Patents Issued in March 29, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070068135
    Abstract: Engine 30 has a compression fan 36 coaxially mounted with reaction member 38. Casing 32 extends around reaction member 38 to form volute 52 and extends to turbine wheel 54 which is connected to compression fan 36 via axle 40. Reaction member 38 comprises vanes 60, flame grid 62 and supporting members in the form of side casings 64. A mixture of fuel and air enters engine 30 via inlets 34. The mixture is drawn into compression fan 36 which causes an increase in the pressure of the mixture. From the compression fan 36 the mixture is directed towards the reaction member 38. Because the compression fan 36 is rotating in a first sense and the reaction member 38 is rotating in a second sense, the velocity of the fuel and air mixture entering the reaction member 38, relative to the reaction member 38, is approximately the sum of the external rim velocity of the compression fan 36 and the internal rim velocity of the reaction member 36.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Bernard Gill
  • Publication number: 20070068136
    Abstract: The invention relates to a structural turbine engine casing (9) comprising a central hub (10), at least one intermediate shroud (20) and an external ring (30), which are concentric, the external ring and the intermediate shroud being connected via links (21, 24, 28), the intermediate shroud and the central hub being connected by a series of radially fastened hollow arms (11-19), wherein the series of arms comprises at least one main arm (11, 13, 18) and at least one secondary arm (12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19), each main arm (11) being arranged in the continuation of a link (21) and having a mass which is greater than that of a secondary arm (12) arranged at a distance from the links (21, 24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Laurent Cameriano, Nicolas Girard
  • Publication number: 20070068137
    Abstract: An injection device including at least one injection plate adjacent a combustion space of a combustion chamber, and at least one first injection nozzle including a first entry bore having a first discharge into the combustion chamber, and a first orifice bore, having a cross-sectional dimension less than or equal to the first entry bore, coaxially arranged with the first entry bore and remote from the first discharge. At least one second injection nozzle includes a second entry bore having a second discharge into the combustion chamber, and a second orifice bore, having a cross-sectional dimension less than or equal to the second entry bore, coaxially arranged with the second entry bore and remote from the second discharge. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: EADS SPACE TRANSPORTATION GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Gotzig, Dieter May
  • Publication number: 20070068138
    Abstract: A rocket vehicle and engine including a manned suborbital rocket including a nose cone; a crew cabin operably connected to the nose cone; and a rocket engine employing the German A-4 (V-2) design. The rocket engine includes an injector; a combustion chamber operably connected to the injector; and a nozzle operably connected to the combustion chamber, the nozzle having an ablative liner. The injector, the combustion chamber, and the nozzle employ a German A-4 (V-2) rocket engine design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Geoffrey Sheerin
  • Publication number: 20070068139
    Abstract: A method of monitoring operation of an exhaust treatment system of a diesel engine includes injecting a dosing agent into an exhaust and monitoring the operating conditions of an engine during normal driving conditions. A control module monitors inlet and outlet temperatures of a catalyst and compares the inlet temperature to the outlet temperature. The control module further evaluates the exhaust treatment system based on the inlet temperature, the outlet temperature and a predetermined temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: David Brown, Michael Paratore, Michael Viola
  • Publication number: 20070068140
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the efficiency of a catalyst includes providing an oxygen sensor between an engine and the catalyst to generate an output signal indicative of oxygen content. The output signal is sampled to provide a first value indicative of the oxygen content of untreated exhaust. The exhaust is allowed to flow through the catalyst to produce treated exhaust and then the treated exhaust is caused to flow back to the oxygen sensor. The output signal is again sampled to provide a second value indicative of the oxygen content of treated exhaust. The second value is compared to the first value to provide an indication of the efficiency of the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Lamb
  • Publication number: 20070068141
    Abstract: A system for ventilating a crankcase of an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust system having a treatment element, and the treatment element includes a catalyst configured to assist in passively regenerating a filter of the exhaust system. The system for ventilating the crankcase also includes first flow path configured to transmit a first flow from the crankcase to a port upstream of the filter, and a second flow path configured to transmit a second flow from a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine to the exhaust system. The catalyst is configured to treat a combined flow comprising the first flow and the second flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Cornelius Opris, John Timmons, Mari Balmer-Millar, Cho Liang, Anil Raina, David Kapparos
  • Publication number: 20070068142
    Abstract: In certain engine systems, there may be a need, such as exhaust purification, to operate two power-producing portions of the engine system in different manners. The engine system of the present disclosure includes at least one engine that includes a first power-producing portion and a second power-producing portion. At least one electronic control module includes a high NOx generation algorithm in communication with the first power-producing portion and a low NOx generation algorithm in communication with the second power-producing portion. The high NOx generation algorithm is operable to signal at least one fuel injector within the first power-producing portion to inject fuel into at least one combustion chamber in a predetermined high NOx generation sequence that includes an injection during non-auto ignition conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Wade Robel, Josh Driscoll
  • Publication number: 20070068143
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing reformate into an engine exhaust stream including aftertreatment devices such as a particulate trap and an NOx filter regenerable by hydrogen-rich reformate injected into the engine exhaust ahead of the aftertreatment devices. A pump pressurizes a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer, and a three-way valve for dividing the reformate injected into the engine exhaust. The reformer draws oxygen from the engine exhaust rather than ambient air as in the prior art. Thus, the only pressure drop that the pump/reformer system must overcome is within the reformate supply system between the reformer take-off point and the reformate entry points. In a configuration wherein the exhaust is taken off ahead of the inline particulate trap, a separate particulate filter is preferably incorporated into the reformer supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: John MacBain, Harry Husted
  • Publication number: 20070068144
    Abstract: A reforming device includes a reforming part that subjects a hydrocarbon-based raw material to be reformed to a reforming reaction to form a reducing agent to be supplied to a reducing catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxide selectively. The reforming part has a reforming reaction region through which the raw material to be reformed passes and is reacted with supplied hydrogen atoms supplied so as to be reformed to the reducing agent. For example, a hydrogen permeable membrane having a first surface and a second surface may be provided in the reforming part to permeate hydrogen atoms from the first surface to the second surface and to produce the hydrogen atoms on the second surface. The reforming device can be suitably used for an exhaust gas control system for cleaning exhaust gas, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsunori Iwase, Tetsuo Toyama, Shigeru Ooyanagi, Yoshiaki Nishijima, Masahiro Okajima
  • Publication number: 20070068145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a secondary air injection system for an internal combustion engine, and an automotive vehicle comprising such a secondary air injection system. The arrangement includes shut-off valve for selectively passing on or restricting airflow form the secondary air injection system. A flexible connector is arranged to receive the airflow and pass it on to at least two reed-type non-return valves arranged to substantially only allow airflow in the downstream direction. At the downstream side of each respective reed-type non-return valve a conduit for communicating any airflow passed there through to an associated exhaust bank of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Wassmur, Magnus Blomroos
  • Publication number: 20070068146
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system for a power source is disclosed. The exhaust treatment system has an inlet configured to receive an exhaust flow from the power source, a filtering medium configured to remove particulate matter from the exhaust flow, and an outlet configured to direct the exhaust flow from the filtering medium to the atmosphere. The exhaust treatment system also has a heating device configured to raise the temperature of the particulate matter entrained within the filtering medium, a supply of pressurized air, and a pilot-operated valve configured to selectively direct the pressurized air to the heated particulate matter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Rodney Rolffs, Manoj Baweja, John Gierszewski
  • Publication number: 20070068147
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine senses differential pressure across the diesel particulate filter to monitor at least one of soot cake permeability and filter wall permeability as a function of exhaust temperature and mass flow velocity. The system and method preferably respond to both porous wall and soot cake permeabilities to determine when the soot level matches a threshold at which an operator may be warned, or at which a remedial operation may be triggered, or at which a more protective action taken by the engine control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Min Sun, Houshun Zhang, Zornitza Pavlinova Pavlova-MacKinnon, Kevin Sisken
  • Publication number: 20070068148
    Abstract: An exhaust purification system including an oxidation catalyst disposed in an exhaust passageway of an engine, and a filter disposed downstream of the oxidation catalyst in the exhaust passageway. The exhaust purification system further includes an outlet temperature setting section for setting, as an outlet target temperature, a target value for an exhaust temperature which is detected on the downstream side of the filter in the exhaust passageway. The system further includes a heat loss quantity computing section for computing a heat loss quantity radiated from the filter to outside the exhaust passageway when exhaust discharged from the engine passes through the filter; and an inlet temperature setting section for setting, as an inlet target temperature on an upstream side of the filter, a temperature obtained by adding a loss temperature reduced by the heat loss quantity to the outlet target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuo Kurata, Kei Shigahara
  • Publication number: 20070068149
    Abstract: An engine and method of operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises supplying pressurized air from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow the pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold during a portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and filtering particulate matter from an exhaust stream of the engine with a particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: James Weber, Scott Leman, Gerald Coleman, Kevin Duffy, Eric Fluga, Jonathan Kilkenny, Cornelius Opris
  • Publication number: 20070068150
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixing element and an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The mixing element has two inlet openings and two outlet openings, wherein each inlet opening communicates with both outlet openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Manfred Mueller, Juergen Kobe, Joachim Braun
  • Publication number: 20070068151
    Abstract: A hydraulic unit including an integrated fluid cooler. The fluid cooler includes a flow-through type heat exchanger. The hydraulic unit can include a pump, a motor, or both a pump and a motor. The fluid cooler can be carried by a housing of the hydraulic unit and a fan for moving air through the fluid cooler and circulating air over at least a portion of the housing of the hydraulic unit can be interposed between the fluid cooler and the housing. The fluid cooler can also be configured to function as a fan shroud. Fluid from the hydraulic unit as well as fluid from other sources can be circulated through the fluid cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Xingen Dong, Barun Acharya
  • Publication number: 20070068152
    Abstract: A load control structure for a work vehicle comprises: a device for detecting operating position of a manually operated speed change operating element; an engine load detection device for detecting load on an engine of the work vehicle; a swash plate position detecting device for detecting an operating position of a swash plate of a variable displacement pump of a hydrostatic continuously variable speed change device; a pump operating device for steplessly operating the swash plate of the variable displacement pump; a motor operating device for operating a swash plate of a variable displacement motor of the hydrostatic continuously variable speed change device between at least two speed change positions including a higher speed position and a lower speed position; a control device for controlling the operations of the pump operating device and the motor operating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: Kuboto Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Nishi, Keishiro Nishi, Atsushi Shinkai, Yasunobu Nakatani, Muneji Okamoto, Yoichi Sugihara
  • Publication number: 20070068153
    Abstract: In a wave energy converter (WEC) for capturing energy contained in surface waves on large bodies of water, one or both of the floats used in the WEC has an internal spring system including a weight suspended from a spring mechanism having a selectively variable spring constant for allowing vertical oscillations of the weight in response to bobbing motions of the float The mechanical impedance of the system is a function of the oscillations of the weight, hence the system is tunable to selected values of mechanical impedance for optimal coupling with the prevailing waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: James Gerber
  • Publication number: 20070068154
    Abstract: A master cylinder (1) having a bore (3) fitted with at least one piston (4, 5) and at least one seal (19, 20, 21, 22). The seal (19, 20, 21, 22) is partially stiffened by a reinforcement member (25). In order to retain the piston (4,5) in the bore (3) a groove (31) is located on a circumference of the piston (4,5) against which the sealing member (25) bears with the piston (4,5) in a rest position to retain the piston (4,5) in bore (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Oliver Bernadat, Yannick Nen, Bruno Beylerian, Philippe Bourlon
  • Publication number: 20070068155
    Abstract: A variable-throat exhaust turbocharger can be provided, in which is used a means to reduce wear of the contact surfaces of the connection pin parts which are formed integral with the lever plates or the drive ring and the grooves into which the connection pin parts are engaged, and which has a means to prevent slipping out of the drive ring from the nozzle mount toward the lever plate to prevent probable occurrence of fail in action of the variable nozzle mechanism caused by the slipping out of the drive ring is provided by the invention. In the invention, the connection pin parts to make connection between the lever plates and drive ring of the variable throat mechanism are formed integral with either the lever plates or the drive ring by extrusion or by precision casting, and at least the connection pin parts or grooves into each of which each of the connection pin parts is engaged are treated with surface hardening including diffusion coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Noriyuki Hayashi, Seiichi Ibaraki, Yasuaki Jinnai
  • Publication number: 20070068156
    Abstract: A process for operating an internal combustion engine with a charging device such as a turbocharger and with an intake valve drive mechanism which is variable with respect to its intake valve control times and/or its intake valve stroke. Upon recognition of a positive charge requirement during the operation of the charging device, the at least one variable intake valve drive mechanism is driven in such a manner that an available stroke reserve and/or intake closure control time reserve is utilized to increase the charge amount introduced into an engine cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gregor Rottenkolber, Fabian Balles
  • Publication number: 20070068157
    Abstract: In an apparatus having an internal combustion engine, a compressor for compressing engine intake gases, a particulate filter for filtering particulate matter from engine exhaust, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for recirculating exhaust gases from a location downstream of the particulate filter to a location upstream of the compressor, and a particulate filter function detector configured to detect a failure of the particulate filter, a method of operating the engine, including receiving a signal from the particulate filter function detector, comparing the signal from the particulate filter function detector to a predetermined signal threshold, determining if the signal received from the particulate filter function detector meets a predetermined condition relative to the predetermined signal threshold; and reducing a flow of exhaust gas through the EGR system if the signal meets the predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Eric Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20070068158
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, where an exhaust gas recirculation path with a valve is provided between said intake and exhaust manifold, and the engine has a turbocharger; the method comprising during at least one decreased engine output condition, increasing opening of the exhaust gas recirculation valve and adjusting exhaust expansion through a turbine of the turbocharger to decrease expansion through the turbocharger and thereby reduce a likelihood of turbocharger surge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Harold Sun, Richard Baker, John Vanderslice, Jeffrey Schneyer, William Ruona
  • Publication number: 20070068159
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel connected with the compressor wheel and rotationally driven by kinetic energy of exhaust gases from the engine, an exhaust gas flow rate changing device for changing a flow rate of exhaust gases injected to the turbine wheel, an exhaust gas recirculation passage for recirculating the exhaust gases to an intake pipe of the engine, and an exhaust gas recirculation control valve disposed in the exhaust gas recirculation passage. An exhaust pressure is detected, and a value of an intake gas parameter is obtained. A target value of the exhaust pressure and a target value of the intake pipe gas parameter are calculated. A control amount of the exhaust gas flow rate changing device and an opening control amount of the exhaust gas recirculation control valve are calculated using a model predictive control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Masaki Ueno, Mitsuhiro Iwadare
  • Publication number: 20070068160
    Abstract: An energy transfer system includes an energy transfer device, a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe. The water inlet pipe may be connected to a water inlet of the transfer device to extract water from a water source. The water outlet pipe may be connected to a water outlet on the energy transfer device to discharge water to the water source. The water inlet pipe may extract water from a predetermined extraction depth, and the water outlet pipe may discharge water into the water source at a predetermined discharge depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Tadeusz Jagusztyn, Donald Hay, Don Murphy
  • Publication number: 20070068161
    Abstract: A new method, system and apparatus for power system utilizing wide temperature range heat sources and a multi-component working fluid is disclosed including a heat recovery vapor generator (HRVG) subsystem, a multi-stage energy conversion or turbine (T) subsystem and a condensation thermal compression subsystem (CTCSS) and where one or more of the streams exiting the stages of the turbine subsystem T are sent back through different portions of the HRVG to be warmed and/or cooled before being forwarded to the next stage of the turbine subsystem T. The turbine subsystem T includes at least a high pressure turbine or turbine stage (HPT) and a low pressure turbine or turbine stage (LPT) and preferably, an intermediate pressure turbine or turbine stage (IPT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Alexander Kalina
  • Publication number: 20070068162
    Abstract: A control system for cogeneration system provides operation combination calculating means which calculates the combination of operations capable of keeping the voltage of the distribution line within a predetermined tolerance within voltage tolerance based on following (1)-(3). (1) the predicted value of the electric power demand of each customer calculated by electric power demand predicted value calculating means; (2) the impedance of the distribution line recorded by distribution line information recording means; and (3) the combination of cogeneration systems to be operated, as calculated by operation combination calculating means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Komura, Masahiro Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20070068163
    Abstract: In a hybrid outboard motor equipped with an internal combustion engine and electric motor as selective sources of power for driving the propeller and further provided with the first output shaft connected to the engine for transmitting its output to the propeller and the second output shaft connected to the motor for transmitting its output to the propeller, the first and second output shafts are disposed coaxially, so that the amount of space required for installing the shafts is smaller by the length of their coaxial portion relative to the prior art in which the shafts are simply connected in tandem. As a result, the size and weight of the outboard motors can be reduced, thereby enhancing its ease of operation and portability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishikawa, Yoshihisa Hirose, Akiko Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20070068164
    Abstract: According to the invention, the injector arms comprise a peripheral duct forming part of a primary fuel circuit that delivers fuel continuously, and a central duct forming part of a secondary fuel circuit that delivers fuel at an essentially variable rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Didier Hernandez, Thomas Noel
  • Publication number: 20070068165
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas turbine, for energy generation, with a compressor, arranged coaxially to a rotor, mounted such as to rotate, for the compression of an inlet gaseous fluid, at least partly serving for combustion of a fuel in a subsequent annular combustion chamber, with generation of a hot working medium, with an annular diffuser arranged coaxially to the rotor, between the compressor and the annular combustion chamber, for distribution and deflection of the fluid, whereby a part of the fluid is diverted as cooling fluid for the turbine stages after the combustion chamber, by means of a dividing element, arranged in the fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann
  • Publication number: 20070068166
    Abstract: Device (48) for guiding an element in an orifice in a wall of a turbomachine combustion chamber (10), comprising a ring (50) and a bush (52), the ring being traversed axially by the element and comprising an external annular rim (60) guided transversely in an internal annular channel (52) of the bush, the ring and the bush delimiting around the element a cylindrical annular passage (76) opening into the chamber, air circulation means being formed in the ring and/or in the bush and distributed about their axis so as to establish an air circulation in the cylindrical passage from the outside of the combustion chamber toward the inside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Claude Gautier, Denis Sandelis
  • Publication number: 20070068167
    Abstract: In a gas turbine installation having an enclosure for passing cooling air therethrough and around the gas turbine, provision is made for a mixing of the cooling air with the exhaust gases being emitted from the gas turbine to thereby reduce the temperature thereof prior to its passing into the exhaust stack, but only after the primary air has passed through a catalyst bed which is disposed in a position over the gas turbine exhaust opening. The shape of the catalyst bed is preferably A-shaped in cross-section to thereby increase the surface area thereof. In this way, the temperature at the catalyst bed is maintained at an elevated level to obtain superior performance while a subsequent mixing of the primary air with the cooling air results in lower temperatures of the gases passing through the exhaust stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Anant Patel, Bernard Staib
  • Publication number: 20070068168
    Abstract: A method of operating a thermal power plant, such as a gas turbine power plant, in which a rotary unit, such as at least one gas turbine stage, is driven by burning gaseous fuel inside a combustion chamber, with hot gases being formed, the rotary energy of which rotary unit is converted into another form of energy, such as electrical energy. A load set point (L) of the thermal power plant is set by regulating the quantity of gaseous fuel fed to the combustion process. The thermal power plant is operated at a load set point (L), provided the gaseous fuel is fed to the combustion process through a gas line at a gas pressure pgas, with pgas>paction limit(L), where paction limit (L) represents a pressure value which depends on a system internal pressure psystem requirement (L) set in the region of the combustion chamber by the load set point (L) of the thermal power plant, with paction limit(L)>psystem requirement(L).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Bernd Socher
  • Publication number: 20070068169
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit (APU) includes a controller that controls the position of an APU inlet door, and thus ram air flow to the APU, to ensure optimal starting conditions are attained and maintained in the APU during APU startup operations. The controller receives a signal representative of an APU operational parameter and, in response, to supplies APU inlet door position commands. An APU inlet door actuator is coupled to the APU inlet door and, in response to the APU inlet door position commands, moves the APU inlet door to the commanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Harold Riley
  • Publication number: 20070068170
    Abstract: The emergency fuel shutoff system for a gas turbine engine comprises a pyrotechnic device which allows the fuel circuit to be closed upon triggering of the pyrotechnic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin Dooley, Joseph Brand
  • Publication number: 20070068171
    Abstract: Systems and methods for supplementing a power system to achieve consistent operation at varying altitudes are disclosed herein. A hybrid power system comprising a single power source driving multiple generators may implement a power recovery turbine to drive a supercharger compressor, which may provide compressed air at increased altitudes. The supplemental power system disclosed herein provides necessary shaft horsepower at high altitudes to drive a generator and produce cooling air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Stanley Epstein
  • Publication number: 20070068172
    Abstract: A liquid cooling system includes a heat-absorbing unit, a heat-dissipating unit, at least one pipe, a coolant and a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field. The pipe interconnects the heat-absorbing unit and the heat-dissipating unit, thereby the heat-absorbing unit, the heat-dissipating unit and the pipe cooperatively form a circulatory channel. The coolant is received in the circulatory channel, the coolant comprises a liquid and a plurality of magnetic particles dispersed in the liquid. At least one of the heat-absorbing unit and the heat-dissipating unit is located in the magnetic field. The liquid cooling system increases the thermal conductivity of the coolant by making the coolant flow turbulently. The efficiency of the liquid cooling system resultantly being increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: HON HAI Precision Industry CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin-Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20070068173
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are described. The apparatus includes a first device to adjust a polarity associated with a thermoelectric (TEC) module. The adjustment is to control the flow of heat. The flow of heat is directed toward a thermal interface material (TIM) in order to melt the TIM up to an acceptable melt level. The apparatus further includes a second device to determine whether the TIM has melted up to the acceptable melt level. The apparatus includes an application device to apply the TIM to a heat sink if the TIM is melted has melted up to the acceptable melt level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Ioan Sauciuc, Gregory Chrysler
  • Publication number: 20070068174
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling foodstuffs using a thermoelectric cooling module, which is aided by a heatsink formed from a planer sheet into a corrugated fin. The heatsink has a series of land and grooves, which are spaced apart from each other by a substantially planer intermediate portion. The heatsink further includes indentations on the intermediate portion between the lands and grooves, which create a turbulent airflow through the heatsink. The heatsink further includes a plurality of apertures that are formed into the grooves for allowing water to drain out of the heatsink, if any condenses and collects in the grooves of the heatsink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Terry Johnson, Travis Johnson, Robert Jilek, John Schoemer, John Jamieson
  • Publication number: 20070068175
    Abstract: A control system for an actively cooled cryogenic biological preservation unit wherein vapor flow into or out of the unit or a proxy thereof is sensed by a flow sensor signaling a controller which modulates cryocooler refrigeration into the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Bryce Rampersad, Paul Belanger
  • Publication number: 20070068176
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the controlled storage of liquefied gases such as liquefied natural gas in an enclosed insulated container, in which part of the liquid is withdrawn and fed to an external refrigeration unit for subcooling and the subcooled liquid is reintroduced into the container via one or more valve-controlled headers under the control of a control system operated in response to pressure and temperature signals from within the container, wherein the level of subcooling is matched to the heat inleak into the container and most or all of the subcooled liquid is reintroduced directly into the stored liquid so as to maintain stable conditions in the stored liquid and to minimise evaporation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Josef Pozivil
  • Publication number: 20070068177
    Abstract: A storage vessel comprises a condenser for condensing boil-off vapor by direct heat exchange with cryogenic liquid feed to the vessel. The condenser comprises a packed arrangement of vapor-liquid contact packing that comprises a top end portion and a bottom end portion. At least said top end portion is open to the vapor space to allow entry of boil-off vapor into the arrangement. The bottom end portion is in fluid flow communication with the lower portion of the storage vessel. One advantage of the invention is that the condenser is open to the vapor space of the storage vessel thereby allowing boil-off vapor to be drawn into the condenser by the condensation action of the vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Paul Higginbotham, Kelvin Hayes, Declan O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20070068178
    Abstract: A heat pump of the present invention has a compressor and an expander coupled with a common axis of rotation, a first throttling device disposed in a circulation passage of refrigerant, and a second throttling device disposed in a bypass passage diverted from the expander. A control device controls the openings of these throttling devices. The control device executes a first controlling in which the opening of the first throttling device is adjusted in order to bring a high pressure PH in a refrigeration cycle close to a predetermined value determined based on a value at which the coefficient of performance (COP) of the heat pump is optimized, and after the first controlling is completed, it executes a second controlling in which the opening of the second throttling device is adjusted in order to bring a degree of superheat SH close to a predetermined positive value. This ensures smooth and stable operations of the heat pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya HONMA, Yuuichi YAKUMARU, Tomoichiro Tamura, Tetsuya SAITO
  • Publication number: 20070068179
    Abstract: A control is provided for a first HVAC unit that is coupled to a common duct shared with at least one other HVAC unit. The control comprises a twinning connection for communication with at least a second control of another HVAC unit, and a voltage signal applied to the twinning connection. The control further comprises a switching means for switching the voltage signal to ground. A microcomputer for monitoring the twinning connection and for controlling the switching means is configured to actuate the switching means to switch the voltage at the twinning connection to ground for a predetermined time period to communicate a blower speed for the first HVAC unit. The microcomputer monitors the twinning connection to sense the duration that the voltage at the twinning connection is being conducted to ground, and responsively controls the speed of the first HVAC blower according to the prescribed blower speed corresponding to the sensed duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Bradley Zikes
  • Publication number: 20070068180
    Abstract: A refrigerator which includes a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a first evaporator and a second evaporator corresponding to the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, respectively, a compressor compressing refrigerant to be supplied to the first and second evaporators, a first fan and a second fan supplying cool air to the compartments, respectively, an external temperature sensor detecting an external temperature of the refrigerator, a multi-directional valve supplying the refrigerant to at least one of the evaporators, and a control unit operating the compressor and the multi-directional valve, and driving the first fan and the second fan until temperatures of the compartments reach a predetermined reference temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won-jae Yoon, Chul-woong Park
  • Publication number: 20070068181
    Abstract: A method of controlling compressor for refrigerator and apparatus thereof are disclosed to control an operation of the compressor by optimum efficiency by changing freezing capacity of the compressor. The apparatus controls a rotation direction of the compressor installed in the refrigerator and changes the freezing capacity of the compressor in accordance with the rotation direction of the compressor, thereby effectively controlling the operation of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Do-Hyung Kim
  • Publication number: 20070068182
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a compressor (2) in a closed level adjustment system, the actual compressor temperature is continuously determined, at least during operation of the compressor, and the compressor (2) is disconnected when it reaches a threshold temperature. Admission pressure and counter-pressure of the compressor are taken into account in order to determine the actual compressor temperature. Preferably, the actual compressor temperature t is adapted by a value dT after each unit of time has elapsed while the compressor is operating, said value depending upon the difference between counter pressure and admission pressure (pcounter?padmission).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Uwe Folchert, Dierk Hein
  • Publication number: 20070068183
    Abstract: A method and a control unit (4) for controlling a supply of power to an electrical circuit comprising a switch (3). An output voltage of a first power source (5), which is connected to the circuit, is measured and compared to a predefined threshold voltage. If the measured voltage is smaller than the threshold value it is determined that the switch (3) is in a closed state, and if the voltage is larger than the threshold value it is determined that the switch (3) is in an open state. The supply of power is controlled in accordance with the open/closed state of the switch (3). Preferably, the electrical circuit is connected to a second power source (9) when the switch (3) is in a closed state. Power is conserved while it is ensured that sufficient power is available when needed. The invention is very suitable for supplying power to a lamp (1) positioned inside a refrigeration compartment (2), especially when the system is battery powered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: Danfoss Compressors GmbH
    Inventors: Mads Andersen, Claus Schmidt, Ole Bachmann, Rune Thomsen
  • Publication number: 20070068184
    Abstract: A geothermal heating and cooling system is thermally coupleable to a ground coil formed from a thermal superconductor material. The system includes a heat intensification circuit, a thermal superconductor heat exchange coil and a thermal switch coupling the intensifying heat exchanger to the superconductor heat exchanger, and a thermostat controller connected to the thermal switch and intensifying heat exchanger. The system employs a high thermal transfer superconductor to efficiently move heat to and from the earth source for the purpose of heating and cooling. The system operates in cooling and heating modes by controlling the thermal switches and activating the heat intensification circuit in response to the difference between a set point and a measured temperature. Heat can be transferred to and from the superconductor heat exchange coil through various air and liquid exchange subsystems including fans, direct and indirect liquid heat exchange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Lynn Mueller, Mark McCooey, John Graham, David Todd