Patents Issued in May 6, 2010
  • Publication number: 20100107591
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting a flameout of an operating turbomachine that is configured to receive a controlled flow of bleed air from a bleed air source and a controlled flow of fuel from a fuel source. A value of an operational parameter within the turbomachine is detected and a determination is made as to whether it has varied by a predetermined amount. If the operational parameter has varied by the predetermined amount, a flameout confirmation test is triggered. The flameout confirmation test includes holding the controlled flow of bleed air constant, commanding an increase in turbomachine speed, and confirming that a flameout has occurred by detecting that the controlled fuel flow to the turbomachine is at a maximum fuel flow limit and that actual turbomachine speed differs from the commanded turbomachine speed by a predetermined speed error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Christopher, Hanif Vhora
  • Publication number: 20100107592
    Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine unit configured to generate a combustion gas by combusting a mixture of compressed air and fuel and generate electric power by expanding the combustion gas. A separator is coupled to the gas turbine unit and disposed upstream of the gas turbine unit. The separator is configured to reduce sulfur content in the fuel before being fed to the gas turbine unit. A portion of an exhaust gas from a gas turbine is recirculated to the gas turbine unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Cristina Botero, Matthias Finkenrath, Michael Adam Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20100107593
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of this invention provides a single-effect absorption chiller including an absorber operatively connected to a solution heat exchanger and a generator, and a condenser in fluid communication with the absorber, wherein the absorber is sized and configured to receive a feed of water from a source of water and to transfer heat to the feed of water and then to convey the feed of water to the condenser without further heat conditioning of the feed of water prior to its entry into the condenser, and wherein the condenser is sized and configured to receive the feed of water from the absorber and to transfer heat to the feed of water, thereby cooling the condenser without resorting to an external heat exchanger such as a conventional cooling tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: University of New Orleans Research & Technology Foundation
    Inventor: Ting Wang
  • Publication number: 20100107594
    Abstract: A bleed system for a gas turbine engine includes: (a) a bleed air turbine having a turbine inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of compressor bleed air at a first pressure; (b) a bleed air compressor mechanically coupled to the bleed air turbine, and having a compressor inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of fan discharge air at a second pressure substantially lower than the first pressure; and (c) a mixing duct coupled to a turbine exit of the bleed air turbine and to a compressor exit of the bleed air compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: George Albert Coffinberry, Kevin Richard Leamy
  • Publication number: 20100107595
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes at least one gas turbine, at least one steam turbine and a heat recovery boiler in combination to produce electricity and/or process steam. The heat recovery boiler has a duct for receiving and confining gas turbine exhaust gas from the gas turbine. Heat transfer tubes for heating water and steam for use in the bottoming steam cycle (steam turbine and/or process steam) are disposed within the heat recovery boiler and have exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the gas turbine exhaust gas and interior surfaces in circulatory fluid communication with water and/or steam. A cellular material is attached to the exterior surfaces of the heat transfer tubes and operates to enhance heat transfer from the gas turbine exhaust gas to the water and/or steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Canan Uslu Hardwicke, Sal Albert Leone, Thomas Francis Taylor, Hua Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100107596
    Abstract: A low power hall thruster is provided that is effective for micro-spacecrafts and nano-spacecrafts as well as mini-spacecrafts. The hall thruster comprises a co-axial acceleration channel capable of being applied with predominantly-radial magnetic field and a co-axial anode within a cavity capable of being applied with substantially longitudinal magnetic field. A cathode-compensator is placed beyond the acceleration channel and magnetic system is provided capable of generating the radial magnetic field within the co-axial acceleration channel and the longitudinal magnetic field within the co-axial anode. An electrically isolated gas distributor is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Kapulkin, Mauricio Moshe Guelman, Vladimir Balabanov, Binyamin Rubin
  • Publication number: 20100107597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the noise missions from the rear of a turbo engine, and a turbo engine improved by said method. According to the invention, the nozzle for the cold flow (9) is modified by a transverse expansion and a lengthening thereof such as to be able to increase the length of the acoustic damping coating (14) supported on the inside of said nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Airbus Operations
    Inventors: Franck Crosta, Damien Prat
  • Publication number: 20100107598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the self-calibration of electric jacks (6a, 6b) capable of actuating a mobile member (2) of a turbojet nacelle (1) and connected to at least one position measuring member, characterised in that it comprises the steps of: moving the jack(s) into a retracted position corresponding to a first position of the mobile member, storing one or more position values fed back by the position measuring member for the jack(s) in said retracted position; moving the jack(s) into an extended position corresponding to a second position of the mobile member; storing one or mom position values fed back by the position measuring member for the jack(s) in said extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Thierry Marin Martinod, Hakim Maalioune
  • Publication number: 20100107599
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thrust reverser (9) for an aircraft nacelle (1), including: a front frame (11), a cowl (21) which can move between an operating position and an intermediate maintenance position downstream of the front frame (11), means (26) for moving the cowl (21) between closed and open positions, and an inner structure (23) which can move between an operating position and an intermediate maintenance position downstream of the front frame (11). In addition, the cowl (21) comprises two half-cowls (21a, 21b) and the inner structure (23) comprises two structure halves (23a, 23b), whereby said half-cowls (21a, 21b) and said inner structure halves (23a, 23b) can open outward when the cowl (21) and the inner structure (23) are in the intermediate maintenance position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Guy Bernard Vauchel
  • Publication number: 20100107600
    Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine engine (10) comprises a variable area exhaust nozzle (12) arranged at the downstream end of a casing (17). A control unit (66) analyses the power produced by the gas turbine engine (10), the flight speed of the gas turbine engine (1) and/or the altitude of the gas turbine engine (10). The control unit (66) configures the variable area nozzle (12) at a first cross-sectional area (70A) when the flight speed of the gas turbine engine (10) is less than a first predetermined value. The control unit (66) configures the variable area nozzle (12) at a second, smaller, cross-sectional area (70B) when the flight speed of the gas turbine engine (10) is greater than the first predetermined value and the power produced by the gas turbine engine (10) is greater than a second predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Malcolm L. Hillel, Stephen G. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100107601
    Abstract: The electrolytic ignitor comprises an injector (2) constituting a first electrode, a second electrode (5) that is electrically insulated from the injector (2) by an insulator (4) and that extends downstream beyond the injector (2), a tank (12) for the first mono-propellant, a solenoid valve (11) interposed between the tank (12) and a distribution channel (3) serving to deliver the first mono-propellant to the first mono-propellant injector device constituted by at least one injection hole (1) opening out in the vicinity of the second electrode (5), and an electrical power supply circuit adapted to raise the second electrode (5) to a potential lying in the range 50 V to 1000 V relative to the potential of the first electrode (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventor: Dominique Valentian
  • Publication number: 20100107602
    Abstract: The electrolytic ignitor comprises an injector (2) constituting a first electrode and including a fuel injector device (26), an oxidizer injector device (27), and an electrolyte injector device (1), a second electrode (5) electrically insulated from the injector (2) by an insulator (4) and extending downstream beyond the injector (2), an electrolyte tank (12), a solenoid valve (11) interposed between the tank (12) and an electrolyte distribution channel (3) suitable for delivering electrolyte in the form of free jets through the electrolyte injector device constituted by at least one injection hole (1) situated in the vicinity of the fuel injector device (26) and the oxidizer injector device (27), and an electrical power supply circuit adapted to raise the second electrode (5) to a potential lying in the range 50 V to 1000 V relative to the potential of the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventor: Dominique Valentian
  • Publication number: 20100107603
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a gas turbine powerplant with an engine oil line and an engine fuel line incorporates a heat transfer control module that includes a reversible heat pump with a heat pump compressor for circulating working fluid in forward and reverse directions through a working fluid line of the heat pump. The heat control module also includes a first heat exchanger having a heat exchange path for the working fluid between the compressor and a heat pump expansion valve and another heat exchange path for the engine oil. A second heat exchanger has a heat exchange path for the working fluid between the compressor and the expansion valve and another heat exchange path for the engine fuel. The heat pump can be operated in forward or reverse directions depending on whether heat is to be transferred from the engine oil or the fuel to the heat pump working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: J. Walter Smith
  • Publication number: 20100107604
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ammonia generator (2, 66, 68), in particular for mobile applications, a vehicle (62) with such an ammonia generator (2, 66, 68) and a method for generating ammonia from a waste gas of a combustion process. It is proposed that the waste gas originates from a free-piston engine (2) which is operated with a fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Manfred Duernholz, Markus Hernier
  • Publication number: 20100107605
    Abstract: Engine exhaust gas feedstream NOx emissions aftertreatment includes a catalytic device connected upstream of an ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device including a base metal. Engine operation can be modulated to generate an engine-out exhaust gas feedstream that converts to ammonia on the catalytic device. The ammonia is stored on the ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device, and used to reduce NOx emissions in the exhaust gas feedstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Norman D. Brinkman, Paul M. Najt, Kushal Narayanaswamy, David B. Brown, Wei Li, Kevin L. Perry, Gongshin Qi, Orgun A. Guralp
  • Publication number: 20100107606
    Abstract: Engine exhaust gas feedstream NOx emissions aftertreatment includes a catalytic device and first and second ammonia selective catalytic reduction devices. The first and second ammonia-selective catalytic reduction devices each includes a base metal. Engine operation can be modulated to generate an engine-out exhaust gas feedstream that converts to ammonia. The ammonia is stored on the first and second ammonia selective catalytic reduction devices and used to reduce NOx emissions in the exhaust gas feedstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kushal Narayanaswamy, Paul M. Najt, Wei Li, Kevin L. Perry, Steven J. Schmieg
  • Publication number: 20100107607
    Abstract: A method for producing ammonia for treating exhaust gas in internal combustion engines in a motor vehicle proposes that the internal combustion engine is operated with an air/fuel ratio ?<1.0, and water is added to the air/fuel mixture supplied to the internal combustion engine in order to produce the ammonia required for treating the exhaust gas on board the vehicle. And in a device for implementing the method with a means for determining the air/fuel ratio ? of the air/fuel mixture supplied to the internal combustion engine, it is proposed that an addition means for adding water to the air/fuel mixture be provided in order to produce the ammonia required for exhaust gas treatment on board the motor vehicle, the addition means being controllable depending on the determined air/fuel ratio ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Andre Kopp
  • Publication number: 20100107608
    Abstract: Upon a system startup, a hybrid vehicle 20 determines whether a catalyst warm up operation of an engine 22 is to be executed or not based on a catalyst bed temperature Tcat of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst 141 and a state of charge SOC of a battery 50 (S110, S140) and determines whether a forced charging of the battery 50 with an idling of the engine 22 is to be executed or not based on the catalyst bed temperature Tcat, the state of charge SOC and an estimated intake air amount GAidl upon the idling of the engine 22 when the catalyst warm up operation is not to be executed, then controls the engine 22, motors MG1 and MG2 in accordance with determination results (S130, S210).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noritake Mitsutani
  • Publication number: 20100107609
    Abstract: A method for controlling a selective catalytic reduction catalyst in an exhaust line of an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein the supply of a quantity of a gaseous ammonia reductant to the SCR catalyst uses a closed-loop SCR catalyst model coupled to a SCR-out NOx sensor that measures a SCR-out NOx emission value. The closed-loop SCR catalyst model uses a relationship linking the measured SCR-out NOx value to the NOx conversion efficiency and the ammonia slip. The actual NH3 emission value and/or an actual SCR-out NOx indicative value are computed based upon differentiation of said relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL PARMENTIER, JULIEN SCHMITT
  • Publication number: 20100107610
    Abstract: An exhaust system (1) for an internal combustion engine (2), especially for a diesel engine, includes an exhaust manifold (3) inside which at least one exhaust aftertreatment device is disposed, and at least one DeNox unit that is arranged downstream from a first oxidizing catalyst (4). In order to reduce the NOx emissions a second oxidation catalyst (5) is disposed upstream of the DeNOx unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Schüssler, Holger Hülser
  • Publication number: 20100107611
    Abstract: A method and system for managing an exhaust gas feedstream from an internal combustion engine operative lean of stoichiometry includes steps and apparatus for diverting exhaust around a three-way catalytic converter during NOx adsorber regeneration thereby increasing reductants available in the NOx adsorber to react with the adsorbed NOx.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Cleary, Wei Li
  • Publication number: 20100107612
    Abstract: An exhaust purification apparatus for an engine has a first casing (17) that is interposed in an exhaust path (13); a second casing (23) that is set downstream of the first casing (17) and contains an exhaust purification device (24); a connecting pipe (22, 41, 51) that connects the first casing and the second casing (23) to each other and includes an insertion portion that is inserted in the first casing (17); and an injection nozzle (27, 52) that has a tip end inserted in the connecting pipe (22, 41, 51) and injects an auxiliary agent from the tip end. The insertion portion of the connecting pipe (22, 41, 51) is provided with a plurality of through-holes (22a, 41a, 41b, 51a) connecting the inside and the outside of the connecting pipe (22, 41, 51), so that the exhaust gas contained in the first casing (17) is introduced into the connecting pipe (22, 41, 51) through the through-holes and guided towards the second casing (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI FUSO TRUCK AND BUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamazaki, Yoshinaka Takeda, Hiroaki Fujita, Satoshi Hiranuma, Shinichi Saito
  • Publication number: 20100107613
    Abstract: It's an object of the present invention to provide a black smoke exhaust purification apparatus capable of equalizing temperature of a particulate filter and facilitating maintenance thereof. The black smoke exhaust purification apparatus (20) is arranged in series therein with an oxidation catalyst (4) and a particulate filter (1), wherein an inlet for exhaust gas (10) is disposed between the oxidation catalyst (4) and the particulate filter (1), and wherein an exhaust gas passage is extended from the inlet portion through the oxidation catalyst (4) so as to be connected to an upstream space (2a) of the oxidation catalyst (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Masuda, Hiroshi Masuda, Hiroshi Omote
  • Publication number: 20100107614
    Abstract: Systems and methods for injecting liquid reductant into an engine exhaust are provided herein to address the above mentioned issues. An example system includes an injector having an outlet for injecting liquid reductant into the exhaust gas upstream of the reduction catalytic converter, a gas deflector positioned upstream of the injector where the gas deflector is configured to create a high pressure zone upstream of the deflector and a low pressure zone downstream of the deflector surrounding the injector outlet, a bypass flow passage configured to divert a portion of exhaust flow from the exhaust passage, the bypass flow passage having an inlet in the high pressure zone upstream of the deflector, and a collector in fluid communication with the bypass flow passage, the collector having one or more openings for allowing the bypassed portion of exhaust to flow out of the collector openings into the exhaust gas stream to form a gas shield for the liquid reductant spray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Levin, Jeremy Keller, Furqan Zafar Shaikh
  • Publication number: 20100107615
    Abstract: A reactant delivery system for engine exhaust gas treatment may include a tank in which a reactant is received, a pumping device, a pressure relief device, and a reactant distribution device. The pumping device may have an inlet disposed within the interior of the tank to receive the reactant, and an outlet through which the reactant is discharged. The pressure relief device may have an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the pumping device, a primary outlet to discharge the reactant under pressure to a downstream location, and a bypass outlet through which at least some of the reactant discharged from the pumping device is selectively discharged. And the reactant distribution device may be in fluid communication with the bypass outlet of the pressure relief device and have a plurality of outlets to distribute the reactant to at least two different locations within the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thaddeus A. Chmielewski, Antonio J. DaSilva, David H. Ford, Eric J. Grant, Peter P. Kuperus, Glenn A. Moss, Joseph M. Ross
  • Publication number: 20100107616
    Abstract: According to one representative embodiment, an aspirator for cooling exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine includes a nozzle section, an expansion section, and an air entrainment section. The nozzle section is communicable in exhaust receiving communication with the internal combustion engine. The nozzle section includes a plurality of nozzles through which an exhaust gas stream is flowable. The expansion section is communicable in exhaust receiving communication with the plurality of nozzles. The air entrainment section is communicable in air supplying communication with the expansion section. The air is mixable with the exhaust gas within the expansion section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Arun Janakiraman, Shiming Feng
  • Publication number: 20100107617
    Abstract: A mixing element has a grid which includes a plurality of rows parallel to each other and a plurality of deflector elements which project from the grid and are inclined in relation to the grid plane normal. All deflector elements of one row are inclined in the same direction. The deflector elements of at least two immediately adjacent first rows are inclined in the same direction. The mixing element is used in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Rolf Kaiser, Klaus Rusch, Florian Stadler
  • Publication number: 20100107618
    Abstract: Provided is an exhaust emission control device with a sensor arranged at a position where no erroneous detection of data occurs. Provided are a casing which encases a catalyst carrier, a mixing pipe, a dispersion chamber which guides exhaust flowing in the mixing pipe to an exhaust inlet end of the casing, and a sensor. Attachment position of the sensor to the casing is set to a part region of a 360° region around a casing axis when viewed from an exhaust inlet end of the casing, the part region being opposite to the mixing pipe with respect to a border line which is perpendicular to an exhaust-flow center line connecting axes of the mixing pipe and of the casing and which crosses the axis of the casing diametrically of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS, LTD
    Inventor: Masahiro Kimura
  • Publication number: 20100107619
    Abstract: A system for improving performance of an internal combustion engine is provided. The system may include an exhaust pipe and a leading edge member attached at one end of the exhaust pipe. In one aspect, the leading edge member may be attached to a windward side of the exhaust pipe to define a drawtube arranged to lower a pressure at the end of the exhaust pipe. A device for lowering a pressure at the end of a vehicular exhaust pipe to improve performance of an internal combustion engine may also be provided. The device may include a substantially planar leading edge member and a sleeve configured to be secured to a vehicular exhaust pipe. A bottom edge of the leading edge member may be attached to the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MARQUISS WIND POWER, INC.
    Inventor: John E. Roskey
  • Publication number: 20100107620
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit is provided having a hydraulic actuator and a flow control valve. The flow control valve has a pressure adjusting element fluidly coupled to the hydraulic actuator and situated to affect a pressure of fluid being directed to the hydraulic actuator. The flow control valve also has an energy directing element operatively coupled to the pressure adjusting element and situated to be driven by the pressure adjusting element when the pressure adjusting element is selectively throttling fluid being directed to the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Bryan Nelson, Kirat Shah
  • Publication number: 20100107621
    Abstract: A wind energy converter 10 comprises a horizontal axis wind turbine 12 including a plurality of blade members 14 rotatable about a generally horizontal axis. A mass member 16 is movable along the or each blade member 14 under the action of radial forces induced by rotation of the blade members 14 and under the action of gravitational force, and movement of the or each mass member 16 is arranged to provide for conversion of the wind energy. Also described is a power generating system 200, 240 including a heat recovery arrangement 216, comprising a heat exchanger arrangement 218 and an expander 222.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
    Inventor: Seamus Dominic Garvey
  • Publication number: 20100107622
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a two-stage, high-pressure pumping system includes a low-pressure pump having an output configured to deliver a hydraulic fluid under a low-pressure at a high-volume to drive a tool associated with the two-stage, high-pressure, pumping system under low load conditions. The system also includes a high-pressure pump having an output configured to deliver the hydraulic fluid under a high-pressure at a low-volume to drive the tool under high load conditions. A pilot-operated device is included that is configured to selectively drive the tool with pressure from at least one of the output of the low-pressure pump and the output of the high-pressure pump. The pilot-operated device receives pilot pressure from the output of the low-pressure pump to control selectively driving the tool with the output of the two stage pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Paul A. Hohensee
  • Publication number: 20100107623
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system has a source of pressurized fluid and a fluid actuator with a first chamber. The hydraulic system also has a first valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the source with the first chamber. The first valve further includes a first element movable between a flow passing, at which fluid from the source flows to the first chamber, and a flow blocking position, at which fluid from the source is blocked from the first chamber and a second element configured to selectively drain a control passageway associated with the first element to cause the first element to move. The hydraulic system further has a proportional pressure compensating valve configured to control a pressure of a fluid directed between the source and the first valve dependent upon the pressure of the control passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicants: Caterpillar Inc., Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: Philippe Vande Kerckhove, James A. Aardema, Pengfei Ma, Kalpesh Patel
  • Publication number: 20100107624
    Abstract: A power transfer system for a vehicle that comprises a an internal combustion engine, one or more drive wheels, and power transfer apparatus transfers power from the prime mover to the wheels for propelling the vehicle. The system further comprises an auxiliary hydraulic pump that has a drive shaft that coupled to a power take-off unit driven by engine, and to an auxiliary hydraulic motor powered by hydraulic fluid supplied from a hydraulic energy storage device such as an accumulator. As a result, the auxiliary hydraulic pump can be powered by hydraulic fluid from the accumulator when the prime mover is not operating, or by the prime mover when operating. A tandem arrangement of one way clutches can be employed to avoid the need to disconnect the auxiliary hydraulic pump from the prime mover during operation of the auxiliary hydraulic motor, and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: John M. Loeffler
  • Publication number: 20100107625
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide features for varying speeds available and/or range of operation of transmissions for use in high performance, increased efficiency, and/or other applications. Increased performance and/or efficiency may be obtained by using additional speeds or gear ranges to maintain drivetrain operation within maximum power and/or efficiency bands of internal combustion engine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Competition Cams, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert HARRISON
  • Publication number: 20100107626
    Abstract: A variator is provided having a first shaft rotatable around a first longitudinal axis associated with the first shaft and a second shaft rotatable around a second longitudinal axis associated with the second shaft. The variator also has a pump driven by the first shaft. The pump includes a first plurality of drum sleeves attached to a first drum plate tilted at a first angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. The drum sleeves are positioned to slidingly receive a first plurality of piston members. Each piston member is configured to form a seal substantially perpendicular to an axis of an associated drum sleeve. The seal substantially prevents fluid from leaking out of a chamber formed by the piston member end the drum sleeve. The variator further includes a motor fluidly coupled to the pump and configured to drive the second shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Bryan Nelson, Kirat Shah
  • Publication number: 20100107627
    Abstract: An energy generation and storage system that uses a buoyant balloon suspended in a fluid and connected by a tether to a reel. The tether is taut and keeps the balloon from rising due to the buoyant force. A motor can do work to wind the reel in such a way that the balloon is pulled down against the buoyant force. Energy can be extracted from the system by allowing the balloon to rise, pulling on the tether and turning the reel that is connected to a generator. The generator and the motor can be the same unit, or they can be independent units which both connect to the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: John Paul MORGAN
  • Publication number: 20100107628
    Abstract: Wire products, such as round and flat wire, strands, cables, and tubing, are made from a shape memory material in which inherent defects within the material are isolated from the bulk material phase of the material within one or more stabilized material phases, such that the wire product demonstrates improved fatigue resistance. In one application, a method of mechanical conditioning in accordance with the present disclosure isolates inherent defects in nickel-titanium or NiTi materials in fields of a secondary material phase that are resistant to crack initiation and/or propagation, such as a martensite phase, while the remainder of the surrounding defect-free material remains in a primary or parent material phase, such as an austenite phase, whereby the overall superelastic nature of the material is preserved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: FORT WAYNE METALS RESEARCH PRODUCTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeremy E. Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20100107629
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a use with an engine is provided. The exhaust system may have an exhaust manifold configured to direct exhaust from the engine, and a main turbocharger connected to receive exhaust from the exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a recirculation turbocharger having a compressor connected to receive exhaust from the exhaust manifold in parallel with the main turbocharger, and a turbine connected to receive exhaust from the main turbocharger to drive the compressor. The exhaust system may further have a control valve located downstream of the recirculation turbocharger to regulate exhaust flow through the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: John Ray Gladden, Paul Raymond Mineart, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100107630
    Abstract: An exhaust control system for a vehicle comprises an exhaust system modeling module and an actuator control module. The exhaust system modeling module estimates an input gas temperature, an output gas temperature, a mass temperature, and a pressure for an exhaust system component of an exhaust system implemented in the vehicle. Exhaust gas flows through the exhaust system component. The actuator control module selectively adjusts an engine operating parameter based on at least one of the input gas temperature, the output gas temperature, the mass temperature, and the pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wajdi B. Hamama, Jaehak Jung, Jon C. Miller, Gregory J. York, David N. Belton, J. Michael Ellenberger, Louis A. Avallone, Wenbo Wang
  • Publication number: 20100107631
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using compressed intake air that is free of soot particles to clean the EGR cooler of an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger are provided herein. One example system includes an EGR valve for selectively diverting a portion of exhaust gas through an EGR conduit to an intake side of the internal combustion engine, an EGR cooler disposed in the EGR conduit, the EGR cooler having an exhaust side and an intake side, and a compressed intake air delivery system including a compressed air conduit, the compressed intake air delivery system being configured to selectively divert a portion of compressed intake air compressed by the turbocharger through the EGR cooler to remove soot particles deposited in the EGR cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gavin James Robert Pearson
  • Publication number: 20100107632
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for a vehicle is provided. The powertrain includes an engine boosted by a turbocharger. The turbocharger includes a first motor-generator mounted with respect to the turbocharger, and arranged to selectively assist acceleration of the vehicle by driving the turbocharger, to provide regenerative charging of an energy storage device and to be idle, as its modes of operation. The powertrain additionally includes a second motor-generator mounted with respect to the powertrain, and arranged to selectively assist acceleration of the vehicle, to provide regenerative charging of the energy storage device and to be idle, as its modes of operation. A controller responsive to sensed vehicle operating parameters is arranged on the vehicle for controlling and coordinating the modes of operation of the first motor-generator and of the second motor-generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ko-Jen Wu, Jian Jun Zhang, James C. Elmslie
  • Publication number: 20100107633
    Abstract: A system for environmental control includes a hybrid wind and solar energy collection subsystem; a temperature control subsystem having a thermo-mechanical engine; an electrical generating subsystem; a sensor for detecting an environmental condition; and a controller for receiving information representing an environmental condition from the sensor. The controller is programmed to detect a change in an environmental condition, and in response to the change, to selectively connect the hybrid wind and solar energy collection subsystem to one of the temperature control subsystem and the electrical generating subsystem and to selectively disconnect the hybrid wind and solar energy collection subsystem from the other of the temperature control subsystem and the electrical generating subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Jason Tsao
  • Publication number: 20100107634
    Abstract: A method and system for generating power in a vaporization of liquid natural gas process, the method comprising pressurizing a working fluid; heating and vaporizing the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in one or more expanders for the generation of power, the working fluid comprises: 2-11 mol % nitrogen, methane, a third component whose boiling point is greater than or equal to that of propane, and a fourth component comprising ethane or ethylene; cooling the working fluid such that the working fluid is at least substantially condensed; and recycling the working fluid, wherein the cooling of the working fluid occurs through indirect heat exchange with a pressurized liquefied natural gas stream in a heat exchanger, and wherein the flow rate of the working fluid at an inlet of the heat exchanger is equal to the flow rate of the working fluid at an outlet of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianguo Xu, Donn Michael Herron
  • Publication number: 20100107635
    Abstract: To provide an indicator for indicating current amounts and predicted amounts of cold energy and heat energy stored in a thermal storing device. The thermal storage device storing and outputting heat energy and cold energy, comprises: a thermal storage amount indicating means for detecting and indicating a storage amount of the heat energy or the cold energy; a thermal output amount indicating means for detecting and indicating an output amount of the heat energy or the cold energy and a thermal input amount indicating means for detecting and indicating an amount of the heat energy or the cold energy inputted from outside to be stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Kenji Tsubone
  • Publication number: 20100107636
    Abstract: A steam power plant, in which steam from a steam generator is received by a steam turbine, is provided and includes a conduit, a main steam control valve (MSCV) disposed along the conduit to admit the steam to the steam turbine when a characteristic thereof satisfies a threshold, a bypass line, coupled to the conduit between a super-heater and a valve, including a bypass line valve which is opened until the threshold is satisfied such that the bypass line removes a portion of the steam, an evacuator line, coupled to the conduit between the MSCV and the steam turbine, including an evacuator valve which is opened to regulate a thermal environment within the steam turbine during a start up thereof, and a warming line originating between the valve and the MSCV on the conduit and terminating downstream of the evacuator valve disposed along the evacuator line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thileepan Panchatsaram, Aslam Basha
  • Publication number: 20100107637
    Abstract: An engine includes a radial arrangement of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston with a piston head and a connecting rod pivotally linked to the piston head at an upper end. A lower end of each connecting rod is pivotally linked to a crank disk that is rotatably mounted on a crank arm of a crankshaft. Steam intake valves at each cylinder are momentarily opened by a bearing cam roller that is moved in a circular path by rotation of the crank disk to sequentially engage spring urged cam followers on inboard ends of radially extending valve stems. Low pressure steam or gas is injected into the top of each cylinder, as the intake valves of the cylinders are opened in sequence, thereby forcing the piston in each cylinder through a power stroke to move the crank disk and turn the crankshaft. Angular displacement of each connecting rod through the return stroke of the piston urges an exhaust reed valve on the piston head to an open position, thereby releasing exhaust steam to a condenser chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Harry Schoell
  • Publication number: 20100107638
    Abstract: Device for distributing a fluid in a controlled manner, in particular for distributing a gas loaded with particles, the device comprising a pipe (1) provided with at least one inlet orifice (2) and with a series of outlet orifices (3) spread along the pipe (1) and cut in the side wall of this pipe, characterized in that at least one section (4) of the wall, located downstream of at least one outlet orifice and limited by a section (5) of the edge of this orifice, has a shape such that this section of the edge of this orifice is positioned inside the pipe so that, when the device is in service, the flow direction of the fluid exiting this orifice and travelling along said wall section is controlled by the shape of the latter section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: SOLVAY (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Thierry CARTAGE, Olivier Jacques F.J.G. BODSON, Marc THIJSSEN
  • Publication number: 20100107639
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle configured to channel fluid toward a combustion chamber within a gas turbine engine and a method for assembling the same are provided. The fuel nozzle includes a first hollow tube fabricated from a first material that has a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a second tube fabricated from a second material that has a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The second tube is coupled within the first tube such that the first tube substantially circumscribes the second tube, and the second tube thermally expands approximately at a same rate as the first tube during fuel nozzle operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Geoffrey D. Myers, Scott Simmons, Stephen R. Thomas, Donald Mark Bailey
  • Publication number: 20100107640
    Abstract: A cooling enclosure for a valve includes an elongated housing body having a pair of housing portions and a pair of removable end plates, the pair of housing portions separable along at least one longitudinally-extending seam. Fastener devices are provided for securing the pair of housing portions engaged along the at least one longitudinal extending seam. One or more apertures are provided for accommodating a like number of valve fittings, and cooling air inlet and outlet openings are also provided in the housing body for supplying and removing cooling air to the housing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: David W. Smith, Doug Byrd, Michael P. Black, Swapnil Tiwari