Patents Issued in December 31, 2013
  • Patent number: 8615977
    Abstract: A rotary lawn mower blade that enhances the process of cutting, grinding, and ejecting lawn debris for the purpose of real-time nutrient recycling and visual aesthetics. The embodiment consists of a leading edge, interrupted transition, and an interrupted trailing face. The leading edge is maintained by sharpening the cutting edge until it intersects the bottom of the embodiment. The transition and trailing face has random interruptions of self-cleaning, sharp, jagged teeth that protrude above the blade surface. The jagged teeth are arranged to optimize the interaction between the clipping and the embodiment for the purpose of shredding and grinding. Centrifugal forces shear and grind the lawn clippings as they translate across the blade surface. The end result is an embodiment that shears and grinds lawn debris into small particles that break down in the environment at an accelerated rate to optimize the recycling process and augment visual appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Anthony C. Campione
  • Patent number: 8615978
    Abstract: Sugar cane stalks are conveyed along a path passing between upper and lower chopper drums equipped with chopper blades extending lengthwise of the drums and located so that blades of one drum intermesh with those of the other so as to cut the cane stalks into billets. The cutting diameter of the blades of the upper chopper drum is greater than that of the blades carried by the lower blade resulting in the peripheral speed of the upper chopper drum being greater than that of the lower chopper drum. The cutting edge of each of the blades is defined at one side by a compound bevel with the blades being disposed on the drums so that they overlap and mesh bevel-to-bevel. The compound bevels are chosen so as to both satisfy the requirement that the blades be self-sharpening and have close to a zero timing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Michael L. Hinds
  • Patent number: 8615979
    Abstract: A cotton denim fabrics and method of making denim fabrics that are soft, smooth, bright and include a low twist multiple, a sizing at the surface of the yarn with a viscosity such that the sizing remains substantially at the surface of the yarn, and a dyed cored wherein an indigo dye penetrates deeply into the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sanko Tekstil Isletmeleri Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.
    Inventors: Hamit Yenici, Fatih Konukoglu, Seref Agzikara, Erkan Evran, Esref Tuncer, Mahmut Ozdemir, Tuncay Kilickan
  • Patent number: 8615980
    Abstract: A rotary-wing aircraft includes a retractable port movable between a closed position and an open position to selectively control flow of combustion gases into a bypass passage to change a power distribution between a rotor system and a secondary propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Agrawal, Steven J. Sirica, William F. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8615981
    Abstract: An integrated coal gasification combined cycle facility is provided that can prevent a reduction in power generation efficiency even when low-grade coal having a relatively-high moisture content is used. Included are: a gasification section that gasifies supplied coal; a gas power generation section that generates power by using gas supplied from the gasification section; a steam power generation section that generates power by using the heat of exhaust gas discharged from the gas power generation section; and a coal drying unit that dries the coal by using exhaust heat discharged from the steam power generation section and that supplies the dried coal to the gasification section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamoto, Katsuhiro Ota, Hiromi Ishii, Yoshinori Koyama, Kimishiro Tokuda, Isao Mochida, Tatsuro Harada
  • Patent number: 8615982
    Abstract: An integrated variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) and thrust reversing actuation system (TRAS) system includes movable surfaces for adjusting an exit area for bypass flow and cowls moved for directing discharge flow in a reverser manner. The movable surfaces of the VAFN and TRAS systems are both coupled for movement by a common actuator arrangement. A power drive unit drives each of the actuators on each of the actuators through a gearbox or other linkage such that one common motor or motor combination is utilized for driving all of the actuators. A series of redundant and separately actuateable locks control deployment of the surfaces of the thrust reverse system such that thrust reversing system can move to an open or deployed position only in response to each of the locks being actuated to an unlocked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Dale B. Sundstrom, Kevin Gibbons, Teddy L. Jones
  • Patent number: 8615983
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine configured to operate lean of stoichiometry includes reducing temperature of a portion of an exhaust gas feedstream recirculated to an intake system of the engine, and reducing mass flowrate of particulate matter and hydrocarbons borne in the recirculated portion of the exhaust gas feedstream upstream of the heat exchanger effective to reduce deposition of particulate matter and hydrocarbons onto and adhesion to surface areas of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Knafl, Patrick G. Szymkowicz
  • Patent number: 8615984
    Abstract: A device is provided for the distribution of flowable additives in exhaust gas systems of an internal combustion engine, in particular for the distribution of a water/urea mixture in an exhaust gas system of a diesel engine, having an injection device in particular opening into the exhaust tract before a so-called SRC catalytic converter, with a swirl generation device being provided for the improvement of the mixing of the exhaust gas with the additive in the introduction region of the additive in the exhaust tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Friedrich Boysen GmbH & Co. KG, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Kornherr, Michael Mueller, Klaus Schoenberger, Bernhard Aichhorn, Gert Barnstedt, Hans-Juergen Bruene
  • Patent number: 8615985
    Abstract: A method for providing a reducing agent-containing gas flow in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine includes providing at least one reducing agent precursor, evaporating the precursor to provide a gas flow, at least partially heating the gas flow to temperatures of at least 250° C., at least partially converting the precursor in the gas flow to a reducing agent and adding the reducing agent-containing gas flow to the exhaust of the engine. The method and a device provide a reducing agent-containing gas flow in a quantity being easily controllable and adaptable to dynamic changes especially in exhaust systems of mobile applications such as automobiles. A temperature of a first zone is kept at 150° C. or just below while a temperature of a second zone is kept at more than 300° C. A hydrolysis catalytic converter is hardly cooled upon receiving the precursor as a vapor, positively affecting the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissions Technologies mbH
    Inventors: Rolf Brück, Peter Hirth, Thomas Härig, Marc Brugger
  • Patent number: 8615986
    Abstract: Process for transferring a liquid from a passive tank (1) for storing the liquid to an active tank (2) using a pump intended for pumping the liquid held in the passive tank (1) and transferring it to the active tank (2), according to which the pump is commanded so as to transfer liquid from the passive tank (1) to the active tank (2) when said active tank (2) has a liquid level below a set point level Lsp and when the passive tank (1) contains liquid at a temperature above the freezing point of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Jean-Baptiste Gouriet, Jean-Claude Habumuremyi, Nicolas Duret
  • Patent number: 8615987
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a Diesel Emission Fluid (DEF) injected quantity in a NOx reduction system employing a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst, and a DEF injector for injecting the DEF to reach said SCR catalyst. The method includes determining a required quantity of DEF for the SCR catalyst at a given time. If the required quantity of DEF is at least equal to a threshold quantity, then a DEF injection is activated, otherwise the required quantity of DEF is stored in memory of an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). After a period, a further required quantity of DEF to be added to the required quantity is determined to determine a new required quantity of DEF. The new required quantity of DEF is continuously updated until the new required quantity of DEF is at least equal to said threshold quantity, at which point the DEF injection of the new required quantity of DEF is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Ignazio Dentici
  • Patent number: 8615988
    Abstract: An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that is disposed downstream of the engine and that filters particulates from the exhaust. An electrical heater is disposed upstream of the DPF and selectively heats the exhaust to initiate combustion of the particulates within the exhaust as it passes therethrough. Heat generated by combustion of the particulates induces combustion of particulates within the DPF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Frank Ament
  • Patent number: 8615989
    Abstract: A method for regenerating a DPF in an exhaust aftertreatment system includes the steps of: monitoring a temperature of exhaust associated with a DOC; retarding an injection of fuel into at least one combustion cylinder, and thereby intentionally causing a misfire in the at least one combustion cylinder, dependent on the monitoring step; increasing an outlet temperature of the exhaust from the DOC to a first threshold temperature; and oxidizing particulates within the DPF when the exhaust is at the increased temperature. The number and/or frequency of the misfires is controlled to provide the desired exhaust temperature at the DPF inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Richard E. Winsor
  • Patent number: 8615990
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling regeneration events on multiple diesel particulate filters (DPFs) of an exhaust after-treatment system includes a regeneration event synchronization module and regeneration event termination module. The regeneration event synchronization module is configured to simultaneously initiate a regeneration event on a first DPF and a regeneration event on a second DPF in response to a regeneration event request being triggered for one of the first and second DPFs. The regeneration event termination module is configured to terminate the regeneration event on the first DPF and the regeneration event on the second DPF. Under normal operating conditions, the termination of the regeneration event on the first DPF is performed independently of the termination of the regeneration event on the second DPF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Wilhelm, Balbahadur Singh
  • Patent number: 8615991
    Abstract: A device for reducing corrosive constituents in an exhaust gas condensate of an internal combustion engine is provided, in which the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine is recirculated to the internal combustion engine via an exhaust gas recirculation system having an exhaust gas cooler and at least one exhaust gas recirculation line. To protect the exhaust gas recirculation system along with intake air components and the internal combustion engine from the corrosive effects of the exhaust gas condensate, the exhaust gas recirculation system has at least one neutralization unit for neutralizing the corrosive constituents of the exhaust gas condensate, which is connected to at least one component arranged downstream, through which the exhaust gas, which has been freed of nearly all corrosive constituents, flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Ruckwied, Wolfgang Knoedler, Klaus Irmler, Joerg Werner
  • Patent number: 8615992
    Abstract: A construction machine includes a negative parking brake whose braking state is released by a supply of hydraulic fluid. It also includes a parking brake hydraulic circuit that is branched from a hydraulic fluid supplying circuit, which supplies the hydraulic fluid to a transmission of the construction machine, and supplies the hydraulic fluid to the parking brake. The parking brake hydraulic circuit includes a check valve that prevents backflow of the hydraulic fluid of the parking brake to the hydraulic fluid supplying circuit, and it includes an operation switching valve, which is provided closer to the parking brake than the check valve, for switching between an activation and a release of the parking brake. The parking brake hydraulic circuit also includes a relief valve, which is interposed between the check valve and the operation switching valve and which discharges the hydraulic fluid of the parking brake when the relief valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Naito, Shunji Oka, Osamu Takatori
  • Patent number: 8615993
    Abstract: A bearing support system for a piston and its connecting rod in which the bearing system supports the combined piston and connecting rod by only two bearings, a gas bearing at the piston and a radially acting spring bearing at its connecting rod. A non-compliant connecting rod is fixed to an end of a piston which has a clearance seal length in the range of 0.3 times the diameter of the piston and 1.5 times the diameter of the piston. The distance from the gas bearing to the effective point of connection of the radially acting spring bearing to the connecting rod is greater than the seal length of the piston. The piston and connecting rod unit is not supported by additional bearings that introduce additional alignment problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Global Cooling, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Berchowitz, Yong-Rak Kwon
  • Patent number: 8615994
    Abstract: A master cylinder assembly includes a cylinder body, a piston member operably fitted therein, and a pressure valve assembly to establish a variable fluid output upon operation of the piston member. The cylinder body includes two or more pressure chambers to hold hydraulic fluid, each having a transfer port. The piston member includes two or more pistons respectively received in the pressure chambers, and is operable to move the pistons, in parallel, to transfer hydraulic fluid through the transfer ports. The pressure valve assembly includes a selector and is operable to direct fluid transferred through selected transfer ports out of the cylinder body through an outlet port by means of a movable valve member that establishes a passageway communicating the selected transfer ports with the outlet port. A pivot adjustment mechanism allows adjustment of the lever's mechanical advantage, and a stroke adjustment mechanism allows adjustment of the lever's rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan Lind
  • Patent number: 8615995
    Abstract: A fluid reservoir for a motor vehicle hydraulic brake system, having a housing with at least one fluid chamber, the housing preferably having a housing upper part and a housing lower part, a reservoir warning device for monitoring the reservoir filling level of the fluid reservoir, a filler neck for filling the fluid reservoir, a cap for fluid-tight closure of the filler neck, provisions for pressure balancing of the fluid reservoir and preferably a canister-shaped filling filter arranged in the area of the filler neck and having a wall and a base. In order to provide a cost-effective and easily assembled fluid reservoir, the filling filter, which reliably prevents the ingress of dirt, extends into the fluid chamber and includes a wall molded onto the housing of the fluid reservoir that adjoins the reservoir filler neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Neumann, Peter Tandler, Stephan Schlicht
  • Patent number: 8615996
    Abstract: A turbine assembly for an exhaust gas turbocharger has separate first and second volutes that are sequentially activated via a valve that receives exhaust gases from an engine. In a first position of the valve, only the first volute receives exhaust gas; in a second position, both volutes receive exhaust gases. In a third position, a bypass passage is also opened so that some exhaust gas bypasses the turbine wheel. Unlike conventional twin-scroll turbines, each volute receives exhaust gases from all engine cylinders, and the first volute feeds gas into the B-width portion of the wheel, while the second volute feeds gas into the wheel after the contour portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Serres, Michael Ladonnet
  • Patent number: 8615997
    Abstract: A dynamic feedforward amount to realize a predetermined transient response characteristic by compensating a transient response characteristic of an engine having a Variable Nozzle Turbo (VNT) and an Exhaust Gas Recirculator (EGR) is calculated for a nozzle opening degree of the VNT and a valve opening degree of the EGR. The transient response characteristic of the engine responds to a setting value of an injection quantity or the like. Then, command values of the nozzle opening degree of the VNT and the valve opening degree of the EGR are calculated by using the dynamic feedforward amount. In the transient state, the followingness to the target value is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Transtron Inc.
    Inventors: Arata Ejiri, Jun Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8615998
    Abstract: A first turbocharger comprises a first center housing and a first return passage. A second turbocharger comprises a second center housing and a second return passage. The first return passage joins the second return passage at a junction. The length of the second return passage from the second center housing to the junction is longer than that of the first return passage from the first center housing to the junction. A bellows-shaped vibration absorption portion is provided at the second return passage. The first return passage comprises a first upstream return passage and a first downstream return passage, and the first upstream and downstream return passages are connected to each other via the flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Niwa, Kazuaki Nishimura, Satoshi Nishizaka, Hiroaki Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8615999
    Abstract: A twin turbo assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle that includes a first and second air intake for, a first and second turbo charger that includes, but is not limited to a first and second compressor connected to the first air intake, a first and second intake duct connecting the first turbo charger to a combustion engine. A first and second bypass valve is provided to connect the first and second air intake, respectively to the first and second intake duct bypassing the first and second compressor. Overpressure inside the intake ducts can be discharged to a volume between the air filter and the respective compressor. The released pressure prevents or at least reduces the risk that compressed air inside the intake ducts may flow against the first compressor and the second compressor, so that the noise emission associated with this backflow is reduced or even prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Per Andersson
  • Patent number: 8616000
    Abstract: A closed-loop, solid-state system generates electricity from geothermal heat from a well by flow of heat, without needing large quantities of water to conduct heat from the ground. The present invention contemplates uses for depleted oil or gas wells and newly drilled wells to generate electricity in an environmentally-friendly method. Geothermal heat is conducted from the Earth to a heat exchanging element to heat the contents of pipes. The pipes are insulated between the bottom of the well and the surface to minimize heat dissipation as the heated contents of the pipes travel to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Michael J. Parrella
  • Patent number: 8616001
    Abstract: Various thermodynamic power-generating cycles are disclosed. A turbopump arranged in the cycles is started and ramped-up using a starter pump arranged in parallel with the main pump of the turbopump. Once the turbopump is able to self-sustain, a series of valves may be manipulated to deactivate the starter pump and direct additional working fluid to a power turbine for generating electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Echogen Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy James Held, Michael Louis Vermeersch, Tao Xie
  • Patent number: 8616002
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for premixing combustion fuel and air within gas turbines. In one embodiment, a combustor includes an upstream mixing panel configured to direct compressed air and combustion fuel through a premixing zone to form a fuel-air mixture. The combustor also includes a downstream mixing panel configured to mix additional combustion fuel with the fuel-air mixture to form a combustion mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Balachandar Varatharajan, Andrei Tristan Evulet, Ertan Yilmaz, Benjamin Paul Lacy
  • Patent number: 8616003
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly comprises a first-fuel-inlet tube, a second-fuel-inlet tube, and a plate stack. The nozzle-plate stack (100) defines a central circuit, corner air circuits, a first fuel circuit and a second fuel circuit. The fuel circuits include a swirl chamber in which the fuel is swirled prior to being merged with the central circuit. The corner air circuits merge with the central circuit downstream of the fuel circuits' merge and provide an additional swirling component to further shape the fuel-air stream prior to ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Hollon, Adel B. Mansour, Erlendur Steinthorsson
  • Patent number: 8616004
    Abstract: A combustor for a turbine engine includes an outer liner having a first group of air admission holes and defining a plurality of outer liner regions. The combustor further includes an inner liner circumscribed by the outer liner and forming a combustion chamber therebetween, the inner liner having a second group of air admission holes and defining a plurality of inner liner regions. The combustor further includes a plurality of fuel injectors extending into the combustion chamber and configured to deliver an air-fuel mixture to the combustion chamber, each of the plurality of fuel injectors being associated with one of the outer liner regions and one of the inner liner regions. The first group within a respective outer liner region includes air admission holes that circumferentially alternate between approximately a first size and approximately a second size, the first size being different than the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Zupanc, Thomas J. Bronson
  • Patent number: 8616005
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for boosting the performance of gas turbine engines, pipelines, and other applications using gas turbine engine systems. A pressurizing device or other source is preferably used to deliver an intake air stream to the gas turbine engine at at least 2% above atmospheric pressure. The pressurizing device of other source is preferably not mechanically driven by the gas turbine engine itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Dennis James Cousino, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8616006
    Abstract: A laser ignition system for an internal combustion engine, and more specifically a gas turbine engine, is provided. The system including a laser light source configured to generate a laser beam, an ignition port configured to provide optimized optical access of the laser beam to a combustion chamber and an optical beam guidance component disposed between the laser light source and the ignition port. The optical beam guidance component is configured to include optimized optic components to transmit the laser beam to irradiate on a fuel mixture supplied into the combustion chamber to generate a combustor flame in a flame region. A method for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sara Rocci Denis, Herbert Kopecek, Richard Wade Stickles, Chukwueloka Obiora Umeh, Gabor Ast, Mark Patrick Kelsey, Steven Clayton Vise, Gary Lee Leonard, Shai Birmaher
  • Patent number: 8616007
    Abstract: A structural attachment system for the outlet of a transition duct includes a structural attachment member that has a step over portion with an outer flange at one end thereof and an inner flange at the other end thereof. The step over portion can project away from the inner and outer flanges and can define an open area. The step over portion can have a cross-section that is generally u-shaped, v-shaped, c-shaped, semi-circular, semi-oval, parabolic, or bowed. A portion of the outlet of a transition duct is received within the step over portion of the structural attachment member. Because of such arrangement, the structural attachment member is not constrained circumferentially to fitting in between two neighboring transition ducts. The structural attachment member can manage the thermal displacements that can occur between the transitions, rotor shaft cover and first row of blades during transient engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Charron
  • Patent number: 8616008
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a non-freezing refrigerator which can keep the contents in a non-frozen state by an electric field. The non-freezing refrigerator includes a setting unit for selecting and setting a magnitude and frequency of a voltage, a generating unit for generating an electric field according to the voltage having the set magnitude and frequency, and applying the electric field to a storing space for storing the contents, and a freezing cycle for cooling the storing space. The contents are kept in the non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Su-Cheong Kim, Jong-Min Shin, Su-Won Lee, Cheol-Hwan Kim, Yong-Chol Kwon, Ku-Young Son
  • Patent number: 8616009
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a magnetic regenerator for an active magnetic refrigerator, the method comprising: forming a magnetic regenerator from a slurry or a paste containing a magnetocaloric material the magnetic regenerator being formed to have plural paths therethrough for the flow of a heat transfer fluid; and varying the composition of the magnetocaloric material so that the magnetic transition temperature of the magnetic regenerator varies along the paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Technical University of Denmark
    Inventors: Anders Reves Dinesen, Soren Linderoth, Nini Pryds, Anders Smith
  • Patent number: 8616010
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an enclosure provided. The enclosure has at least one opening for receiving cool air and discharging heated air. The apparatus includes a vortex tube with a first end for discharging warm air and a second end for discharging cool air. The apparatus further includes an inlet between the ends of the vortex tube for directing compressed air tangentially into the interior of the vortex tube. A first housing covers the first end of the vortex tube and creates a space through which warm air is channeled to the exterior. The vortex tube is connected by an attachment to the opening of the enclosure so that the vortex tube can discharge cool air into the interior of the enclosure. The apparatus further includes an air outlet conduit at an end of the attachment to facilitate discharge of heated air for the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nexflow Air Products Corp.
    Inventor: Lou Bakos
  • Patent number: 8616011
    Abstract: An apparatus and method providing a refrigeration servicing system that comprises a clean refrigerant source, a recovery circuit and a flushing circuit. The recovery circuit can be configured to recover refrigerant from a cooling system. After recovery cycle is completed, the flushing circuit that is coupled to the recovery circuit can flush clean refrigerant through the recovery circuit. A housing can be provided and configured to house the refrigerant source, the recovery circuit and the flushing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventors: William Brown, Gary Murray
  • Patent number: 8616012
    Abstract: A vaporizer for a cooling circuit, particularly for a motor vehicle, is provided that includes a vaporization region, wherein a coolant flowing through the vaporization region takes up heat from an outside region, wherein the vaporization region is downstream of a first expansion element on the inlet side in the direction of flow of the coolant, wherein an exchanger member is provided between the vaporization region and the first expansion element, and wherein heat can be transferred from the coolant upstream of the vaporization region to the coolant downstream of the vaporization region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gottfried Duerr, Guenther Feuerecker, Stefan Hirsch, Tobias Isermeyer, Caroline Schmid, Christoph Walter, Achim Wiebelt
  • Patent number: 8616013
    Abstract: A method of determining a amount of ice collected in a storage container of a refrigerator, the ice being discharged into the storage container by an ice maker having an ice detecting sensor with a heater, the method comprises determining whether or not the ice storage container is full or nearly full of ice by turning on the detecting sensor for a prescribed period of time. In one embodiment, the heater is turned on while the determining step is preformed. In an alternative embodiment, the heater is continuously maintained in an “ON” state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yong-Su Kim, Dong-Hoon Lee, Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
  • Patent number: 8616014
    Abstract: A compressor may include first and second scroll members and first and second pistons. The first scroll member includes a first end plate and a first scroll wrap. The second scroll member includes a second end plate and a second scroll wrap that is intermeshed with the first scroll wrap to define moving fluid pockets. The second end plate may include a first and second passages, first and second recesses, and first and second ports extending through the second end plate and communicating with at least one of the pockets. The first piston may be disposed in the first recess and movable between first and second positions controlling communication between the first passage and the first port. The second piston may be disposed in the second recess and movable between first and second positions controlling communication between at least one of the pockets and said second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Stover, Masao Akei, Michael M. Perevozchikov
  • Patent number: 8616015
    Abstract: A cooling circuit for removing waste heat from a cooling device of an electromechanical converter is provided. The cooling circuit includes a chilling medium, a cooler for extracting heat from the chilling medium, a return connecting the cooling device of the converter to the cooler and conducts warm chilling medium, a feed connecting the cooler to the cooling device of the converter and conducts cool chilling medium, and an absorption chiller for extracting heat from the chilling medium. The absorption chiller is driven by the heat of the warm chilling medium that is in the return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Amedick, Malte Blomeyer, Leandro Cravero, Eberhard Deuker, Hendrik Heitfeld, Carsten Kaufmann, Meinolf Klocke, Stefan Völker
  • Patent number: 8616016
    Abstract: At a time of a heating high-load operation, a harmonic current is flown in an armature winding to induction-heat rare-earth magnets, thus reducing a residual magnetic flux density. Thereby, the number of rotations of a radial gap type motor is improved. The rare-earth magnets are provided near a cooling medium passage extending substantially in parallel with a flow line of a cooling medium, so that the cooling medium recovers heat of the heated rare-earth magnets. At a time of a cooling high-load operation, a greater number of rotations are obtained with respect to the same torque command value, by a field weakening control by means of a current-phase advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinari Asano, Tomomi Sakamoto, Nobuyuki Kifuji, Hirofumi Higashi, Shintarou Araki
  • Patent number: 8616017
    Abstract: A first cycle, in which a first medium is circulated, employs a compressor, a first heat exchanger structured with an air heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger. A second cycle, in which a second medium is circulated and heat is exchanged with the first medium through the second heat exchanger, employs indoor units, each having a fan. A third cycle, in which the second medium is circulated and heat is exchanged with the first medium through the third heat exchanger, shares the indoor units with the second cycle. Flow path switching valves switch flow paths between the second cycle and third cycle. Before the first heat exchanger is defrosted, a halted indoor unit is filled with the second medium in the third cycle with its fan being halted. The third heat exchanger functions as an evaporator during a defrosting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Shimazu, Keisuke Takayama, Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Shinichi Wakamoto
  • Patent number: 8616018
    Abstract: An ice making unit and a refrigerator having the same are discussed. The refrigerator includes an ice making unit arranged in the ice making compartment, to produce ice, and a refrigeration cycle comprising a refrigerant pipe to supply cooling energy to the ice making compartment. Air present in the ice making compartment is cooled while undergoing direct heat exchange with at least one of the ice making unit and the refrigerant pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Jeong, Jae Hoon Lim, Jae Seung Lee, Seong Ki Jeong, Young Shik Shin, Jae Koog An, Chang Hak Lim, Sang Hyun Park, Khan Qa Sim
  • Patent number: 8616019
    Abstract: An icemaking compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. An icemaker is within the icemaking compartment. A cold air duct supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaker. The cold air duct is formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator. A fan controls the flow of air through the cold air duct. A return air duct is provided to direct a portion of the air from the icemaker back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaker directs another portion of air into the refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle B. Van Meter, Dean A. Martin, Xiaoyong Fu
  • Patent number: 8616020
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes a multi-configurable frosted bar rail system. The multi-configurable frosted bar rail system comprises a chilling and frost system having a compressor and refrigerant and a plurality of modular rail sections configured to be coupled together in series and to the chilling and frost system. Each rail section comprises a base pan configured to catch and drain defrosting ice and fluids; a top rail plate supported within the base pan; and a rail freezing and chilling mechanism coupled immediately under the top rail plate. The freezing and chilling mechanism is configured to create a continuous layer of frost on top of the top rail plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Martin J. Abraham, III
  • Patent number: 8616021
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for liquefying a gas stream rich in methane, said process comprising: (a) providing said gas stream; (b) withdrawing a portion of said gas stream for use as a refrigerant; (c) compressing said refrigerant; (d) cooling said compressed refrigerant with an ambient temperature cooling fluid; (e) subjecting the cooled, compressed refrigerant to supplemental cooling; (f) expanding the refrigerant of (e) to further cool said refrigerant, thereby producing an expanded, supplementally cooled refrigerant; (g) passing said expanded, supplementally cooled refrigerant to a heat exchange area; and, (h) passing said gas stream of (a) through said heat exchange area to cool at least part of said gas stream by indirect heat exchange with said expanded, supplementally cooled refrigerant, thereby forming a cooled gas stream. In further embodiments for improved efficiencies, additional supplemental cooling may be provided after one or more other compression steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Moses Minta
  • Patent number: 8616022
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a float glass includes a bottom block in which molten metal is stored and floats, a loop block which covers the bottom block and has at least one hole formed therethrough, a heater installed through the hole, and a fragment intercepting member for preventing fragments generated at the loop block from falling onto the bottom block through the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Hyun Kim, Sang-Oeb Na, Won-Jae Moon, Jeong-Deok Kim, Kil-Ho Kim, Heui-Joon Park, Jin Han, Dong-Shin Shin
  • Patent number: 8616023
    Abstract: Raised features are formed on a transparent substrate having absorption of less than about 20% within a processing wavelength range. A portion of the substrate is irradiated with a light beam to increase the absorption of the irradiated portion of the substrate. Continued irradiation causes local heating and expansion of the substrate so as to form a raised feature on the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Robert Grzybowski, Stephan Lvovich Logunov, Alexander Mikhailovich Streltsov
  • Patent number: 8616024
    Abstract: Methods for separating strengthened glass articles from glass substrate sheets and strengthened glass substrate sheets are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of separating a glass article from a glass substrate sheet includes forming at least one groove on at least one surface of the glass substrate sheet. The at least one groove continuously extends around a perimeter of the glass article and extends partially through a thickness of the glass substrate sheet. The method further includes strengthening the glass substrate sheet by a strengthening process and separating the glass article from the glass substrate sheet along the at least one groove such that one or more edges of the glass article are under compressive stress. In another embodiment, a strengthened glass substrate sheet includes an ion exchanged glass having one or more grooves in one or more strengthened surface layers, the one or more grooves defining glass articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Ivan A Cornejo, Gregory Scott Glaesemann, Sinue Gomez, Lisa Anne Moore, Sergio Tsuda, Michael Henry Wasilewski
  • Patent number: 8616025
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing glass comprises a stirring step in which molten glass MG is stirred. The stirring step comprises a first stirring step and a second stirring step. In the first stirring step, the molten glass MG is stirred while being directed upward from below in a first stirred tank 100a. In the second stirring step, the molten glass MG stirred in the first stirring step is stirred while being directed downward from above in a second stirred tank 100b. The first stirred tank 100a has a first discharge pipe 110a capable of discharging the molten glass MG from the bottom of a first chamber 101a. The second stirred tank 100b has a second discharge pipe 110b capable of discharging the molten glass MG from the liquid level LL of the molten glass MG in a second chamber 101b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: AvanStrate Inc.
    Inventors: Kohei Yamamoto, Hitoshi Gekko
  • Patent number: 8616026
    Abstract: An improved control panel assembly is easy to fabricate, and easy to recognize a selected operation condition, and a laundry device with the same. The control panel assembly for a laundry device includes a button assembly having a plurality of buttons provided in correspondence to operation conditions, a control panel having a plurality of mounting holes for exposure of the plurality of buttons therethrough from a front thereof, and a frame on a rear of the control panel, the frame joining the plurality of buttons as one unit, and preventing pressing interference between adjacent buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ju Han Yoon, Sung Gi Hwang, Seong Kyu Kim, Seon Il Heo