Patents Issued in January 2, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030000201
    Abstract: A method of optimizing vehicle emissions during lean engine operation is disclosed wherein an emission control device receiving engine exhaust gases is filled with one or more constituent gases of the exhaust gas to a predetermined fraction of the device storage capacity, and is then completely emptied during a subsequent purge. As the device storage capacity is substantially reduced, as indicated by an actual fill time becoming equal to or less than a predetermined minimum fill time, a device regeneration cycle is performed to attempt to restore device capacity. A programmed computer controls the fill and purge times based on the amplitude of the voltage of a switching-type oxygen sensor and the time response of the sensor. The frequency of the purge, which ideally is directly related to the device capacity depletion rate, is controlled so that the device is not filled beyond its storage capacity limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Garth Michael Meyer, Joseph Richard Asik
  • Publication number: 20030000202
    Abstract: A method for monitoring efficiency of an exhaust gas aftertreatment device is presented. The efficiency is inferred from the amount of fuel required to perform purge of the device after it has been saturated with exhaust gas components such as NOx and oxygen to a predetermined level. The level of saturation is determined from the amount of tailpipe emissions as indicated by the tailpipe exhaust gas sensor. This method improves precision in determining device efficiency and therefore eliminates unnecessary sulfur purges and improves fuel economy. Also, better emission control is achieved since the tailpipe exhaust gas sensor allows closed loop monitoring of NOx emissions and prevents the device from overfilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Grant Alan Ingram
  • Publication number: 20030000203
    Abstract: An improved method for monitoring an efficiency of a three-way catalyst coupled in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine is presented. First, a reference efficiency estimate (shortly after a SOx purge) is generated based on several data points obtained during normal vehicle driving conditions over varying device temperatures. Next, a current efficiency estimate is obtained from several data points. The two estimates are compared to obtain a measure of reduction in the catalyst efficiency due to device sulfation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Grant Alan Ingram
  • Publication number: 20030000204
    Abstract: A method for determining the efficiency of a three-way catalyst is presented. It is shown that more accurate results are achieved if the efficiency estimates are performed when the engine is at idle or during low load operating conditions. The efficiency is inferred from the amount of fuel required to purge the device after it has been fully saturated with oxidants due to lean operation. Due to improved accuracy and reduced reductant waste, this method allows for improved emission control and fuel efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Grant Alan Ingram, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Publication number: 20030000205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. An available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is determined by establishing an oxidant set point location, i.e., a location in the catalyst about which the system controls the oxidant storage. The oxidant set point is established based on the temperatures of the different potential set point locations and the levels of deterioration of the different potential set point locations, as well as the oxidant storage capacity of the emission control device system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Stephen L. Hahn
  • Publication number: 20030000206
    Abstract: Achieved is an air/fuel ratio control apparatus for an internal combustion engine where the purification ability of a three-way catalyst is brought back to an optimal state immediately after a fuel cut by expelling oxygen absorbed by the three-way catalyst due to the fuel cut without being affected by the oxygen absorption amount of the three-way catalyst before the fuel cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Takubo, Tadahiro Azuma
  • Publication number: 20030000207
    Abstract: A diagnosis system for an engine including an exhaust pipe, a hydrocarbon (HC) absorbent arranged within the exhaust pipe, an upstream air/fuel ratio sensor arranged upstream of the HC absorbent and detecting a wide range air/fuel ratio of an exhaust gas, a downstream air/fuel ratio sensor arranged downstream of the HC absorbent and detecting rich or lean with respect to stoichiometric air/fuel ratio of the exhaust gas, and a control unit, the control unit includes means for correcting an air/fuel ratio upstream of the HC absorbent, means for correcting an air/fuel ratio downstream of the HC absorbent, and means for predicting a HC absorbing amount of the HC absorbent, the means for correcting the air/fuel ratio upstream of the HC absorbent correcting and controlling an output value of the upstream air/fuel ratio sensor toward lean, the means for predicting the HC absorbing amount of the HC absorbent predicting an absorbing performance of the HC absorbent on the basis of a difference between an output value o
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Minoru Ohsuga, Toshio Ishii, Yutaka Takaku, Kozo Katogi
  • Publication number: 20030000208
    Abstract: A catalytic muffler having at least one reactor bed each bed having an array of discreet adjacent flow zones. The flow zones interconnected by a series of passages for unidirectional flow of a gaseous fluid sequentially through each adjacent zone in turn from an inlet side of each reactor bed to an outlet side of the reactor bed. An inlet fluidly communications with a first of the flow zones. An outlet fluidly communicates with the last of the flow zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Glenn Knight, Nils Rodeblad
  • Publication number: 20030000209
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial installation that comprises a certain number of installation components (2, 4, 6), a cooling circuit (8, 9, 10) as a reservoir for the thermal energy afforded during a process and a container (14) for operational equipment which is provided with an electric device (52) for operating the installation components (2, 4, 6). The container (14) for operational equipment is air-conditioned by an air-conditioning system (16) that is connected to the cooling circuit (8, 9, 10) The invention provides an installation that keeps the power requirement for the air-conditioning system (16) at a minimum by utilizing the energy present in the cooling circuit (8, 9, 10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Madl
  • Publication number: 20030000210
    Abstract: A Stirling cycle engine comprises a substantially sealed engine block that defines a working fluid space, a hot path and a cold path. A heat source and a heat sink are configured to keep the hot path and the cold path at different temperatures. The engine includes a valve chamber that is communication with the working fluid space, the hot path and the cold path. A valve is moveably positioned within the valve chamber between at least a first position and a second position. The valve defines a passage that, in the first position, places the working fluid space in communication with the hot path and, in the second position, places the working fluid space in communication with the cold path. A regenerator positioned within the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: William T. Gross, Denes L. Zsolnay, Kurt E. Jechel
  • Publication number: 20030000211
    Abstract: In an internal-combustion engine having an exhaust-gas driven supercharger (8) and having at least two exhaust-gas valves (2, 3) per cylinder, a first exhaust-gas valve (2) in each cylinder is connected to a first exhaust manifold (4), whilst a second exhaust-gas valve (3) in each cylinder is connected to a second exhaust manifold (5). The two exhaust manifolds (4, 5) lead to at least one exhaust-gas turbine in at least one turbo compressor and the first exhaust-gas valves (2) are arranged to be opened at all engine speeds, whilst the second exhaust-gas valves (3) are arranged to be opened only at higher engine speeds. The first exhaust manifold (4) has a smaller flow area than the second exhaust manifold (5). By choosing which exhaust-gas valves are to be used, the size of the flow ducts between engine and exhaust-gas turbine can easily be suited to the size of the exhaust-gas flow which is available at the time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Saab Automobile AB
    Inventors: Hans Drangel, Hans Karlsson, Anders Larsen, Henrik Nordin
  • Publication number: 20030000212
    Abstract: A device for switching an exhaust gas turbocharger and an exhaust gas turbocharger having such a device are described. The device is used for exhaust gas turbochargers (1) having a variable turbine geometry as well as for other turbochargers (e.g., waste-gate turbochargers) having an (electronically) regulated final controlling element. The exhaust gas turbocharger is switched by a switching signal P from a regulated operation A with a boost pressure regulator (2) to an unregulated operation B with a boost pressure control (3), wherein a delay device (4) is provided for generating the switching signal P with a time delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Frank Meier, Thomas Bleile
  • Publication number: 20030000213
    Abstract: A heat engine (10) achieves operational efficiencies by: 1) recovering waste heat from heat engine expander (14) to preheat heat-engine working fluid, 2) using super-heated working fluid from compressor (402) to pre-heat heat-engine working fluid, and 3) using reject heat from condenser (93) and absorber (95) to heat the heat-engine boiler (12). A dual heat-exchange generator (72) affords continuous operation by using gas-fired heat exchanger (212) to heat generator (72) when intermittent heat source (40), e.g., solar, is incapable of heating generator (72). The combination of heat engine (10) and absorption and compression heat transfer devices (60, 410) allows use of low-temperature heat sources such as solar, bio-mass, and waste heat to provide refrigeration, heating, work output including pumping and heating of subterranean water and electrical generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Richard N. Christensen, Jiming Cao, E. Thomas Henkel
  • Publication number: 20030000214
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas and steam turbine installation (1) comprising a gasification device (132) for fossile fuel. The gasification device (132) and the combustion chamber (6) of the gas turbine (2) are connected by means of a gas line (130). According to the invention, a gas lock (200) is connected to the gas line (130). Said gas lock comprises a quick acting armature (202), a pressure discharge or over pressure system (206) and a gas lock armature (202).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Claus Grewe, Frank Hanemann, Ulrich Schiffers
  • Publication number: 20030000215
    Abstract: In order to evacuate a turbine condenser, air (L) contained in the turbine condenser (1) is suctioned using propellant steam from a starting jet pump (19). According to the invention the propellant steam (D) and the air (L) are guided into an auxiliary condenser (5) which is arranged downstream from said turbine condenser (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Koenig, Wolfgang Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20030000216
    Abstract: An internal cylinder which has the opening section from which combustion gas is blown out is inserted into the tail cylinder which becomes a flow path of the combustion gas, and is engaged with the tail cylinder, while securing a clearance between the edge of the opening section and the internal wall surface of the tail cylinder. Air compressed with a compressor is jetted from the clearance along the internal wall surface of the tail cylinder, and a film of cooling air is formed on the internal wall surface of the tail cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Kouichi Akagi, Souichirou Tomimoto
  • Publication number: 20030000217
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine includes a dome assembly that facilitates extending a useful life of the combustor in a cost-effective and reliable manner. The dome assembly includes a dome plate and a heat shield coupled to the dome plate. The dome plate includes an impingement baffle and an opening extending therethrough and sized to receive a fuel injector. The impingement baffle also includes a plurality of cooling openings in flow communication with the heat shield that direct cooling airflow for impingement cooling and film cooling of the heat shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Gary Lee North, Willard James Dodds
  • Publication number: 20030000218
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant system, comprising a compressor; a combustor receiving air provided by the compressor; a gas turbine for expanding gas provided by the compressor; a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) for receiving exhaust gases from the gas turbine. The heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) receives exhaust gases from the gas turbine. The HRSG includes a low pressure (LP) section; a high pressure (HP) section for receiving exhaust gases from the gas turbine and located upstream of the LP section, each of the LP and HP sections include an evaporator section. An intermediate pressure (IP) section is located between the HP and the LP sections, the IP section includes an economizer, first and second evaporators, and a water heater disposed between the first and second evaporators. A fuel gas heater is provided for receiving heated water from the water heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jatila Ranasinghe
  • Publication number: 20030000219
    Abstract: In order to provide a method of air guidance and a design for a gas turbine combustion chamber which permits improved cooling and reduced pressure losses and which avoids the overcooling phenomena by specific reaction to hot spots, a gas turbine combustion chamber includes a casing and at least one hollow element. The at least one hollow element is in connection with air guidance regions of the combustion chamber via at least two openings. As such, a tangential through-flow exists with a subsequent axial flow to the burner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann
  • Publication number: 20030000220
    Abstract: A system (1) generating saturated steam is replaced by at least one gas turbine set (29, 30, 31, 36), at least one waste-heat boiler (32) and at least one back-pressure steam turbine (37). The back-pressure steam turbine (37) is coupled to the gas turbine set (29, 30, 31, 36), which back-pressure steam turbine is supplied by the steam generated in the waste-heat boiler (32). The exhaust steam of the back-pressure steam turbine (37) is supplied to the saturated-steam medium-pressure steam turbine (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Erhard Liebig, Henrik Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20030000221
    Abstract: Provided is a combustion chamber for producing a pressurized gas containing:
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: J. Hilbert Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030000222
    Abstract: Part of compressed air discharged from a compressor 2 is cooled by a cooler 6, and merged with a working fluid for a turbine 4 to cool rotor blades of the turbine 4. Further, air from the compressor 2 is bled through introduction passages 7, and the bled air is cooled by coolers 8 and introduced to stationary blades of the turbine 4. The stationary blades of the turbine 4 are cooled with air cooled by the coolers 8. A sufficient cooling effect is obtained by a small amount of air, and the amount of compressed air bled through the introduction passages 7 is decreased. Compression power is converted into turbine output effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Tadashi Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20030000223
    Abstract: In a turbomachine comprising a metal material shell containing in a gas flow direction F: a fuel injection assembly; a composite material combustion chamber; and a metal material sectorized nozzle forming the inlet stage with fixed blades of a high pressure turbine, provision is made for the combustion chamber to be held by a sectorized flexible sleeve of metal material having one end fixed to the combustion chamber by first fixing means and a flange-forming opposite end fixed to the shell by second fixing means. The first fixing means also serve to connect the combustion chamber to the sectorized nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: SNECMA MOTEURS
    Inventors: Eric Conete, Alexandre Forestier, Didier Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20030000224
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device in performing a process in a process medium by varying the parameters of said process medium over time in a laboratory scale, according to a predetermined scheme. The device comprises at least one reaction receptacle, a heat transfer plate, a peltiere element, a temper sensor, a magnetic stirrer and a data processing unit. The data processing unit is adapted to send out signals to the peltiere element in response to incoming signals from the temperature sensor. The invention further relates to a method for controlling the data processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Dario Kriz, Christer Ljung
  • Publication number: 20030000225
    Abstract: A liquid container comprising a base having openings that communicate from the front surface to the back surface, and first and second sealing plates that seal the openings from both sides of the base to form internal spaces, wherein the sealing plates comprise a first heat exchanging member for heating or cooling the internal space from the front surface of the base and a second heat exchanging member for heating or cooling the internal space from the back surface of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Nagai, Hiroaki Tobimatsu
  • Publication number: 20030000226
    Abstract: A Stirling refrigerating machine, comprising a regenerator provided in a flow path for a working medium reciprocating between an expansion space and a compression space formed in a cylinder, wherein a flow strengthener making uniform the flow of the working medium passing through the regenerator is provided on one or both of the expansion and compression space sides of the regenerator, whereby, because the nonuniformity of the flow of the working medium passing through the regenerator is improved, a regenerated heat exchanging efficiency can be increased, and thus the performance of the refrigerating machine can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Shinsuke Amano
  • Publication number: 20030000227
    Abstract: A method for cooling components of installations charged with flowable media, in particular molding units for glass melts, and for direct cooling of molded glass parts. A stable cooling range between 60° C. and 280° C., such as is required in glass production, can be governed with the cooling medium, which is of a mixture of compressed and/or blower air and a water aerosol fog.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Christian Schenk, Siegbert Schell
  • Publication number: 20030000228
    Abstract: In the method for producing a particulate material (58) from an at least partially liquid material (35) containing a solvent and/or dispersant, this material (35) is atomized in a process chamber (21) into droplets which are frozen to particles (131) by contact with a freezing fluid. The particles (131) are then dried by freeze-drying in the or in another process chamber (22) having a filter (18) at the top. For the freeze-drying, cooled process gas is passed upward from below through the process chamber (22) and through the filter (18) in such a way that at least a substantial part of the particles (131) rest against the filter (18) at least for a substantial part of the freeze-drying taking place in the process chamber (22). This makes it possible to dry a batch of particles (131) in a short time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Hans Leuenberger, Armin Karl Theodor Prasch, Bernhard Luy
  • Publication number: 20030000229
    Abstract: A device for killing pathogens that grow on the surface of the evaporator coil within a conventional air conditioner and in the drip pan of its evaporator. Utilizing ultraviolet radiation which is well-known to kill a wide range of pathogens, the device comprises of at least one elongated ultraviolet light source. This source is positioned in such a way that its light strikes both the evaporator and the drip pan. Also this source is mounted transversely to the flow path of air passing through the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Roy E. Underwood
  • Publication number: 20030000230
    Abstract: A high-efficiency air handler that is suitable for moving large volumes of air. The air handler comprises a coil and a fan. The total air volume moving through the unit is preferably over about 2000 CFM, with a total fan static pressure rise of less than about 0.5 inches and preferably less than 0.2 inches of water. The fan is preferably a modified ceiling fan with a rotational speed of less than about 450 rpm. The air handler is preferably part of a system where dehumidification and sensible cooling functions are separate. The separate dehumidification allows for much higher supply air temperatures, preferably within about 10° F. of the space temperature. Low-velocity air distribution through a ceiling plenum or a vent into the space allows for very low fan static pressures, which greatly reduces fan energy use compared to conventional ducted systems. The low static pressures and high supply-air temperatures allow the use of existing drop ceiling construction with little modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: William L. Kopko
  • Publication number: 20030000231
    Abstract: A computer system is described having a refrigeration cycle for a logic processor each utilizes first and second refrigeration cycles, each including a respective adsorber/desorber. Each adsorber/desorber is alternatingly cooled and heated. A liquid is adsorbed into the adsorber/desorber when being cooled and desorbed when the adsorber/desorber is heated. When the liquid is desorbed from the adsorber/desorber, and a checkvalve is closed, a pressure of the liquid increases. The adsorber/desorber together with the checkvalve act as a compressor in the respective refrigeration cycle. Heating and cooling is alternated so that one adsorber/desorber always adsorbs liquid while the other adsorber/desorber desorbes liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Himanshu Pokharna, Eric Distefano, Joseph D. Walters
  • Publication number: 20030000232
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for cooling a logic module includes an evaporator housing including an evaporator block in thermal communication with the logic module. The evaporator housing includes a humidity sensor for detecting a humidity within the evaporator housing. The system further comprises a controller for controlling a refrigeration unit supplying cold refrigerant to the evaporator block in response to the operating conditions of the logic module and the temperature of the evaporator block. In another aspect of the invention, two modular refrigeration units are independently operable to cool the evaporator block, and each refrigeration unit is controllable in various modes of operation including an enabled mode in which it is ready to cool the evaporator and an on mode in which it is actively cooling the evaporator. In another aspect of the invention, the evaporator block and a heater on a reverse side of the circuit board are particularly controlled during concurrent repair operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary F. Goth, Jody A. Hickey, Daniel J. Kearney, Robert Makowicki
  • Publication number: 20030000233
    Abstract: A method for assembling a control for use with a cooling device includes providing an attached control that is configured to control the cooling device, and installing a wireless interface in the attached control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: George Mazereeuw
  • Publication number: 20030000234
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling operation of a kimchi storage device. A compressor operates immediately if the condition to operate the compressor is met, and a heater operates after a predetermined time delay if the condition to operate the heater has been met, whereby the variation in the temperature of a storage chamber caused by the immediate sensing of low temperature and the operation of the heater thereby can be reduced, so the flavor and freshness of the kimchi can be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Wan-Suck Seo
  • Publication number: 20030000235
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system operated with CO2 for a vehicle has a high-pressure section that is connected to the output of a compressor and includes a gas cooler, a low-pressure section that is connected to the suction side of the compressor and includes an evaporator, and an expansion member connecting the high-pressure section and the low-pressure section. The expansion member has a fixed restrictor with a throttle opening of predetermined length and diameter connected between an inlet from the high-pressure section and an outlet to the low-pressure section whereby under all operating conditions of the system, a pressure of refrigerant in the high-pressure section of the system is limited to values of less than 14 MPa. The restrictor can be connected in parallel with a pressure limiting valve and can include two or more different throttle openings that can be selectively connected for refrigerant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Bernd Dienhart, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christoph Walter, Michael Katzenberger, Karl Lochmahr, Werner Strauss
  • Publication number: 20030000236
    Abstract: A method of powering a refrigeration system. The method includes providing a mover and an alternator, the alternator being coupled to the mover and generating a power signal. The method also includes monitoring at a control a plurality of system parameters and sending a control signal based on the system parameters from the control. The method further includes receiving the power signal and the control signal at an inverter-based device which has a plurality of inverters, converting the power signal into a controlled power signal based on the control signal, and driving a plurality of components of the refrigeration system with the controlled power signal, which are also controlled by the control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Thomas Anderson, Arnost Hurych, Vladimir Sulc, Greg Truckenbrod, Donald J. Bongaards, Zdenek Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20030000237
    Abstract: To provide a transportable cooling unit for maintaining a transport volume at a defined temperature, comprising a closed cooling circuit and a controller sensing a temperature present within said transport volume and controlling said cooling circuit so as to provide the cooling power demanded at said evaporator for maintaining said defined temperature and minimizing energy consumption, said controller operates said closed cooling circuit between a minimum possible cooling power and a maximum possible cooling power in a sequence of different operational stages, said controller further operates said closed cooling circuit in each one of at least two upper operational stages at a compressor speed related cooling capacity different said other upper operational stages and within said respective upper operational stages said controller operates a compressor in an uninterrupted mode and adjusts said cooling power stepless speed control of said compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: MAERSK CONTAINER INDUSTRI A/S
    Inventor: Helge Reimer Hansen
  • Publication number: 20030000238
    Abstract: A scroll compressor providing a ring-shaped groove in an end plate of a movable scroll to form a backpressure chamber with a surface of a middle housing supporting the end plate and introducing a high-pressure fluid through the same so as to cancel out a thrust load generated by the compression reaction force. Inner and outer seal rings are provided to prevent leakage of the high-pressure fluid from the backpressure chamber. In this case, the seal rings are designed to be able to incline in the ring-shaped groove or O-rings are made joint use of to form a ring-shaped region of a higher contact pressure at a portion contacting the opposing surface, so a high sealing effect is obtained while suppressing mechanical loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuhide Uchida, Yoshitaka Akiyama, Haruo Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20030000239
    Abstract: An ice maker for creating a layer of ice on a cooled surface, is disclosed. The ice maker has a source of de-gassed water, which may be de-gassed by being heated. A pump to pressurize the de-gassed water is provided and the water is passed to a sprayer hydraulically connected to the pump. The sprayer has nozzles sized and shaped to convert the pressurized water into a fine de-gassing droplet spray directed at the cooled surface. The droplets are sized to substantially freeze on contact with the cooled surface. In one embodiment a microprocessor is provided to change the volume sprayed according to the speed of the ice maker to ensure an even coat of ice is layed down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Steve Dawe, Michael Horodenka, Alex Makarenko
  • Publication number: 20030000240
    Abstract: A compact portable, self-contained and self-cleaning, domestic frozen food and beverage system capable of rapidly and automatically preparing and dispensing soft ice cream products, slush drinks, and frozen beverages in an efficient manner. Ingredients are preferably transferred spill-free into the freezing chamber via a paired bottle cap and receptacle that block ingredient transfer unless the bottle cap is securely seated within the receptacle. To begin the freezing process, a user would simply select and depress the start button corresponding to the type of product desired. An inlet port or ports allowing for pressurized fluid flow evenly about the freezing chamber and a rotating auger member disposed within the freezing chamber help the present invention to achieve a rapidly frozen product. Once operation begins, a microprocessor controls the temperature and speed of ingredient mixing with automatic shut-down occurring when auger torque indicates that the product has reached the desired consistency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Charles Pahl
  • Publication number: 20030000241
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a heat-insulating housing having compartments separated from one another and each having a different temperature, evaporators each cooling one of the compartments with a refrigerant, each compartment having a different refrigerating capacity, throttles each connected upstream of an evaporator, a refrigerant compressor having a suction side connected to a refrigerant collector, and at least one activator connected to the evaporators, the activator positively and separately controlling circulation of the refrigerant through the evaporators. The compressor is connected to the throttles and evaporators for circulating the refrigerant. One evaporator has a higher capacity and a refrigerant routing portion with a refrigerant reception volume. The collector collects an amount of refrigerant when the compressor is in the standstill phase. More than a majority of the reception volume of the refrigerant routing portion is filled with the refrigerant in the standstill phase of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Walter Holz, Roland Maier, Wolfgang Nuiding
  • Publication number: 20030000242
    Abstract: Methods are provided for storing items. One such method includes: providing a container sized and shaped to receive an item, the container having: a storage chamber, an insulating material and a re-freezable material, the insulating material defining an interior and having at least one opening for providing access to the interior, the re-freezable material being disposed within the interior, the insulating material comprising soyoyl polyol, the re-freezable material comprising an acrylate-based superabsorbent. Systems and other methods also are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: John Henry Gano
  • Publication number: 20030000243
    Abstract: An absorption diffusion type refrigerating structure comprises a generator, a rectifier, a condenser, an evaporator, a concentrated ammonia aqueous solution tank, and an absorber. The absorber is vertical. A spiral device is disposed in the absorber to lengthen the flow path of diluted ammonia aqueous solution, to extend the time of diluted ammonia aqueous solution in the absorber, and to expand the reaction area of diluted ammonia solution in the absorber, thereby reducing the whole weight, shrinking the volume, and enhancing the refrigerating speed. An ammonia liquid pipe and a hydrogen pipe are arranged in the evaporator. The evaporator has a simple and symmetrical shape, and can be processed and assembled easily, hence saving the space thereof. Moreover, because the ammonia liquid pipe and the hydrogen pipe are arranged in the evaporator, the effect of heat exchange thereof is better, and the refrigerating temperature is lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Hao Pai, Ru He Jan, Chin Hung Kuo
  • Publication number: 20030000244
    Abstract: An optimized CO2 air-conditioning system for a vehicle has individual components designed and/or matched to one another in such a way that if the high pressures in the high-pressure section deviate by up to ±30% from the optimum high pressures, the associated optimum performance figures are reduced by no more than 20%. The individual components include a controllable compressor, a gas cooler, an internal heat exchanger, an evaporator and an accumulator. As a result, a fixed throttle expansion member can be used between the high-pressure and low-pressure sections of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Bernd Dienhart, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christoph Walter, Jurgen Fischer, Michael Katzenberger, Karl Lochmahr
  • Publication number: 20030000245
    Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a compressor for increasing a temperature and a pressure of a refrigerant vapor, a condenser fluidly coupled to the compressor for condensing the refrigerant vapor, an expansion device for decreasing the temperature and pressure of a refrigerant liquid, and an evaporator fluidly coupled to the expansion device for evaporating the refrigerant liquid by transferring thermal energy between the refrigerant liquid and a second fluid. The refrigeration system also comprises a heat exchanger having a first flow path fluidly coupled to the compressor and the evaporator and a second flow path fluidly coupled to the condenser and the expansion valve. The heat exchanger is adapted to superheat the refrigerant vapor in the first flow path and subcool the refrigerant liquid in the second flow path by transferring thermal energy between the refrigerant in the first and second flow paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Brian E. Guckin
  • Publication number: 20030000246
    Abstract: An evaporator for a refrigerating system which prevents droplets of refrigerant from blowing upwards, and a refrigeration apparatus using thereof are provided. The evaporator for a refrigerating system includes a container into which the refrigerant is introduced, and heat exchanger tubes disposed in the container through which a cooled object flows. The evaporator further includes a prevention plate disposed above the heat exchanger tubes so that droplets of the refrigerant, which are blown upwards due to a boiling of the refrigerant, hit the prevention plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Yoichiro Iritani, Akihiro Kawada, Yoshinori Shirakata, Wataru Seki, Koji Hirokawa
  • Publication number: 20030000247
    Abstract: Apparatus (30) for compressing gaseous refrigerant for use in a refrigeration circuit (2) of a liquefaction plant, which refrigeration circuit (2) has an inlet (5), a first outlet (6) for refrigerant at low pressure, a second outlet (7) for refrigerant at intermediate pressure, a third outlet (8) for refrigerant at high pressure and a fourth outlet (9) for refrigerant at high-high pressure, which apparatus (30) comprises a first and a second compressor (31a, 31b), wherein the first compressor (31a) has a main inlet (36) connected to the first outlet (6), a side-inlet (37) connected to the third outlet (8) and an outlet (38) connected to the inlet (5) of the refrigeration circuit (2), and wherein the second compressor (31b) has a main inlet (39) connected to the second outlet (7), a side-inlet (40) connected to the fourth outlet (9) and an outlet (41) connected to the inlet (5) of the refrigeration circuit (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Hendrik Frans Grootjans
  • Publication number: 20030000248
    Abstract: A cryogenic air separation process for the production of oxygen and nitrogen products uses a distillation system having at least a higher pressure column and a lower pressure column. A nitrogen-enriched liquid stream is recovered from the higher pressure column and is eventually at least partially vaporized by indirect heat exchange at a pressure intermediate that of the higher pressure column and the lower pressure column. A vapor stream is withdrawn from an intermediate location of the stripping section of the lower pressure column and is at least partially condensed by indirect heat exchange with the nitrogen-enriched liquid stream. At least some of the nitrogen product is recovered from the vapor that results from the at least partial vaporization of the nitrogen-enriched liquid. The process is appropriate for the production of nitrogen in quantities up to 40 mole % of the incoming air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Adam Adrian Brostow, Donn Michael Herron
  • Publication number: 20030000249
    Abstract: A reliable securing member for mounting a gemstone within a piece of jewelry. The securing member having an opening therein that receives a gemstone and displays the gemstone through a cavity within a piece of jewelry such as a ring. The securing member is then attached to an inner surface of a piece of jewelry by use of at least an extension means in any fashion that is known in the art such as, but not limited to, soldering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Setrak Djihanian
  • Publication number: 20030000250
    Abstract: Glass melting furnace, of the type consisting of a melting chamber, inside which is found the liquid glass mass, with an outlet, and at least one flue gas recuperative chamber, a means for supplying the influx of fuel, featuring at least one mass temperature gauge immersed in the liquid glass mass and placed approximately at a height (h2) with respect to the bottom of the melting chamber of ⅓ to ⅕ of the height (h) of the level of the liquid glass mass, and ⅕ h≦h2≦⅓ h on the longitudinal axis of the melting chamber at a distance (11) with respect to the wall of the chamber opposite the outlet, of between 0.6 and 0.85% of the length of the melting chamber 0.61≦11≦0.85 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Alfonso Arechaga, Jesus Maria Ugarte