Patents by Inventor Ellen Y. Sun

Ellen Y. Sun 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: 20190107251
    Abstract: A composite pressure vessel assembly includes a first vessel having a first inner layer and a second vessel having a second inner layer. An outer layer of the assembly is in contact with and substantially envelopes the first and second inner layers. A junction of the assembly has outer boundaries defined by segments of the first inner layer, the second inner layer and the outer layer. A cross-layered component of the assembly is disposed in the junction, the first and second inner layers and the outer layer for adding strength to the junction and restricting delamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun, Paul F. Croteau, Justin R. Hawkes, Andrzej Ernest Kuczek
  • Publication number: 20190086030
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high-pressure fluid vessel includes forming a first portion of a high-pressure fluid vessel with a molding process. The high-pressure fluid vessel includes a stack of capsules. Each capsule includes a first domed end, a second domed end, and a semicylindrical portion extending between and connecting the first domed end to the second domed end. The method further includes forming a second portion of a high-pressure fluid vessel with the molding process. The second portion of the high-pressure fluid vessel is positioned adjacent to the first portion of the high-pressure fluid vessel. The second portion of the high-pressure fluid vessel is welded to the first portion of the high-pressure fluid vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun
  • Patent number: 10222001
    Abstract: A pressure vessel configured to store a pressurized fluid is provided including a plurality of lobes. Each lobe includes at least one vertically arranged interior wall. The plurality of lobes are positioned in a side by side configuration such that a first interior wall of a first lobe is positioned adjacent a second interior wall of a second adjacent lobe. The first interior wall and the second interior wall are configured to contact one another at a first point of tangency. A first tangent intersects the first lobe at the first point of tangency and a second tangent intersects the second lobe at the first point of tangency. The first tangent and the second tangent are separated by about 120 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul F. Croteau, John P. Wesson, Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Matthew E. Lynch, Tahany Ibrahim El-Wardany, Ellen Y. Sun, Wenping Zhao, Daniel V. Viens
  • Publication number: 20180356038
    Abstract: A composite pressure vessel assembly includes at least one liner defining a chamber. The liner is perforated such that an applied composite layer envelops the liner and at least partially extrudes into the perforations during manufacture and when the chamber is placed under a vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun
  • Publication number: 20180356039
    Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly includes a vessel including a wall defining a chamber and a circumferentially continuous lip projecting into the chamber from the wall. The lip defines a through-bore in fluid communication with the chamber. A nozzle assembly including a tube and a flange projecting radially outward from the tube. The tube includes a first portion projecting from the flange and through the through-bore and an opposite second portion projecting outward from the flange. The flange is in contact with the wall and the first portion includes an outer surface having a contour configured to produce sealing friction between the lip and the outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Wenping Zhao, Paul F. Croteau, Ellen Y. Sun
  • Publication number: 20180347757
    Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly includes a composite layer surrounding at least one chamber. A heating element is embedded in the composite layer for extracting gas from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Bart Antonie van Hassel, Ellen Y. Sun
  • Publication number: 20180347755
    Abstract: A composite pressure vessel assembly includes a first and second vessels aligned side-by-side. Each vessel has a liner defining respective chambers. First and second mid-layers of the assembly cover the respective liners with portions of the respective mid-layers being in contact with one-another. An outer layer of the vessel assembly is in contact with and substantially envelops both mid-layers except for the mid-layer portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Wenping ZHAO, Paul F. CROTEAU, Andrzej Ernest KUCZEK, Ellen Y. SUN, John P. WESSON
  • Publication number: 20180292049
    Abstract: A composite vessel assembly includes a circumferentially continuous wall and an end cap. The wall includes a plurality of layers, and the end cap includes a plurality of steps. Each step of the plurality of steps is engaged to a respective layer of the plurality of layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Ellen Y. Sun
  • Publication number: 20180236718
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite vessel assembly includes the step of placing the composite vessel assembly in a pliable containment prior to curing of a resin of the composite vessel assembly. With the composite vessel assembly in the pliable containment, a vacuum is applied through an orifice in the pliable containment to evacuate air and compact the composite vessel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun
  • Publication number: 20170355169
    Abstract: A structural panel includes a first skin, a second skin and a core. The core is connected to the first skin and the second skin. The core includes a corrugated sheet of wire mesh that includes a plurality of corrugations. Each of the corrugations extends vertically between and engages the first skin and the second skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: John A. Sharon, Kenji Homma, Justin R. Hawkes, Paul R. Braunwart, Ellen Y. Sun
  • Patent number: 9843053
    Abstract: An example fuel cell stack component includes a metallic layer applied to the component and an oxide layer applied to the metallic layer. The oxide layer includes a chemical component that is not in the metallic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Ellen Y. Sun, Lei Chen, Jean Yamanis, Neal Magdefrau, Dustin Frame
  • Publication number: 20170343160
    Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly includes a plurality of lobes, each lobe having at least one vertically arranged interior wall, the lobes positioned in a side by side arrangement such that a first interior wall of a first lobe is positioned adjacent a second interior wall of a second lobe, the first interior wall having a first wall top and bottom side, the second interior wall having a second wall top and bottom side, the first wall top side joined to the second wall top side and the first wall bottom side joined to the second wall bottom side. Also included are first and second end wall surfaces of each of the plurality of lobes. Further included is a plurality of end caps, each of the end caps joined to the end wall surfaces of the lobes, each of the end caps joined to at least one adjacent end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas J. Garosshen, Ellen Y. Sun, Paul F. Croteau, Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Tahany Ibrahim El-Wardany, Wenping Zhao, Justin R. Hawkes, John A. Sharon, John P. Wesson, Daniel V. Viens
  • Publication number: 20170299119
    Abstract: A composite pressure vessel assembly includes a plurality of lobes, each of the lobes having at least one interior wall and at least one curved wall, the plurality of lobes being positioned in a side by side arrangement and extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end. Also included is a plurality of end caps disposed at the ends of the lobes, wherein the plurality of lobes and end caps are formed of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer. A method of manufacturing a composite pressure vessel assembly is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of lobes consisting of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer. The method also includes forming a main body with the plurality of lobes, the lobes disposed in a side by side arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun, John P. Wesson, Paul F. Croteau, Andrzej Ernest Kuczek
  • Publication number: 20170165906
    Abstract: A method of making a composite article involves first forming an intermediate substrate. The intermediate substrate can be formed from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by partial cure, or from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by cure of the thermoset polymer composition and deposition of a thermoplastic on the surface of the substrate, or from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by cure and exposure of the substrate to organic solvent, a plasticizer, moisture, and/or heat. The intermediate substrate prepared according to any of the above techniques is then subjected to cold gas spray deposition to deposit a metal layer onto the intermediate substrate. In the case where the substrate was formed by partially curing a thermoset polymer composition, the metal-coated partially-cured thermoset polymer substrate is then fully cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Justin B. Alms, Eric J. Amis, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Ellen Y. Sun, Aaron T. Nardi
  • Publication number: 20170030519
    Abstract: An illustrative example container includes a plurality of internal support members having a surface contour that at least approximates a minimum surface. The plurality of internal support members collectively provide structural support for carrying loads on the container. The plurality of internal support members collectively establish a plurality of cavities for at least temporarily containing fluid. An outer shell is connected with at least some of the internal support members. The outer shell includes a plurality of curved surfaces. The outer shell encloses the cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Matthew E. Lynch, Paul F. Croteau, Tahany Ibrahim El-Wardany, Ellen Y. Sun, Wenping Zhao, Daniel V. Viens
  • Patent number: 9506136
    Abstract: A method of coating an iron-based article includes a first heating step of heating a substrate that includes an iron-based material in the presence of an aluminum source material and halide diffusion activator. The heating is conducted in a substantially non-oxidizing environment, to cause the formation of an aluminum-rich layer in the iron-based material. In a second heating step, the substrate that has the aluminum-rich layer is heated in an oxidizing environment to oxidize the aluminum in the aluminum-rich layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Neal Magdefrau, James T. Beals, Ellen Y. Sun, Jean Yamanis
  • Publication number: 20160290564
    Abstract: A pressure vessel configured to store a pressurized fluid is provided including a plurality of lobes. Each lobe includes at least one vertically arranged interior wall. The plurality of lobes are positioned in a side by side configuration such that a first interior wall of a first lobe is positioned adjacent a second interior wall of a second adjacent lobe. The first interior wall and the second interior wall are configured to contact one another at a first point of tangency. A first tangent intersects the first lobe at the first point of tangency and a second tangent intersects the second lobe at the first point of tangency. The first tangent and the second tangent are separated by about 120 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Croteau, John P. Wesson, Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Matthew E. Lynch, Tahany Ibrahim El-Wardany, Ellen Y. Sun, Wenping Zhao, Daniel V. Viens
  • Publication number: 20150368781
    Abstract: A method of coating an iron-based article includes a first heating step of heating a substrate that includes an iron-based material in the presence of an aluminum source material and halide diffusion activator. The heating is conducted in a substantially non-oxidizing environment, to cause the formation of an aluminum-rich layer in the iron-based material. In a second heating step, the substrate that has the aluminum-rich layer is heated in an oxidizing environment to oxidize the aluminum in the aluminum-rich layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Neal Magdefrau, James T. Beals, Ellen Y. Sun, Jean Yamanis
  • Publication number: 20150357665
    Abstract: A system and method satisfies temperature and pressure requirements of solid oxide fuel cell system in a manner that increases the overall efficiency and decreases the overall weight of system. The system and method include a secondary blower for boosting air stream pressure level sufficient for operation of a reformer that is designed to minimize pressure drop; an integrated heat exchanger for recovering heat from exhaust and comprising multiple flow fields for ensuring inlet temperature requirements of a solid oxide fuel cell are met; and a thermal enclosure for separating hot zone components from cool zone components for increasing thermal efficiency of the system and better thermal management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Robert J. Braun, Sean C. Emerson, Justin R. Hawkes, Ellen Y. Sun, Jean Yamanis, Tobias H. Sienel, Balbir Singh Bal, Stuart Anthony Astley, Thomas D. Radcliffe, James T. Beals, Walter H. Borst, JR., May L. Corn, Louis Chiappetta, JR., John T. Costello, Robert R. Hebert, Thomas Henry Vanderspurt
  • Publication number: 20150338153
    Abstract: A refrigerated cargo container includes a refrigeration unit and a cargo container. The refrigeration unit includes a support frame formed from at least one layer of composite material and at least one layer of insulative foam material. The support frame is supportive of one or more components of the refrigeration unit and insulative of a cargo portion of the cargo container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Wenping ZHAO, Gopal R. KRISHNAN, Ellen Y. SUN, Vijay JAGDALE, Shunjun SONG, Mark Patrick RAU, Mary Teresa LOMBARDO