cracking furnace system for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into cracked gas, thereby increasing the efficiency of the temperature control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani