Patents Issued in October 15, 2013
  • Patent number: 8555610
    Abstract: Provided is a method of protecting a drag chain for a lumber mill and a drag chain having a chain guard and a lug guard. The chain guard and lug guard each only require use of a single weld washer for mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Baxley Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Russell Kennedy, Chris Raybon, Pat Conry
  • Patent number: 8555611
    Abstract: A combustion engine, which is highly efficient, noiseless and lightweight, includes a combustion chamber without pistons. The combusted and expanded air exiting the combustion chamber flows into a displacement pump, such as a gear pump or radial vane pump. The displacement pump drives the load, and, in addition, another smaller displacement pump, which pressurizes fresh air and introduces same, via a feedback loop, into the combustion chamber. Gas or other burnable fuels are introduced in the combustion chamber, so that a continuous fuel burning will occur, after being ignited. The ratio of bigger to the smaller pump is influenced by the percentage of expansion of the air in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur Vanmoor
  • Patent number: 8555612
    Abstract: A constant volume combustor device includes, in one form, a detonative combustion. The apparatus includes inlet and outlet ports that interface with a plurality of fluid flow passageways on a rotor. A buffer gas is routed through some of the inlet and outlet ports and into and out of the plurality of fluid flow passageways. One of the inlet ports is a buffer gas inlet port that when placed in registry with a fluid flow passageway allows the flow of buffer gas into the respective passageway. Fuel is delivered into the buffer gas proximate the buffer gas inlet port so that only a portion of the buffer gas inlet port receives any fuel. In one form the wave rotor of the constant volume combustor is supported by magnetic bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. Snyder, Calvin W. Emmerson
  • Patent number: 8555613
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting faults with nitrogen oxides sensors used to detect the presence of nitrogen oxides in an exhaust effluent gas stream emitted from a combustion engine during its operation include providing a virtual nitrogen oxides sensor measurement compared with actual nitrogen oxides content measured by nitrogen oxides sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Ognyan N. Yanakiev, Ibrahim Haskara
  • Patent number: 8555614
    Abstract: When it is estimated that an amount of oxygen stored in the catalyst is a maximum amount, an electronic control unit executes forced rich control and estimates a maximum oxygen release amount during a period between the start of this control and a rich reversal of an output of the oxygen sensor, based on this period of time. When it is estimated that the amount of oxygen stored in the catalyst is a minimum amount, the electronic control unit executes forced lean control and estimates a maximum oxygen storage amount during a period between the start of this control and a lean reversal of the output of the oxygen sensor, based on this period of time. If the absolute value of a difference between the maximum oxygen release amount and the maximum oxygen storage amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, an exhaust gas control apparatus and a method for determining an abnormality thereof determine that there is a response delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Sato
  • Patent number: 8555615
    Abstract: In a control method of an internal combustion engine exhaust gas control system which is applied to a hybrid vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, an exhaust throttle valve, provided downstream of an exhaust gas control catalyst, is controlled to reduce its opening amount to a target opening amount when it is determined that warm-up control of the internal combustion engine needs to be executed. Next, a target injection quantity of fuel necessary to increase the temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the internal combustion engine to a target exhaust gas temperature is calculated. Then, assist torque from the electric motor is adjusted so that the sum of torque from the internal combustion engine when the fuel injection quantity has been set to the target injection quantity and the assist torque substantially equals a required torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Murata, Isao Matsumoto, Naofumi Magarida, Akira Yamashita, Hiroyuki Haga, Takenori Saoda
  • Patent number: 8555616
    Abstract: A system includes a sampling module, a correlation determination module, and an injector control module. The sampling module samples first and second signals that indicate an amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) upstream and downstream from a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, respectively. The second signal further indicates an amount of ammonia downstream from the SCR catalyst when ammonia is released from the SCR catalyst. The correlation determination module determines an amount of correlation between the first and second signals, wherein the amount of correlation indicates a probability that ammonia is released from the SCR catalyst. The injector control module controls an amount of reducing agent injected into the exhaust gas upstream from the SCR catalyst based on the amount of correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Andrew Gady
  • Patent number: 8555617
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods and systems for treatment of exhaust gas from an engine. In one embodiment, an exhaust gas treatment system for a diesel engine includes a four-way catalyst in fluid communication with a diesel engine to receive an exhaust gas flow therefrom, the four-way catalyst comprising a lean nitrogen oxides (NOX) trap and a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The system also includes a urea selective catalytic reduction (U-SCR) catalyst in fluid communication with the four-way catalyst to receive the exhaust gas flow therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Rahul Mital
  • Patent number: 8555618
    Abstract: In a method for adapting the reducing agent feed in an exhaust gas aftertreatment system having an SCR catalyst for removing nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine and at least one reducing agent feed device, the minimum opening time of the reducing agent feed device is determined during operation and while suspending nitrogen emission, carrying out the following steps: a) the opening time of the reducing agent feed device is gradually prolonged until b) a reducing agent-sensitive sensor in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system detects a reducing agent signal. An exhaust gas aftertreatment system is designed accordingly for carrying out the method and a device is designed for controlling an exhaust gas aftertreatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Bauer, Rainer Bentz, Joris Fokkelman, Joachim Frank, Hermann Ketterl, Ingo Koops, Robert Leinfelder
  • Patent number: 8555619
    Abstract: An exhaust system, may include a trapping filter, a nitrogen oxide purification catalyst to eliminate nitrogen oxide of the exhaust gas, an injector that selectively injects fuel in the exhaust line, a fuel cracking catalyst that is disposed between the injector and the trapping filter at the exhaust line, transforms the injected fuel to a reducing agent, and a control portion that controls the injector to inject a predetermined amount of the fuel for a predetermined time period so as to raise the temperature of the trapping filter to a predetermined regeneration temperature and eliminate the particulate material trapped in the trapping filter, wherein the control portion detects a degradation rate of the fuel cracking catalyst, and varies the predetermined regeneration temperature of the trapping filter depending on the degradation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Woo Park
  • Patent number: 8555620
    Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment method may include a regenerating a diesel particulate filter normally, accumulating a time from a point that the diesel particulate filter starts to be regenerated, determining whether the diesel particulate filter enters into an abnormal regeneration condition or not according to a predetermined condition of an engine, and regenerating the diesel particulate filter according to the abnormal regeneration logic, if the accumulated time is within a predetermined time in a condition that the abnormal regeneration condition is satisfied and regenerating the diesel particulate filter according to the normal regeneration logic, if the accumulated time is out of the predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jun Sung Park
  • Patent number: 8555621
    Abstract: A NOx storing and reducing catalyst is disposed in an engine exhaust gas passage in which the catalyst stores NOx contained in the inflow exhaust gas when an air-fuel ratio of inflow exhaust gas is lean and releases and reduces the stored NOx when the air-fuel ratio of the inflow exhaust gas is rich. A stored NOx amount of the NOx storing and reducing catalyst is calculated and an exhaust gas purification operation is controlled based on the stored NOx amount. When the air-fuel ratio of inflow exhaust gas is lean, a ratio of NOx components in the inflow exhaust gas is calculated. An increment of the stored NOx amount per unit time is calculated based on the ratio of NOx components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuki Bisaiji
  • Patent number: 8555622
    Abstract: An exhaust gas post processing system may include an exhaust pipe in which an exhaust gas from an engine passes, a catalyst that may be disposed at the exhaust pipe so as to decrease a harmful material of the exhaust gas, and a water jacket that may be formed around an exhaust pipe that may be disposed at an upstream side of the catalyst of the exhaust pipe, wherein a coolant may be selectively supplied into the water jacket such that the water jacket cools down the exhaust gas passing the exhaust pipe and thus the catalyst does not be over heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sangmin Lee
  • Patent number: 8555623
    Abstract: An exhaust purification apparatus for internal combustion engine having a selective reduction catalyst that while maintaining a high NOx reduction ratio, inhibits any ammonia discharge downstream of the selective reduction catalyst. In the exhaust purification apparatus (2), a urea selective reduction catalyst (23) comprises a first selective reduction catalyst (231) and, provided downstream of the first selective reduction catalyst (231) in an exhaust passageway (11), a second selective reduction catalyst (232). Further, the exhaust purification apparatus (2) includes a urea injection unit (25) for feeding of a reducing agent upstream of the urea selective reduction catalyst (23) in the exhaust passageway (11) and an ammonia sensor (26) for detection of the ammonia concentration at a site between the first selective reduction catalyst (231) and the second selective reduction catalyst (232) in the exhaust passageway (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Ikue Kawasumi, Michael Fischer
  • Patent number: 8555624
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connection device (1) for at least one media line (2), such as for a urea-water solution for exhaust gas after-treatment in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The connection device comprises a connection part (4) having a socket (6) for the circumferentially sealed insertion of a line-side plug section (8), and retention means (10) for locking the inserted plug section (8) in place to prevent detachment. The retention means (10) is configured in such a way that starting from a normal operating position the inserted and locked plug section (8) can be moved over a specific travel path relative to the connection part (4) in opposition to a return force (F), in order to enlarge an internal volume inside the connection part (4) to which the medium is admitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: VOSS Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Lechner, Marco Isenburg, Olaf Offermann
  • Patent number: 8555625
    Abstract: An after treatment exhaust system is provided. The after treatment exhaust system includes a diesel particulate filter configured to be supported at a first lateral side of a vehicle chassis and a selective catalytic reduction device configured to be supported at a second lateral side of the vehicle chassis opposite the first lateral side. The after treatment exhaust system also includes a first conduit configured to be in fluid communication between an engine and the diesel particulate filter, a second conduit configured to be in fluid communication between the diesel particulate filter and the selective catalytic reduction device and a third conduit having a first end coupled to the selective catalytic reduction device and at least one second end configured to be open to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Pierce Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Chad M. Trinkner, Andrew J. Fochs, Richard J. Coenen
  • Patent number: 8555626
    Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust cooler mounted to a tailpipe for receiving exhaust gas. The exhaust cooler includes a jet pump connectable to the tailpipe and a nozzle connectable to the tailpipe. The nozzle defines a nozzle opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump for communicating the exhaust gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump. A first throttle member is included that is moveable between a closed position and an open position, the open position defining a first opening between the tailpipe and the jet pump for communicating the exhaust gas from the tailpipe to the jet pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jianwen Li, Rahul Mital
  • Patent number: 8555627
    Abstract: An exhaust gas line (1) of an internal combustion engine includes at least one catalytic converter (2) which is provided with at least one catalytic converter support (4) which is arranged in the housing (3) and which includes at least one first and one second area (5, 6) which can be flowed through in parallel, with the flow being capable of being deactivated in at least one area by a switching device (8) arranged in the exhaust gas line (1). In order to achieve a rapid activation of the catalytic converter in the simplest possible and most compact way, the areas (5, 6) of the catalytic converter support (4) have different physical and/or chemical properties in relation to response behavior, permeability, catalytic activity and/or thermal inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Christof Knollmayr, Andreas Zurk, Kurt Prevedel, Josef Wolkerstorfer, Paul Kapus
  • Patent number: 8555628
    Abstract: A variable displacement pump including a drive shaft, a cam ring eccentrically moveable with respect to an axis of the drive shaft, and a solenoid drivingly controlled on the basis of variation in electric current amount to be supplied to the solenoid which is controlled in accordance with an operating condition of a vehicle. The solenoid is configured such that a rate of change in the specific discharge amount relative to the electric current amount to be supplied to the solenoid under a condition that the specific discharge amount is smaller is reduced as compared to a rate of change in the specific discharge amount relative to the electric current amount to be supplied to the solenoid under a condition that the specific discharge amount is larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Yamamuro, Makoto Tada, Satoshi Nonaka
  • Patent number: 8555629
    Abstract: A hydrostatic pump (1) with a variable delivery volume can be operated in a closed circuit. An electrically controllable actuator device (4) is provided for the control of the delivery volume of the pump (1). The electrically controllable actuator (4) has an electrically actuatable control valve device (6) which generates a positioning pressure which actuates a positioning piston device (5) which is in an operative connection with a delivery volume control device (3) of the pump. An electrical position feedback circuit (21) of the delivery volume control device (3) is provided and the actuator device (4) is provided with a switchable hydraulic neutral position control system (25), by means of which a restoring movement can be generated that acts on the positioning piston device (5) and places the delivery volume control device (3) into a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Linde Hydraulics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Burkhard Stürmer, Christoph Kempermann
  • Patent number: 8555630
    Abstract: A fluid pressure cylinder (3) is connected to a discharge port (24) of a fluid pressure pump (2). A suction port (25) of the fluid pressure pump (2) is connected to a tank (10) via a suction passage (11) in which a flow restrictor (15) is provided. A change-over valve (4) changes over operation modes of the fluid pressure cylinder (3) between a load mode in which the pressure cylinder (3) is driven by the fluid pressure pump (2) and an unload mode in which the fluid pressure cylinder (3) elongates and contracts according to an external force exerted thereon in response to a differential pressure between the discharge port and the suction port. Automatic change-over of the operation modes of the pressure cylinder (3) in response to an operation of the fluid pressure pump (2) is thereby realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Sato, Shiro Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8555631
    Abstract: Hydraulic transmission circuit with N hydraulic motors, wherein each motor comprises N sub-motors, all N2 sub-motors having the same cylinder displacement. The circuit comprises one common feed duct, adapted for receiving fluid under pressure, and to which one feed sub-motor of each motor is connected; one common exhaust duct, adapted for ejecting exhaust fluid, and to which one exhaust sub-motor of each motor is connected; N serial ducts, each serial duct connecting a feed, first sub-motor to an exhaust, N-th sub-motor via N?2 interposed sub-motors, these N connected sub-motors respectively belonging to the N motors. This circuit allows tight synchronization of the N hydraulic motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventors: Kyle Arndt, Jean Heren
  • Patent number: 8555632
    Abstract: A wave power generator that can efficiently perform power generation in response to ocean-wave periods, which are waves of varying period, is provided. A vibration receiving portion that is provided in a float floating at a wave surface and that performs power generation by means of vibrations exerted thereon; a mass body that applies a mass loading on the vibration receiving portion from above; a plurality of elastic members that support the mass body in series; and a plurality of locking mechanisms that restrict/release the motion of the plurality of elastic members are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Ikesue, Takeshi Yasunaga, Makoto Ohta
  • Patent number: 8555633
    Abstract: An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component. The heat engine includes first and second regions, a conduit, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) material. The conduit extends along a central axis. The SMA material surrounds the conduit and is disposed in one of the regions. The SMA material is radially spaced from a secondary axis that surrounds the central axis. A localized region of the SMA material changes crystallographic phase from martensite to austenite and contract in response to exposure to the first temperature. The localized region of the SMA material also changes crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite and expands in response to exposure to the second temperature. The SMA material rotates about the secondary axis in response to the contraction and expansion of the localized region of the SMA material. Rotation of the SMA material about the secondary axis drives the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Geoffrey P. McKnight
  • Patent number: 8555634
    Abstract: An electric booster in which a rotation of an electric motor is converted into linear motion and transmitted to an output member by a rotation-linear motion mechanism. The output member pushes a piston of a master cylinder to generate brake fluid pressure in a pressure chamber in the master cylinder. An ECU casing containing boards is coupled to the top of a motor casing constituting the electric motor. The ECU casing is offset in one direction in a plane perpendicular to a plane containing an axis of the master cylinder. A male connector is provided at a side surface of the ECU casing on the opposite side from the offset direction side, and a space between the male connector and an interference area of the ECU casing is utilized as a space for attachment/detachment of the male connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Ohno, Takuya Obata, Daisuke Yasukawa, Hirohumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8555635
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for use with a pressurized fluid includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder. A flow path links the first and second cylinders in fluid communication with each other. A first piston is disposed within the first cylinder and defines a first axis and a second piston disposed within the second cylinder. The first piston is movable along the first axis between a variety of operating positions and a rephasing position. The first piston has an exterior surface that defines a peripheral groove and several flutes. The flutes are oriented such that they are parallel to the first axis and intersect the peripheral groove, allowing the fluid to flow from the first cylinder across the flow path and into the second cylinder when the first piston is in the rephasing position thereby automatically rephasing the first and second pistons within the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hallite Seals Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan W. Webster, Greg Lucas
  • Patent number: 8555636
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with an exhaust gas manifold, an exhaust gas line, an exhaust gas turbocharger, by which the compressor provided to charge combustion air for the internal combustion engine is driven, and a bypass line, which branches from the exhaust gas line and in which a power turbine is arranged, wherein a short-circuit line branches from the bypass line and leads to a section of the exhaust gas line located downstream of the exhaust gas turbocharger. In addition, a first valve is positioned in the section of the exhaust gas line located downstream of the exhaust gas turbocharger in such a way that exhaust gas leaving the exhaust gas turbocharger is diverted into the short-circuit line and then to the power turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dietmar Schwarzenthal, Norbert Hemmerlein, Stephan Müller
  • Patent number: 8555637
    Abstract: An air supply pipe includes a curved pipe portion having a first end and a second end, a first straight pipe portion extended along a first direction and a second straight pipe portion extended along a second direction. The cross-sectional shape of the curved pipe portion is a rectangular shape having longer sides in a third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Nakae, Kazushi Nakata
  • Patent number: 8555638
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least one turbocharger, an air supply line, an exhaust gas line and an exhaust gas recirculation system. An exhaust manifold of the exhaust gas line may have both non-direction specific and modular pulse exhaust manifold elements. If the internal combustion engine has dual cylinder banks, an exhaust gas balance tube may extend between exhaust gas lines of the cylinder banks and be fluidly connected to an exhaust manifold between the ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Luft, Lucian Stanciu, Catalin Tiru, Jeremy Byrd
  • Patent number: 8555639
    Abstract: An on-off switch is provided between a first battery acting to supply an electric power to on-vehicle electrical equipment and a second battery acting to supply an electric power to an electric supercharger. In the case that charge voltage of the first battery is smaller than a predetermined value and operating power of an electric supercharger 3 is larger than a predetermined value, the on-off switch is opened to suppress electrical effects on the on-vehicle electrical equipment. In other cases, the on-off switch is closed and the second battery is charged by a generator and the first battery. As a result, it is possible to suppress adverse effects on the on-vehicle electrical equipment due to voltage drop or voltage fluctuation of a power source occurring by driving the electric supercharger and thus to make a stable power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masutaka Watanabe, Yohei Akashi, Hideyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8555640
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a waste heat auxiliary power unit. In one embodiment, the present invention is a heat exchange unit for an automobile including a core unit configured to be connected to a catalytic converter of the automobile, the core unit generating vapor, and a first energy generation module connected to the core unit, the first energy generation module receiving the vapor from the core unit and generating energy from the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Woodson Wayne Samuel
  • Patent number: 8555641
    Abstract: A cooling device for Stirling circulated dry storage container, which is mainly to make an accommodation space with opening within an external shield, and at the peripherals of the accommodation space, it is installed with a plurality of air flow inlets and air flow outlets that are connected to the external side. In addition, a shield cover is used to cover the opening of the accommodation space, and a nuclear waste storage container is installed within the accommodation space of the external shield, and the peripheral of the accommodation space and the nuclear waste storage container forms an air flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Yan-Ting Lin, Pao-Hsiung Chiu
  • Patent number: 8555642
    Abstract: A method of utilizing waste heat to create a pressurized working fluid is disclosed. The method includes providing a vessel containing a sorbent system, introducing a feed of waste heat to a heat exchanger external to the vessel to heat a feed of working fluid, introducing the heated working fluid from the heat exchanger to the vessel to obtain pressurized working fluid, and directing the pressurized working fluid from the vessel to a work component. The method is particularly suited to make use of waste heat an industrial process, (e.g., a chemical processing or petrochemical refining operation) in which low grade heat source(s) are used to drive the sorption system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bhupender S. Minhas, Sufang Zhao, Mohsen S. Yeganeh, Tahmid I. Mizan
  • Patent number: 8555643
    Abstract: Simple thermodynamic cycles, methods and apparatus for implementing the cycles are disclosed, where the method and system involve once or twice enriching an upcoming basic solution stream, where the systems and methods utilize relatively low temperature external heat source streams, especially low temperature geothermal sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kalex LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Patent number: 8555644
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Dundun Wang
  • Patent number: 8555645
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle centerbody is provided that includes a cylindrical cross-sectional area, and a baffle co-axially aligned within the centerbody. The baffle includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced apertures configured to channel an airflow radially outward such that the channeled airflow impinges a centerbody inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Beverly Stephenson Duncan, Michael Anthony Benjamin, George Chia-Chun Hsiao, Hukam Chand Mongia
  • Patent number: 8555646
    Abstract: Disclosed is a premixer for a combustor including an annular outer shell and an annular inner shell. The inner shell defines an inner flow channel inside of the inner shell and is located to define an outer flow channel between the outer shell and the inner shell. A fuel discharge annulus is located between the outer flow channel and the inner flow channel and is configured to inject a fuel flow into a mixing area in a direction substantially parallel to an outer airflow through the outer flow channel and an inner flow through the inner flow channel. Further disclosed are a combustor including a plurality of premixers and a method of premixing air and fuel in a combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christian Xavier Stevenson, Patrick Benedict Melton, William David York
  • Patent number: 8555647
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing a sacrificial shield for a fuel injector are provided. According to one example embodiment, a method for shielding a fuel injector associated with a combustion device is provided. The method can include providing at least one shield support device operable to mount to a tip of a fuel injector. The method can also include mounting a plurality of shields to the at least one support device, wherein each of the plurality of shields is spaced apart from each respective adjacent shield by at least one segmentation, and wherein each of the plurality of shields is operable to reduce heat exposure to the tip of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Stephen Dimascio, Monty Lee Harned
  • Patent number: 8555648
    Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle is disclosed. The nozzle includes a nozzle body having a fuel conduit that extends from a fuel inlet through a fuel outlet conduit to a fuel outlet and a fluid conduit that extends from a fluid inlet through a fluid outlet conduit to a fluid outlet. The fuel outlet conduit and fuel outlet configured to produce a liquid fuel jet from the fuel outlet upon introduction of a pressurized liquid fuel into the fuel conduit. The fluid outlet conduit and fluid outlet are configured to produce a liquid fluid jet from the fluid outlet upon introduction of a pressurized liquid fluid into the fluid conduit, wherein the liquid fuel jet and the liquid fluid jet are configured to impact one another and produce a flow stream of atomized fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sachin Khosla, Mihir Lal, Daniel Scott Zehentbauer
  • Patent number: 8555649
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle air swirler assembly has a slotted cap to provide stress-relief. The stress-relief slits in the cap have an axial and a tangential component to impart a swirl to the air leaking therethrough in the same direction as that of the air exiting the swirler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Bhawan B. Patel, Oleg Morenko, Nagaraja Rudrapatna
  • Patent number: 8555650
    Abstract: A combustion device includes: a combustion liner in which a combustion chamber is formed; a main burner provided at a top portion of the combustion liner and including a premix passage configured to annularly inject a pre-mixed gas of a fuel and air into the combustion chamber and a radial swirler configured to introduce the fuel and the air to the premix passage in a radially inward direction; and a fuel injection pipe configured to inject the fuel to the radial swirler from an entrance side of the radial swirler, and the radial swirler is divided into a plurality of swirler stages by dividing plates in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kashihara, Yasushi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8555651
    Abstract: A temperature measuring device is provided. The temperature measuring device measures the temperature in a combustion system, in particular for that of a combustion system of a gas turbine. The temperature measuring device is equipped with a heat absorbing element disposed in or on the combustion system, a measurement end disposed remotely from the combustion system having, disposed thereon, a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the measurement end, a heat conducting element which connects the heat absorbing element to the measurement end in a thermally conductive manner, and a cooling device acting on the heat conducting element in a quantifiable manner for heat removal. A gas turbine having a temperature measuring device and method for directly determining the temperature in a combustion chamber are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Olaf Hein, Michael Minne
  • Patent number: 8555652
    Abstract: A chemical-looping combustion system is provided in which an oxygen carrier, for example a metallic oxide or peroxide, is used for fuel combustion and produces carbon dioxide and water as by-products. The system delivers steam and CO2 at for direct utilization by steam cycle power generation equipment and heat exchangers. After fuel combustion, the oxygen-poor carrier is regenerated by exposure to air in a second, sequestered reactor. Choice of oxygen-carrier material and conditions allows for the fuel oxidizer reactor to run at temperatures greater than the running temperature of the regenerator reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Zere Energy and Biofuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Amanda Touchton
  • Patent number: 8555653
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention employ a closed loop controls philosophy, which actively controls the starting means of a powerplant machine, throughout the start-up process. Here, the present invention may provide a method for adjusting a nominal operating schedule of the starting means, which may have the form of a Load Commutated Inverter (LCI). Embodiments of the method may adjust the nominal operating schedule based, in part, on an operating parameter, which is associated with the gas turbine 100. The operating parameter may include, but is not limited to: a rotor speed, a desired start-up time, or the like. Here, the control system may receive data on the operating parameter associated with the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David A. Snider, William F. Seely, John C. Maters, Eugene A. Post, Samuel B. Shartzer
  • Patent number: 8555654
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has in flow series a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section. The engine includes a turbine section rotor disc, and a stationary wall forward of a front face or rearward of a rear face of the rotor disc. The wall defines a cavity between the stationary wall and the rotor disc, and has a plurality of air entry nozzles through which cooling air can be delivered into the cavity at an inlet swirl angle. The engine further includes a cooling air supply arrangement which accepts a flow of compressed air and supplies the compressed air to the nozzles for delivery into the cavity. The cooling air supply arrangement and the nozzles are configured such that the inlet swirl angle of the air delivered into the cavity can be varied between a first inlet swirl angle and a second inlet swirl angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLC
    Inventors: Leo V. Lewis, Timothy J. Scanlon
  • Patent number: 8555655
    Abstract: A turbomachine with at least one combustion chamber and at least one turbine which lies downstream of it. The turbine has at least one support element and a lining element connected to the support element and formed as a heat shield. A gap sealed by means of a seal, is formed between the at least one combustion chamber and the turbine, an exchangeable insert is arranged in the gap on the end face on the support element and protects at least the support element against hot gases which penetrate into the gap, and against oxidation which is associated with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Urs Benz, Jonas Hurter, Thorsten Motzkus
  • Patent number: 8555656
    Abstract: A thermally conductive cup and holder for maintaining a temperature of a cold or hot beverage in the cup includes a thermally conductive cup or mug having an open or closed top, a closed bottom and an upper and lower portion between the top and bottom. The lower portion and bottom of the cup are made of a thermally conductive material such as aluminum while the upper portion includes a ceramic layer or coating. The cup holder includes a heat conductive liner engaging the bottom and lower portion of the cup and an on/off switch and a polarity switch to select heat or refrigeration. A thermal electric device maintains a hot or cold beverage at a pre-selected temperature and is connected to a computer or other source of electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Qasem A. Al-Qaffas
  • Patent number: 8555657
    Abstract: An environment control apparatus for cultivating plants includes a casing having a bottom with first and second holes. A thermoelectric cooling module is mounted in the first hole and includes first and second sides. The first side faces the casing. A temperature control pipe includes two ends connected to a heat reservoir. The temperature control pipe includes a heat exchanging section in contact with the second side of the thermoelectric cooling module. A first power device is mounted on the temperature control pipe. An auxiliary heat pipe includes two ends connected to the heat reservoir. The auxiliary heat pipe includes a heat dissipating section located in the second hole. A processor is coupled to the thermoelectric cooling module and the first power device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: National Pingtung University of Science and Technology
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Chang
  • Patent number: 8555658
    Abstract: An ice maker, a refrigerator including the ice maker, and an ice making method are provided. The ice maker includes a tray having a predetermined length and to which water is supplied to make ice. The ice maker is configured to mechanically separate the ice from the tray by using pistons which are driven by being pressed by structures. This allows the ice maker to have a reduced size, and a small occupation area, thereby implementing a slim configuration of a refrigerator. Furthermore, since an installation height of the ice maker is lowered, a path for supplying cool air may be shortened. This may prevent loss of cool air being supplied to the ice making chamber. Since the ice maker has a simplified configuration and precise operation controls, the fabrication costs may be reduced, and inferiority of the ice maker due to malfunctions may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong-Jae Kim, Bong-Jin Kim, Young-Hoon Yun
  • Patent number: 8555659
    Abstract: A method for limiting the adverse effects of temperature on the electrical energy storage system (ESS) of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off is provided. In general, whether or not coolant is circulated through a coolant loop coupled to the ESS depends on the difference between the ambient temperature and a preset temperature, the preset temperature typically corresponding to the temperature of the ESS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Scott Ira Kohn, Kurt Russell Kelty, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Jeffrey Brian Straubel