Patents by Inventor Hanying Liu

Hanying Liu 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: 20240304348
    Abstract: The method includes generating first temperature data at a first temperature sensor based on a temperature of a first flowstream of a coolant fluid in a flow channel and heat transfer to the first temperature sensor from a heating element, the heating element being coupled to the first temperature sensor at an interface, the first temperature data indicating a first temperature measured by the first temperature sensor, generating second temperature data at a second temperature sensor based on a temperature of a second flowstream of the coolant fluid in the flow channel and independently of heat generated by the heating element, the first flowstream and the second flowstream running parallel to each other, the second temperature sensor being insulated from the heating element, the second temperature data indicating a second temperature measured by the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric Paul LOEWEN, Hanying LIU
  • Patent number: 12062460
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a flowmeter coupled a surface exposed to a flow channel. The flowmeter monitors a flow of coolant. The flowmeter includes a first temperature sensor that generates first temperature data based on measuring a first temperature of a first flowstream, a heating element coupled to the first temperature sensor where the heating element applies heat to the first temperature sensor through an interface, a second temperature sensor generates second temperature data based on measuring a second temperature of a second flowstream, the second temperature sensor being spaced apart from the heating element, and the second temperature sensor being at least partially insulated from the heating element so the second temperature data generated by the second temperature sensor is independent of heat generated by the heating element. A processor calculates a flowrate of the coolant based on the second temperature data and a temperature of the coolant fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Hanying Liu
  • Publication number: 20240194361
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a thermoelectric cooler to cool a variety of high-energy power plant geometries and configurations. The thermoelectric cooler is thermally connected at heat sink side to a component to be cooled, including coolant structural components, for the plant. A heat rejection side of the cooler is thermally connected to a heat sink, including ambient air, a plant structure, or a fluid coolant. Electricity may be selectively applied to the cooler to generate a temperature difference and heat flux between the heat sinking side and heat rejection side. Radiation-resilient materials may be used in the cooler in the case of nuclear installations. Power sources include batteries, plant or grid electrical power, dedicated generators, or any other power source, potentially at relatively low ratings, such as only hundreds of watts, that will provide desired thermoelectric cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Hanying Liu, Charles L. Heck
  • Publication number: 20220084702
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a flowmeter coupled a surface exposed to a flow channel. The flowmeter monitors a flow of coolant. The flowmeter includes a first temperature sensor that generates first temperature data based on measuring a first temperature of a first flowstream, a heating element coupled to the first temperature sensor where the heating element applies heat to the first temperature sensor through an interface, a second temperature sensor generates second temperature data based on measuring a second temperature of a second flowstream, the second temperature sensor being spaced apart from the heating element, and the second temperature sensor being at least partially insulated from the heating element so the second temperature data generated by the second temperature sensor is independent of heat generated by the heating element. A processor calculates a flowrate of the coolant based on the second temperature data and a temperature of the coolant fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric Paul LOEWEN, Hanying LIU
  • Publication number: 20170358374
    Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a coolant fluid thermal monitoring array configured to monitor coolant fluid circulation in a downcomer flow channel of a nuclear reactor. The thermal monitoring array includes one or more flowmeter assemblies configured to monitor coolant fluid flow through separate flow channel portions. Each flowmeter assembly includes a first sensor coupled to a heating element and at least one second sensor at least partially insulated from the heating element. The first and second sensors may measure temperatures of separate flowstreams of coolant fluid through a downcomer flow channel portion. Temperature data generated by the first and second sensors of the flowmeter assemblies may be processed to monitor coolant fluid flow through the downcomer flow channel portions. The temperature data may be processed to monitor coolant fluid temperature. The temperature data may be processed to monitor a location of a fluid two-phase interface in the downcomer flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Eric Paul Loewen, Hanying Liu