Patents by Inventor Charles W. Grennan

Charles W. Grennan 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).

  • Patent number: 5634340
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a process of cogeneration utilizing a compressed gas energy storage system which includes a gas storage area, a compression train for pressurizing a gas to be stored in the gas storage area, and an expansion train for depressurizing high pressure gas released from the gas storage area. The process includes operating the compression train during off-peak electricity utilization periods to produce a compressed gas. The compressed gas is stored in the gas storage area and later released during peak electricity utilization periods through the expansion train to generate electricity. This reduces the compressed gas pressure and temperature. The gas can then be used for refrigeration by contacting it with a material to be chilled with that gas. One aspect of this invention involves generating electricity and effecting refrigeration by depressurization of natural gas from high pipeline transmission pressures to lower distribution pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Dresser Rand Company
    Inventor: Charles W. Grennan
  • Patent number: 4213735
    Abstract: A high pressure centrifugal pump has an impeller assembly including two mating impeller sections which are each constituted by a shroud with fixed geometry blades. The impeller sections are fixedly mounted upon a rotatable shaft and are of a construction which permits the pressure between the impeller sections to engender flexure of the sections away from each other so as to vary the breadth of the impeller assembly. A servo control device is adapted to control the pressure behind the shrouds such that the pump delivers a constant flow at varying back pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: Chandler Evans Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Grennan
  • Patent number: 4149825
    Abstract: An axial inducer, which charges the inlet of a centrifugal impeller has a bypass loop connecting its inlet and outlet. A valve member for controlling bypass flow is positioned in the bypass loop. At low flows, the bypass loop permits the inducer to run closer to design flow conditions than would otherwise be possible and, consequently, generate less pressure rise, consume minimum power, and cause minimal heating of the fluid being pumped. An extension of the bypass valve member functions to restrict the centrifugal pump discharge area when the valve member is positioned to bypass flow to reduce recirculating flow in the centrifugal impeller and increase its efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1979
    Assignee: Chandler Evans Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Grennan