Patents Issued in May 17, 2012
  • Publication number: 20120117950
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control device is provided for controlling the air-fuel ratio of an engine. The device includes an exhaust passage having a main catalytic converter and a bypass passage having a bypass catalytic converter, the bypass passage diverging from the exhaust passage at an upstream junction and rejoining the exhaust passage at a downstream junction. A valve mechanism disposed in the exhaust passage between the upstream junction and the downstream junction moves between a closed state and an open state. During a predetermined period of time after the valve mechanism opens to permit flow in the exhaust passage, the air-fuel ratio of the engine is controlled based on a signal from a first air-fuel ratio sensor in the bypass passage using a low response correction value that is less than a normal response correction value that would be used when the valve mechanism is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Ootake, Yasuji Ishizuka, Masaki Koga
  • Publication number: 20120117951
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a location identification module, an adjustment triggering module, and an adjustment module. The location identification module identifies a location where an engine of the vehicle is expected to be shut down and later re-started with at least one temperature within a predetermined range of an ambient temperature at the time of the re-start. The adjustment triggering module generates a triggering signal when a vehicle location provided by a global positioning system (GPS) is less than a predetermined distance from the identified location. The adjustment module selectively one of increases and decreases a rate at which a dosing agent is injected into an exhaust system, upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, when the triggering signal is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Vosz
  • Publication number: 20120117952
    Abstract: A wall-flow filter comprises a catalyst for converting oxides of nitrogen in the presence of a reducing agent, which wall-flow filter comprising an extruded solid body comprising: 10-95% by weight of at least one binder/matrix component; 5-90% by weight of a zeolitic molecular sieve, a non-zeolitic molecular sieve or a mixture of any two or more thereof; and 0-80% by weight optionally stabilised ceria, which catalyst comprising at least one metal, wherein: the at least one metal is present throughout the extruded solid body alone or in combination with: is also present in a higher concentration at a surface of the extruded solid body; is also carried in one or more coating layer(s) on a surface of the extruded solid body; or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Ralf Dotzel, Rainer Leppelt, Jörg Werner Münch, Hubert Schedel
  • Publication number: 20120117953
    Abstract: A three way catalyst comprises an extruded solid body comprising: 10-100% by weight of at least one binder/matrix component; 5-90% by weight of a zeolitic molecular sieve, a non-zeolitic molecular sieve or a mixture of any two or more thereof; and 0-80% by weight optionally stabilised ceria, which catalyst comprising at least one precious metal and optionally at least one non-precious metal, wherein: (i) the at least one precious metal is carried in one or more coating layer(s) on a surface of the extruded solid body; (ii) at least one metal is present throughout the extruded solid body and at least one precious metal is also carried in one or more coating layer(s) on a surface of the extruded solid body; or (iii) at least one metal is present throughout the extruded solid body, is present in a higher concentration at a surface of the extruded solid body and at least one precious metal is also carried in one or more coating layer(s) on the surface of the extruded solid body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul Joseph Andersen, Ralf Dotzel, Kwangmo Koo, Rainer Leppelt, Jörg Werner Münch, Jeffery Scott Rieck, Hubert Schedel, Duncan John William Winterborn, Todd Howard Ballinger, Julian Peter Cox
  • Publication number: 20120117954
    Abstract: An exhaust purification system for an internal combustion engine is provided that can maintain the NOx purification rate of a selective reduction catalyst at near the maximum thereof. The exhaust purification system is provided with an oxidation catalyst and CSF provided in the exhaust plumbing of the engine, a selective reduction catalyst that is provided in the exhaust plumbing on the downstream side of oxidation catalyst and CSF, and selectively reduces NOx in the exhaust, and a NO2 sensor that detects NO2 in the exhaust inside of the exhaust plumbing on the downstream side of the selective reduction catalyst. An ECU executes NO2-NOx ratio decrease processing to cause the NO2-NOx ratio corresponding to the ratio of NO2 to NOx in the exhaust flowing into the selective reduction catalyst to decrease, in a case of a detection value Vno2 from the NO2 sensor being greater than a predetermined value Vno2_th.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Eiji Hashimoto, Hideki Matsunaga, Hisao Haga, Masafumi Sakota
  • Publication number: 20120117955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for introducing fuel into the exhaust line of a motor vehicle, having a fuel evaporator with a housing, which has an inlet and an outlet, and a heating device arranged in the housing, and a pump for pumping fuel into the fuel evaporator via the inlet. Provision is made for an inlet of the pump to be connected to a branching, which encompasses a first branch for supplying fuel and a second branch for supplying air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Martin Eller
  • Publication number: 20120117956
    Abstract: The invention relates to a latent heat storage catalyst (3) for an exhaust system (1) in an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, comprising a member (5) that includes several parallel ducts (6). First ducts (6?) contain a phase change material (7), and second ducts (6?) have a catalytic coating (14). In order to be able to produce said latent heat storage catalyst at a low cost, the member (5) is formed by at least one layered structure (9) comprising two metal sheets (10, 11), at least one of which is corrugated and which rest against each other and are attached to one another such that the ridges of the at least one corrugated metal sheet (10) form the ducts (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerd Gaiser
  • Publication number: 20120117957
    Abstract: An apparatus has a tank with an open top, a tank wall, and a closed bottom. A first ringwall extends from the bottom such that a first annular space is defined by the first ringwall and the tank wall, and a second annular space is defined by the first ringwall. A second ringwall extends in the second annular space, and defines a third annular space between the first ringwall and the second ringwall, and a cylindrical space. An air conduit extends through the cylindrical space. A pod disposed into the cylindrical space has a closed chamber and a displacement chamber. An inner riser disposed in the third annular space has an open bottom, and rests onto the inner ringwall. An outer riser rests onto the outer ringwall and is disposed in the first annular space and has a closed top, a wall, and an open bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Wayne S. Travis
  • Publication number: 20120117958
    Abstract: In an energy extraction device and method for extracting energy from a fluctuating energy flow from a renewable energy source, a hydraulic pump is driven by a rotating shaft, driven in turn by a renewable energy source. A hydraulic motor drives a load and a high pressure manifold communicates between the pump, motor and an elastically deformable fluid retaining body. The hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor comprise working chambers displacing a volume of working fluid selectable on each cycle of working chamber volume by the control of electronic valves. The pressure in the high pressure manifold is measured and the net rate of displacement of working fluid by the hydraulic pump is selected responsive thereto to regulate the torque applied to the said rotating shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: ARTEMIS INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Niall James Caldwell, Daniil Sergeevich Dumnov, Michael Richard Fielding
  • Publication number: 20120117959
    Abstract: A flow circuit enables an ROV to control a submersible machine having three motors without electronics, and using only two fluid flow lines between the machine and the ROV. The circuit configures two of the motors to operate in parallel, and a switch valve between the parallel motors and the third motor. A detection circuit on the machine detects the presence or absence of a back pressure in the controlling lines. If a back pressure is detected, the circuit on the machine directs fluid to either of the motors in parallel, or the third motor, thereby enabling the operator to select which motor or motors to operate by creating or releasing a back pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Randy D. Lewkoski
  • Publication number: 20120117960
    Abstract: An energy harnessing device comprising a substantially helical conduit which in use is arranged to float in a body of water including regions of varying pressure, which may for example arise due to wave motion, tidal motion and/or current flow. The conduit defines a fluid flow path along its length and comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in fluid communication via said fluid flow path. The conduit is arranged to rotate about its longitudinal axis by the action of water of varying pressure contacting the helical conduit and driving fluid(s) along the fluid flow path. A method of harnessing energy from a body of water including regions of varying pressure is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Graham Browne
  • Publication number: 20120117961
    Abstract: A brake actuator unit for actuating a motor vehicle braking system of the “brake-by-wire” type, having a brake booster which can be actuated by a brake pedal and by an electronic control unit as a function of a driver's request and has a piston rod, a master brake cylinder arranged downstream of the brake booster, and a pedal travel simulator which interacts with the brake pedal and is arranged in parallel with the piston rod and by which, in the “brake-by-wire” mode, a restoring force acting on the brake pedal can be simulated independently of actuation of the brake booster. In order to decouple a force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster in the “brake-by-wire” mode, a distance ‘a’ is provided between the brake pedal and a component arranged downstream in the force flux and assigned to the brake booster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. oHG
    Inventors: Thomas Sellinger, Peter Drott, Horst Krämer
  • Publication number: 20120117962
    Abstract: Disclosed is a super-turbocharger system that increases power and efficiency of an engine. The system uses the exothermic properties of a catalytic converter to extract additional energy from exhaust heat that is used to add power to the engine. Compressed air is supplied and mixed with exhaust gases upstream and/or downstream from a catalytic converter that is connected to an exhaust manifold. The gaseous mixture of exhaust gases and compressed air is sufficiently rich in oxygen to oxidize hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the catalytic converter, which adds heat to the gaseous mixture. In addition, a sufficient amount of compressed air is supplied to the exhaust gases to maintain the temperature of the gaseous mixture at a substantially optimal temperature level. The gaseous mixture is applied to the turbine of the super-turbocharger, which increases the output of said super-turbocharger, which increases the power and efficiency of said engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Ed VanDyne, Jared William Brown
  • Publication number: 20120117963
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a turbocharged engine including a particulate filter positioned upstream of a turbocharger turbine, a catalyst positioned downstream of the turbine, and an EGR passage coupled between an engine exhaust and engine intake. In one example, the method comprises, diverting exhaust gas from downstream of the filter to the engine intake via the EGR passage, and adjusting an amount of diverted exhaust gas based on filter operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hepburn, William Charles Ruona, Brien Lloyd Fulton, Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Matthew Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20120117964
    Abstract: An intake system of an engine may include an intake line that is configured to supply cylinder of an engine with air, an exhaust line that exhaust gas combusted in the cylinder is exhausted, a housing disposed on the intake line and a compressor is disposed therein, the compressor is operated by a turbine disposed on an exhaust line, a recirculation line that recirculates the air from the intake line of a downstream side of the compressor to the intake line of an upstream side of the compressor, and an anti surge valve disposed on the recirculation line to open/close the recirculation line, wherein a length of a first section (l) that is straight from the anti surge valve is longer than two times the outlet diameter (d) of the anti surge valve in the recirculation line that is formed from the anti surge valve to an upstream side of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dong Ho CHU, Sang Kyu Kang, Hyung Jin Kim, Guehyun Jung, Younsoo Im
  • Publication number: 20120117965
    Abstract: A diesel engine having an inlet side and an outlet side provided with at least one inlet valve and one outlet valve per cylinder, comprises a reformer catalyst unit comprising a catalyst located downstream of the outlet valve(s) and located such that a proportion of the hot exhaust passes through the catalyst whilst the remainder of the hot exhaust passes to a turbocharger and/or to exhaust gas aftertreatment, wherein the catalyst unit is provided with diesel fuel supply means, preferably in the form of a diesel fuel injector, such that diesel fuel may be injected to provide heat to the reformer catalyst to raise it to an effective reforming temperature. The output from the reformer unit may be fed to the inlet side of the engine, and/or may be admixed with the remainder of the exhaust gases prior to catalytic aftertreatment. Improvements in emission control are possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventor: John Frederick Pignon
  • Publication number: 20120117966
    Abstract: A turbocharger, in particular a turbocharger for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, has a turbine that includes a turbine casing, and a closed-loop control device for regulating an exhaust gas stream flowing through the turbine. The closed-loop control device includes an adjusting element for adjusting an exhaust gas stream, a control lever that is arranged on the turbine casing and is used for actuating the adjusting element, and a control rod which is connected to the control lever via an adjustment piece that has a guide for continuously moving the control rod within the adjustment piece. The control rod can be fixed within the guide by forming an integral joint therewith. There is also provided a method for mounting a closed-loop controller for such a turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Boening, Christian Uhlig
  • Publication number: 20120117967
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently extracting geothermal energy from a subterranean thermal reservoir through a wellbore where the heat exchange fluid is introduced at a slower velocity than the velocity at which the fluid is extracted. The method and apparatus further comprises a gas zone near the top of the wellbore to reduce heat losses of the heat exchange fluid. A portion of the casing of the wellbore can directly contact the subterranean environment for improved thermal conductivity. Alternatively, a thermally conductive wall comprising a thermally conductive material can surround a potion of the casing of the wellbore. Further, the inner and/or outer surface of the pipes and conduits of the disclosed method and apparatus can include features that enhance the surface areas for improved heat transfer efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: InnerGeo LLC
    Inventors: Ronald L. Loveday, J. Paul Mueller, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120117968
    Abstract: A support element configured for supporting a heat collection element (HCE) of a solar concentrator in a solar thermal power plant is provided. The support element comprises a post engaging portion being configured for being pivotally articulated to the top of an HCE support post, and an HCE engaging portion being configured for retaining therein the HCE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Yoel Shwartzman
  • Publication number: 20120117969
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid power plant comprising fuel-operated heating and solar energy heating of carrier fluids, wherein a first portion of total power provided by the power plant is based on fuel-operated heating of carrier fluids and a second portion of the total power is based on solar energy heating of carrier fluids, the heat absorbed by a solar energy heated carrier fluid is transferred to a carrier fluid circuit of a fuel-operated part of the power plant. When a sudden increase or reduction of the total power provided by the power plant is required as compared to a basic state, the second portion is first increased or reduced over a short time period in order to provide a positive or negative reserve power. Subsequently, the first portion is slowly increased or reduced and the second portion based on solar energy heating is correspondingly reduced or increased again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: STEAG Energy Services GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Neumann, Marcus Kurth, Udo Sommer
  • Publication number: 20120117970
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure transducer for transforming a pressure of a fluid from one pressure level to another, comprising at least one pair of hydraulic rotating machines that are mutually mechanically interconnected in such a way that a first machine in a first pair of said at least one pair can run a second machine in the same first pair. Said first pair of machines is mounted in a first substantially closed room and each one of said first and second machines is in hydraulic connection with said first room. The present invention also relates to a hydraulic system for transferring hydraulic energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Bengt Östlund, Assar Svensson, Håkan Ingvast
  • Publication number: 20120117971
    Abstract: A full steam-driven internal combustion engine includes a mechanical power system, a combustion system and an air supply system. The mechanical power system includes a turbine and a turbine shaft. The combustion system includes a left main cylinder and a left auxiliary cylinder, and a right main cylinder and a right auxiliary cylinder which are arranged at the left or the right side of the turbine shaft respectively. The air supply system includes a high pressure air bottle connected by a high pressure air pipe and an air compressor. A left high pressure air valve and a right high pressure air valve are arranged on the both sides of the high pressure air bottle respectively and these high pressure air valves are communicated with the left or the right main cylinder by the high pressure air pipe and intake valves respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Dundun Wang
  • Publication number: 20120117972
    Abstract: Methods of managing fuel temperatures in fuel injectors for gas turbine engines include cooling fuel circuits by initiating fuel flow therethrough using opened, closed, and semi-open control techniques. A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine includes a feed arm having a fuel inlet fitting for delivering fuel to at least one fuel conduit extending through the feed arm. A nozzle body depends from the feed arm and has at least one fuel circuit extending therethrough. The fuel circuit is configured and adapted to receive fuel from the feed arm and to issue fuel from an exit orifice of the nozzle body. Sensing means are provided adjacent to the at least one fuel circuit. The sensing means are configured and adapted to provide temperature feedback in order to control fuel flow in the at least one fuel circuit to maintain fuel temperature within a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Delavan Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry L. Goeke, Neal A. Thomson, Brandon Phillip Williams
  • Publication number: 20120117973
    Abstract: A gas-turbine combustion chamber has a cooling-air supply device delivering cooling air to a combustion chamber wall 6 to be cooled. The cooling-air supply device includes at least one air-supply duct 8 which, in respect of its flow axis, is arranged vertically to the combustion chamber wall 6, with the air-supply duct 8 being flow-connected to at least one cooling duct 9. The air-supply duct 8 forms a throttle and has a smaller diameter than the cooling duct 9. The cooling duct 9 issues at a shallow angle, relative to its flow axis, to the surface of the combustion chamber wall 6 in a recess 10 of the combustion chamber wall 6, with the cooling duct 9 being designed to impart a swirl to the air flowing through it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Miklos GERENDAS
  • Publication number: 20120117974
    Abstract: A turbine controller controls the operation of a gas turbine generator used to drive an electric generator of an aircraft. The turbine controller controls the gas turbine generator according to air flow demand signals indicative of air flow required by an air management system that regulates cabin pressure and temperature of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul E. Hilgeman, Anthony C. Jones, Martin A. Peplow
  • Publication number: 20120117975
    Abstract: An exemplary gas turbine engine includes a turbine section operative to impart rotational energy to a compressor section. The turbine section includes at least a low-pressure turbine and a high-pressure turbine, and a ratio of a number of stages in the low-pressure turbine to a number of stages in the high-pressure turbine is 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Om P. Sharma, Michael F. Blair
  • Publication number: 20120117976
    Abstract: A nozzle includes a center body that defines an axial centerline. A shroud circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the center body to define an annular passage between the center body and the shroud. A plenum is inside the center body and substantially parallel to the axial centerline, and an igniter is inside the center body and generally adjacent to the plenum. A method for igniting a combustor includes flowing a fuel through a center body axially aligned in a nozzle and flowing a working fluid through an annular passage, wherein the annular passage is substantially parallel to and radially outward of the center body. The method further includes projecting at least one of a beam, spark, or flame from an igniter located inside the center body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Anthony Wayne Krull, Geoffrey David Myers, James Harold Westmoreland, III
  • Publication number: 20120117977
    Abstract: A method for controlling the generation of turbine cooling air from air extracted from a compressor of a gas turbine including: extracting compressed air from a low pressure and a high pressure stage of the compressor; adding in an ejector the compressed air from the low pressure stage to the air from the high pressure stage and discharging the combined air as turbine cooling air; bypassing the ejector with a bypass portion of the extracted compressed air from the high pressure stage; in response to turning on the flow of extracted compressed air from the low pressure stage, changing a set point for an actual pressure ratio that includes a pressure of the turbine cooling air, and adjusting the bypass flow in response to the changed set point to cause the actual pressure ratio to approach the changed set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Priscilla Childers, Mark Disch, Curtis Newton, III, David Wesley Ball, JR., Kenneth Neil Whaling, Alan Meier Truesdale
  • Publication number: 20120117978
    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: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Rodney J. Allam
  • Publication number: 20120117979
    Abstract: A new gas turbine-fuel cell Hybrid Cycle is proposed. The fuel cell advantageously operates close or under atmospheric pressure and is fully integrated with the gas turbine that is based on an Inverted Brayton-Joule Cycle. The idea of the invention is to capitalize on the intrinsic oxygen-nitrogen separation characteristic of the fuel cell electrolyte by sending to the Inverted Brayton-Joule Cycle only the anodic flow, which is the one free of nitrogen. In this way the flow that expands in the turbine consists only in steam and carbon dioxide. After the expansion the steam can be easily condensed, separated and pumped up. Therefore the compressor has mainly only to compress the separated carbon dioxide. This effect generates a substantial advantage in term of efficiency and enables separating the carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Emanuele Facchinetti, Daniel Favrat, Francis Marechal
  • Publication number: 20120117980
    Abstract: A modular gasification reactor for a plasma assisted gasification reaction system is disclosed for converting fuel, such as, but not limited to, biomass, to syngas to replace petroleum based fuels used in power generation. The system may be a modular system housed within a frame facilitating relatively easy transportation. The system may include a reactor vessel with distinct reaction zones that facilitate greater control and a more efficient system. The system may include a syngas heater channeling syngas collected downstream of the carbon layer support and to the pyrolysis reaction zone. The system may also include a syngas separation chamber configured to produce clean syngas, thereby requiring less filtering. The system may further include an agitator drive assembly that prevents formation of burn channels within the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Christian H. A. Juvan
  • Publication number: 20120117981
    Abstract: An accessory system for a gas turbine engine includes an accessory gearbox which defines an accessory gearbox axis. A crossover gear set generally along the accessory gearbox axis interconnects a first gear set and a second gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Christopher M. Dye, Hung Duong, Nathan Snape
  • Publication number: 20120117982
    Abstract: An accessory system for a gas turbine engine includes a main case which defines an accessory gearbox axis. A cover is removably mountable to the main case and a first gear set at least partially within the cover along a first accessory axis transverse to the accessory gearbox axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Christopher M. Dye, Hung Duong, Nathan Snape
  • Publication number: 20120117983
    Abstract: The air-conditioning heat exchanger includes a plurality of Peltier devices, a plurality of first heat transfer members, a plurality of second heat transfer members, an air-conditioning passage and a heat exchange medium passage. The air-conditioning passage has therein the Peltier devices and the first heat transfer members. The air-conditioning passage allows air to be air-conditioned to flow therethrough. The air-conditioning passage has a plurality of divided passages at least at positions that are downstream of upstream ends of the first heat transfer members with respect to an air flowing direction in which the air flows through the air-conditioning passage. The Peltier device in each divided passage is controlled separately from the Peltier device in other divided passage. The heat exchange medium passage has therein the second heat transfer members and allows fluid to flow through the heat exchange medium passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Hirokuni AKIYAMA, Hirohisa KATO, Naoto MORISAKU, Naoya YOKOMACHI, Masakazu MURASE, Takahisa BAN
  • Publication number: 20120117984
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for dynamically controlling the inlet and exhaust of refrigeration gas between a cryocooler coldhead and a remote compressor. The valve assembly is optimized to minimize friction, power consumption, and wear while providing complete flexibility as to the timing, duration, and amplitude of its inlet and exhaust actions. The valve assembly comprises two separate open-close sections for the inlet and exhaust functions. These are mounted along a single rod, the position of which is controlled by a linear motor. The two sections are configured so that only one is open at each the rod's travel and neither is open at the midpoint of travel. A microprocessor and appropriate drive circuits precisely control the position of the rod as a function of time, and of displacer position when used with a Gifford-McMahon (G-M) cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: QUANTUM DESIGN, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Bancroft Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20120117985
    Abstract: A fluid path system includes a vial containing a pharmaceutical product therein. A dissolution fluid path is also included in the fluid path system, the dissolution fluid path having an output end in fluid communication with the vial and an input end attached to a pressure vessel containing a dissolution medium. A delivery fluid path is also included in the system having a first end hermetically attached to the vial to transport therefrom a mixture of dissolved pharmaceutical product and dissolution medium and a second end connected to a receiving vessel to receive the mixture. A dissolution fluid path valve is positioned between the pressure vessel and the dissolution fluid path to control flow of the dissolution medium, and a delivery fluid path valve is also included in the fluid path system to control flow of the mixture from the delivery fluid path to the receiving vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Arthur Urbahn, Jan Henrik Ardenkjaer-Larsen, Andrew Michael Leach, Eric John Telfeyan, David Key Dietrich, David Brandon Whitt, Peter Miller, Ernst Wolfgang Stautner
  • Publication number: 20120117986
    Abstract: A solar air conditioning system and method of superheating working fluid is provided. The solar air conditioning system superheats the working fluid using radiant energy from the sun, and then delivers the working fluid as a superheated and higher-pressured gas to a condenser within the solar air conditioning system. The solar air conditioning system includes a solar collector within which the working fluid is superheated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: James Peter Hammond
  • Publication number: 20120117987
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in one or more dehumidification units. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. For example, in one embodiment, the water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor vacuum volumes. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is compressed to a slightly higher pressure, condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David E. Claridge, Charles H. Culp, Jeffrey S. Haberl
  • Publication number: 20120117988
    Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27), a plurality of compressors (32, 34, 35) for compressing a refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, and a plurality of economizer heat exchangers (28A, 28B). Each of the economizer heat exchangers (28A, 28B) is configured to inject a portion of the refrigerant into a suction port (52, 56) of one of the compressors (34, 35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Biswajit Mitra, Wayne P. Beagle, James W. Bush
  • Publication number: 20120117989
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator, and an additional refrigerant vessel connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The additional refrigerant vessel is connected to the condenser at the high pressure side by a first valve and to the evaporator at a low pressure side by a second valve. A controller controls operation of the first valve and the second valve. Only one of the first valve and the second valve may be open at the same time. Refrigerant from the additional refrigerant vessel may be added to the closed refrigerant loop when the controller receives a low refrigerant level indication of in the evaporator. Refrigerant may also be removed from the closed refrigerant loop when the controller receives a high refrigerant level indication in the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert D. TURNEY, Justin P. KAUFFMAN, Kirk H. DREES, Homero NOBOA, Brett M. LENHARDT
  • Publication number: 20120117990
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat transfer process using a composition containing hydro(chloro)fluoroolefins. It more particularly relates to a heat transfer process that successively comprises a step of evaporation of a refrigerant; a step of compression, a step of condensation of said refrigerant at a temperature greater than or equal to 70° C. and a step of expansion of said refrigerant characterized in that the refrigerant comprises at least one hydrofluoroolefin having at least four carbon atoms represented by the formula (I) R1CH?CHR2 in which R1 and R2 independently represent alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, substituted with at least one fluorine atom, optionally with at least one chlorine atom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Wissam Rached, Laurent Abbas, Jean-Christophe Boutier
  • Publication number: 20120117991
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a refrigerant in organic Rankine cycle systems comprising at least one hydrofluoroolefin, having at least four carbon atoms represented by the formula (I) R1CH?CHR2 in which R1 and R2 independently represent alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, substituted with at least one fluorine atom, optionally with at least one chlorine atom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Arkema France
    Inventor: Wissam Rached
  • Publication number: 20120117992
    Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature regulation system with hybrid refrigerant supply and regulation in which a pressure-reducing regulator (R100) from an evaporator (EVA100) controlled by a switch valve (V100) being installed between a condenser (CON 100) and the evaporator (EVA100), and a refrigerant injector (IJ100) being installed between the condenser (CON100) and the evaporator (EVA100), and an electric control unit (ECU100) being provided for controlling the switch valve (V100) and the pressure-reducing regulator (R100) or for controlling the refrigerant injector (IJ100) such that both or at least one thereof being served to transport the refrigerant (REF100) to the interior or exterior of the evaporator (EVA100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Tai-Her YANG
  • Publication number: 20120117993
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner (1A) includes a heat pump circuit (2) including a compressor (11), an outdoor heat exchanger (13), an expansion mechanism (14), a first indoor heat exchanger (15), and a second indoor heat exchanger (16). The flow direction of a refrigerant in the heat pump circuit (2) is switched, by a switching member (12A), between a first direction in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) passes through the outdoor heat exchanger (13), the expansion mechanism (14), the first indoor heat exchanger (15), and the second indoor heat exchanger (16) in this order and returns to the compressor (11), and a second direction in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (11) passes through the first indoor heat exchanger (15), the expansion mechanism (14), the outdoor heat exchanger (13), and the second indoor heat exchanger (16) in this order and returns to the compressor (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasufumi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20120117994
    Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature regulation system with hybrid refrigerant supply and regulation in which a pressure-reducing regulator (R100) from an evaporator (EVA100) controlled by a switch valve (V100) being installed between a condenser (CON100) and the evaporator (EVA100), and a refrigerant injector (IJ100) being installed between the condenser (CON100) and the evaporator (EVA100), and an electric control unit (ECU100) being provided for controlling the switch valve (V100) and the pressure-reducing regulator (R100) or for controlling the refrigerant injector (IJ100) such that both or at least one thereof being served to transport the refrigerant (REF100) into the evaporator (EVA100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Tai-Her YANG
  • Publication number: 20120117995
    Abstract: An energy saving device, a heating/cooling system and a method for controlling a heating/cooling system control the on/off state of an apparatus which is used for heating or cooling a working medium. A timer (24) has an adjustable timer value and provides a signal for controlling the on/off state of the apparatus. A temperature sensor (21) measures temperature of the working medium. A controller (20) adjusts the adjustable timer value in response to changes in temperature of the working medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Kevin D. M. Moore
  • Publication number: 20120117996
    Abstract: A cascade refrigeration system includes an upper portion having at least one modular chiller unit that provides cooling to at least one of a low temperature subsystem having a plurality of low temperature loads, and a medium temperature subsystem having a plurality of medium temperature loads. The modular chiller unit includes a refrigerant circuit having at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. An ammonia refrigerant mixed with a soluble oil circulates within the refrigerant circuit. A control device may be programmed to modulate the position of the expansion device so that a superheat temperature of the ammonia refrigerant near an outlet of the evaporator fluctuates within a substantially predetermined superheat temperature range to positively return soluble oil from the evaporator to the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: David K. Hinde, John D. Bittner, Shitong Zha, Joseph R. Poland
  • Publication number: 20120117997
    Abstract: The present invention is a cooling sleeve, which has a sheath and a gas cartridge. The sheath is able to slip over a user's clothed arm), and includes a chamber disposed within the sheath. The chamber is able to thermally communicate with the user's arm. The gas cartridge supplies cooling gases to the chamber such that the user's arm is cooled, whereby the user's core temperature is cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen M. Coleman, Michelle B. Warren, Carla W. Mattingly, Gregory K. Askew
  • Publication number: 20120117998
    Abstract: A condensed water and defrosted water treatment structure for use in a refrigerator is provided. One drain hose can be employed regardless of the number of evaporators, thereby obtaining a cost-down effect in manufacturing refrigerators. In addition, an inflow of ambient air into an evaporator through a drain hose can he prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Jeong-Won Yoo
  • Publication number: 20120117999
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet comprising a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, a cold air generation chamber for the freezing compartment provided in an upper portion of the cabinet, in communication with the freezing compartment, the cold air generation chamber configured to accommodate an evaporator for the freezing compartment, a machine room provided in an upper portion of the cabinet, a cold air generation chamber for the refrigerating compartment independently provided from the cold air generation chamber for the freezing compartment, the cold air generation chamber for the refrigerating compartment configured to accommodate an evaporator for the refrigerating compartment, and a defrosted-water treating part configured to receive defrosted-water generated from the evaporator for the freezing compartment and the evaporator for the refrigerating compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Su Nam Chae, Kyeong Yun Kim, Jang Seok Lee, Min Kyu Oh, Youn Seok Lee