Patents Examined by Thomas Denion
  • Patent number: 9677446
    Abstract: System for storing an internal combustion engine exhaust gas liquid additive, the said system comprising a tank for storing the additive and an “immersed” baseplate (1) positioned through an opening made in the bottom wall of the tank, the said baseplate comprising at least one orifice through which a system for injecting the said additive into the exhaust gases can be fed, and also incorporating at least one other active component of the storage system and/or of the injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Francois Dougnier, Joel Op De Beeck
  • Patent number: 9650962
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a gas turbine engine including a first rotor blade axially adjacent a second rotor blade and an aperture formed in one of the first rotor blade and the second rotor blade and structured to emit a fluid therefrom. A fluid source is in flow communication with the aperture and configured to flow the fluid through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Abraham Karam
  • Patent number: 9644496
    Abstract: The present application provides a radial diffuser exhaust system for use with a gas turbine engine. The radial diffuser exhaust system may include a radial diffuser positioned within an asymmetric exhaust collector. The asymmetric exhaust collector may include a closed end chamber and an exhaust end chamber. The closed end chamber may have a first size, the exhaust end chamber may have a second size, and the first size may be smaller than the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fernando Lopez-Parra, Balakrishnan Ponnuraj, Przemyslaw Drezek, Mehdi Milani Baladi, Ravinder Yerram, Donald Gordon Laing
  • Patent number: 9638136
    Abstract: A six stroke high thermal efficiency engine and a method for operating such an engine are disclosed. Oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is used as the oxidizer, heat is recovered from the two exhaust strokes, superheated steam is used in the second power stroke, and high levels of exhaust gas from stroke four are recirculated. Lean burn combustion is utilized to produce an oxygen rich exhaust which results in very low levels of particulates, unburned hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. Due to high thermal efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced per unit of power output. Use of oxygen or oxygen-enriched air as the oxidizer produces an exhaust containing very low levels of nitrogen oxides. The engine is insulated to conserve heat, resulting in reduced engine noise. An engine with high thermal efficiency, quiet operation, and low emissions is the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Philip Owen Jung
  • Patent number: 9638175
    Abstract: Power systems utilizing at least two heat source streams with substantially different initial temperatures, where the systems include a simple vaporization, separation, and energy extraction subsystem, a recycle subsystem, and a condensation and pressurization subsystem and methods for making and using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 9631563
    Abstract: A torsional pulse dampener including a pulley rotationally coupled to a piston that is axially displaceable and adapted to give torsional compliance from an engine for at least one-half revolution of an angular differential displacement between the pulley and the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Orbital Traction, Ltd
    Inventors: Roy Venton-Walters, Michael P. Bujold
  • Patent number: 9624793
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a cascaded recompression closed Brayton cycle (CRCBC) system and method of operation thereof, where the CRCBC system includes a compressor for compressing the system fluid, a separator for generating fluid feed streams for each of the system's turbines, and separate segments of a heater that heat the fluid feed streams to different feed temperatures for the system's turbines. Fluid exiting each turbine is used to preheat the fluid to the turbine. In an embodiment, the amount of heat extracted is determined by operational costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: James Jay Pasch
  • Patent number: 9624805
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system is provided for an engine. The aftertreatment system may have at least one exhaust passage and a plurality of reductant injectors that are controllable to dose reductant into the at least one exhaust passage. The aftertreatment system may also have at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an exhaust parameter and a controller in communication with each of the plurality of reductant injectors and the sensor. The controller may be configured to dynamically adjust the dosing of the plurality of injectors, wherein adjusting the dosing includes adjusting at least one of an injector timing, an injector sequence, and a grouping of the plurality of injectors that are simultaneously injecting based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Wentzel, Brian Michael Cole
  • Patent number: 9624899
    Abstract: A subsurface reaction body arranged for use in apparatus for converting wave motion in a body of water to useful energy is provided. The subsurface reaction body is arranged to be selectively filled with air to a maximum buoyancy configuration and to be filled with water to a minimum buoyancy configuration. The subsurface reaction body has an arrangement of chambers therein to inhibit free flow of water through the reaction body and to define at least one further preset buoyancy configuration between the respective maximum and minimum configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Marine Power Systems Limited
    Inventors: Graham Foster, Gareth Stockman, John Chapman
  • Patent number: 9624879
    Abstract: The condensed water processing device determines (S2) whether the pH of condensed water stored in the condensed water tank is smaller than a threshold value (t). When the pH of condensed water is smaller than the threshold value (t), the supply quantity of urea water being supplied to the upstream side of the NOx catalyst is increased (S7) so that the supply quantity is larger than that in normal control (S4) executed when the pH of the condensed water is equal to or more than the threshold value (t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriyuki Takada, Takeshi Hashizume
  • Patent number: 9623375
    Abstract: A method for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, including chemically reducing NOx that is contained in the exhaust gas when a concentration of hydrocarbons flowing into an exhaust purification catalyst is made to vibrate within a predetermined range of amplitude and within a predetermined range of period, wherein, during the chemical reduction, the NOx contained in the exhaust gas is reacted with reformed hydrocarbons to produce a reducing intermediate containing nitrogen and hydrocarbons, a reducing action of the reducing intermediate chemically reduces the NOx, and the NOx is chemically reduced without storing nitrates or with storing a fine amount of the nitrates in a basic layer of the exhaust purification catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Bisaiji, Kohei Yoshida, Mikio Inoue
  • Patent number: 9624792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heating and cooling a working fluid (2) using at least one thermochemical heat accumulator medium (3), wherein the working fluid (2) is guided through at least one thermochemical heat accumulator (6) comprising the heat accumulator medium (3), wherein the working fluid (2) is guided without contact to the heat accumulator medium (3), wherein upon charging of the heat accumulator medium (3) a heat flow (Q) is transferred from the working fluid (2) to the heat accumulator medium (3) and at least one substance (15) is released from the heat accumulator medium (3) and discharged from the heat accumulator (6), and wherein upon discharging of the heat accumulator medium (3) the substance (15) is fed with release of heat to the heat accumulator medium (3) or at least to a reaction product of the heat accumulator medium (3) that was produced during charging of the heat accumulator medium (3), and a heat flow (Q) is transferred to the working fluid (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruck, Oliver Opel
  • Patent number: 9624925
    Abstract: The invention relates to a two-spindle screw pump of single-flow construction, comprising a pump housing, which has a pump portion, a bearing portion and a gear portion with a gear chamber, wherein the bearing portion and the pump portion are realized separately from each other characterized in that the gearwheel and the fastening element (and thus the shaft) are mutually rotatable, so that a spacing of the flanks of the feed screws (the flank clearance of the feed screws) is adjustable, that an opening is provided on the gear portion of the pump housing, that the opening is provided with a detachable cover, that the opening is arranged such that the cover is detachable in the mounted state of the screw pump, and that the gear chamber, for the adjustment of the flank clearance of the feed screws, can be reached with the tool necessary for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Jung and Co. Geratebau, GMBH
    Inventors: Weshen Christov, Hans Jung
  • Patent number: 9624802
    Abstract: An ammonia generating device for treating exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, notably of automobile vehicles, includes a reservoir having a body capable of releasing ammonia by desorption and a heating device positioned inside the reservoir to heat the body in the reservoir. The heating device comprises a heat generating element that has an elongated form. The heating device further includes at least one heat transfer feature laid out along an axial direction of the heat generating element and extending in a direction radial to the heat generating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Systemes D'Echappement
    Inventor: Frederic Greber
  • Patent number: 9617971
    Abstract: An absorber unit for absorption of wave energy from a body of water comprises a pivoting absorber element with a front end around which the absorber element reciprocates between turning positions. The absorber unit has a frame structure defining an absorber chamber and is at rest with respect to the body of water. The frame structure pivotally supports the absorber element within the absorber chamber from a horizontal front pivot axis above an average surface level of the body of water, wherein the absorber element in an idle position under still water conditions is partially submerged, with an idle draft of the absorber element being determined by the depth of submersion of the lower rear edge below the average surface level. A bottom plate attached to the frame structure has a front portion arranged underneath the absorber element and an upwardly projecting rear portion aft of the absorber element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Floating Power Plant A/S
    Inventor: Anders Køhler
  • Patent number: 9617899
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for a particulate matter sensor coupled to an exhaust system of an engine. One example method comprises, during a measurement mode, generating a particulate flow rate based on the sensor and adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on the flow rate. The method further includes, during a reduced contamination mode, heating the sensor to repel particulate from the sensor, and not adjusting the one or more operating parameters based on the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William Russell Goodwin
  • Patent number: 9617922
    Abstract: A jet engine actuation system includes a first ring gearbox, a second ring gearbox and an actuator. The first ring gearbox includes a first ring driveshaft coupled to a first portion of a synchronization ring included in a jet engine. The second ring gear box includes a second ring drive shaft coupled to a second portion of the synchronization ring. The actuator has a first actuator gearbox configured to generate a first rotational output and a second actuator gearbox configured to generate a second rotational output. A first drive shaft transfers the first rotational output to the first ring gearbox and a second drive shaft transfers the second rotational output to the second ring gearbox. The actuator simultaneously controls the first and second actuator gearboxes such that the first and second rotational outputs are simultaneously transferred to the first and second ring gearboxes to rotate the synchronization ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Floyd Richard Emmons
  • Patent number: 9618273
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a waste heat recovery and conversion system are disclosed. The system may include a modular heat exchanger whose energy source is provided by waste heat energy transporting fluids transferring their energy to a working fluid. The working fluid may be in a liquid state contained in a reservoir hydraulically connected to a high-pressure heat transfer chamber. The high-pressure heat transfer chamber may be configured to receive thermal energy utilized to convert the working fluid into a superheated vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Claudio Filippone
  • Patent number: 9617983
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, storing, and conveying aqueous thermal energy are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a floating film retains solar energy in a volume of water located under the film. A series of curtains hanging from a bottom surface of the film define a passage between a periphery of the film and a center of the film to direct the heated water at the center of the film. The heated water is circulated to deliver the heat to a dissociation reactor and/or donor substance. The donor is conveyed to the reactor and dissociated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 9618020
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus according to the present invention includes: an expander; a generator that includes a generator rotor driven by the expander and a stator disposed outside the generator rotor in the radial direction; and a casing that includes an expander chamber accommodating the expander and a generator chamber accommodating the generator. The casing includes a first communication portion that causes an expansion chamber which gradually expands a working medium by the expander in the expander chamber to communicate with a front generator portion which is located nearer the expansion chamber than the generator in the generator chamber and a second communication portion that causes a portion which is a downstream portion from the expansion chamber and is located near the expansion chamber with respect to the generator to communicate with the front generator portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Tsuboi