Patents Issued in February 9, 2012
  • Publication number: 20120031100
    Abstract: In some implementations, a system may include a compressor, a heat exchanger and an ITM. The compressor is configured to receive an air stream and compress the air stream to generate a pressurized stream. The heat exchanger is configured to receive the pressured stream and indirectly heat the pressurized stream using heat from an oxygen stream from an Ion Transport Membrane (ITM). The ITM is configured to receive the heated pressurized stream and generate an oxygen stream and the non-permeate stream, wherein the non-permeate stream is passed to a gas turbine burner and the oxygen stream is passed to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: GTLPETROL LLC
    Inventor: Rodney J. Allam
  • Publication number: 20120031101
    Abstract: A method is provided for CO2 separation from a combined-cycle power plant with exhaust-gas recirculation and CO2 separation. The hot-gas flow is split into a recirculation flow and an exhaust-gas flow before the final turbine stage in the turbine. A first partial flow remains in the turbine and carries out expansion work in the conventional form, before its waste heat is dissipated, for example in a waste-heat boiler, and the gases are recirculated into the inlet flow of the gas turbine. A second partial flow is diverted before the final turbine stage, and emits its waste heat in an HRSG/heat exchanger, before CO2 is separated from the exhaust-gas flow at an increased pressure level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Jürgen HOFFMANN, Hans Peter KNOPFEL, Hans E. WETTSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20120031102
    Abstract: A combustor cap assembly for a turbine engine includes a combustor cap and a plurality of fuel nozzles mounted on the combustor cap. One or more of the fuel nozzles would include two separate fuel circuits which are individually controllable. The combustor cap assembly would be controlled so that individual fuel circuits of the fuel nozzles are operated or deliberately shut off to provide for physical separation between the flow of fuel delivered by adjacent fuel nozzles and/or so that adjacent fuel nozzles operate at different pressure differentials. Operating a combustor cap assembly in this fashion helps to reduce or eliminate the generation of undesirable and potentially harmful noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Jong Ho UHM, Thomas Edward Johnson, Kwanwoo Kim
  • Publication number: 20120031103
    Abstract: A fuel control device and method of a gas turbine combustor, for advanced humid air turbines, in which plural combustion units comprising plural fuel nozzles for supplying fuel and plural air nozzles for supplying air for combustion are provided. A part of the plural combustion units are more excellent in flame stabilizing performance than the other combustion units. A fuel ratio, at which fuel is fed to the part of the combustion units is set on the basis of internal temperature of the humidification tower and internal pressure of the humidification tower to control a flow ratio of the fuel fed to the plural combustion units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki ABE, Tomomi Koganezawa
  • Publication number: 20120031104
    Abstract: A turbine engine is disclosed herein. The turbine engine includes a starter/generator operable to deliver rotational power in a first mode of operation and to generate electrical power in a second mode of operation. The turbine engine also includes an accessory gear box mechanically coupled to the starter/generator. The turbine engine also includes a shaft mechanically coupled to the accessory gear box such that the accessory gear box is operably disposed between the shaft and the starter/generator. The turbine engine also includes a clutch operably disposed between the accessory gear box and the starter generator. The clutch is operable to slip in and out of full engagement in response to a first predetermined level of torque between the starter/generator and the accessory gear box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew D. Copeland
  • Publication number: 20120031105
    Abstract: A plug for regulating a flow of gas in a system is disclosed. The plug includes a housing disposed on a temperature boundary in a system. The housing defines a passage for flowing gas therethrough. The plug further includes at least one pressure-actuated valve disposed in the passage and movable between an open position and a closed position. The at least one pressure-actuated valve moves from the open position to the closed position as the pressure of the gas increases and moves from the closed position to the open position as the pressure of the gas decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Manikandan Thiyagarajan, Anantha Ramesh Rangaswamy, Pugalenthi Nanda Gopal
  • Publication number: 20120031106
    Abstract: A system includes a radiation detector array configured to direct a field of view toward multiple conduits within a fluid flow path from a turbine into a heat exchanger. The radiation detector array is configured to output a signal indicative of a multi-dimensional temperature profile of the fluid flow path based on thermal radiation emitted by the conduits. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation detector array. The controller is configured to determine a temperature variation across the fluid flow path based on the signal, and to compare the temperature variation to a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Julio E. Mestroni, Eric J. Kauffman, Adil Ansari
  • Publication number: 20120031107
    Abstract: A thermal generator (100) with at least one thermal module (110) comprising at least two magnetocaloric elements (111, 112). The thermal generator is characterized in that it comprises at least two magnetic assemblies (131, 132) in which one magnetic assembly (131, 132) subjects at least one magnetocaloric element (111, 112) of the thermal module (110) to alternate magnetic phases. The thermal generator is further characterized in that it comprises a thermally insulating body insulating the magnetic assemblies (131, 132) from each other and forming thermally insulated cells (141, 142) comprising one magnetic assembly (131, 132) and its corresponding magnetocaloric elements (111, 112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: COOLTECH APPLICATIONS
    Inventors: Jean-Claude HEITZLER, Christian MULLER
  • Publication number: 20120031108
    Abstract: The magnetic refrigerating device according to one embodiment includes a fixed container filled with a refrigerant, the fixed container including a magnetic material container that is filled with a magnetic material and that can move in the fixed container and an elastic member provided at the end of the magnetic material container. The magnetic refrigerating device also includes a magnetic-field applying/removing mechanism that is provided at the outside of the fixed container, and that can apply and remove a magnetic field to and from the magnetic material and can generate a magnetic torque to the magnetic material container in moving direction of the magnetic material container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kobayashi, Akiko Saito, Shiori Kaji
  • Publication number: 20120031109
    Abstract: The invention is for an apparatus and method for a refrigerator and a heat pump based on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) offering a simpler, lighter, robust, more compact, environmentally compatible, and energy efficient alternative to traditional vapor-compression devices. The subject magnetocaloric apparatus alternately exposes a suitable magnetocaloric material to strong and weak magnetic field while switching heat to and from the material by a mechanical commutator using a thin layer of suitable thermal interface fluid to enhance heat transfer. The invention may be practiced with multiple magnetocaloric stages to attain large differences in temperature. Key applications include thermal management of electronics, as well as industrial and home refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning. The invention offers a simpler, lighter, compact, and robust apparatus compared to magnetocaloric devices of prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Jan Vetrovec
  • Publication number: 20120031110
    Abstract: For providing a refrigerator coupling structure for enabling attaching/detaching and re-cooling of the refrigerator in a short time-period, by suppressing a heat movement from the refrigerator at the room temperature to an object to be cooled, which is cooled down to cryogenic temperature when attaching a cryogenic refrigerator thereon, while suppressing a volume of heat invasion into the object to be cooled, it has a heat contact portion having a flexible portion at least in a part thereof, which is coupled with a cold stage of the cryogenic refrigerator 1, wherein on an outer peripheral portion of this heat contact portion is provided a heat contracting ring, which has a heat contraction rate larger than that of the heat contact portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Hiroyuki TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20120031111
    Abstract: An appliance system that includes an appliance and a turbo-chilling chamber is provided. In one embodiment, the turbo-chilling chamber for chilling a beverage within a beverage container or a foodstuff is operably engaged to an interior surface of the appliance and typically includes a rigid outer wall; a flexible inner wall defining a coolant chamber; and at least one coolant spaced between the rigid outer wall and flexible inner wall in the coolant chamber. The flexible inner wall defines a receiving space, accommodates various sized beverage containers or foodstuffs, and moves between a first position and a second position. The coolant within the coolant chamber is typically at higher than atmospheric pressure when the flexible inner wall is in the second position and a lesser pressure when the flexible inner wall is in the first position. The method of turbo-chilling a beverage container/beverage/foodstuff within the turbo-chilling chamber is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: TUSHAR V. KULKARNI, GUOLIAN WU
  • Publication number: 20120031112
    Abstract: An appliance system including an appliance and a turbo-chilling chamber is provided. The turbo-chilling chamber has a main body portion that typically includes: a rigid distal wall surrounding a foodstuff receiving space that accommodates variously sized foodstuffs (beverage containers); a rigid inner wall having at least one aperture along the length thereof and surrounding the foodstuff when the foodstuff is within the foodstuff receiving space; and a rigid intermediate wall between the rigid inner wall and the rigid distal wall that defines a coolant chamber between the rigid distal wall and the rigid intermediate wall and also defines an air cooling channel between the rigid intermediate wall and the rigid inner wall. A fan moves air through the air cooling channel and the at least one aperture and past the foodstuff. A method of turbo-chilling a foodstuff/beverage container/beverage within the turbo-chilling chamber is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: TUSHAR V. KULKARNI, GUOLIAN WU
  • Publication number: 20120031113
    Abstract: Ice condensed in a portion in a case in which a cryogenic refrigerator is installed, which is cooled by the cryogenic refrigerator, is melted by increasing a temperature of the ice to a melting point of the ice or higher. Then, while the temperature of the melted ice and a pressure thereof are kept to be equal to or higher than a freezing point of water, the pressure is reduced by rough evacuation so as to vaporize water. At a time at which the water is discharged, the pressure is further reduced so as to discharge water vapor. In this manner, regeneration of water is performed in accordance with a state of the water (i.e., a solid state, a liquid state, and a gas state), thereby shortening a regeneration time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryosuke Tsuyuki
  • Publication number: 20120031114
    Abstract: A method for making clear ice comprising: filling a water sump to a predetermined level; contacting a refrigerant to an evaporator; circulating water from the sump over the evaporator to form ice on the evaporator; monitoring the water level in the sump; and monitoring the conductivity of the water in the sump to determine if the conductivity of the water is equal to or greater than a predetermined conductivity valve, (i) if the conductivity is not equal to or greater than the predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level reaches a predetermined lower water level, then complete the ice making cycle and initiate the harvest cycle; or (ii) if the conductivity is equal to or greater than the predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level has not reached a predetermined lower water level, then add additional water to the water sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Lee Gerard Mueller, Daryl G. Erbs
  • Publication number: 20120031115
    Abstract: A method of making ice in an ice making machine comprising: (a) compressing vaporized refrigerant, cooling the compressed refrigerant to condense it into a liquid, feeding the condensed refrigerant through an expansion device and vaporizing the refrigerant in an evaporator to create freezing temperatures in an ice-forming mold to freeze water into ice in the shape of mold cavities during an ice making mode; (b) heating the ice making mold to release the ice therefrom in a harvest mode by separating vaporous and liquid refrigerant within a receiver interconnected between the condenser and the expansion device and feeding vapor from the receiver to the evaporator, wherein the ice-forming mold, evaporator and receiver are disposed in an ice machine unit, and the compressor and condenser are disposed in a condensing unit; (c) determining if the ice making machine is on and if an ice bin switch is closed: if the ice machine is on and the bin switch is closed, then check a low pressure switch: if the low pressure s
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Lee Gerard Mueller, Daryl G. Erbs
  • Publication number: 20120031116
    Abstract: A method of adding refrigerant to an air conditioning system. The method includes measuring a first pressure inside of the air conditioning system and a second pressure inside of a container that holds refrigerant being added to the air conditioning system. The method also includes comparing the difference between the two measured pressures to empirical data in order to determine how long to pulse additional refrigerant into the air conditioning system. In addition, an apparatus configured to add refrigerant to an air conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Mark McMasters, William Brown
  • Publication number: 20120031117
    Abstract: Evaporative cooler media kits and methods of use are disclosed. The media kit is for providing replacement media for use in one or more of a plurality of evaporative coolers. The media kit comprises a plurality of main media components, a plurality of distribution media components, a first width adjustment component, and a second width adjustment component. The method is for installing replacement media in an evaporative cooler is disclosed. The method comprises arranging a plurality of main media components side by side within the opening of the frame, inserting at least one distribution media component in a first gap extending between a top surface of the main media components and a top of the frame, and inserting at least one width adjustment component in a second gap extending between a side surface of the main media components and a side of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: CHAMPION COOLER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan Langton
  • Publication number: 20120031118
    Abstract: A method for decontaminating air in an ice making machine, comprising: controlling the level of ozone outputted from an ozone generator by modulating the voltage using pulse width modulation; and contacting the air with the ozone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: William E. Olson, JR., Ramesh B. Tirumala
  • Publication number: 20120031119
    Abstract: A heat transfer fluid can be cooled using the atmospheric thermal lapse rate. The heat transfer fluid can be ascended to a predetermined altitude above ground level where a temperature of the atmosphere is less than a temperature at the ground level. The heat transfer fluid can be cooled to a predetermined temperature by heat exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the atmosphere. The heat transfer fluid can then be descended to ground level while inhibiting heat transfer with the atmosphere tending to warm the cooled fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: NADEEM AHMAD, NAEEM AHMAD
  • Publication number: 20120031120
    Abstract: A method and system for liquid purification and defrosting a freezing unit harvests energy released as heat from a condenser. Liquid received from a source into a first liquid storage container is heated using heat collected from the condenser using at least one heat conducting rod. A second liquid storage container connected to the first liquid storage container is maintained at a lower temperature than the first liquid storage container. As a first portion of heated liquid is transferred from the first liquid storage container to the second liquid storage container, bacteria in the first portion of heated liquid is denatured as a result of the temperature change, and the liquid is purified. Filters may also be used to improve purification. A second portion of heated liquid is transferred between the first liquid storage container and a freezing unit via at least one heat conducting pipe causing defrosting of the freezing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MANIPAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Mayank Swarup, Tanvi Gupta
  • Publication number: 20120031121
    Abstract: In an air conditioner having a refrigerant conducted in a cooling circuit, the cooling circuit includes, but is not limited to at least one vaporizer situated on a low-pressure side, a condenser situated on a high pressure side, a compressor connected between low-pressure side and high pressure side, and a thermostatic expansion valve connected between high pressure side and low pressure side, furthermore, an inner heat exchanger being provided for transferring heat from the refrigerant on the high-pressure side to refrigerant on the low-pressure side, and the thermostatic expansion valve having a head with a control filling, the characteristic curve of the control filling having a slope s with approximately 0.75 bar/10° C.?s?1.05 bar/10° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lothar SEYBOLD, Loannis LAZARIDIS
  • Publication number: 20120031122
    Abstract: The method to improve the heating temperature of heat pump and the second-type high temperature absorption heat pump both belong to the field of heat pump technology. We can get the corresponding second-type high temperature absorption heat pump based on the second-type low temperature absorption heat pump as following ways. In the second-type low temperature absorption heat pump, we add the new added steam bleeding chamber, the new added absorber, then new added throttle or the new added liquid refrigerant pump, the new added solution pump and the new added solution heat exchanger. And some pipes are connected in a reasonable way. Or we adjust the connection of some pipes too. Then we can achieve correspondingly the three-stage high temperature second-type absorption heat pump or the high temperature second-type absorption heat pump with multi-terminal heating or the recuperative high temperature second-type absorption heat pump by combining some other components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Huayu Li
  • Publication number: 20120031123
    Abstract: A heat transfer arrangement (100) comprises a refrigerant circuit (102), which refrigerant circuit (102) comprises an evaporator (104) adapted to be arranged inside an electronic component housing (112), a condenser (108) adapted to be arranged outside the electronic component housing (112), a first conduit (106) and a second conduit (110). A refrigerant is present in the refrigerant circuit (102) and in use is arranged to self-circulate by evaporating in the evaporator (104), rising as a gas through the first conduit (106), condensing in the condenser (108) and flowing through the second conduit (110) to the evaporator (104). The heat transfer arrangement (100) further comprises a reservoir (124) for liquid refrigerant connected to the refrigerant circuit (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Fredrik Jonsson, Klas Hedberg, Magnus Källmark
  • Publication number: 20120031124
    Abstract: An indicator for a dispenser is disclosed. The indicator includes at least one display layer having at least one display surface surrounded by at least one edge surface, the at least one display layer being transparent in a direction of the at least one edge surface; at least one light source configured to transmit light through the at least one display layer in the direction of the at least one edge surface; and at least one pattern portion disposed in the at least one display surface such that light from the at least one light source is redirected through the at least one pattern portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Aaron Matthew McDANIEL
  • Publication number: 20120031125
    Abstract: An energy-saving system includes first and second infrared emitters, first and second infrared receivers, an air conditioner, and a controller. The infrared receivers send out detecting signals when the infrared receivers do not receive infrared signals of the infrared emitters. The controller controls the air conditioner to adjust temperature in a container data center according to the order of receiving the detecting signals of the first infrared receiver and the second infrared receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YAO-TING CHANG
  • Publication number: 20120031126
    Abstract: A system for ice making includes a controller, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a water sump, a curtain disposed adjacent to the evaporator, a water distributor in communication with the water sump to draw water from the water sump and distribute the water over the evaporator during an ice making cycle, a water level sensor disposed in the water sump. The water sensor detects a high water level and signals the controller to initiate an ice making cycle, the sensor further detects a low water level in the sump and signals the controller to terminate the ice making cycle and initiates a harvest cycle. The system further includes a curtain sensor disposed about the curtain that detects when a harvest cycle has ended and sends a signal to a controller to fill the sump with water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Lei Andrew Zhang, Yong Terry Wang
  • Publication number: 20120031127
    Abstract: A defrost fan control device for a refrigerator is provided. The device comprises a container, a heat exchanger, a chamber, a suction pump, a condensate spraying device, an evaporation coil, and a blower. The suction pump is for sucking up the condensate from the container. The condensate spraying device is for spraying the condensate sucked up by the suction pump within the chamber. The evaporation coil is disposed around the condensate spraying device such that the condensate from the suction pump lands on an inner surface of the evaporation coil and evaporates the condensate. The blower is for inducing air flow within the chamber, whereby the evaporated condensate is exhausted from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Brian S. KIM
  • Publication number: 20120031128
    Abstract: The presently disclosed invention uses a heating and cooling circuit to produce both heating and cooling effects through one single air-conditioning unit. It operates in one refrigeration cycle to provide both heating and cooling effects to control the temperature in an electric vehicle's passenger compartment. It also includes a self heat-up component to prevent the outside heat exchanger from getting frozen when the outside temperature drops below 32° F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Tak Wai Li
  • Publication number: 20120031129
    Abstract: A secondary loop temperature control circuit for a temperature-controlled region in a compartment of a refrigerator is shown. The secondary loop temperature control circuit has a reservoir, configured to have a medium flow there through. A first heat exchanger is in flow communication with the reservoir and is configured to have the medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the temperature-controlled region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Tarr, Matthew William Davis, Alvaro Delgado, Omar Haidar, Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Toby Whitaker, Martin Mitchell Zentner
  • Publication number: 20120031130
    Abstract: A relay unit connected to one or a plurality of outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units by different pipeline systems, respectively, so as to exchange heat between a refrigerant circulating through the outdoor unit and a heat medium different from the refrigerant and to circulate the heat medium through the indoor unit, provided with a valve block unit in which a plurality of valve blocks integrated with at least a plurality of branch pipes connected to the indoor unit, a plurality of main pipes which become channels for the heat medium relating to the heat exchange, and heat medium flow direction switching devices that switch the main pipes to communicate with the branch pipes are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Morimoto, Koji Yamashita, Katsuhiko Hayashida, Hiroto Nakao, Yuji Motomura, Shinichi Wakamoto
  • Publication number: 20120031131
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a drive device or engine which generates waste heat. An air conditioning system cools a passenger compartment and/or at least one component of the vehicle. The cooling device is designed as an absorption refrigerating machine which utilizes the waste heat from the drive device, in particular as a diffusion absorption refrigerating machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Vladimir Danov, Andreas Schröter
  • Publication number: 20120031132
    Abstract: A generator (40) and an engine (41) for driving the generator (40) are provided. In addition, an inverter section (70) for converting power output from the generator (40) and outputting the power and an electric compressor (22) driven by the power output from the inverter section (70) are provided. The generator (40), the engine (41), the inverter section (70), and the electric compressor (22) are accommodated in a casing unit (31). A cooling section (26, 40a, 90, 95) for cooling the inverter section (70) by air outside a compartment of a trailer (11) is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Makoto Ikemiya, Kazuyasu Matsui
  • Publication number: 20120031133
    Abstract: An air conditioner having a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a radiator, a pressure-reducing device and an evaporator, a total heat exchanger for performing heat-exchange between outdoor air and air under cooling operation using the evaporator for a room to be air-conditioned, and for ventilating the room to be air-conditioned, and a desiccant rotor having a moisture adsorbing area for adsorbing moisture in the outdoor air when the outdoor air is introduced, and regenerating the moisture adsorbing area by heat of the radiator, the outdoor air successively flowing through the total heat exchanger, the evaporator and the moisture adsorbing area in this order and then entering the room to be air-conditioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Osamu Kuwabara, Reinhard Radermacher, Yunho Hwang, Jiazhen Ling
  • Publication number: 20120031134
    Abstract: An indoor unit includes a heat exchanger provided on the downstream side of a fan and formed with a plurality of lower end portions in a vertical cross section from the front side to the back side of a casing, a plurality of drain pans provided below the lower end portions of the heat exchanger and configured to collect drain water occurring on the heat exchanger, and a drain channel provided between the drain pans and configured to be a flow channel of the drain, and a connecting port to which a drain hose configured to drain the drain water collected by the drain pans to the outside of the casing, and one of the drain pans is arranged to a level equal to or higher than the level of the other drain pan, and the drain channel is provided on the drain pan arranged on the back side of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Shirota, Tomoya Fukui, Shoji Yamada, Kenichi Sakoda, Kunihiko Kaga, Takeshi Mori, Satoshi Michihata, Akira Takamori, Shinichi Suzuki, Yoshinori Tanikawa, Takashi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20120031135
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing flake ice from a liquid is, and a process for cleaning an apparatus for producing flake ice are disclosed. The apparatus is equipped with a rotatably disposed evaporator roller, a shaft on the evaporator roller, the shaft transmitting a torque from a drive unit to the evaporator roller, with a scraper to remove ice formed from the liquid on the surface of the evaporator roller, with a pan to receive the liquid, in which pan the evaporator roller is at least partially immersed, and with a cleaning device to effect cleaning, descaling, and/or disinfection. The cleaning device includes at least one supply inlet for a cleaning liquid discharging into the pan, and one circulation device that circulates the cleaning liquid in the pan and creates a flow on the part of the cleaning liquid in the pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MAJA-MASCHINENFABRILK HERMANN SCHILL GmbH &Co. KG
    Inventor: Joachim Schill
  • Publication number: 20120031136
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. Usability and efficiency of a storage space are improved in the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Sang-Ho Park
  • Publication number: 20120031137
    Abstract: A frozen beverage device has a container and sealable cover to convert a liquid, such as a non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage into an at least semi-frozen slurry containing ice crystals. Freezing devices, which may have a range of shapes, contain refrigerant to form a thin layer of ice/ice crystals on the deformable walls of the freezing devices, the ice crystals being released therefrom due to agitation of the liquid by shaking/rotation and/or squeezing on the container and/or cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: HYDRO-TURBINE DEVELOPMENTS PTY LTD
    Inventor: Alfio Bucceri
  • Publication number: 20120031138
    Abstract: A water supply apparatus arranged in a door of a refrigerator, for conveying water to an icemaker of the refrigerator. The apparatus has a water tube for delivering water from a water source, a support block attached to an inner surface of the door, a fill tube assembled to the support block and in fluid communication with the water tube, and a gasket disposed between the support block and the door for sealing an insulator in the door. The gasket has a hole through which the fill tube extends to convey the water from the water tube to the icemaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher David Hunter
  • Publication number: 20120031139
    Abstract: An indoor unit includes a casing having a suction port formed on an upper portion and a blow-out port on a lower side of a front surface portion, an axial-flow or mixed-flow fan provided on the downstream side of the suction port in the casing, and a heat exchanger provided in the casing at a position on the downstream side of the fan and on the upstream side of the blow-out port. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of fins arranged side by side with predetermined gaps therebetween and a plurality of heat-transfer tubes penetrating through the plurality of fins. The heat exchanger is configured in such a manner that the air-flow resistance of an area facing the outer peripheral side of the fan is larger than the air-flow resistance of an area facing a center portion of the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro SHIROTA, Tomoya FUKUI, Shoji YAMADA, Kenichi SAKODA, Kunihiko KAGA, Takeshi MORI, Satoshi MICHIHATA, Akira TAKAMORI, Shinichi SUZUKI, Yoshinori TANIKAWA, Takashi MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20120031140
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an thermal management system for an electric vehicle, comprising a heat generating component cooling device and a heat pump device, wherein the heat pump device comprises a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a throttling element and a second heat exchanger which are connected through pipelines and form a loop; the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are both dual channel exchanger, two channels of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are sealed and isolated respectively, first channels of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger communicate with other components of the heat pump device through pipelines; the heat generating component cooling device communicates with second channels of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger respectively to form loops which can be closed, and the two loops formed by the heat generating component cooling device with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger respectively can be open a
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Hangzhou Sanhua Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rongrong Zhang, Yu He, Hui Wang, Jianmin Zhang, Chuliang Shi
  • Publication number: 20120031141
    Abstract: [Purpose] To provide a fluid machine, and a refrigerant circuit and a waste heat utilization device using the fluid machine, whereby the size and cost of a Rankine circuit and thus of the waste heat utilization device can be reduced while preventing an abnormally high pressure from being developed in the Rankine circuit and also improving starting performance of the Rankine circuit. [Means for Attaining the Purpose] A waste heat utilization device (1) is provided with a Rankine circuit (4) including a fluid machine (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Hirofumi Wada
  • Publication number: 20120031142
    Abstract: A system simultaneously applies compression and cooling to a body part. An ice bag has a removable cap for inserting ice and removing water. An air release valve in the cap allows release of air from the ice bag without removing or loosening the cap. A compression wrap is a unitary sheet of elastic material having a central body with straps extending therefrom. A hole in the central body receives the neck of the ice bag, which is positioned over the body part. The unitary body and straps of the sheet apply pressure via the ice bag. Air released into the ice bag from melting ice is removed via the air release valve without disturbing the compression wrap or the cap. The compression wrap contracts to compensate for the volume of the released air, thus maintaining continuous pressure on and thermal contact with the body part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: HYPER ICE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Marton, Anthony Katz
  • Publication number: 20120031143
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing gaseous contaminants from a feed gas comprising methane and gaseous contaminants, in which the feed gas is cooled to obtain a slurry comprising solid contaminant, liquid contaminant and a methane enriched gaseous phase. The slurry is introduced into a separation device from which the methane enriched gaseous phase is removed. The slurry is diluted with liquid contaminant and passed through a heat exchanger wherein solid contaminant is melted into liquid contaminant. A stream comprising liquid contaminant is removed from the separation device at a position below the slurry level in the separation device by means of a pump and at least part of the removed liquid contaminant is recovered as a stream product and at least part is recycled and introduced into the separation device to dilute the slurry inside the separation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Helmar Van Santem, Cornelius Johannes Schellekens
  • Publication number: 20120031144
    Abstract: A system for removing acid gases from a raw gas stream the system includes a cryogenic distillation tower. The tower receives and separates the raw gas stream into an overhead methane stream and a bottom liquefied acid gas stream. Refrigeration equipment downstream of the cryogenic distillation tower cools the overhead methane stream and returns a portion of the overhead methane stream to the cryogenic distillation tower as liquid reflux. The system also may include a first molecular sieve bed upstream of the distillation tower and a second molecular sieve bed downstream of the distillation tower. The first molecular sieve bed adsorbs water while the second molecular sieve bed adsorbs additional acid gases from the cooled overhead methane stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Scott Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley, Charles J. Mart
  • Publication number: 20120031145
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a decoratively-cracked glass vessel includes gathering a gob of molten glass and depositing the molten-glass gob into a pre-form mold. A quantity of gas is injected into the pre-form mold in order to form the gob into a pre-form vessel having at least one pre-form wall defining a pre-form vessel exterior surface and a pre-form vessel interior surface defining a pre-form cavity. The self-supporting, but still hot, pre-form vessel is removed from the pre-form mold and a surface of the pre-form vessel is rapidly cooled in order to crack in the cooled surface. The heated pre-form vessel is situated within a finish mold and a quantity of gas is injected into the pre-form cavity in order to seal cracks and form the pre-form vessel into a finished vessel having at least one finished vessel wall defining finished vessel interior and exterior surfaces between which cracks are visible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Arnold Albert Kramer
  • Publication number: 20120031146
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a randomly-colorized glass vessel includes gathering an initial gob of molten primary glass. A quantity of secondary-glass particles is introduced into the initial gob in order to form a particle-containing gob. The secondary-glass particles are made from a secondary glass that contrasts in color with the primary glass. The particle-containing gob is then heated sufficiently to melt the secondary-glass particles and create flows of the secondary glass within the primary glass. Once the desired flows have been created, the gob of primary and secondary glass is introduced into a vessel-defining mold. The mold is sealed and a quantity of gas is injected into the mold in order to form the gob of primary and secondary glass into a vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Arnold Albert Kramer
  • Publication number: 20120031147
    Abstract: An apparatus for machining a thin-film layer of a workpiece, which is a transparent glass on which a thin-film layer is disposed on a top surface thereof, includes a workpiece-underside support mechanism for supporting the workpiece in a vertical direction by an air floatation mechanism and a suction mechanism, a clamp device for gripping the workpiece so as to follow the movement in the vertical direction of the workpiece, and a machining head for machining the thin-film layer with a laser beam. The machining head machines the thin-film layer on the top surface of the workpiece by irradiating the workpiece with a laser beam entering through the underside of the workpiece. Further including nozzles, the thin-film layer is machined while the cooling medium is delivered from the nozzles disposed by the thin-film layer side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Via Mechanics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Arai, Yasuhiko Kanaya, Kazuhisa Ishii, Hiroshi Honda
  • Publication number: 20120031148
    Abstract: A knitting line comprises a plurality of yarn feeders from which a downstream machine draws respective yarns. The machine is provided with selection elements adapted to vary the state of selection of the yarn feeders in relation to the angular position of the machine. Each of the yarn feeders is provided with a stationary drum and with a yarn count sensor arranged to generate a pulse per each yarn loop unwound from the drum. A selection signal is periodically sent to the yarn feeders, which is indicative of the state of selection of the individual feeders in relation to the angular position of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Pietro Zenoni, Giovanni Pedrini, Luca Gotti
  • Publication number: 20120031149
    Abstract: A textile made according to this invention includes two thread systems, such as a weft and a warp system, one of the threads systems including a yarn made of a leather filament. The textile can be woven using a plain or complex pattern and its yarns can have different colors to achieve an esthetically pleasing look.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Be INTHAVONG