Patents by Inventor Sten Kreuger
Sten Kreuger 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: 20240084786Abstract: Energy storage and retrieval systems are disclosed, along with methods of storing and retrieving the energy. The systems include an energy storage system and a trilateral cycle. The energy storage system includes low- and high-temperature energy storage tanks storing one or more energy storage media that exchange heat with a working fluid in both a gradient heat exchanger and a substantially isothermal heat exchanger in the trilateral cycle. Pressure changing devices transport the energy storage medium/media between the storage tanks and through the heat exchangers. The working fluid rejects heat to the energy storage medium and drives a turbine when the system is charging, and the energy storage medium rejects heat to the working fluid when the system is discharging. In some embodiments, the energy storage medium drives a second turbine when the system is discharging.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventor: Sten KREUGER
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Patent number: 11035364Abstract: Pressure changing devices and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. One pressure changing device includes an elliptic cylinder and a piston that has an external surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes a piston and a rotating cylinder that has an internal surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes two fixed axes, one for rotation of one component and another for orbiting or oscillation of the other component. The devices and methods include stacked pressure changing devices with one or more common shafts. The pressure changing device may be easier and less expensive to manufacture and repair than prior pressure changing devices of the same or similar functionality, and can provide efficient gap sealing in a high-pressure expansion part of a compression or expansion cycle.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Patent number: 10955156Abstract: An air conditioning and humidity control system, a kit, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The air conditioning and humidity control system includes a main conduit, distribution conduits joined to the main conduit, one or more mesh members, one or more troughs or pans below the mesh member(s), and a pump. The distribution conduits receive a fluid from the main conduit and include one or more holes to distribute the fluid. The mesh member(s) receive the fluid from the distribution conduits, and allow the fluid to flow along its length. The trough(s) or pan(s) collect the fluid from the mesh member(s). The pump receives the fluid from the trough(s) or pan(s) and pumps the fluid to/through the main conduit. The air conditioning and humidity control system effectively controls the temperature and humidity of an enclosed room or building, improves air quality, is simple and inexpensive to make and operate, and avoids use of greenhouse gases.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Patent number: 10408214Abstract: Pressure changing devices and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. One pressure changing device includes an elliptic cylinder and a piston that has an external surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes a piston and a rotating cylinder that has an internal surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes two fixed axes, one for rotation of one component and another for orbiting or oscillation of the other component. The devices and methods include stacked pressure changing devices with one or more common shafts. The pressure changing device may be easier and less expensive to manufacture and repair than prior pressure changing devices of the same or similar functionality, and can provide efficient gap sealing in a high-pressure expansion part of a compression or expansion cycle.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Publication number: 20190154038Abstract: Pressure changing devices and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. One pressure changing device includes an elliptic cylinder and a piston that has an external surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes a piston and a rotating cylinder that has an internal surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes two fixed axes, one for rotation of one component and another for orbiting or oscillation of the other component. The devices and methods include stacked pressure changing devices with one or more common shafts. The pressure changing device may be easier and less expensive to manufacture and repair than prior pressure changing devices of the same or similar functionality, and can provide efficient gap sealing in a high-pressure expansion part of a compression or expansion cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2018Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventor: Sten KREUGER
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Patent number: 10001123Abstract: Pressure changing devices and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. One pressure changing device includes an elliptic cylinder and a piston that has an external surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes a piston and a rotating cylinder that has an internal surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes two fixed axes, one for rotation of one component and another for orbiting or oscillation of the other component. The devices and methods include stacked pressure changing devices with one or more common shafts. The pressure changing device may be easier and less expensive to manufacture and repair than prior pressure changing devices of the same or similar functionality, and can provide efficient gap sealing in a high pressure expansion part of a compression or expansion cycle.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Patent number: 9989278Abstract: A solar energy collector and/or concentrator, a thermal energy storage and retrieval system including the same, and methods of storing and recovering thermal energy are disclosed. The solar energy collector and/or concentrator may include an array of lenses configured to concentrate solar energy, a plurality of conduits through which a heat storage or heat transport fluid flows, and one or more heat transfer elements on each of the conduits, configured to receive the concentrated solar energy from the lenses and transfer the concentrated solar energy to the heat storage/transport fluid. The conduits are configured to move in at least first and second angular dimensions. The thermal energy storage and retrieval system may include the solar energy collector and/or concentrator, a thermodynamic cycle, and a heat storage and retrieval subsystem. Heat is transferred from the heat storage/transport fluid to the heat storage and retrieval subsystem and/or the thermodynamic cycle.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Patent number: 9845998Abstract: A thermal energy storage and retrieval device includes at least one working fluid and a plurality of thermodynamic circuits. Each thermodynamic circuit has a first process exchanging heat with a first material in a first temperature range common for all of the thermodynamic circuits. Each thermodynamic circuit also has a second process exchanging heat with a second material in a second temperature range. The second material comprises a heat storage material or a working fluid in another circuit or another device. Each thermodynamic circuit includes a gas pressure changing device and a liquid pressure changing device.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Publication number: 20170356446Abstract: Pressure changing devices and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. One pressure changing device includes an elliptic cylinder and a piston that has an external surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes a piston and a rotating cylinder that has an internal surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes two fixed axes, one for rotation of one component and another for orbiting or oscillation of the other component. The devices and methods include stacked pressure changing devices with one or more common shafts. The pressure changing device may be easier and less expensive to manufacture and repair than prior pressure changing devices of the same or similar functionality, and can provide efficient gap sealing in a high-pressure expansion part of a compression or expansion cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventor: Sten KREUGER
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Publication number: 20170219293Abstract: A thermal energy storage and retrieval device includes at least one working fluid and a plurality of thermodynamic circuits. Each thermodynamic circuit has a first process exchanging heat with a first material in a first temperature range common for all of the thermodynamic circuits. Each thermodynamic circuit also has a second process exchanging heat with a second material in a second temperature range. The second material comprises a heat storage material or a working fluid in another circuit or another device. Each thermodynamic circuit includes a gas pressure changing device and a liquid pressure changing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventor: Sten KREUGER
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Patent number: 9695748Abstract: Systems and methods for storing and retrieving thermo-mechanical energy are disclosed. The systems and methods include a thermodynamic cycle (e.g., a reversible transcritical, trilateral, Brayton or Rankine/vapor compression cycle) that includes a plurality of loops and works as a heat pump in charging mode and as a heat engine in discharging mode. Each loop in the thermodynamic cycle includes pressure increasing and decreasing devices, high and low pressure heat exchanging devices, and the same or different working fluid. The system further includes one or more heat storage chains with hot and cold storage reservoirs and a heat storage fluid. At least one of the high and low pressure heat exchanging devices is a gradient heat exchanging device that exchanges heat with the heat storage chain. Also, at least one other high or low pressure heat exchanging device exchanges heat with a separate heat storage device or a heat source or sink.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Publication number: 20160348678Abstract: Pressure changing devices and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. One pressure changing device includes an elliptic cylinder and a piston that has an external surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes a piston and a rotating cylinder that has an internal surface with a trochoid cross-section. Another pressure changing device includes two fixed axes, one for rotation of one component and another for orbiting or oscillation of the other component. The devices and methods include stacked pressure changing devices with one or more common shafts. The pressure changing device may be easier and less expensive to manufacture and repair than prior pressure changing devices of the same or similar functionality, and can provide efficient gap sealing in a high pressure expansion part of a compression or expansion cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventor: Sten KREUGER
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Publication number: 20160298498Abstract: Systems and methods for storing and retrieving thermo-mechanical energy are disclosed. The systems and methods include a thermodynamic cycle (e.g., a reversible transcritical, trilateral, Brayton or Rankine/vapor compression cycle) that includes a plurality of loops and works as a heat pump in charging mode and as a heat engine in discharging mode. Each loop in the thermodynamic cycle includes pressure increasing and decreasing devices, high and low pressure heat exchanging devices, and the same or different working fluid. The system further includes one or more heat storage chains with hot and cold storage reservoirs and a heat storage fluid. At least one of the high and low pressure heat exchanging devices is a gradient heat exchanging device that exchanges heat with the heat storage chain. Also, at least one other high or low pressure heat exchanging device exchanges heat with a separate heat storage device or a heat source or sink.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventor: Sten KREUGER
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Patent number: 9435318Abstract: The present disclosure concerns liquid ring systems, including (i) a fixed or rotating casing adapted to contain a liquid, (ii) a rotor located within the casing and having at least one impeller, (iii) a liquid ring formed by rotation of the rotor or the casing, and (iv) a plurality of gas cells formed between the inner surface of the liquid ring and vanes of the impeller. For example, at least one compressing gas cell is in fluid connection with at least one expanding gas cell integrated with the rotor. A liquid valve may include a small gas cell with a reciprocating liquid surface and at least two fluid connections having a free pathway between the connections during an angle of rotation of the rotor and a closed pathway between the connections during 360° minus the angle of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Patent number: 9394807Abstract: Systems and methods for storing and retrieving thermo-mechanical energy are disclosed. The systems and methods generally include a thermodynamic loop or cycle (e.g., a reversible transcritical, trilateral, or Rankine/vapor compression cycle) that works as a heat pump in a charging mode and as a heat engine in a discharging mode. The thermodynamic loop or cycle includes a gas pressure changing device, a liquid pressure changing device, and a working fluid. The system further includes one or more heat storage devices with solid heat storage material(s). Heat is transferred between the working fluid and the solid heat storage material(s) in the high and low pressure sides of the thermodynamic cycle, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Patent number: 9038390Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring and optionally storing and/or retrieving thermal energy are disclosed. The systems and methods generally include a heat engine and a heat pump, the heat engine including first isothermal and gradient heat exchange mechanisms, and the heat pump including second isothermal and gradient heat exchange mechanisms. The heat engine and the heat pump exchange heat with each other countercurrent across the first and second gradient heat exchange mechanisms, the first isothermal heat exchange mechanism transfers heat to an external heat sink, and the second isothermal heat exchange mechanism receives heat from an external heat source.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Publication number: 20140216028Abstract: The present disclosure concerns liquid ring systems, including (i) a fixed or rotating casing adapted to contain a liquid, (ii) a rotor located within the casing and having at least one impeller, (iii) a liquid ring formed by rotation of the rotor or the casing, and (iv) a plurality of gas cells formed between the inner surface of the liquid ring and vanes of the impeller. For example, at least one compressing gas cell is in fluid connection with at least one expanding gas cell integrated with the rotor. A liquid valve may include a small gas cell with a reciprocating liquid surface and at least two fluid connections having a free pathway between the connections during an angle of rotation of the rotor and a closed pathway between the connections during 360° minus the angle of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventor: Sten KREUGER
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Patent number: 8695335Abstract: The present disclosure concerns liquid ring systems, including (i) a fixed or rotating casing adapted to contain a liquid, (ii) a rotor located within the casing and having at least one impeller, (iii) a liquid ring formed by rotation of the rotor or the casing, and (iv) a plurality of gas cells formed between the inner surface of the liquid ring and vanes of the impeller. For example, at least one compressing gas cell is in fluid connection with at least one expanding gas cell integrated with the rotor. A liquid valve consisting of a small gas cell with a reciprocating liquid surface and at least two fluid connections having a free pathway between the connections during an angle of rotation of the rotor and a closed pathway between the connections during 360 minus the angle of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Inventor: Sten Kreuger
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Patent number: 3931779Abstract: A boat having a mainsail and a conventional rudder. The mainsail is supported by a mast and a pivotally mounted boom. A blade is pivotally mounted toward the free end of the boom about an axis that is substantially parallel to the mast. The blade acts as an auxiliary rudder for steering the boom and setting the angle of the sail. Though the boom pivots, the blade may be held parallel to a pre-set direction, so that the leeway component of the force of the wind on the sail is held substantially constant.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1972Date of Patent: January 13, 1976Inventor: Sten Kreuger