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).

  • Publication number: 20110072820
    Abstract: A process fluid cooler can extract thermal energy from a process fluid including carbon dioxide. An absorber can transfer carbon dioxide from the process fluid to a removal fluid. A reboiler can heat the removal fluid so as to cause carbon dioxide to be released from the removal fluid and outputted as part of a reboiler output stream. The reboiler can also output a heating fluid. A stripper condenser can extract thermal energy from the reboiler output stream so as to cause condensation of water associated with the reboiler output stream and to remove carbon dioxide therefrom. A compression system can remove thermal energy from carbon dioxide received from the stripper condenser. A heat engine can be configured to operate according to an organic Rankine cycle, receiving thermal energy from the heating fluid and/or extracted at the process fluid cooler, at the stripper condenser, and/or at the compression system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Vittorio Tola
  • Publication number: 20110061388
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention provides a direct evaporator apparatus for use in an organic Rankine cycle energy recovery system, comprising: (a) a housing comprising a heat source gas inlet, and a heat source gas outlet, said housing defining a heat source gas flow path from said inlet to said outlet; and (b) a heat exchange tube disposed entirely within said heat source flow path, said heat exchange tube being configured to accommodate an organic Rankine cycle working fluid, said heat exchange tube comprising a working fluid inlet and a working fluid outlet, said heat exchange tube defining three zones, a first zone adjacent to said heat source gas outlet, a second zone adjacent to said heat source gas inlet, and a third zone disposed between said first zone and said second zone, said working fluid inlet being in direct fluid communication with said first zone, and said working fluid outlet being in direct fluid communication with said third zone; wherein said first zone is not in direct fluid commu
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Lehar, Sebastian W. Freund, Thomas Johannes Frey, Richard Aumann, Gabor Ast
  • Publication number: 20100326076
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes at least two integrated rankine cycle systems coupled to at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The first and second working fluid are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascading heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastien Huck, Herbert Kopecek, Michael Adam Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20100319346
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes at least two integrated rankine cycle systems coupled to at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The first and second working fluid are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascading heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system. At least one recuperator having a hot side and a cold side is disposed in the first rankine cycle system, second rankine cycle system, or combinations thereof. The at least one recuperator is configured to desuperheat and preheat the first working fluid, second working fluid, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastien Huck, Herbert Kopecek
  • Publication number: 20100263842
    Abstract: An organic rankine cycle system for recovering and utilizing waste heat from a waste heat source by using a closed circuit of a working fluid is provided. The organic rankine cycle system includes at least one evaporator. The evaporator further includes a surface-treated substrate for promoting nucleate boiling of the working fluid thereby limiting the temperature of the working fluid below a predetermined temperature. The evaporator is further configured to vaporize the working fluid by utilizing the waste heat from the waste heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Sebastian Walter Freund, Thomas Johannes Frey, Matthew Alexander Lehar, Richard Aumann
  • Publication number: 20100242476
    Abstract: A combined heat and power cycle system includes a heat generation system having at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The combined heat and power cycle system includes a first rankine cycle system coupled to a first heat source among the at least two separate heat sources and configured to circulate a first working fluid. A second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source among the at least two separate heat sources and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The first and second working fluids are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascaded heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system. At least one heat exchanger is disposed at one or more locations in the first rankine cycle system, second rankine cycle system, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastien Huck, Herbert Kopecek
  • Publication number: 20100242479
    Abstract: A tri-generation system comprises a heat generation system, a first rankine cycle system, a second rankine cycle system, a cascaded heat exchange unit, at least one first heat exchanger coupled to the second rankine cycle system for heating a third fluid, at least one second heat exchanger disposed at one or more locations in the first rankine cycle system for heating a fourth fluid, and an absorption chiller coupled to the at least one first heat exchanger and the at least one second heat exchanger for receiving the heated third fluid and the heated fourth fluid. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid to remove heat from the first heat source. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid to remove heat from the at least one second heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Pierre Sebastien Huck, Herbert Kopecek
  • Publication number: 20100146974
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes a heat generation system including at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. A rankine cycle system is coupled to the at least two separate heat sources and configured to circulate a working fluid. The rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one heat source and another heat source among the at least two separate heat sources. The rankine cycle system is configured to remove heat from the at least one heat source to partially vaporize or preheat the working fluid; and remove heat from the other heat source to vaporize or superheat the working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Thomas Johannes Frey
  • Publication number: 20100122534
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Thomas Johannes Frey, Herbert Kopecek, Michael Adam Bartlett, Pierre Sebastien Huck
  • Publication number: 20100034684
    Abstract: A method for lubricating a screw expander includes condensing a mixture of working fluid and lubricant fed from the screw expander, through a condenser. At least a portion of the mixture of working fluid and lubricant fed from the condenser is pressurized from a first pressure to a second pressure through a pump. The method also includes separating the lubricant from the condensed working fluid of the at least portion of the mixture via a separator and feeding the lubricant to the screw expander; or separating the lubricant from the working fluid of the at least portion of the mixture via an evaporator and feeding the lubricant to the screw expander; or feeding the at least portion of the mixture of condensed working fluid and lubricant to the screw expander; or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Thomas Johannes Frey, Herbert Kopecek
  • Patent number: 7594399
    Abstract: A system for power generation includes a boiler configured to receive heat from an external source and a liquid stream and to generate a vapor stream. The liquid stream comprises a mixture of at least two liquids. The system also includes an expander configured to receive the vapor stream and to generate power and an expanded stream. A condenser is configured to receive the expanded stream and to generate the liquid stream. The system further includes a supply system coupled to the boiler or the condenser and configured to control relative concentration of the two liquids in the liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Lehar, Joerg Stromberger, Thomas Johannes Frey, Gabor Ast, Michael Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20090151356
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Thomas Johannes Frey, Herbert Kopecek, Helge Burghard Herwig Klockow, Matthew Alexander Lehar
  • Patent number: 7520272
    Abstract: A fuel injector (10) for an internal combustion engine (88) includes a centerbody (12) and a casing (14) disposed radially outward of the centerbody to define an annular mixing section (16) between the centerbody and the casing. The fuel injector also includes an air inlet (e.g., 18) of the mixing section for injecting a first portion (22) of combustion air into the mixing section. A fuel inlet (32) is disposed in the centerbody for injecting fuel (34) into the mixing section. A fuel conduit (48) disposed in the centerbody conducts the fuel to the fuel inlet and a valve (50) disposed in the fuel conduit selectively controls fuel injection into the mixing section. The valve may be positioned sufficiently close to the fuel inlet to provide the desired accurate timed injection. The injector also includes an outlet (19) of the mixing section for discharging a fuel/air mixture (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jassin Fritz, Gabor Ast
  • Publication number: 20090000299
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes at least two integrated rankine cycle systems coupled to at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The at least one second heat source includes a lower temperature heat source than the first heat source. The first and second working fluid are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascading heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Thomas Johannes Frey, Matthew Alexander Lehar
  • Publication number: 20080141673
    Abstract: A system for power generation includes a boiler configured to receive heat from an external source and a liquid stream and to generate a vapor stream. The liquid stream comprises a mixture of at least two liquids. The system also includes an expander configured to receive the vapor stream and to generate power and an expanded stream. A condenser is configured to receive the expanded stream and to generate the liquid stream. The system further includes a supply system coupled to the boiler or the condenser and configured to control relative concentration of the two liquids in the liquid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Lehar, Joerg Stromberger, Thomas Johannes Frey, Gabor Ast, Michael Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20070170283
    Abstract: A futel injector (10) for an internal combustion engine (88) includes a centerbody (12) and a casing (14) disposed radially outward of the centerbody to define an annular mixing section (16) between the centerbody and the casing. The futel injector also includes an air inlet (e.g., 18) of the mixing section for injecting a first portion (22) of combustion air into the mixing section. A fuel inlet (32) is disposed in the centerbody for injecting fuel (34) into the mixing section. A fuel conduit (48) disposed in the centerbody conducts the fuel to the fuel inlet and a valve (50) disposed in the fuel conduit selectively controls fuel injection into the mixing section. The valve may be positioned sufficiently close to the fuel inlet to provide the desired accurate timed injection. The injector also includes an outlet (19) of the mixing section for discharging a fuel/air mixture (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Jassin Fritz, Gabor Ast