Patents Issued in April 8, 2014
-
Patent number: 8689538Abstract: An ultra-efficient “green” aircraft propulsor utilizing an augmentor fan is disclosed. A balanced design is provided combining a fuel efficient and low-noise high bypass ratio augmentor fan and a low-noise shrouded high bypass ratio turbofan. Three mass flow streams are utilized to reduce propulsor specific fuel consumption and increase performance relative to conventional turbofans. Methods are provided for optimization of fuel efficiency, power, and noise by varying mass flow ratios of the three mass flow streams. Methods are also provided for integration of external propellers into turbofan machinery.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mithra M. K. V. Sankrithi, Gerhard E. Seidel, Alan K. Prichard, Matthew Moore
-
Patent number: 8689539Abstract: Simple, robust and systematic solutions are provided for controlling counter-rotating open-rotor (CROR) gas turbine engines. The solutions mathematically decouple the two counter rotating rotors of a CROR engine by model-based dynamic inversion, which allows application of single-input-single-output (SISO) control concepts. The current solutions allow fuel flow to be treated as a known disturbance and rejected from the rotor speeds control. Furthermore, the current control solutions allow a simple and well-coordinated speed phase synchronizing among the four rotors on a two-engine vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Manxue Lu, Sheldon Carpenter
-
Patent number: 8689540Abstract: A component configured for being subjected to a high thermal load during operation includes a wall structure with cooling channels adapted for handling a coolant flow. At least one first cooling channel is adapted to convey the coolant from a first portion of the component to a second portion of the component. At least one second cooling channel in the second portion is closed so that the coolant is at least substantially-prevented from entering the closed second cooling channel from a cooling channel in the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2007Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Volvo Aero CorporationInventors: Jan Häggander, Arne Boman
-
Patent number: 8689541Abstract: An engine control system includes a catalyst module and a cylinder module. The catalyst module determines a catalyst temperature. The cylinder module selectively switches operation of a first cylinder from a first engine cycle having four strokes to a second engine cycle having N times four strokes, based on the catalyst temperature, wherein N is an integer greater than one. A related method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Inventors: Mike M. McDonald, William C. Albertson
-
Patent number: 8689542Abstract: One embodiment is a method including determining whether an ammonia storage device has a stored quantity of ammonia, predicting an impending ammonia release from the ammonia storage device, determining a NOx increase amount in response to the impending ammonia release, and increasing an amount of NOx provided by an engine based on the NOx increase amount. In certain embodiments, determining the NOx increase amount in response to the impending ammonia release comprises determining a NOx increase schedule based on the stored quantity of ammonia. In certain embodiments, the NOx increase schedule comprises a specified NOx increase time period, and in certain further embodiments, the method further includes decrementing the specified NOx increase time period based on an estimated catalyst degradation value.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Hasan Mohammed, Joseph M. Brault
-
Patent number: 8689543Abstract: Inside of an engine exhaust passage, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15) and an exhaust purification catalyst (13) are arranged. On the exhaust purification catalyst (13), platinum Pt (51) is carried and a basic layer (53) is formed. The concentration of hydrocarbons which flows into the exhaust purification catalyst (13) is made to vibrate within a predetermined range of amplitude and within a predetermined range of period, whereby the NOx which is contained in the exhaust gas is reduced by the exhaust purification catalyst (13). A clogging degree detecting means is provided for detecting a degree of clogging of a nozzle opening of the hydrocarbon feed valve (15). The NOx purification rate is estimated from the degree of clogging of the nozzle opening of the hydrocarbon feed valve (15) which is detected.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiki Numata, Kohei Yoshida, Mikio Inoue, Yuki Bisaiji
-
Patent number: 8689544Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an emission control system and method is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises a reductant reservoir having an intake pipe for receiving reductant and a heater for heating the reductant. A pump provides the heated reductant to an injector and also to a conduit extending into the intake pipe to provide heated reductant into the intake pipe to melt any frozen reductant in the intake pipe. The method comprises heating reductant stored within a reservoir of a vehicle emission control system, and pumping the heated reductant into an intake pipe of the reservoir to melt any frozen reductant in the intake pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jeffrey S. Basista, Philip A. Yaccarino
-
Patent number: 8689545Abstract: A device for evaporating a predeterminable volume of fluid provides for successive addition of partial volumes of the predeterminable volume to a supply line at different adding rates, at least partially evaporating the partial volumes forming a vapor film between them and a supply line wall, conveying the partial volumes through the supply line to an evaporator surface, and applying the partial volumes to an evaporator surface region varying as a function of mass and/or volume adding rate of the partial volume, permitting effective evaporation of fluid, particularly urea/water solution. Utilization of the highest possible proportion of evaporator surfaces is achieved by mass and/or volume addition rate-dependent distribution of impingement surfaces on the evaporator surface. This heating strategy in the supply line region ensures the Leidenfrost effect when individual partial volumes are added.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbHInventors: Peter Hirth, Rolf Brück
-
Patent number: 8689546Abstract: An exhaust purification system of an internal combustion engine is provided with an exhaust purification catalyst which removes NOx and a post treatment device. The exhaust purification catalyst has the property of reducing NOx if making the concentration of hydrocarbons vibrate by within a predetermined range of amplitude and within a predetermined range of period and furthermore has the function of oxidizing hydrocarbons. The exhaust purification system feeds hydrocarbons to the exhaust purification catalyst and raises the temperature of the post treatment device as temperature elevation control. The exhaust purification catalyst has a high purification rate range where the NOx purification rate becomes higher than a predetermined rate. In the temperature elevation control, the total feed amount of hydrocarbons is set and the feed period of hydrocarbons is set in the high purification rate range in a region at the end at the short side of feed period of hydrocarbons.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mikio Inoue, Kohei Yoshida, Yuki Bisaiji
-
Patent number: 8689547Abstract: An annular heat exchanger for cooling hot gases comprises an inner shell, an intermediate shell and an outer shell. Where the heat exchanger is integrated with a catalytic converter for treatment of hot exhaust gases in a motor vehicle, the inner shell contains a catalyst for treatment of the exhaust gases. Inner and outer gas flow passages are provided between the shells, and a coolant flow passage is provided, either on the outer surface of the outer shell, or between the intermediate and outer shells. The exhaust gases change direction twice as they pass through the heat exchanger, and the annular structure of the heat exchanger provides a large surface area, and a large flow section, relative to volume, and thereby provides effective heat exchange without significantly increasing space requirements.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Dana Canada CorporationInventors: John G. Burgers, Michael A. Martin, Ihab Edward Gerges, Herve Palanchon
-
Patent number: 8689548Abstract: A power system for a vehicle includes a hydraulic pressure generating device, a first hydraulically operated device, a second hydraulically operated device, a common oil channel, a first bifurcated oil channel, a second bifurcated oil channel, and an oil state detector. The first hydraulically operated device is configured to be operated by liquid supplied from the hydraulic pressure generating device. The second hydraulically operated device is configured to be operated by liquid supplied from the hydraulic pressure generating device. The common oil channel is connected to the hydraulic pressure generating device. The first bifurcated oil channel connects the common oil channel and the first hydraulically operated device. The second bifurcated oil channel connects the common oil channel and the second hydraulically operated device. The oil state detector is provided in the common oil channel and configured to detect the state of the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hayato Maehara, Yasushi Fujimoto
-
Patent number: 8689549Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for the overcontrol of a hydraulic system which controls a drive, in particular for controlling a hydraulic motor (5) for driving a slewing gear of a crane superstructure, wherein the pressure lines (3.9, 3.10) for the hydraulic motor (5) are connected by means of a supply piston (3.2) to a hydraulic pump (2) or a tank (1), and the pressure lines (3.9, 3.10) are each assigned pilot valves (3.4, 3.3), shuttle valves (3.8, 3.7) and directional control valves (3.6, 3.5). The shuttle valves (3.7, 3.8) are connected by means of control lines (3.11, 3.12) to an activatable proportional pilot valve (6), such that the separately activatable directional control valves (3.5, 3.6) can thus be activated by means of said pressure, which is built up by the pilot valve (6).Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Terex Demag GmbHInventors: Thilo Jene, Achim Schutz
-
Patent number: 8689550Abstract: A hydraulic control system that includes a controller that controls the accumulator flow rate control valve and a discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pump, wherein the controller: determines a minimum value among an operation demand flow rate to be demanded by an operation amount of hydraulic actuator operating members, a pump flow rate to be determined by a discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump under a constant horsepower control and a maximum flow rate of the hydraulic pump such that the determined minimum value is an actuator supply flow rate to be supplied to the plurality of hydraulic actuators, and controls the discharge flow rate and the accumulator flow rate so as to supply the actuator supply flow rate corresponding to a total flow rate of the discharge flow rate and the accumulator flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar SARLInventors: Atsushi Wada, Keisuke Shirani, Takashi Iguchi
-
Patent number: 8689551Abstract: A hydraulic drive unit having a center section for a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor mounted in a casing. The center section includes a cylindrical protuberance for locating the center section in the casing, and at least one fastener opening formed in the center section for receiving a fastener engaged to the casing. The drive unit may also include a pair of flat surfaces formed on the center section and adapted to mount with features in the casing, and a bypass shaft extending into the casing and at least partially disposed in the center section.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited PartnershipInventors: Eric S. Phanco, Kenneth J. Rawski
-
Patent number: 8689552Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided with: a housing which houses a compressor wheel therein; a spiral scroll arranged in an outer periphery of the compressor wheel; and a diffuser portion provided as a path space communicating with the scroll from an outlet side of the compressor wheel and formed by a compressor housing and a center housing. The centrifugal compressor is also provided with a movable vane which is movable between a projecting position where the movable vane projects from the compressor housing and a housing position where the movable vane houses in a housing portion provided in compressor housing, and an actuator which drives the movable vane between the projecting position and the housing position. The actuator is provided in the center housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akitoshi Iwata
-
Patent number: 8689553Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises an intake system to deliver a compressed intake charge thereto. A venturi assembly is disposed in the intake system and defines a venturi defining a low pressure zone “Z” for the intake charge passing therethrough. An annular exhaust gas recirculation conduit distribution passage extends circumferentially about an inlet annulus of an intake manifold and receives diverted exhaust gas from an exhaust system for delivery to the intake charge through exhaust gas recirculation diffuser passages disposed at circumferentially spaced locations about the annular exhaust gas recirculation conduit distribution passage.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy J. Johnson, Scott Igram, Carl Eric Fonville
-
Patent number: 8689554Abstract: An engine arrangement of the type including an internal combustion engine having an EGR line, wherein at least one turbine is located on an exhaust line, is provided. The arrangement includes a water vapor generating arrangement using exhaust gases energy to transform liquid water into water vapor. The water vapor is injected in the exhaust line upstream of the turbine. The EGR line is branched off the exhaust line upstream of the turbine and the water vapor generating arrangement includes at least one EGR/water heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the EGR line and the water to be vaporized.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Renault TrucksInventor: Nicolas Espinosa
-
Patent number: 8689555Abstract: A vehicle includes an intercooler cooling fluid circuit coupled to and in fluid communication with a turbocharger of an internal combustion engine for circulating a flow of cooling fluid to the turbocharger to cool the turbocharger. A turbocharger cooling control valve controls fluid flow between the turbocharger and an intercooler. The turbocharger cooling control valve directs the flow of the cooling fluid to the intercooler when the engine is running, directs the flow of cooling fluid to the turbocharger when the engine is not running. The vehicle uses an intercooler pump for circulating the cooling fluid to both the intercooler when the vehicle is running and the turbocharger when the vehicle is not running.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Kevin C. Wong
-
Patent number: 8689556Abstract: An energy producing device, for example a submersible vehicle for descending or ascending to different depths within water or ocean, is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a temperature-responsive material to which a hydraulic fluid is associated. A pressurized storage compartment stores the fluid as soon as the temperature-responsive material changes density. The storage compartment is connected with a hydraulic motor, and a valve allows fluid passage from the storage compartment to the hydraulic motor. An energy storage component, e.g. a battery, is connected with the hydraulic motor and is charged by the hydraulic motor when the hydraulic fluid passes through the hydraulic motor. Upon passage in the hydraulic motor, the fluid is stored in a further storage compartment and is then sent back to the area of the temperature-responsive material.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Jack A. Jones, Yi Chao, Thomas I. Valdez
-
Patent number: 8689557Abstract: A steam seal dump re-entry system delivers steam dump flow to an LP steam turbine. The system includes a steam seal header receiving steam leaking from turbine end seal packings, and a desuperheater receiving and cooling the steam from the steam seal header. The desuperheater outputs cooled steam. A temperature sensor is disposed downstream of the desuperheater and detects a temperature of the cooled steam. A flow control circuit communicating with the temperature sensor selectively delivers the cooled steam to at least one of the condenser and to the LP steam turbine depending on the temperature of the cooled steam.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Eric Maki, Kevin J. Odell, Michael James Molitor, Timothy Andrew Melsert, Steven Paul Scarlata, James Daniel Antalek
-
Patent number: 8689558Abstract: A propfan engine has a power-producing core, a plurality of nozzles for exhausting exhaust gas from the core, and a row of propeller blades rotatable about an axis. The blades are positioned downstream of the exhaust nozzles. The exhaust nozzles are rotatable about said axis. The nozzles can be aligned with the gaps between successive propeller blades in order to reduce noise during operation of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Kenneth J Mackie, Richard H Standing
-
Patent number: 8689559Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system of operating a combustion system that has Lean direct injection (LDI) functionality. The method and system provides a passive cooling system for an injector of the LDI system. The method and system may also provide a means to direct the flow of the fluid exiting the injector of the LDI system.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gilbert O. Kraemer, Jonathan D. Berry, Richard F. Keyser
-
Patent number: 8689560Abstract: A gas turbo set including a first turbine, a second turbine, and a combustion chamber connected between the first and second turbines and operated by auto-ignition is provided. The turbines and the combustion chamber are located on a common shaft that may be rotated about an axis. To increase the efficiency of the gas turbo set, the outer periphery of the second turbine is at a greater distance from the axis than that of the first turbine, leading to a reduction in the size and/or the number of turbine blades.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Lennard Helmers, Werner Krebs, Jaap van Kampen
-
Patent number: 8689561Abstract: In one embodiment, a premixer is provided for use, e.g., with trapped vortex (TVC) combustors, that injects premixed fuel and air directly into the recirculating vortex, in a manner compatible with natural vortex flow in the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Inventor: Donald W. Kendrick
-
Patent number: 8689562Abstract: In one embodiment, alternative combustion cavity layouts are provided for practicing fuel staging in a trapped vortex (TVC) combustion apparatus comprising an inlet premixer, for injecting fuel-air mixture into the inlet of the combustion apparatus and one or more vortex premixers, for injecting fuel-air mixture into the recirculating vortex within each of one or more trapped vortex cavities. A plurality of TVC cavities, may, for example, be laid out axially, radially, peripherally, internally, or in combinations of such arrangements. These layouts may be used in conjunction with a fuel staging method whereby the relative proportion of mixture introduced through the inlet and the respective vortex premixers can be varied as a function of operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Inventor: Donald W. Kendrick
-
Patent number: 8689563Abstract: A fuel nozzle guide plate has mirror symmetry about a first plane perpendicular to the fuel nozzle guide plate and mirror symmetry about a second plane parallel to the fuel nozzle guide plate. The fuel nozzle guide plate is attached to an air swirler, which is mounted in an opening of a bulkhead for mixing air and fuel at an upstream side of a combustor.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Kevin Joseph Low
-
Patent number: 8689564Abstract: A fossil-fueled power station including a steam turbine is provided. A steam generator is mounted downstream of the steam turbine via a steam return line and a carbon dioxide separation device. The carbon dioxide separation device is connected to the steam return line via a process steam line and a backpressure steam turbine is mounted into the process steam line.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ulrich Grumann, Jens Keyser, Ulrich Much, Andreas Pickard, Mike Rost
-
Patent number: 8689565Abstract: A combined cycle power generation plant can include at least one gas turbine and at least one steam turbine. A method for providing Asymmetric Joint Control for Primary Frequency Regulation (PFR) in the combined cycle power generation plant can include the use of the spinning energy existing in the high pressure steam to rapidly supply additional power to the steam turbine for PFR service within the time frame established as a requirement to participate in the PFR service. The PFR control method can be carried out by controlling flow of high pressure steam to a medium pressure steam circuit through a bypass.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Petrobras Energia S.A.Inventors: Benjamin Guzman, Jorge Vugdelija, Julio Aguirre
-
Patent number: 8689566Abstract: An apparatus performs a power cycle involving expansion of compressed air utilizing high pressure (HP) and low pressure (LP) air turbines located upstream of a gas turbine. The power cycle involves heating of the compressed air prior to its expansion in the HP and LP air turbines. Taking into consideration fuel consumption to heat the compressed air, particular embodiments may result in a net production of electrical energy of ˜2.2-2.5× an amount of energy consumed by substantially isothermal air compression to produce the compressed air supply. Although pressure of the compressed air supply may vary over a range (e.g. as a compressed air storage unit is depleted), the gas turbine may run under almost constant conditions, facilitating its integration with the apparatus. The air turbines may operate at lower temperatures than the gas turbine, and they may include features of turbines employed to turbocharge large reciprocating engines.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Lightsail Energy, Inc.Inventor: Michael Coney
-
Patent number: 8689567Abstract: A locking plate for use in an air turbine starter has a lock plate body including an oil slinger extending away from a base. The base is positioned on an outer peripheral surface of a clutch frame. The slinger extends away from the base for a distance, and a ratio of the distance to a thickness of the base is ten and thirty. A clutch and air turbine starter, and a method of assembly are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Dean A. Norem, Jody A. Peterson
-
Patent number: 8689568Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a wall having first and second wall surfaces and a cooling hole extending through the wall. The cooling hole includes an inlet located at the first wall surface, an outlet located at the second wall surface, a metering section extending downstream from the inlet and a diffusing section extending from the metering section to the outlet. The diffusing section includes a first lobe diverging longitudinally and laterally from the metering section, a second lobe diverging longitudinally and laterally from the metering section, an upstream end located at the outlet, a trailing edge located at the outlet opposite the upstream end and generally opposite first and second sidewalls. Each sidewall has an edge extending along the outlet between the upstream end and the trailing edge. Each edge diverges laterally from the upstream end and converges laterally before reaching the trailing edge.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Atul Kohli, Matthew S. Gleiner, Mark F. Zelesky, JinQuan Xu
-
Patent number: 8689569Abstract: A Peltier element cooling control circuit that accurately controls a small number of elements with a simple structure. First and second amplification circuits are connected between a current detection resistor detecting current of a Peltier element and a current control circuit performing current control on the Peltier element based on voltage proportional to the current. One of two resistors determines the amplification rate of the first amplification circuit includes a thermistor. When the ambient temperature is equal to a predetermined temperature or greater, the output voltage of the second amplification circuit is supplied to the current control circuit to control the current of the Peltier element so as to be constant. When the ambient temperature is less than the predetermined temperature, the output voltage of the first amplification circuit is supplied to the current control circuit to control the current of the Peltier element in accordance with the temperature characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Yutaka Uratani, Mikihiro Yamashita
-
Patent number: 8689570Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus is provided that includes an indoor device including a heat exchanger, and a remote controller to input an operation condition of the indoor device. The remote controller includes a sensor that senses a moving state of the remote controller, a controller that determines the operation condition of the indoor device based on a result sensed by the sensor, and a signal transmitting and receiving device that transmits and receives a signal to and from the indoor device. The indoor device includes a blower, a wind direction controller that controls a discharge direction of air discharged from the blower, a signal transmitting and receiving device that transmits and receives a signal to and from the remote controller, and a controller that controls the driving of the blower and the wind direction controller in accordance with the operation condition received from the remote controller.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jongseob Yeo, Jiwon Lim, Juhyun Kim
-
Patent number: 8689571Abstract: Provided is a dryer for minimizing moisture entrained within a refrigerant used to provide a cooling effect to a temperature-controlled environment, and a refrigeration appliance including such a dryer. The dryer includes a housing defining a drying chamber and a desiccant disposed within the drying chamber for removing at least a portion of the moisture from the refrigerant. A first outlet is formed in the housing adjacent a lower region of the drying chamber when the drying chamber is viewed in an operational orientation. A second outlet is also formed in the housing at an elevation vertically above the first outlet when the dryer is viewed in the operational orientation for discharging at least a portion of the refrigerant introduced into the drying chamber to be delivered to a second heat exchanger with a relatively-low internal pressure. The elevation of the second outlet relative to the first outlet promotes the discharge of the refrigerant through the first outlet instead of through the second outlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Juan Antonio Contreras Lafaire, David L. Hall, Marcelo Candeo, Dennis Carl Hansen
-
Patent number: 8689572Abstract: A thermostat is provided that receives one or more inputs from at least one heating system of a climate control system, and initiates an appropriate action in response to the input. The thermostat can turn off a heat pump providing substandard heat and responsively turn on a fuel-fired auxiliary furnace. The thermostat may discontinue further operation of the auxiliary furnace upon receiving an operating error signal associated with the auxiliary furnace, and responsively turn on the heat pump to provide for continued heating. The thermostat may also discontinue operation of the fuel-fired furnace and turn on a circulating fan in response to an input signal indicating a furnace high-temperature or a carbon monoxide presence.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Edward B. Evans, William P. Butler, Steven L. Carey, John R. Sartain, Ron Miles, Donald E. Donnelly, Swapna Subhash Baviskar
-
Patent number: 8689573Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case, a refrigeration system, a sensor, and a controller. The refrigeration system is operable in a defrost mode defrosting the evaporator, and a refrigeration mode discharging a refrigerated airflow into the product storage area to refrigerate the product and to maintain the product within a predetermined temperature range without freezing the product, and to receive the refrigerated airflow along a return passageway. The sensor senses one or more defrost conditions of the case. The controller controls the refrigeration system in the refrigeration mode and in the defrost mode, and includes an algorithm for calculating when to initiate the defrost mode and for calculating a duration of the defrost mode. The controller is programmed to vary the refrigeration system between the refrigeration mode and the defrost mode based on the signals indicative of the defrost conditions and the calculations by the algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Hussmann CorporationInventors: Jony M. Zangari, Dennis L. Wagner, Mark Schaefer, Dennis L. Dickerson, Scott N. Hixson, William R. North
-
Patent number: 8689574Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus for heating water and dehumidifying air and a water heating and air processing system. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: (1) a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator, a first condenser and a compressor, (2) a refrigerant-water heat exchanger having a second condenser fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit and (3) a control valve operatively connected to the refrigeration circuit to either direct flow of the refrigerant through the first condenser during a dehumidification mode or through the second condenser during a water heating mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventor: Robert Uselton
-
Patent number: 8689575Abstract: A system for improving the thermal efficiency of a thermal control loop in which refrigerant after compression and condensation is applied to an evaporator employs a subsidiary counter-current heat exchange intercepting refrigerant flow to maintain the quality of the refrigerant by exchanging thermal energy between the input flow and the output flow from the evaporator. The same principle is effective, with particular advantage when small connections have to be made, in systems using mixed phase media and using the concept of direct energy transfer with saturated fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: William W. Cowans, Glenn W. Zubillaga, Kenneth W. Cowans
-
Patent number: 8689576Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a refrigeration system, a first sensor in communication with the refrigerated airflow in a discharge passageway to sense a discharge airflow temperature, and a second sensor is in communication with the refrigerated airflow in the return passageway to sense a return airflow temperature. A controller is in electrical communication with the first sensor and the second sensor and controls a temperature of the product within a predetermined temperature range that is between about 22 degrees Fahrenheit and 23 degrees Fahrenheit based on at least one of the discharge airflow temperature and the return airflow temperature. The controller is further programmed to operate the refrigeration system such that the discharge airflow temperature is maintained above a temperature between about 10 degrees Fahrenheit and 30 degrees Fahrenheit to regulate an evaporation temperature of the evaporator to avoid freezing the product.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Hussmann CorporationInventors: Jony M. Zangari, Dennis L. Wagner, Mark Schaefer, Dennis L. Dickerson, Scott N. Hixson, William R. North
-
Patent number: 8689577Abstract: An in-ceiling embedded type air conditioner including an indoor unit having an air blower and an indoor heat exchanger accommodated in a housing a substantially box-shape, and a filtering unit including a gas-liquid contact member that is disposed at the downstream side of the indoor heat exchanger on an air blowing passage through which air sucked by the air blower flows in the indoor unit and infiltrated with electrolytic water generated by electrolyzing water, the air and the electrolytic water being brought into contact with each other in the gas-liquid contact member, whereby the air cooled or heated in the indoor heat exchanger is filtered, that is, virus, etc. contained in the air is inactivated, sterilized or the like and then blown out to a room to be air-conditioned.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Fukushima, Toru Arakawa, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Takuro Nishihara, Hiroaki Usui, Yoichi Uchida
-
Patent number: 8689578Abstract: Provided are an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same. The ice maker for making ice is provided on a rear side of a refrigerator door. A tray cover, a water flood prevention rib, and a rotation guide are provided to prevent flooding of water stored in an ice tray forming the ice maker while the refrigerator door is opened/closed. According to the ice maker and the refrigerator, reduction in a storage capacity of the refrigerator is prevented, flooding of water for making ice is prevented, and the ice maker can be more easily used.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Dong-Hoon Lee, Wook-Yong Lee, Seung-Hwan Oh
-
Patent number: 8689579Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes a heat exchanger accommodated inside a indoor unit body which is a housing whose lower face is opened, a drain pan which is disposed below the heat exchanger and receives drain water generated at the heat exchanger, a drain pump which is detachably disposed within the indoor unit body, sucks drain water accumulated in the drain pan and discharges the drain water to the outside, a drain port which is disposed at a bottom face wall section of the drain pan, the port being an opening portion through which the drain pump is insertable, and a drain cap which openably closes the drain pump insertion port.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Toshiba Carrier CorporationInventors: Nobusato Yoshitake, Kenji Gajina, Kazuo Mochizuki, Yousuke Komatsu
-
Patent number: 8689580Abstract: An air conditioning unit having: a first air passageway and a second air passageway adjacent to the first air passageway. Dampered air inlets are provided at one end of the first and second air passageways to selectively provide indoor air or outdoor air to each passageway. There is an indoor air outlet in the first air passageway and an outdoor air outlet in the second air passageway, both outlets at the other end of the passageways. There is a first blower in the first passageway and a second blower in the second passageway for moving air through each passageway. The unit has a refrigerant system with an evaporator in the first passageway, a compressor, a condenser in the second passageway, and a refrigerant line joining the evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser, in series, in a closed loop. The unit can be used in an air conditioning mode, a dehumidifying mode and a purge/ventilating mode. The unit is particularly suited for use in an indoor swimming pool.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Inventors: Ness Lakdawala, Gary Jones
-
Patent number: 8689581Abstract: A rotary-type fluid machine (10A) includes: a closed casing (1) having a bottom portion utilized as an oil reservoir, a rotary-type fluid mechanism (expansion mechanism) (15) that is provided in an upper portion of the closed casing (1) and in which working chambers (32, 33) in cylinders (22, 24) are partitioned into a suction side working chamber and a discharge side working chamber by vanes (28, 29), a shaft (5) having therein an oil supply passage (51) for supplying oil to the fluid mechanism (15), the shaft being connected to the fluid mechanism (15) and extending an oil reservoir (45), an oil pump (52) provided at a lower portion of the shaft (5), an oil retaining portion (65) for retaining oil, which is pumped up by the oil pump (52) and supplied through the oil supply passage (51), in a surrounding region around the fluid mechanism (15) to allow the partitioning members of the fluid mechanism (15) to be lubricated, the oil retaining portion formed so that the liquid level of the oil retained therein isType: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Atsuo Okaichi, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Masaru Matsui, Tomoichiro Tamura, Takeshi Ogata
-
Patent number: 8689582Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a refrigerant circuit with a plurality of evaporator paths and a distributor for distributing refrigerant. The distributor includes a housing and a controllable valve for each evaporator path. The refrigeration system is operated by using a distributor including a magnet arrangement for controlling the valves.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventors: Michael Birkelund, Hans Kurt Petersen, Sune Prytz
-
Patent number: 8689583Abstract: A turbo compressor train is provided. The turbo compressor train includes a turbo compressor unit and a drive assembly for driving the turbo compressor unit. The drive unit has a gas turbine and a generator and a steam turbine. The steam turbine may be coupled together with the generator to the turbo compressor unit and the gas turbine by means of a coupling device. The coupling device has an overrun coupling and a coupling exciter with which the overrun coupling may be taken from a disengaged condition to an active condition by engaging of the overrun coupling at synchronous speed of the gas turbine and the steam turbine and if the overrun coupling is engaged, disengages upon a speed increase to the steam turbine and generator so that the generator may be driven by the steam turbine at a higher speed than the turbocompressor unit by the gas turbine.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hans-Gerd Kölscheid, Klaus Peters
-
Patent number: 8689584Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a vitreous silica crucible including: a silica powder supplying process of supplying a material silica powder into a mold for molding a vitreous silica crucible, to form a silica powder layer, and an arc fusing process of arc fusing the silica powder layer by arc discharge generated by carbon electrodes, wherein the arc fusing process includes processes of measuring temperatures at measuring points provided on different heights of an inner surface of the silica powder layer while rotating the mold, and controlling the arc discharge to enable detection, at each measuring point, of a local maximum point which appears first in the arc fusing process.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Japan Super Quartz CorporationInventors: Toshiaki Sudo, Eriko Suzuki
-
Patent number: 8689585Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing volatilized chemical compounds from within enclosed or partially enclosed spaces containing molten glass. One or more condensing devices are positioned within the enclosure to produce preferential condensation of the vapor on condensing elements of the condensing devices, thereby facilitating easy removal of the condensates from the enclosure. The condensing elements may have a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the design of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Robert Delia, Ahdi El Kahlout, Anca Daniela Fountain
-
Patent number: 8689586Abstract: A glass-melting device for producing glass fibers capable effectively reducing inclusion of bubbles into glass fibers to be spun, and a method for producing glass fibers using the same are provided. A glass-melting device 100 for producing glass fibers comprises: a first glass-melting tank 12; a conduit 14 extending downward from the first glass-melting tank 12; a sucking device 18 for exposing the first glass-melting tank 12 to a reduced-pressure atmosphere; a second glass-melting tank 20 provided on a lower portion of the conduit 14 and exposed to an atmospheric-pressure atmosphere; and a bushing 22 provided at a bottom portion of the second glass-melting tank 20 and equipped with a number of nozzles 22a.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Norio Hirayama, Naohiro Miyanaga, Masahiko Takahashi, Kentarou Ogawa
-
Patent number: 8689587Abstract: Methods to fabricate an optical preform for draw into Polarization Maintaining (PM) or Polarizing (PZ) optical fiber are provided. The methods involve assembly of pre-shaped and pieced together bulk glass elements into preforms (“assembled preforms”) for simultaneous fusing and drawing into optical fiber. These preforms form a stress-induced birefringent optical core when drawn to fiber.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Edward M. Dowd, Paul E. Sanders