Patents Examined by Xiaoting Hu
  • Patent number: 10830174
    Abstract: A monolithic heat exchanger body includes a plurality of heating walls and a plurality of combustion fins. The plurality of heating walls are configured and arranged in an array of spirals or spiral arcs relative to a longitudinal axis. Adjacent portions of the plurality of heating walls respectively define a corresponding plurality of heating fluid pathways therebetween. The plurality of combustion fins are circumferentially spaced about a perimeter of an inlet plenum. The inlet plenum includes or fluidly communicates with a combustion chamber. The plurality of heating fluid pathways fluidly communicate with the inlet plenum. The plurality of combustion fins occupy a radially or concentrically inward portion of the monolithic heat exchanger body. The plurality of heating fluid pathways have a heat transfer relationship with a heat sink disposed about a radially or concentrically outward portion of the monolithic heat exchanger body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua Tyler Mook, Kevin Michael VandeVoorde, Aigbedion Akwara, Michael Robert Notarnicola, Jason Joseph Bellardi, Mohammed El Hacin Sennoun, Mohamed Osama, Zachary William Nagel, Victor Luis Marrero Ortiz
  • Patent number: 10823058
    Abstract: A nosecone for a turbine engine includes a nosecone body and a nosecone mount. The nosecone body extends along an axis between a tip end and a base end. The nosecone body is configured from or otherwise includes thermoplastic material. The nosecone body includes a shell and an arrangement of ribs, which structurally support at least a portion of the shell. A thickness of the arrangement of ribs is greater than or substantially equal to approximately one half of a thickness of the shell. The nosecone mount is adapted to connect the nosecone body to a component of the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James T. Roach
  • Patent number: 10823135
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a power conversion system and a method for conversing power. The power conversion system includes a first fluid holding tank, a second fluid holding tank, a fluid inlet hose, a fluid outlet hose, a fluid container, and one or more tension springs connected to the upper surface of the container and to a lower surface of the first fluid holding tank. The power conversion system further includes a rotational component connected to a lower side of the container via a connecting rod. The power conversion system further includes a generator connected to the rotational component via a horizontal shaft. The power conversion system further includes a feedback hose connected between the second fluid holding tank and the first fluid holding tank. The power conversion system further includes a hydraulic pump connected to the second fluid holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventors: Hussain Mohammad Bassi, Muhammad Adnan Basha
  • Patent number: 10815960
    Abstract: A wave energy converter includes a floating portion and an anchor portion, wherein the anchor portion includes a transport support structure configured to carry the floating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Inventor: Matthew Noyek
  • Patent number: 10801478
    Abstract: An osmotic power generator comprising an active membrane supported in a housing, at least a first chamber portion disposed on a first side of the active membrane for receiving a first electrolyte liquid and a second chamber portion disposed on a second side of the active membrane for receiving a second electrolyte liquid, a generator circuit comprising at least a first electrode electrically coupled to said first chamber, and at least a second electrode electrically coupled to said second chamber, the first and second electrodes configured to be connected together through a generator load receiving electrical power generated by a difference in potential and an ionic current between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Jiandong Feng, Aleksandra Radenovic
  • Patent number: 10788202
    Abstract: An apparatus for production of steam from an aqueous liquid includes (a) a solar panel with a pliable, essentially impermeable, polymer membrane having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface is adapted to be directed towards the sun; a lattice structure adapted to support the inner surface of the polymer membrane; a backing, which together with the pliable polymer film, encases the lattice structure; an inlet for the aqueous liquid; an outlet for the steam produced, and (b) means for providing a vacuum connected to the outlet. The apparatus can be produced with few and relatively simple components thereby reducing the cost of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: HSL Energy Holding Aps
    Inventor: Niels Hansen
  • Patent number: 10774687
    Abstract: A method of assembling an attachment structure of a gas turbine engine includes providing a frame that has a first annular case, an inner annular case spaced radially inwardly from the first annular case, and a plurality of vanes extending between the inner case and the first annular case, providing a second annular case that extends around the frame, the first annular case and the second annular case include a plurality of interlocks, each of the plurality of interlocks includes a first member mounted on one of the first annular case or the second annular case and a corresponding second member mounted on the other of the first annular case or the second annular case, and inserting the first member in the second member such that the plurality of interlocks restricts relative circumferential and axial movement between the first annular case and the second annular case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Sander, Shelton O. Duelm
  • Patent number: 10774819
    Abstract: A system for cyclically lifting a large volume of water includes a piston plate having first and second sides. The water to be lifted exerts a water pressure on the second side of the piston plate, while compressed air held in a pressurized tank exerts an air pressure on the first side of the piston plate. The resultant pressure differential ?p is such that the piston plate is biased to move in a particular direction. A force actuator is provided that periodically exerts a force F on the piston plate to overcome the bias of ?p and thereby lift the volume of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Dualcore Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest William Townsend, IV
  • Patent number: 10774689
    Abstract: A heat recovery device may include a circuit. During operation of the heat recovery device, a working medium may circulate. The circuit may include a conveyor to convey the working medium. An evaporator may be arranged downstream of the conveyor and may evaporate the working medium. An expander may be arranged downstream of the evaporator and may expand the working medium. The expander may have a shaft that may pick up a torque at the expander. A condenser may be arranged downstream of the expander and may condense the working medium. A tank may be connected to the circuit. The tank may define a volume for the working medium. An adjustor may change the volume of the tank for the working medium. A non-return valve may be arranged between the tank and the condenser, and may prevent a flow of the working medium in a direction of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bucher, Maria Metinger
  • Patent number: 10767636
    Abstract: A multiple impeller type power generation turbine includes a body, at least a high pressure water tank, and two impellers, two first jet assemblies and two low pressure steam chambers installed in the body. The high pressure water tank is provided for containing a working fluid coming from a fluid source. The two impellers are synchronously and rotably linked with the power generator. The two first jet assemblies is provided for ejecting the working fluid contained in the high pressure water tank to fluid inlet ends of the two impellers and guiding the working fluid from the fluid outlet ends to the two low pressure steam chambers to drive the power generator to generate electric power, so s to improve the power generation efficiency and modularization and the convenience of installation and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: LANYANG GEOTHERMAL CORP.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yan Kao, Cheng-Jung Kao
  • Patent number: 10767904
    Abstract: A method for utilizing the inner energy of an aquifer fluid includes geothermal thermal water mixed with gas and optionally crude oil in a closed cycle to obtain an environmentally-neutral, carbon-dioxide-free utilization of the aquifer fluid and an environmentally-friendly supply of electric and thermal energy. An aquifer fluid is removed from an aquifer by means of a removal device, gas is separated by degassing the aquifer fluid in a gas-separation device, optionally crude oil is separated if necessary, the heat energy of the thermal water is utilized in at least one system for utilizing the thermal energy, the extracted gas and the optionally separated crude oil is com busted in at least one combustion device and the inner energy of the gas is utilized by operating a generator, the CO2 being removed from the waste gas and recycled into the aquifer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: VON DÜRING MANAGEMENT AG
    Inventor: Bodo Von Düring
  • Patent number: 10746040
    Abstract: A steam turbine system includes: a steam turbine having a casing into which steam is fed from an outside of the casing and a rotating shaft that is provided within the casing so as to be rotatable around a central axis; a deaerator that is connected to the steam turbine and that deaerates leaked steam that has leaked from a gap between the casing and the rotating shaft to the outside of the casing; a vacuum pump that is connected to the deaerator and that lowers a pressure within the deaerator; and a shaft sealing device that is connected to the deaerator and that seals the gap between the casing and the rotating shaft. The shaft sealing device has a seal member having a seal body, a housing, a biasing member, and a negative-pressure introduction part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nogami, Takuro Koda
  • Patent number: 10737677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for pumping or removing a fluid from a region within or on top of or in contact with a water or liquid body and applications for said systems and methods. Some embodiments may also relate to anti-fouling or reducing fouling structures like docks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Ethan J. Novek
  • Patent number: 10731515
    Abstract: A hybrid type power generation system in which some of components of a cogeneration system are combined with a supercritical CO2 power generation system, may increase an energy output by combining some of the components of the cogeneration system with the supercritical CO2 power generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Song Hun Cha
  • Patent number: 10724379
    Abstract: A sheath, for protecting the leading edge of airfoils used in gas turbine engines, may have a solid member, a pressure side flank and a suction side flank. The solid member may form an outer edge, which may include a main portion and a projecting portion. The projecting portion may have a variable dimension. The pressure side flank and suction side flank may project from the solid member opposite the outer edge. The pressure side flank and suction side flank may form a receiving cavity for receiving an airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: James R. Murdock
  • Patent number: 10724470
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system for energy conversion. The system includes a closed cycle engine containing a volume of working fluid. The engine includes an expansion chamber and a compression chamber each separated by a piston attached to a connection member of a piston assembly. The engine further includes a plurality of heater conduits extended from the expansion chamber. The engine includes a plurality of chiller conduits extended from the compression chamber. The expansion chamber and heater conduits are fluidly connected to the compression chamber and chiller conduits via a walled conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua Tyler Mook, Michael Thomas Gansler, Scott Douglas Waun, Kevin Michael VandeVoorde, Aigbedion Akwara, Michael Robert Notarnicola, Jason Joseph Bellardi, Mohammed El Hacin Sennoun, Mohamed Osama
  • Patent number: 10718236
    Abstract: A turbine shaft bearing apparatus in a turbine module includes two axially spaced turbine shaft bearings, including an outlet side bearing protected from overheating by a solid bearing housing which surrounds the outlet side bearing. The bearing housing being provided with a support including conduit for a lubricating medium. The turbine module has plurality of axially spaced turbine wheels connected to a common turbine shaft and coaxial therewith; an inlet through which motive fluid vapor is introduced to a first stage of the turbine wheels; a structured bleeding exit opening formed in an outer turbine casing of the turbine module; and a passage defined between two of the turbine wheels and in fluid communication with the bleeding exit opening, wherein expanded motive fluid vapor may be extracted through the structured bleeding exit opening and supplied to a heat exchange component for heating the motive fluid condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dany Batscha, Oren Ram, Anton Fiterman, Ran Reshef, Herzel Sharoni, Uri Kaplan
  • Patent number: 10711733
    Abstract: Systems and methods for converting energy are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a closed cycle engine defining a cold side. The system also includes a bottoming-cycle loop. A pump is operable to move a working fluid along the bottoming-cycle loop. A cold side heat exchanger is positioned along the bottoming-cycle loop in a heat exchange relationship with the cold side of the closed cycle engine. A constant density heat exchanger is positioned along the bottoming-cycle loop downstream of the cold side heat exchanger and upstream of an expansion device. The constant density heat exchanger is operable to hold a volume of the working fluid flowing therethrough at constant density while increasing, via a heat source, the temperature and pressure of the working fluid. The expansion device receives the working fluid at elevated temperature and pressure and extracts thermal energy from the working fluid to produce work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Notarnicola, Joshua Tyler Mook, Kevin Michael VandeVoorde, Aigbedion Akwara, Mohammed El Hacin Sennoun, Mary Kathryn Thompson
  • Patent number: 10711653
    Abstract: A process and system of extracting useful work or electricity from a thermal source, wherein heat energy from the thermal source is used in the form of a heated collection fluid; a first side of a heat exchanger is filled with a liquid or supercritical working fluid; fluid flow out of the first side of the heat exchanger is closed such that a fixed volume of the working fluid is maintained in the first side; the heated collection fluid flowed through a second side of the heat exchanger that is adjacent to the first side to affect a transfer of heat from the heated collection fluid to the fixed volume of the working fluid to raise its temperature and pressure; the pressurized working fluid is released from the first side of the heat exchanger upon the working fluid reaching a threshold state; a flow of the pressurized working fluid is directed to an expander capable of converting the kinetic energy of the pressurized working fluid into useful work or electricity; and the foregoing steps are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Darrell Ford
  • Patent number: 10690053
    Abstract: A device for temporary storage of gas and heat includes a plurality of compressors for compressing a gas, a plurality of compression stages connected in series, each compression stage including one of the plurality of compressors and a gas flow path connected downstream of the one of the plurality of compressors, at least one pressure vessel connected downstream of a last compression stage of the plurality of compression stages in the series for storing the gas compressed by the plurality of compressors, and a heat accumulator arrangement including a plurality of heat accumulators connected in a heat accumulator sequence for storing the heat generated by the compression of the gas, the gas flow path of each compression stage passing through the heat accumulators in succession in the heat accumulator sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: APT GMBH—ANGEWANDTE PHYSIK & TECHNOLOGIE
    Inventor: Bernd Geisler