Patents by Inventor Lucien Y. Bronicki

Lucien Y. Bronicki 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: 10247492
    Abstract: A heat exchanger system for cooling liquid having a plurality of finned tube arrays and a plurality of fans for inducing air through the finned tube array comprising: at least one wind deflector installed along the long side of the finned tube arrays on at least one side of the arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Uriyel Fisher
  • Patent number: 9920749
    Abstract: A method for producing power from two geothermal heat sources includes: separating a first geothermal fluid from a first geothermal heat source into geothermal vapor comprising steam and non-condensable gases, and geothermal brine; supplying the geothermal vapor to a vaporizer; vaporizing a preheated motive fluid using heat from the geothermal vapor, wherein the heat content in the geothermal vapor exiting the flash tank is only enough to vaporize the preheated motive fluid in the vaporizer; expanding the vaporized motive fluid in a vapor turbine producing power and expanded vaporized motive fluid; condensing the expanded vaporized motive fluid to produce condensed motive fluid; and preheating the condensed motive fluid in a preheater using heat from a second geothermal fluid from a second geothermal heat source having a lower temperature and salinity content that the first geothermal fluid, thereby producing the preheated motive fluid, make-up water and heat-depleted geothermal brine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Publication number: 20170254602
    Abstract: A heat exchanger system for cooling liquid having a plurality of finned tube arrays and a plurality of fans for inducing air through the finned tube array comprising: at least one wind deflector installed along the long side of the finned tube arrays on at least one side of the arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. BRONICKI, Uriyel FISHER
  • Patent number: 9689630
    Abstract: A heat exchanger system for cooling liquid includes a generally rectangular arrangement of a plurality of horizontally spaced finned tube arrays arranged above the ground, the arrangement having longer sides extending in a length direction and shorter sides extending in a width direction. A plurality of fans are provided above the finned tube arrays for inducing air through the finned tube arrays, wherein at least two of said fans are mutually spaced in the width direction. At least one wind deflector is provided adjacent one of the longer sides, wherein the at least one wind deflector is installed on the ground separately from any of the plurality of finned tube arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Uriyel Fisher
  • Patent number: 9651269
    Abstract: A method of minimizing the effect of wind on a heat exchanger system includes setting the pivot angle of a wind deflector to an initial angle; collecting and recording a current reading of one of an outlet temperature sensor, a wind speed sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, or a heat exchanger inlet air pressure sensor; comparing the current reading of the sensor to a previous reading; and changing the pivot angle of the wind deflector from an initial angle when the current sensor reading is changed from the previous reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 9618949
    Abstract: A power system for delivering a custom level of electrical power to an industrial or commercial facility includes a local generator connected to a turbine operating in accordance with an organic Rankine or steam Rankine cycle. The local generator has a capacity at least greater than a maximum anticipated power level needed for the electrical needs of a local industrial or commercial facility. One or more control devices are operatively connected to the local generator for regulating active and reactive power generated by the generator. A controller directs the one or more control devices to regulate the generator such that the active power and reactive power generated by the generator are sufficient to satisfy active and reactive load conditions of local industrial or commercial facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Nordquist, Thomas Buchanan, Michael L. Kaleikini, Meir Regal, Lucien Y. Bronicki, Shlomo Shitrit
  • Patent number: 9587842
    Abstract: For minimizing the effect of wind on a heat exchanger system having a plurality of finned tube arrays and a plurality of fans, a method includes providing a wind louver below one of the fans. The wind louver is arranged to divert wind flowing in an approximately horizontal direction below the one of the plurality of fans to instead flow in a direction that is more vertically upward as compared to the approximately horizontal direction. Readings of a heat exchanger outlet temperature, ambient temperature, wind, and inlet air pressure are collected and recorded, and compared to previous readings. The louver height is changed if the readings have changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Uriyel Fisher
  • Patent number: 9488160
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing load-following power using low to medium temperature heat source fluid comprising the steps of: reducing the power level produced by a Rankine cycle power plant producing load-following power operating on a low to medium temperature heat source fluid during one period of time; storing heat not used during the first period of time; and using the heat stored for producing power during a second period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Uriyel Fisher, Asaf Mendelovitz, Dov Berger, Yoram Bronicki, Zvi Krieger, Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 9403694
    Abstract: The present invention provides a geothermal based heat utilization system for just about preventing scaling of geothermal fluid in a heat exchanger, comprising a mixing unit upstream to a heat exchanger of said system and in which separated brine, steam condensate and non-condensable gas portions are mixed so as to just about reconstruct the geothermal fluid to just about equilibrium conditions such that dissolved solids are assured not to precipitate in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 9388797
    Abstract: A method for producing power from geothermal fluid includes: separating the geothermal fluid in a flash tank into geothermal vapor comprising steam and non-condensable gases, and geothermal brine; supplying the geothermal vapor to a vaporizer; vaporizing a preheated motive fluid in the vaporizer using heat from the geothermal vapor to produce heat-depleted geothermal vapor and vaporized motive fluid, wherein the heat content in the geothermal vapor exiting the flash tank is only enough to vaporize the preheated motive fluid in the vaporizer; expanding the vaporized motive fluid in a vapor turbine producing power and expanded vaporized motive fluid; condensing the expanded vaporized motive fluid in a condenser to produce condensed motive fluid; and preheating the condensed motive fluid in a preheater using heat from the heat-depleted geothermal vapor and the geothermal brine, thereby producing the preheated motive fluid, make-up water and heat-depleted geothermal brine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 9360258
    Abstract: An air cooled, finned heat exchanger tube includes a metallic tube through which fluid to be cooled is flowable. The tube has an outer surface on which axially spaced axial indentations are formed over its circumference, and a plurality of axially spaced fins each of which has a main element formed with heat transfer promoting patterns and a base angled with respect to said main element. The base is frictionally and irremovably secured within a corresponding indentation so that said tube outer surface is completely covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Uriyel Fisher
  • Patent number: 9331547
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid geothermal power plant, comprising a photovoltaic module for generating direct current electrical power, a geothermal unit for utilizing heat content of a geothermal fluid extracted from a production well to produce power, and a controller for coordinating operation of the photovoltaic module and the geothermal unit such that the power plant generates a substantially uniform electrical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Publication number: 20150284262
    Abstract: The present invention provides a geothermal based heat utilization system for just about preventing scaling of geothermal fluid in a heat exchanger, comprising a mixing unit upstream to a heat exchanger of said system and in which separated brine, steam condensate and non-condensable gas portions are mixed so as to just about reconstruct the geothermal fluid to just about equilibrium conditions such that dissolved solids are assured not to precipitate in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 9145794
    Abstract: In a method for increasing power plant efficiency during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads, a motive fluid is cycled through a Rankine cycle power plant having a vaporizer and a superheater such that the motive fluid is delivered to a turbine at a selected inlet temperature at full admission. A percentage of a superheated portion of the motive fluid during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads is adjusted while substantially maintaining the inlet temperature and a power plant thermal efficiency. A Rankine Cycle power plant includes a conduit circuit extending from a heat source to each of a vaporizer section and a superheater section for regulating flow therethrough of source heat fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 9115604
    Abstract: A power system includes a Rankine cycle local generator having a capacity greater than a maximum anticipated power level. One or more control devices are operatively connected to the local generator for regulating active and reactive power generated by the generator. Detectors are provided to sense active and reactive voltages. The controller directs the control devices to regulate the generator such that the active power and reactive power are sufficient to satisfy the active and reactive load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Publication number: 20150096736
    Abstract: A heat exchanger system for cooling liquid having a plurality of finned tube arrays and a plurality of fans for inducing air through the finned tube array comprising: at least one wind deflector installed along the long side of the finned tube arrays on at least one side of the arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, Uriyel Fisher
  • Patent number: 8955322
    Abstract: For increasing power plant efficiency during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads, a motive fluid is cycled through a Rankine cycle power plant having a vaporizer and a superheater such that the motive fluid is delivered to a turbine at a selected inlet temperature at full admission. A percentage of a superheated portion of the motive fluid is adjusted during periods of variable heat input or at partial loads while virtually maintaining the inlet temperature and power plant thermal efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. Bronicki, David Machlev
  • Publication number: 20150034276
    Abstract: A heat exchanger system for cooling liquid having a plurality of finned tube arrays and a plurality of fans for inducing air through the finned tube array comprising: at least one wind deflector installed along the long side of the finned tube arrays on at least one side of the arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lucien Y. BRONICKI, Uriyel FISHER
  • Publication number: 20150007565
    Abstract: A method for producing power from two geothermal heat sources includes: separating a first geothermal fluid from a first geothermal heat source into geothermal vapor comprising steam and non-condensable gases, and geothermal brine; supplying the geothermal vapor to a vaporizer; vaporizing a preheated motive fluid using heat from the geothermal vapor, wherein the heat content in the geothermal vapor exiting the flash tank is only enough to vaporize the preheated motive fluid in the vaporizer; expanding the vaporized motive fluid in a vapor turbine producing power and expanded vaporized motive fluid; condensing the expanded vaporized motive fluid to produce condensed motive fluid; and preheating the condensed motive fluid in a preheater using heat from a second geothermal fluid from a second geothermal heat source having a lower temperature and salinity content that the first geothermal fluid, thereby producing the preheated motive fluid, make-up water and heat-depleted geothermal brine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Lucien Y. BRONICKI
  • Publication number: 20140262156
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air cooled, finned heat exchanger tube, comprising a metallic tube through which fluid to be cooled is flowable, having an outer surface on which axially spaced circumferential indentations are formed, and a plurality of axially spaced fins each of which having a main element formed with heat transfer promoting patterns and a base angled with respect to said main element, wherein the base is frictionally and irremovably secured within a corresponding indentation formed within the tube outer surface so that said tube outer surface is completely covered when the base of each of said fins is secured to a corresponding indentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Lucien Y. BRONICKI, Uriyel Fisher