Patents by Inventor Gabor Ast
Gabor Ast 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).
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Publication number: 20120272648Abstract: An expansion system is presented. One embodiment of the expansion system that includes a pump configured to pressurize a condensed working fluid received from a condenser. The expansion system further includes a heat exchanger coupled to the pump and configured to vaporize the condensed working fluid received from the pump. The expansion system also includes an expander coupled to the heat exchanger and configured to expand the vaporized working fluid flowing from an inlet side of the expander to an outlet side of the expander. In addition, the expansion system includes a generator coupled to the expander and configured to generate energy in response to the expansion of the vaporized working fluid. Further, the expansion system includes an integrated cooling unit configured to convey at least a portion of the condensed working fluid from an inlet side of the generator to an outlet side of the generator to dissipate heat generated by the generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gabor Ast, Herbert Kopecek, Sebastian Walter Freund, Pierre Sebastien Huck
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Publication number: 20120266597Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a waste heat recovery system. The waste heat recovery system may include a first organic rankine cycle system, a second organic rankine cycle system, and one or more preheaters. The preheaters may be one or more charge air coolers. The charge air coolers may be in communication with the first organic rankine cycle system, the second organic rankine cycle system, or both the first organic rankine cycle system and the second rankine cycle system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Gabor Ast, Pierre Huck, Sara Rocci Denis, Monika Muehlbauer, Albert Scharl, Wolfgang Madl
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Publication number: 20120131927Abstract: A laser ignition system for an internal combustion engine, and more specifically a gas turbine engine, is provided. The system including a laser light source configured to generate a laser beam, an ignition port configured to provide optimized optical access of the laser beam to a combustion chamber and an optical beam guidance component disposed between the laser light source and the ignition port. The optical beam guidance component is configured to include optimized optic components to transmit the laser beam to irradiate on a fuel mixture supplied into the combustion chamber to generate a combustor flame in a flame region. A method for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine is also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sara Rocci Denis, Herbert Kopecek, Richard Wade Stickles, Chukwueloka Obiora Umeh, Gabor Ast, Mark Patrick Kelsey, Steven Clayton Vise, Gary Lee Leonard, Shai Birmaher
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Patent number: 8186161Abstract: A control system includes a temperature sensor communicatively coupled to an exit of an expander of an expansion system and configured to detect temperature of the working fluid flowing through the exit of the expander. A pressure sensor is communicatively coupled to the exit of the expander and configured to detect pressure of the working fluid flowing through the exit of the expander. A controller is configured to receive output signals from the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor and control operation of one or more components of the expansion system so as to control the thermodynamic conditions at the exit of the expander while driving a quality of vapor of the working fluid at the exit of the expander towards a predetermined degree of superheat.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Thomas Johannes Frey, Herbert Kopecek, Helge Burghard Herwig Klockow, Matthew Alexander Lehar
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Publication number: 20120125002Abstract: A power generation system is provided. The system comprises a first Rankine cycle-first working fluid circulation loop comprising a heater, an expander, a heat exchanger, a recuperator, a condenser, a pump, and a first working fluid; integrated with a) a second Rankine cycle-second working fluid circulation loop comprising a heater, an expander, a condenser, a pump, and a second working fluid comprising an organic fluid; and b) an absorption chiller cycle comprising a third working fluid circulation loop comprising an evaporator, an absorber, a pump, a desorber, a condenser, and a third working fluid comprising a refrigerant. In one embodiment, the first working fluid comprises CO2. In one embodiment, the first working fluid comprises helium, air, or nitrogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Matthew Alexander Lehar, Sebastian Walter Freund, Thomas Johannes Frey, Gabor Ast, Pierre Sebastien Huck, Monika Muehlbauer
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Publication number: 20120073289Abstract: A Rankine cycle system includes: an evaporator configured to receive heat from a heat source and circulate a working fluid to remove heat from the heat source; an expander in flow communication with the evaporator and configured to expand the working fluid fed from the evaporator; a condenser in flow communication with the expander and configured to condense the working fluid fed from the expander; a pump in flow communication with the condenser and configured to pump the working fluid fed from the condenser; a first conduit for feeding a first portion of the working fluid from the pump to the evaporator; and a second conduit for feeding a second portion of the working fluid from the pump to the expander.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gabor Ast, Sebastian Walter Freund, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastien Huck, Herbert Kopecek, Günther Wall
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Publication number: 20120023943Abstract: The present invention provides an organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system comprising features which provide for fire suppression and/or ignition suppression in the event of an unintentional release of a flammable component of the system, for example a flammable working fluid such as cyclopentane, into a part of the of the system in which the prevailing temperature is higher than the autoignition temperature of the flammable component. In one embodiment, and the organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system comprises an inert gas source disposed upstream of a hydrocarbon evaporator and configured to purge the hydrocarbon evaporator with an inert gas on detection of a leak thereby.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Matthew Alexander Lehar, Thomas Johannes Frey, Gabor Ast, Pierre Sebastien Huck
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Publication number: 20120000201Abstract: A system and method are provided for using the thermal mass of an ORC, the working fluid, the oil loop, the cooling fluid loop and all components, to provide additional transient power to an electrical grid. A pre-heater transfers heat from the cooling fluid to a low temperature (LT) ORC loop working fluid. A LT ORC loop expander generates transient power to support stabilization of the electrical grid. A heat exchanger transfers heat from the thermal oil to a high temperature (HT) ORC loop working fluid. A HT ORC loop expander generates transient power to support stabilization of the electrical grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gabor Ast, Herbert Kopecek, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastien Huck
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Publication number: 20120000200Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a valve system switchable between a waste heat recovery position configured to direct incoming exhaust gas through an interior volume of an exhaust section of an engine and a bypass position configured to direct the incoming exhaust gas through a bypass duct to bypass a heat recovery boiler disposed within the interior volume. The system also includes an inert gas purging system configured to inject an inert gas into the interior volume to displace residual exhaust gas from the interior volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sebastian W. Freund, Herbert Kopecek, Matthew Alexander Lehar, Pierre Sébastien Huck, Albert Andreas Scharl, Mario Martini, Paolo Castellani, Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Giacomo Seghi, Vincenzo Amato, Mauro Cappelli, Stefano Bartolozzi
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Publication number: 20110308252Abstract: A pressure sensor measures an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) working fluid pressure in front of a radial inflow turbine, while a temperature sensor measures an ORC working fluid temperature in front of the radial inflow turbine. A controller responsive to algorithmic software determines a superheated temperature of the working fluid in front of the radial inflow turbine based on the measured working fluid pressure and the measured working fluid temperature. The controller then manipulates the speed of a working fluid pump, the pitch of turbine variable inlet guide vanes when present, and combinations thereof, in response to the determined superheated temperature to maintain the superheated temperature of the ORC working fluid in front of the radial inflow turbine close to a predefined set point. The superheated temperature can thus be maintained in the absence of sensors other than pressure and temperature sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Herbert Kopecek, Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastien Huck
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Publication number: 20110209473Abstract: A system and method for waste heat recovery in exhaust gas recirculation is disclosed. The system includes an engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, an exhaust conduit connected to the exhaust manifold, and a turbocharger having a turbine and a compressor, the turbine being connected to the exhaust conduit to receive a portion of the exhaust gas from the exhaust manifold. The system also includes an EGR system connected to the exhaust conduit to receive a portion of the exhaust gas, with the EGR system including an EGR conduit that is connected to the exhaust conduit to receive a portion of the exhaust gas, a heat exchanger connected to the EGR conduit and being configured to extract heat from the exhaust gas, and a waste heat recovery system connected to the heat exchanger and configured to capture the heat extracted by the heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Inventors: Jassin Fritz, Georgios Bikas, Gabor Ast, Alexander Simpson, Thomas Johannes Frey, Rodrigo Rodriguez Erdmenger
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Publication number: 20110203278Abstract: A waste heat recovery plant control system includes a programmable controller configured to generate expander speed control signals, expander inlet guide vane pitch control signals, fan speed control signals, pump speed control signals, and valve position control signals in response to an algorithmic optimization software to substantially maximize power output or efficiency of a waste heat recovery plant based on organic Rankine cycles, during mismatching temperature levels of external heat source(s), during changing heat loads coming from the heat sources, and during changing ambient conditions and working fluid properties. The waste heat recovery plant control system substantially maximizes power output or efficiency of the waste heat recovery plant during changing/mismatching heat loads coming from the external heat source(s) such as the changing amount of heat coming along with engine jacket water and its corresponding exhaust in response to changing engine power.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Herbert Kopecek, Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Sebastian Freund, Pierre Sebastien Huck
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Patent number: 7987676Abstract: A closed loop expansion system for energy recovery includes a heat exchanger for using heat from a heat source to heat a working fluid of the closed loop expansion system to a temperature below the vaporization point of the working fluid; a radial inflow expander for receiving the working fluid from the heat exchanger and for expanding and partially vaporizing the working fluid; a screw expander for receiving the working fluid from the radial inflow turbine and for further expanding and vaporizing the working fluid; and a condenser for receiving the working fluid from the screw expander and for liquefying the working fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Herbert Kopecek, Michael Adam Bartlett, Pierre Sebastien Huck
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Publication number: 20110146277Abstract: A system and method improves cold start performance of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) plant. The system includes one or more pumps configured to pump condensed fluid from points of natural accumulation of the condensed fluid within an ORC loop back into a corresponding low pressure liquid storage vessel shortly after shutting down the ORC plant to ensure the start-up routine works properly for the next ORC plant start event. One or more of the pumps can also be configured to pump fluid away from the ORC expansion machine(s) at any time prior to starting the ORC if the fluid is in a liquid phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Herbert Kopecek, Gabor Ast, Sebastian Freund, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastian Huck, Simon Schoewel
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Publication number: 20110113781Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system including a compression train with a compressor path, a storage volume configured to store compressed air, a compressed air path configured to provide passage of compressed air egressing from the compression train to the storage volume, and a heat recovery system coupled to at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path and configured to draw heat from at least one of the compressor path and the compressed air path to a first liquid. The compression train is configured to provide passage of compressed air from a first compressor to a second compressor. The heat recovery system includes a first evaporator configured to evaporate the first liquid to a first gas and a first generator configured to produce electricity based on an expansion of the first gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Thomas Johannes Frey, Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Matthew Lehar, Richard Aumann
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Publication number: 20110100009Abstract: Systems and methods include heat exchangers using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) fluids in power generation systems. The system includes a heat exchanger configured to be mounted inside an exhaust stack that guides hot flue gases and having an inlet and an outlet, the heat exchanger being configured to receive a liquid stream of a first fluid through the inlet and to generate a vapor stream of the first fluid and the heat exchanger is configured to include a double walled pipe, where the first fluid is disposed within an inner wall of the double walled pipe and a second fluid is disposed between the inner wall and an outer wall of the double walled pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.Inventors: Matthew Alexander Lehar, Thomas Frey, Gabor Ast, Sebastian Freund, Richard Aumann
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Publication number: 20110094230Abstract: A system includes a compression system fluidly coupled to a compartment to compress a first quantity of gas for storage in the compartment, the compression system including a compression path to convey the first quantity of gas; an expansion system fluidly coupled to the compartment to expand a second quantity of gas from the compartment, the expansion system including an expansion path to convey the second quantity of gas; a first path fluidly coupled to the compression path to convey the first quantity of gas to the compartment; a second path fluidly coupled to the expansion path to convey the second quantity of gas from the compartment to the expansion system; and a separation unit fluidly coupled to one of the first path, second path, compression path, and expansion path, wherein the separation unit removes a quantity of carbon dioxide from one of the first and second quantities of gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Matthew Lehar, Thomas Frey, Samuel David Draper, Richard Aumann, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20110094212Abstract: A system and method for compressing and expanding air in a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system is disclosed. A CAES system is provided that is alternately operable in a compression mode and an expansion mode and includes therein a motor-generator unit and a drive shaft connected to the motor-generator unit that is configured to transmit rotational power to and from the motor-generator unit. The CAES system also includes at least one reversible compressor-expander unit coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively compress and expand air, and an air storage unit connected to the reversible compressor-expander unit and configured to store compressed air received therefrom, with the at least one reversible compressor-expander unit compressing air during the compression mode and expanding air during the expansion mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: Gabor Ast, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Matthew Lehar, Alexander Simpson, Christian Aalburg, Thomas Frey, Matthias Finkenrath, Richard Aumann
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Publication number: 20110094227Abstract: In one embodiment, a waste heat recovery system includes a Rankine cycle system that circulates a working fluid that absorbs heat from exhaust gas. The Rankine cycle system includes an evaporator that may transfer sensible heat from the exhaust gas to the working fluid to produce cooled exhaust gas. The Rankine cycle system also includes an economizer that may transfer latent heat from the exhaust gas to the working fluid. The economizer is a carbon steel heat exchanger with a corrosion resistant coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gabor Ast, Herbert Kopecek, Thomas Frey, Sebastian Freund, Pierre Huck
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Publication number: 20110083437Abstract: The rankine cycle system includes an evaporator coupled to a heat source and configured to circulate a working fluid in heat exchange relationship with a hot fluid from the heat source so as to heat the working fluid and vaporize the working fluid. An expander is coupled to the evaporator and configured to expand the vaporized working fluid from the evaporator. The exemplary expander is operable at variable speed. A condenser is coupled to the expander and configured to condense the vaporized working fluid from the expander. A pump is coupled to the condenser and configured to feed the condensed working fluid from the condenser to the evaporator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastien Huck, Herbert Kopecek, Michael Adam Bartlett