Patents by Inventor Aaron M. Rimpel

Aaron M. Rimpel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220389841
    Abstract: A system for using excess energy of a power generation system and an sCO2 (supercritical carbon dioxide) stream to store and generate power. An air separation unit uses the excess energy to cool and liquify ambient air into liquid nitrogen (L-N2) and liquid oxygen (L-O2). The L-O2 and L-N2 are stored until energy is desired. An L-O2 energy discharge path has an oxygen heat exchanger that vaporizes and heats the oxygen, a combustor that combusts the oxygen and fuel to produce exhaust, and a first turbine is driven by the exhaust to produce energy. An L-N2 energy discharge path has a nitrogen heat exchanger that vaporizes and heats the L-N2, thereby providing expanded nitrogen, and a second turbine is driven by the expanded nitrogen to produce energy. Heat for the heat exchangers on both discharge paths is provided by the sCO2 stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Owen M. Pryor, Aaron M. Rimpel
  • Patent number: 9651086
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a rotating shaft, with brush rings on both sides of the bearing mechanism for damping bearing motion. In a foil gas bearing embodiment, the bearing itself comprises a hollow sleeve, a compliant layer, and a top foil layer. These bearing elements are arranged in a conventional manner except that the top foil layer extends beyond the sleeve. A sleeve extension extends over the extended portion of the top foil layer. Two opposing brush rings, an inner brush ring and an outer brush ring, are attached to the top foil layer extension and the sleeve extension, respectively. The bristles of an inner brush ring and the bristles of an outer brush ring are interposed and provide damping during operation of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Aaron M Rimpel
  • Publication number: 20160333927
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a rotating shaft, with brush rings on both sides of the bearing mechanism for damping bearing motion. In a foil gas bearing embodiment, the bearing itself comprises a hollow sleeve, a compliant layer, and a top foil layer. These bearing elements are arranged in a conventional manner except that the top foil layer extends beyond the sleeve. A sleeve extension extends over the extended portion of the top foil layer. Two opposing brush rings, an inner brush ring and an outer brush ring, are attached to the top foil layer extension and the sleeve extension, respectively. The bristles of an inner brush ring and the bristles of an outer brush ring are interposed and provide damping during operation of the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Aaron M. Rimpel