Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Banach

Thomas E. Banach 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: 11592239
    Abstract: A flow distributor for a heat transfer device having a plurality of channels includes a sheath defining a plurality of distributor holes, each distributor hole configured to be in fluid communication with a respective channel inlet of each channel of the heat transfer device and an insert defining a plurality of fluid channels therein and a fluid inlet, each fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The insert is disposed within the sheath to seal the fluid channels with each fluid channel in fluid communication with a respective one of the distribution holes. The fluid inlet includes an inner inlet and an outer inlet radially outward from the inner inlet for mixing a fluid flow in the fluid inlet for evenly distributing fluid flow (e.g., a two phase flow) into the fluid channels of the insert and into each channel of the heat transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. O' Coin, Mark A. Zaffetti, Thomas E. Banach, Dale T. Cooke, Jeremy M. Strange
  • Publication number: 20210180872
    Abstract: A flow distributor for a heat transfer device having a plurality of channels includes a sheath defining a plurality of distributor holes, each distributor hole configured to be in fluid communication with a respective channel inlet of each channel of the heat transfer device and an insert defining a plurality of fluid channels therein and a fluid inlet, each fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The insert is disposed within the sheath to seal the fluid channels with each fluid channel in fluid communication with a respective one of the distribution holes. The fluid inlet includes an inner inlet and an outer inlet radially outward from the inner inlet for mixing a fluid flow in the fluid inlet for evenly distributing fluid flow (e.g., a two phase flow) into the fluid channels of the insert and into each channel of the heat transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. O' Coin, Mark A. Zaffetti, Thomas E. Banach, Dale T. Cooke, Jeremy M. Strange
  • Publication number: 20160025426
    Abstract: A heat transfer device includes a body defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a fluid channel defined within the body, the fluid channel connected in fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a plurality of pins disposed within the fluid channel such that flow passing through the fluid channel passes around the plurality of pins to facilitate heat transfer to the fluid from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Strange, Chuong H. Diep, Thomas E. Banach, Timothy D. Scull
  • Publication number: 20160025423
    Abstract: A heat transfer device includes a body defining fluid inlet and fluid outlet. The body further defines a plurality of channels defined within the body in fluid connection between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, wherein the channels are fluidly isolated from one another between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Strange, Chuong H. Diep, Thomas E. Banach
  • Publication number: 20160025422
    Abstract: A heat transfer device includes a body defining a fluid inlet and fluid outlet, and a plurality of channels defined within the body in fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, wherein the channels are interlaced and fluidly isolated from one another between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The body can define a unitary matrix fluidly isolating the channels from one another between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Strange, Thomas E. Banach, Chuong H. Diep
  • Publication number: 20160025420
    Abstract: A flow distributor for a heat transfer device having a plurality of channels includes a sheath defining a plurality of distributor holes, each distributor hole configured to be in fluid communication with a respective channel inlet of each channel of the heat transfer device and an insert defining a plurality of fluid channels therein and a fluid inlet, each fluid channel in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The insert is disposed within the sheath to seal the fluid channels with each fluid channel in fluid communication with a respective one of the distribution holes. The fluid inlet includes an inner inlet and an outer inlet radially outward from the inner inlet for mixing a fluid flow in the fluid inlet for evenly distributing fluid flow (e.g., a two phase flow) into the fluid channels of the insert and into each channel of the heat transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: James R. O' Coin, Mark A. Zaffetti, Thomas E. Banach, Dale T. Cooke, Jeremy M. Strange
  • Publication number: 20150083378
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed that includes a plurality of parallel refrigerant paths, and a refrigerant injector operatively associated with an inlet to each refrigerant path for independently metering single phase refrigerant into each of the parallel refrigerant paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas E. Banach
  • Publication number: 20150075215
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed that includes a plurality of parallel refrigerant paths, and a distributor for delivering refrigerant to the plurality of parallel refrigerant paths, the distributor defining a flow restrictor at an entrance to each refrigerant path, wherein the flow restrictors are configured to keep the distributor pressurized at a predetermined level and thereby maintain single phase refrigerant flow into each of the parallel refrigerant paths. The flow restrictors further induce even flow distribution by providing choked flow to each refrigerant path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Banach
  • Patent number: 7596987
    Abstract: A flow measuring system combines a density measuring device and a device for measuring the speed of sound (SOS) propagating through the fluid flow and/or for determining the gas volume fraction (GVF) of the flow. The GVF meter measures acoustic pressures propagating through the fluids to measure the speed of sound ?mix propagating through the fluid to calculate at least gas volume fraction of the fluid and/or SOS. In response to the measured density and gas volume fraction, a processing unit determines the density of non-gaseous component of an aerated fluid flow. For three phase fluid flows, the processing unit can determine the phase fraction of the non-gaseous components of the fluid flow. The gas volume fraction (GVF) meter may include a sensing device having a plurality of strain-based or pressure sensors spaced axially along the pipe for measuring the acoustic pressures propagating through the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Patrick Curry, Douglas H. Loose, Thomas E. Banach
  • Publication number: 20080223129
    Abstract: A flow measuring system combines a density measuring device and a device for measuring the speed of sound (SOS) propagating through the fluid flow and/or for determining the gas volume fraction (GVF) of the flow. The GVF meter measures acoustic pressures propagating through the fluids to measure the speed of sound ?mix propagating through the fluid to calculate at least gas volume fraction of the fluid and/or SOS. In response to the measured density and gas volume fraction, a processing unit determines the density of non-gaseous component of an aerated fluid flow. For three phase fluid flows, the processing unit can determine the phase fraction of the non-gaseous components of the fluid flow. The gas volume fraction (GVF) meter may include a sensing device having a plurality of strain-based or pressure sensors spaced axially along the pipe for measuring the acoustic pressures propagating through the flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Patrick Curry, Douglas H. Loose, Thomas E. Banach
  • Patent number: 7380439
    Abstract: A flow measuring system is provided that provides at least one of a compensated mass flow rate measurement and a compensated density measurement. The flow measuring system includes a gas volume fraction meter in combination with a coriolis meter. The GVF meter measures acoustic pressures propagating through the fluids to measure the speed of sound ?mix propagating through the fluid to calculate at least gas volume fraction of the fluid and/or the reduced natural frequency. For determining an improved density for the coriolis meter, the calculated gas volume fraction and/or reduced frequency is provided to a processing unit. The improved density is determined using analytically derived or empirically derived density calibration models (or formulas derived therefore), which is a function of the measured natural frequency and at least one of the determined GVF, reduced frequency and speed of sound, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Patrick Curry, Douglas H. Loose, Thomas E. Banach
  • Patent number: 7152460
    Abstract: A flow measuring system is provided that provides at least one of a compensated mass flow rate measurement and a compensated density measurement. The flow measuring system includes a gas volume fraction meter in combination with a coriolis meter. The GVF meter measures acoustic pressures propagating through the fluids to measure the speed of sound ?mix propagating through the fluid to calculate at least gas volume fraction of the fluid and/or the reduced natural frequency. For determining an improved density for the coriolis meter, the calculated gas volume fraction and/or reduced frequency is provided to a processing unit. The improved density is determined using analytically derived or empirically derived density calibration models (or formulas derived therefore), which is a function of the measured natural frequency and at least one of the determined GVF, reduced frequency and speed of sound, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Cidra Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Patrick Curry, Douglas H. Loose, Thomas E. Banach
  • Patent number: 7134320
    Abstract: A flow measuring system combines a density measuring device and a device for measuring the speed of sound (SOS) propagating through the fluid flow and/or for determining the gas volume fraction (GVF) of the flow. The GVF meter measures acoustic pressures propagating through the fluids to measure the speed of sound ?mix propagating through the fluid to calculate at least gas volume fraction of the fluid and/or SOS. In response to the measured density and gas volume fraction, a processing unit determines the density of non-gaseous component of an aerated fluid flow. For three phase fluid flows, the processing unit can determine the phase fraction of the non-gaseous components of the fluid flow. The gas volume fraction (GVF) meter may include a sensing device having a plurality of strain-based or pressure sensors spaced axially along the pipe for measuring the acoustic pressures propagating through the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Patrick Curry, Douglas H. Loose, Thomas E. Banach