Patents by Inventor Francis A. Di Bella

Francis A. Di Bella 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: 11624373
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the pressure of a first pressurized fluid, thereby reducing the temperature of the pressurized fluid, and utilization of the reduced-pressure and temperature fluid to cool a second fluid. Such an approach can enable a reduction in the size and weight of a hydraulic system, utilize waste energy in a system, and/or minimize electrical power requirements of a system, among other benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Concepts NREC, LLC
    Inventors: Kerry N. Oliphant, Francis A. Di Bella
  • Publication number: 20220220977
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the pressure of a first pressurized fluid, thereby reducing the temperature of the pressurized fluid, and utilization of the reduced-pressure and temperature fluid to cool a second fluid. Such an approach can enable a reduction in the size and weight of a hydraulic system, utilize waste energy in a system, and/or minimize electrical power requirements of a system, among other benefits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Kerry N. Oliphant, Francis A. Di Bella
  • Patent number: 11306738
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the pressure of a first pressurized fluid, thereby reducing the temperature of the pressurized fluid, and utilization of the reduced-pressure and temperature fluid to cool a second fluid. Such an approach can enable a reduction in the size and weight of a hydraulic system, utilize waste energy in a system, and/or minimize electrical power requirements of a system, among other benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Concepts NREC, LLC
    Inventors: Kerry N. Oliphant, Francis A. Di Bella
  • Publication number: 20200277968
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the pressure of a first pressurized fluid, thereby reducing the temperature of the pressurized fluid, and utilization of the reduced-pressure and temperature fluid to cool a second fluid. Such an approach can enable a reduction in the size and weight of a hydraulic system, utilize waste energy in a system, and/or minimize electrical power requirements of a system, among other benefits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Kerry N. Oliphant, Francis A. Di Bella
  • Publication number: 20200095899
    Abstract: Brayton cycle apparatus for extracting energy from waste heat released by industrial devices are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus comprises a common structure to which the main components of a Brayton cycle are mounted in an in-use configuration to define a transportable unit for integration with an industrial device. Associated systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Paul MERSWOLKE, Francis DI BELLA
  • Patent number: 10590959
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the pressure of a first pressurized fluid, thereby reducing the temperature of the pressurized fluid, and utilization of the reduced-pressure and temperature fluid to cool a second fluid. Such an approach can enable a reduction in the size and weight of a hydraulic system, utilize waste energy in a system, and/or minimize electrical power requirements of a system, among other benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Concepts NREC, LLC
    Inventors: Kerry N. Oliphant, Francis A. Di Bella
  • Publication number: 20170102008
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the pressure of a first pressurized fluid, thereby reducing the temperature of the pressurized fluid, and utilization of the reduced-pressure and temperature fluid to cool a second fluid. Such an approach can enable a reduction in the size and weight of a hydraulic system, utilize waste energy in a system, and/or minimize electrical power requirements of a system, among other benefits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Kerry N. Oliphant, Francis A. Di Bella
  • Publication number: 20150322811
    Abstract: A turbine-generator device for use in electricity generation using heat from industrial processes, renewable energy sources and other sources. The generator may be cooled by introducing into the gap between the rotor and stator liquid that is vaporized or atomized prior to introduction, which liquid is condensed from gases exhausted from the turbine. The turbine has a universal design and so may be relatively easily modified for use in connection with generators having a rated power output in the range of 50 KW to 5 MW. Such modifications are achieved, in part, through use of a modular turbine cartridge built up of discrete rotor and stator plates sized for the desired application with turbine brush seals chosen to accommodate radial rotor movements from the supported generator. The cartridge may be installed and removed from the turbine relatively easily for maintenance or rebuilding. The rotor housing is designed to be relatively easily machined to dimensions that meet desired operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Fairman, Francis A. Di Bella, David Japikse, Frederick E. Becker, Alexander Gofer
  • Patent number: 9083212
    Abstract: A turbine-generator device for use in electricity generation using heat from industrial processes, renewable energy sources and other sources. The generator may be cooled by introducing into the gap between the rotor and stator liquid that is vaporized or atomized prior to introduction, which liquid is condensed from gases exhausted from the turbine. The turbine has a universal design and so may be relatively easily modified for use in connection with generators having a rated power output in the range of 50 KW to 5 MW. Such modifications are achieved, in part, through use of a modular turbine cartridge built up of discrete rotor and stator plates sized for the desired application with turbine brush seals chosen to accommodate radial rotor movements from the supported generator. The cartridge may be installed and removed from the turbine relatively easily for maintenance or rebuilding. The rotor housing is designed to be relatively easily machined to dimensions that meet desired operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Concepts ETI, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Fairman, Francis A. Di Bella, David Japikse, Frederick E. Becker, Alexander Gofer
  • Publication number: 20150037136
    Abstract: A turbine-generator device for use in electricity generation using heat from industrial processes, renewable energy sources and other sources. The generator may be cooled by introducing into the gap between the rotor and stator liquid that is vaporized or atomized prior to introduction, which liquid is condensed from gases exhausted from the turbine. The turbine has a universal design and so may be relatively easily modified for use in connection with generators having a rated power output in the range of 50 KW to 5 MW. Such modifications are achieved, in part, through use of a modular turbine cartridge built up of discrete rotor and stator plates sized for the desired application with turbine brush seals chosen to accommodate radial rotor movements from the supported generator. The cartridge may be installed and removed from the turbine relatively easily for maintenance or rebuilding. The rotor housing is designed to be relatively easily machined to dimensions that meet desired operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Fairman, Francis A. Di Bella, David Japikse, Frederick E. Becker, Alexander Gofer
  • Patent number: 6167751
    Abstract: A container with a flexible membrane sealed to a container end may be tested for leaks as the container moves along a conveyor. The conveyor carries the container through a first region in which a negative pressure differential is established between the first region and the interior of the container. The pressure differential can be established, for example, by cooling the first region with cold air. The conveyor also carries the container from the first region to a second region, in which a positive pressure differential is established between the second region and the interior of the container. The pressure differential in the second region can be established, for example, by heating the second region with hot air. In the second region, a sensor detects a transition of the membrane of the container between convex and concave orientations and produces a signal corresponding to the occurrence of the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Thermedics Detection, Inc.
    Inventors: Freeman W. Fraim, Francis A. Di Bella, David H. Fine, John S. Beaty