Patents Issued in November 8, 2012
-
Publication number: 20120279213Abstract: A cooling tower system is provided that can exhibit increased energy efficiency that cools a process fluid or the like. The cooling tower system includes a cooling tower unit and a thermoelectric device along with a working fluid loop. The process fluid may be used to heat a working fluid for the thermoelectric device before being sent to the cooling tower for cooling. Power generated by the thermoelectric device may be utilized to operate a component of the cooling tower such as a fan or a pump. The cooling tower is also utilized to provide cooling to condense the working fluid from a vapor to a liquid form wherein the cooling tower is used to remove waste heat from a process fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: SPX CorporationInventors: Spencer D. Conard, Eric Rasmussen, Glenn S. Brenneke, Eldon F. Mockry
-
Publication number: 20120279214Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure and an intake assembly. The engine structure defines a first cylinder, a second cylinder, a first intake port in communication with the first cylinder, and a second intake port in communication with the second cylinder. The intake assembly includes a first throttle valve, a second throttle valve and a boost mechanism. The first throttle valve is in communication with the first and second intake ports. The second throttle valve is in communication with an air source and the first throttle valve and located in a series flow arrangement between the air source and the first throttle valve. The boost mechanism is in communication with the air source and the first throttle valve and located in a series flow arrangement between the air source and the first throttle valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: JAMES E. FORCE
-
Publication number: 20120279215Abstract: One illustrative embodiment includes a turbocharger (16, 18) with a turbine (94) and a compressor (96). The turbine (94) has an inlet passage (114) which may directly communicate with a blowdown exhaust port (34, 36, 38) of a cylinder head (12) of an internal combustion engine (14). The inlet passage (114) may directly receive exhaust gas from the blowdown exhaust port (34, 36, 38).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.Inventors: David B. Roth, Joern Timm Kiener
-
Publication number: 20120279216Abstract: Disclosed is a control apparatus that is used for an internal combustion engine with a supercharger and capable of inhibiting a decrease in the temperature of an exhaust gas purification device under a low-temperature operating condition where the temperature of the exhaust gas purification device decreases. The control apparatus includes a turbocharger having a turbine that operates by exhaust energy and is installed in an exhaust passage; and the control apparatus includes a WGV that opens and closes an exhaust bypass passage, which bypasses the turbine. The degree of opening of the WGV is controlled depending on whether a high turbine temperature condition where the temperature of exhaust gas at a downstream location is higher when it passes through the turbine than when it passes through the exhaust bypass passage, is established when a low-temperature operating condition is established to decrease the temperature of an exhaust purification catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takayuki Otsuka
-
Publication number: 20120279217Abstract: An arrangement is provided for controlling a variable position of vanes at a turbine in a flow channel of a turbine. The arrangement includes a nozzle ring carrying a set of vanes, each of the vanes being connected to a vane pin housed in the nozzle ring. A rotational position of the vanes is accomplished via a vane displacement drive train including a pivotally supported pivot axle, a first actuator arm arranged on the pivot axle, which first arm is connectable to a drive actuator, a second actuator arm arranged on the pivot axle, which second arm is connected to a pin engaged with an unison ring for pivoting the unison ring, and a vane arm being connected to each vane pin and the unison ring for displacement of the vanes via pivotal displacement of the unison ring, and wherein a stop screw is arranged for limiting the pivotal displacement of the vanes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR ABInventor: Pontus Eriksson
-
Publication number: 20120279218Abstract: Provided is a miller cycle engine in which the thermal efficiency is improved by increasing boost pressure, while the reliability of mechanical strength and thermal load of the engine body is secured by maintaining a maximum in-cylinder pressure. The mirror cycle engine includes an intake valve variable unit (36) for controlling timing to open or close an intake valve (14), a steam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Michiyasu Ishida, Kenjiro Oda, Shoji Namekawa
-
Publication number: 20120279219Abstract: A combustion engine includes a first turbocharger that compresses charge air in a first compressor stage and a second turbocharger that further compresses the air compressed in the first turbocharger and that feeds the further compressed air to the combustion engine. A charge air cooler is disposed between the first and the second turbocharger and is configured to cool the air compressed by the first turbocharger.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Kurt KAUTZMANN
-
Publication number: 20120279220Abstract: A method (400, 1100) and apparatus (500, 1200) for producing work from heat includes a boiler (510) which is configured for heating a pressurized flow of a first working fluid (F1) to form of a first vapor. A compressor (502) compresses a second working fluid (F2) in the form of a second vapor. A mixing chamber (504) receives the first and second vapor and transfers thermal energy directly from the first vapor to the second vapor. The thermal energy that is transferred from the first vapor to the second vapor will generally include at least a portion of a latent heat of vaporization of the first working fluid. An expander (506) is arranged to expand a mixture of the first and second vapor received from the mixing chamber, thereby performing useful work after or during the transferring operation. The process is closed and enables recirculation and therefore recycling of thermal energy that is normally unused in conventional cycle approaches.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventor: William R. Palmer
-
Publication number: 20120279221Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile biomass generating plant having a power unit, at least one generator and a drive shaft. In one embodiment, the power unit is mounted to a lowboy trailer and the at least one generator is mounted to at least one of the lowboy trailer and a second lowboy trailer. Additionally, the drive shaft may connect the at least one generator to the power unit. In one embodiment, the power unit may generate and direct power to the drive shaft which can be used to manipulate the at least one generator to produce electricity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventor: Michael Durden
-
Publication number: 20120279222Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for storing energy and generating power and/or heat within a subsea environment. The systems and methods utilize stored compressed air within an air storage chamber to drive an engine/generator system in order to generate power. The engine may or may not utilize combustion. Alternatively, the systems and methods utilize stored compressed air to supply air to a combustor to generate heat. The heat generated can be used for variety of purposes, including to generate steam and to heat heavy oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Chevron U.S.A.Inventors: Harrison W. Sigworth, JR., Trevor N. Demayo, Yaofan Yi
-
Publication number: 20120279223Abstract: An integrated plate is provided for use with a combustor including a casing, a fuel plenum extending circumferentially about the casing, and a fuel nozzle extending axially through the casing. The integrated plate includes a plurality of fuel injection pegs that extend radially between the fuel plenum and the fuel nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Carl Robert Barker, Thomas Edward Johnson, Jonathan Dwight Berry
-
Publication number: 20120279224Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor is provided and includes an array of fuel nozzles, a combustion casing assembly disposed about the array of fuel nozzles and an end cap assembly disposed within the combustion casing assembly to define with the combustion casing assembly an axis-symmetric annulus through which fluid travels into each of the fuel nozzles, at least one of the combustion casing assembly and the end cap assembly being formed with lobed, three-dimensional contouring.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Donald Mark Bailey, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Luis Manuel Flamand, Kwanwoo Kim, Patrick Benedict Melton, Robert Joseph Rohrssen, John Drake Vanselow
-
Publication number: 20120279225Abstract: A flow evacuation system for an aircraft engine including an engine nozzle that conveys the engine exhaust flow and an eductor receiving the engine exhaust flow and engine ventilation flow is disclosed. The engine nozzle has a final section in contact by its outer surface with the ventilation flow. The engine exhaust flow has a low swirl when the engine operates under design conditions and a high swirl when the engine operates out of design conditions. The engine nozzle includes a plurality of local flow conditioners placed in its inner surface in the final section for reducing the swirl of the engine exhaust flow at the exit of the engine nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: EADS CONSTRUCCIONES AERONAUTICAS, S.A.Inventors: Vicente Ibanez Colas, Francisco Javier Mariscal SANCHEZ, Emilio Javier Angel Blasco, Carlos Gonzalez Biedma, David Perdones Diaz
-
Publication number: 20120279226Abstract: An annular seal for use between coupled combustor components includes a segmented annular solid edge portion and a plurality of alternating spring fingers and slots extending from the solid edge portion and arranged about a circumference of the solid edge portion, wherein one or more of the plurality of spring fingers or one or more of the plurality of straight and angled slots have non-uniform width dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Wei CHEN, Donald Timothy LEMON, Mert Enis BERKMAN, Richard Martin DICINTIO
-
Publication number: 20120279227Abstract: An energy conversion process that also exports by-product CO2 at elevated pressure where a fuel gas feed stream is mixed with a reactant stream and additional CO2 is added to at least part of, the fuel gas feed stream, the reactant stream or both through desorption by contacting with a CO2-rich solvent stream in a first stage contactor to produce a mixed feed gas stream and a CO2-lean solvent stream; passing said mixed feed gas stream to a chemical conversion step, where further CO2 is produced; chilling at least part of the products of said chemical conversion step, at a pressure of at least 10 bar to condense and partially remove CO2 as a liquid and thereby produce a CO2-lean gas stream; and passing at least part of said CO2-lean gas stream said to a second stage contactor where further CO2 is removed, by absorption in a solvent stream lean in CO2 derived from said CO2-lean solvent stream, to produce a product gas stream and a solvent stream rich in CO2 from which said CO2-rich solvent stream is subsequentlType: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Cyril TIMMINS, Bryan Christopher Timmins, Jacqueline Anne Fisher
-
Publication number: 20120279228Abstract: There is disclosed a gas cooler 20 for providing high-pressure sealing gas to a bearing chamber. The cooler comprises a turbine 22; a turbine inlet 24 arranged to receive gas to drive the turbine and a turbine outlet 26 arranged to deliver gas output from the turbine; a compressor 28 arranged to be driven by the turbine 22; a compressor inlet 30 arranged to receive gas to be compressed by the compressor and a compressor outlet 32 arranged to deliver gas output from the compressor 28; and a cooler outlet 36 in fluid communication with the turbine outlet 26 and the compressor outlet 32 so as to deliver high-pressure sealing gas comprising gas merged from the turbine outlet 26 and the compressor outlet 32.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventors: Paul W. FERRA, Yi WANG
-
Publication number: 20120279229Abstract: A method can protect a gas turbine engine (10), which includes a compressor (11), a combustor (13), and a turbine (12), against high dynamical process values, especially in combustor/flame pulsations. Effective protection against high dynamical process values, especially in combustor/flame pulsations, can be achieved by: a) measuring the pulsations of the combustor (13) with a suitable sensor (18), b) dividing the frequency spectrum of the measured pulsation signal up into pre-defined band pass sections, c) computing the rms (root mean square) of the signal for each band, d) weighting the computed frequency/frequency band rms with predetermined weighting factors, e) cumulating the weighted frequency/frequency band rms values to get a Pulsation Limit Criterion (PLC) value, f) comparing the PLC value with at least one reference value (23), and g) operating the gas turbine engine (10) according to the result of the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Hanspeter Zinn, Ghislain Singla, Bruno Schuermans, Piotr Siewert
-
Publication number: 20120279230Abstract: Gas turbine and method for controlling an operating point of the gas turbine that includes a compressor, a combustor and at least a turbine. The method includes calculating an exhaust temperature reference curve of the turbine as a function of a turbine pressure ratio; determining whether condition IGVmin+?IGV1?IGVset point?IGVmax+?IGV2, and condition ttx?ttxh+?ttx3, are true; and changing, if both conditions are true, a split fuel quantity from a first value to a second value or otherwise maintaining the first value, the first value characterizing a lean-lean steady state mode and the second value characterizing a premixed secondary mode of a premixed mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventor: Claudio Botarelli
-
Publication number: 20120279231Abstract: The present invention is directed to an energy storage system comprised of a heat block having a relatively high specific energy capacity. The heat block can be used, for example, with a regenerative braking system for gas turbine powered vehicles to improve fuel efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: John D. Watson, Frank Donnelly
-
Publication number: 20120279232Abstract: The present invention is an infant bottle and a beverage container cooler that includes a disc to receive the bottle or the beverage container to be cooled, a control switch which turns the cooler on and off and one or more batteries that can be utilized to power the cooler when an electric power source is unavailable. The cooler also includes a power cord and plug that can utilize an available electric power source to power the cooler that includes an electrical outlet, a cigarette adaptor or electrical generator, a pair of bottle and container holders to hold extra bottles or containers while the infant bottle or the beverage container is cooling and an insulated cooling compartment to receive cooling material to cool the infant bottle or the beverage container disposed underneath the disc.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventor: ROSIE BELCHER
-
Publication number: 20120279233Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component. The apparatus includes a liquid-cooled structure, a thermal conduction path coupling the electronic component and the liquid-cooled structure, a coolant loop in fluid communication with a coolant-carrying channel of the liquid-cooled structure, and an outdoor-air-cooled heat exchange unit coupled to facilitate heat transfer from the liquid-cooled structure via, at least in part, the coolant loop. The thermoelectric array facilitates transfer of heat from the electronic component to the liquid-cooled structure, and the heat exchange unit cools coolant passing through the coolant loop by dissipating heat from the coolant to outdoor ambient air. In one implementation, temperature of coolant entering the liquid-cooled structure is greater than temperature of the outdoor ambient air to which heat is dissipated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy J. CHAINER, David P. GRAYBILL, Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Vinod KAMATH, Bejoy J. KOCHUPARAMBIL, Roger R. SCHMIDT, Mark E. STEINKE
-
Publication number: 20120279234Abstract: This motor includes: a translationally movable induction coil; a power-supply circuit adapted to deliver, to at least one induction coil, an AC power-supply current; a movable mass adopting a translational movement an induction coil arranged so as to move a respective movable mass between a first position and a second position where the movable mass can compress the fluid; a secondary circuit arranged to connect the terminals of at least one induction coil in short-circuit; The secondary circuit comprises a compensation component for producing a phase shift between the power-supply voltage and the power-supply current, so as to reduce the phase difference that the inductance of the induction coil produces.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gérald AIGOUY, James Butterworth, Benoit Debray, Jean Christophe Rey
-
Publication number: 20120279235Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a portable natural gas discharge system for discharging compressed natural gas into a receiving location. The system comprises a portable chassis for holding the natural gas discharge system and all subcomponents, an inlet port for receiving the natural gas at an inlet pressure higher than a pressure of the receiving location, an expansion valve for regulating pressure of the natural gas to a stable intermediate pressure, a heat exchanger for heating up the cooled natural gas stream as a result of cooling due to expansion, a regulator for regulating a flow of the heated natural gas stream through the heat exchanger and out of the portable natural gas discharge system, and a discharge port for discharging the heated natural gas stream into the receiving location.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: OSCOMP SYSTEMS INC.Inventor: Pedro T. Santos
-
Publication number: 20120279236Abstract: An HVAC system includes an electronic expansion valve having a movable obturator with a truncated tip and a port configured to selectively receive the truncated tip. An electronically controlled expansion valve includes a movable obturator with a truncated tip and a port configured to selectively receive the truncated tip. A method of operating a heat pump HVAC system includes providing an electronically controlled expansion valve comprising an obturator having a truncated tip and flowing refrigerant through the valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Jonathan David Douglas, Kevin B. Mercer
-
Publication number: 20120279237Abstract: An auxiliary heater control device can be readily attached to a hot water heating system configured with a simple water circuit without a hot water storage tank, and is capable of preventing freezing of circulating water such that use of an auxiliary heater is minimized. When a sensed temperature tS sensed by a temperature sensor is in a range, a control device increases a rotational speed of a circulation pump. When the sensed temperature tS is in a range, the control device increases the rotational speed of the circulation pump and lowers an operating frequency of a compressor. When the sensed temperature tS is in a range, the control device increases the rotational speed of the circulation pump, lowers the operating frequency of the compressor, and activates an auxiliary heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2009Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Takahiro Ushijima, Kazutaka Suzuki, Koji Matsuzawa, Nobuaki Uehara
-
Publication number: 20120279238Abstract: A method for controlling frost on a heat transfer device includes the steps of providing an air flow device adapted to provide a stream of air at a high flow rate, and using the air flow device to subject a heat transfer device to the stream of air during frosting times. The stream of air interacts with the heat transfer device to remove water droplets disposed on the heat transfer device, thereby preventing frost from accumulating on the heat transfer device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.Inventors: Paul Kalinowski, John Lawler, Seguei Dessiatoun, Amir Shooshtari
-
Publication number: 20120279239Abstract: The invention relates to a method for low-temperature cooling/liquefaction of a working fluid, in particular a working fluid including helium or consisting of pure helium by means of a refrigerator/liquefier that includes a working circuit provided with a compressor station and a cold box. The refrigerator/liquefier subjects the working gas within the working circuit to a cycle that includes, in series: compressing the working fluid within the compressor station, cooling and decompressing the working fluid in the cold box, and heating the working fluid with a view to the return thereof to the compressor station. The compressor station includes one or more compression levels, each one using one or more compressors mounted on landings.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L 'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Jean-Marc Bernhardt, Frederic Andrieu, Franck Delcayre, Fabien Durand, Veronique Grabie
-
Publication number: 20120279240Abstract: Disclosed is an ice making apparatus and a refrigerator having the same. The refrigerator includes an ice making tray in which ice cubes are made, an ejector to discharge the ice cubes from the ice making tray, an ice bin to store the ice cubes discharged by the ejector, an auger to move the ice cubes in the ice bin, a first drive unit to provide the ejector with rotational force, a second drive unit to provide the auger with rotational force, an emitter to output optical signals so as to sense whether or not the ice cubes in the ice bin are at a full ice level, and a receiver to receive the optical signals output from the emitter, wherein any one of the emitter and the receiver is installed at the first drive unit, and the other one is installed at the second drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin JEONG, Do Hyung KIM, Sang Hyun PARK, Sung Yoon YONG, Qasim Sarwar KHAN, Seung Ah JOO
-
Publication number: 20120279241Abstract: A control is provided that includes a sensor that provides an output indicative of a sensed temperature of a condenser coil of the heat pump, and a controller for controlling activation of at least a compressor of the heat pump. The controller is configured to compare the output of the sensor to a representation of sensed ambient temperature to determine whether the reversing valve is in heat mode where the sensed ambient temperature exceeds the sensed temperature of the condenser coil, or in cool mode where the sensed ambient temperature is less than the sensed temperature of the condenser coil. The controller is further configured to deactivate at least the compressor of the heat pump when the reversing valve is determined to be in a mode that is inconsistent with the heat pump's heating operation or cooling operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventor: Randy T. Ruiz
-
Publication number: 20120279242Abstract: A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle air conditioning system is provided. The heat exchanger includes an inner tube through which a heat exchanger medium can flow, an outer tube that at least regionally envelops the inner tube forming an intermediate space, and a regulating unit fluidically connected to the intermediate space. The regulating unit is configured to alter the flow resistance of the intermediate space as a function of the temperature of a heat exchanger medium that flows through the intermediate space.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Lothar SEYBOLD, Artem SERYI
-
Publication number: 20120279243Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle is provided with a heat pump circulation path through which a refrigerant body is circulated through a compressor. The heat pump circulation path is provided with a condenser unit, an expansion valve, a first evaporator, a heater, and a second evaporator. The heat pump circulation path is also provided with a bypass means which, in heating operation, bypasses a main condenser for constituting the condenser unit and connects the heater and a gas-liquid separation-type refrigerant body containing section. The configuration provides effects which minimize an increase in the number of dedicated parts required only in a heating mode and which, by effectively utilizing the system in a cooling mode, prevents a reduction in the air conditioning performance caused by the shortage of the refrigerant body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Endo, Daisuke Yamaoka, Hidenori Esaki, Kenzo Kimura, Chisato Yamamoto
-
Publication number: 20120279244Abstract: A self-contained beverage chilling apparatus including a refrigerant cooling system comprising a refrigerant reservoir in a fluid communication with a cold plate, a refrigerator accumulator, a compressor and a refrigerant condenser mounted within a housing unit. The housing unit further included beverage inlet means in fluid communication with the cooling system cold plate, and beverage dispenser means in fluid communication with the cold plate wherein the beverage to be dispensed is chilled to a desired temperature as it passes through the cold plate to the beverage dispensing means.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Cleland Sales CorporationInventor: James M. Cleland
-
Publication number: 20120279245Abstract: A discharge device for a refrigeration compressor is provided. The device can include a discharge tube connected with the discharge of the refrigeration compressor. A bellows surrounds a perforated portion of the discharge tube. The length of the discharge tube can be minimized to decrease pressure loss. The discharge can be insulated to prevent the distribution of heat to the compressor and/or to allow for the recovery of heat energy later in the refrigeration cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Pradip Radhakrishnan Subramaniam, Balide Venkatesham, Chetan Sharadchandra Tulapurkar, Ravindra Gopaldas Devi, Hiteshkumar Mistry, Bhaskar Tamma, Mallampalli Srinivas
-
Publication number: 20120279246Abstract: An ice making device with a manually removable water tank is provided. When mounted, this tank has a system for opening a valve that allows dispensing water into an ice making tray of the ice making device. The ice making tray is rotatable so that the ice cubes formed in the tray can be removed. The ice making tray may be rotated by a pair of gears, one of them holds the ice making tray in position and transmits a rotation force to the tray; this gear has a preload spring which generates an appropriate return force. The other gear is part of the lever, giving torsion to the tray and may be operated by a user. When rotating the tray, the ice cubes may fall directly into an ice bucket which can be removed from the system to externally serve ice.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventor: Alan Federico Camacho Velázquez
-
Publication number: 20120279247Abstract: A refrigerator has a compartment defined by a liner. A door is configured to provide access into the compartment. A sub-compartment is mounted in the door. The sub-compartment has an access door that opens to provide access into the sub-compartment. The access door includes an inner door panel, an outer door panel, and a vacuum insulation panel disposed between the inner and outer door panels.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Umakant Suresh Katu, Craig Robert Vitan, Steven D. Paul, Eric Lloyd Scalf
-
Publication number: 20120279248Abstract: A refrigeration system uses a plurality of cross blowers or air blower turbines place upon either side of a unique cross flow motor. A moveable air flow diverter allows the system to be configured for most industrial and home use applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventor: Hector Delgadillo
-
Publication number: 20120279249Abstract: A temperature maintenance storage comprising a side, a compressor unit, and an insulation pack, with the insulation pack being generally flexible and containing a temperature control fluid. A refrigerant line for conducting a refrigerant extends from the compressor unit and to the insulation pack with the refrigerant line contacting the insulation pack. The insulation pack directly contacts the side and the compressor unit is selectively activated in response to monitored temperatures by a thermostat probe.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventor: Michael Reihl
-
Publication number: 20120279250Abstract: The invention relates to a heat pump according to the adsorption principle, comprising a plurality of hollow elements each having an adsorbent, wherein a working medium is enclosed in each of the hollow elements is displaceable between the adsorbent and a phase change area, wherein a heat-transporting fluid in a variable fluid circuit can flow through the hollow elements by means of a valve arrangement. The hollow elements are brought into thermal contact with the fluid in the area of the adsorbent, wherein the flow through the hollow elements changes cyclically with the fluid, wherein at least two of the hollow elements are flown through parallel from the fluid at least in one, in particular each position of the valve arrangement, and at least two of the hollow elements are flown through serially one after the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventor: Roland Burk
-
Publication number: 20120279251Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes: a refrigerant circuit to which a compressor is connected, and which performs a refrigerating cycle; an electronic part including a power module; and a cooling member in which a refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit flows, and which contacts the power module so that the power module is cooled by the refrigerant. The cooling member of the refrigeration apparatus is provided with a thermal insulation layer that prevents cold heat of the refrigerant flowing in the cooling member from being transferred to the outside from at least a non-contact surface other than a contact surface of the cooling member with the power module.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Naohiro Kido, Toshiyuki Maeda
-
Publication number: 20120279252Abstract: A modular compressed-gas dryer including in series: an inlet module, a precooler/reheater module, an evaporator module, and a sump module. The modules form columns where at least one column has a filtration chamber. Further provided are a gas outlet and gastight seals between modules. The system creates a first and second set of heat transfer passages where refrigerant passes through the second set in a heat exchange relationship in a direction perpendicular to incoming gas passing in the first set. The filtration chamber conducts chilled gas from the first set to a third set of heat transfer passages. The third set extends through the precooler/reheater in heat exchange relationship with the first set. Chilled gas passes in heat exchange relationship in a direction perpendicular to the incoming gas so that the incoming gas chilled in the evaporator exchanges heat with the incoming gas in the precooler/reheater.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: John A. Carlin, Allan Hoerner
-
Publication number: 20120279253Abstract: The system includes a first heat exchanger in which the refrigerant is injected directly into the content of the first liquid circuit through at least one nozzle to simultaneously capture latent heat from the content as purified frozen liquid pieces are formed. It also includes a second heat exchanger in which the refrigerant transfers the latent heat captured from the content of the first liquid circuit to a content of the second liquid circuit, thereby raising the content of the second liquid circuit in temperature. The proposed concept provides designers with opportunities to create highly efficient systems and methods where the latent heat extracted for the purification is immediately employed to a useful purpose.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: INNOVEL 2000 INC.Inventor: Patrick Lemay
-
Publication number: 20120279254Abstract: A method for separating a feed gas, containing nitrogen and carbon monoxide as main components, in a distillation column: the feed gas is cooled in a heat exchanger; at least a portion of the feed gas, or at least a portion of a gas derived from the feed gas, is sent to a reboiler of the distillation column so as to condense the gas while producing a liquid, and optionally a gas; at least a portion of the liquid is sent to the distillation column; a nitrogen gas-rich flow is extracted from the distillation column; a carbon monoxide-rich flow is extracted from the distillation column, heated in the heat exchanger, and compressed so as to provide a carbon monoxide-rich material at production pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Annonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudInventors: Arthur Darde, Antoine Hernandez, Bernard Saulnier
-
Publication number: 20120279255Abstract: The invention relates to a method for compressing and cooling air upstream from a facility for cryogenic separation of air, with no means for exchange by indirect heat, in which humid air is compressed in a compressor, the air compressed in the compressor is cooled in a first exchanger having indirect heat exchange, water is recovered from the air upstream and/or downstream from cooling in the first exchanger, the air cooled in the first exchanger is sent to a purification unit in order to produce air purified of carbon dioxide and/or water, the purified air is sent to the cryogenic separation facility, and at least one gas is recovered from the cryogenic separation facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude ET L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Benoit Davidian
-
Publication number: 20120279256Abstract: A piece of jewelry that can be expanded or contracted through the use of linearly interconnected rhombuses where the elements of each rhombus are rotatable with respect to an adjacent rhombus and wherein the various elements are held together by pins of a special design so that the length of the piece of jewelry is easily expanded or contracted at the desire of the wearer but where unintentional expansion or contraction is unlikely.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Yegise Koc, Nerses Kafadar
-
Publication number: 20120279257Abstract: A deformation apparatus for reforming a glass sheet comprises a central portion, a first edge mold movably coupled to a first end of the central portion and configured to be linearly translated along a linear mold axis in a first direction toward the central portion. The deformation apparatus further includes a second edge mold movably coupled to the second end of the central portion and configured to be linearly translated along the linear mold axis in a second direction opposite the first direction and toward the central portion. Methods are also provided including the step of cooling a reformed glass sheet, wherein a greater shrinkage of the reformed glass sheet relative to a shrinkage of the deformation apparatus is accommodated by a movement of at least the first edge mold in a first direction toward the central portion of the deformation apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Thierry Luc Alain Dannoux, Paul Delautre, Allan Mark Fredholm, Laurent Joubaud
-
Publication number: 20120279258Abstract: A dehydration-sintering furnace includes a muffle tube that accommodates therein the porous preform, a heater that heats the porous preform from outside of the muffle tube, a furnace body that accommodates the heater at an outer periphery of the muffle tube. When a gas required for dehydrating and sintering the porous preform is supplied in the muffle tube, and a pressure in the muffle tube is measured, an average value of the pressure in the muffle tube P0 and a standard deviation of the pressure in the muffle tube ?0 are controlled to satisfy a relation P0?3×?0>0.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: THE FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshinori ISHIDA, Seiichi Shinada, Mitsuhiro Kawasaki
-
Publication number: 20120279259Abstract: A method of producing optical fiber preform includes: forming a deposited layer by depositing glass particles on a periphery of a target element in a deposition mode while burning a mixed gas containing a glass source material gas, a flaming gas, and a supporting gas by use of a flaming burner; maintaining a state where the supporting gas flows at a flow velocity greater than or equal to a flow velocity at which a nozzle end of the supporting gas discharge nozzles does not glow while maintaining a pilot burner by allowing the flaming gas to flow to the seal gas discharge nozzle after a seal gas is replaced with the flaming gas in a case where a mode is changed from the deposition mode to a non-deposition mode; and replacing the flaming gas flowing to the flaming gas port with a purge gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.Inventors: Naritoshi YAMADA, Shunichirou HIRAFUNE
-
Publication number: 20120279260Abstract: A composite structure may include a knit component and a bonded component. The knit component has a first surface and an opposite second surface, and the knit component includes a fusible yarn and a non-fusible yarn that form a knitted structure. The fusible yarn is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, and the fusible yarn is located on at least the first surface. The bonded component is positioned adjacent to the first surface, and the bonded component is thermal bonded to the first surface with the thermoplastic polymer material of the fusible yarn.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Bhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson
-
Publication number: 20120279261Abstract: A washing machine that senses whether a door is opened or closed, vibration of a washing tub or weight of the washing tub. The washing machine includes an optical sensor mounted at a predetermined position in the washing machine and a controller to analyze an output value of the optical sensor to determine whether a door is opened or closed, vibration of a washing tub or weight of the washing tub. Whether the door is opened or closed, vibration of the washing tub or weight of the washing tub may be determined using a single infrared sensor in a noncontact manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTDInventors: Kee Hwan KA, Hyo Sang Lee, Jeong Su Han, Byung Ik Choi
-
Publication number: 20120279262Abstract: A method for determining the laundry load size according to one embodiment of the invention in an automatic clothes washer comprising supplying water to a reference water level to define a first amount of water, supplying water from the reference water level to a second water level above the reference water level and sufficient to submerge the laundry load to define a second amount of water, and determining a load size for the laundry load based on the second amount of water such that errors associated with the first amount of water are not considered in the load size determination based on the second amount of water.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: JENN-YEU NIEH, BENNETT JAMES COOK, JAMES ANDREW OSKINS