Patents Issued in April 24, 2014
  • Publication number: 20140109530
    Abstract: A longeing device for attachment to equine headgear includes a flexing segment having first and second ends. The segment is configured with a length so that when its ends are attached to opposite lateral sides of headgear on an equine head in a normal standing position, the segment's midpoint hangs freely below the head. The segment includes at least one rigid element configured to apply force to a side of the head when the segment is pulled laterally. First and second fasteners, each coupled to a respective first and second end of the flexing segment, couple to attachment points of the headgear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Melissa Mihalevich
  • Publication number: 20140109531
    Abstract: An apparatus including a horse blanket, a first strap having a first end attached to the horse blanket, and a first loop, a second strap having a first end attached to the horse blanket, and a second loop, a first device, and a second device, wherein the first device and the second device are configured to be connected together to secure the horse blanket to a horse. The first device having a T shaped portion connected to a first substantially oval ring portion, wherein the first substantially oval ring portion has a first gap to attach or detach the first device from the first strap. The second device having an L shaped portion connected to a second substantially oval ring portion, wherein the second substantially oval ring portion has a second gap in the second substantially oval ring portion to attach or detach the second device from the second strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Patricia Jasin
  • Publication number: 20140109532
    Abstract: An air filter has a hollow cylindrical filter housing having a first axial terminal area and a second axial terminal area and a cylindrical outer filter housing wall and a ring-shaped flow guiding wall. The ring-shaped flow guiding wall extends coaxially to the cylindrical outer filter housing wall in the interior of the filter housing. A ring-shaped flow space is formed between outer filter housing wall and flow guiding wall. A filter element of an annularly closed filter medium is disposed in the filter housing. The flow guiding wall surrounds the filter element. An inlet socket is arranged on the outer filter housing wall in the first axial terminal area and extends tangentially relative thereto. The inlet socket has a projection that projects into the ring-shaped flow space and bridges the ring-shaped flow space up to the flow guiding wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Kaufmann, Klaus-Dieter Ruhland
  • Publication number: 20140109533
    Abstract: An oil mist separator includes: a separator body having a gas flow path; a gas introduction part introducing the blow-by gas into the separator body; a gas discharge part discharging the blow-by gas from the separator body; a separation unit separating oil from the blow-by gas; dams provided on the bottom wall of the separator body downstream of the separation unit in the gas flow path and configured to block the oil separated from flowing to the downstream side; and an oil discharge part provided upstream of the dams in the gas flow path and configured to discharge the oil separated from the separator body, wherein the dams are formed along the gas flow path so as to alternately extend from the pair of side walls, and the dams extend such that tip ends of the dams are located beyond a center of the gas flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoji Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20140109534
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for an air filter media and frame having structural support members, including a tensile support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: M. Aflal Rahmathullah, Scott Mineart, Greg Clements, Michael Montague, Rodger E. Stowe
  • Publication number: 20140109535
    Abstract: A riding mower includes a mower body frame extending in front-and-rear directions between a pair of left and right rear wheels, a horizontal installation surface defined in an area near the rear wheels, an engine arranged on the installation surface, rearward of axle(s) of the rear wheels, an operator's seat arranged forward of the engine, and a fuel tank. The fuel tank includes a front tank portion extending in the front-and-rear directions below the operator's seat, and a rear tank portion connected with the front tank portion, extending in mower body front-and-rear directions on one side of the engine in mower body transverse directions, and extending higher than the front tank portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: David SPITZ, Takeshi KOMORIDA
  • Publication number: 20140109536
    Abstract: A power conveying system for use with a header of an agricultural harvester, the header having a first structural member and a second structural member being pivotally coupled to the first structural member about an axis. The power conveying system including a driving pulley, a driven pulley, an idler pulley, a flexible link and a cantilevered member. The driving pulley is coupled to the first structural member, and the driven pulley is coupled to the second structural member. The flexible link conveys power from the driving pulley to the driven pulley, and is in contact with the idler pulley. The cantilevered member is connected to the second structural member, and extends beyond the axis, where the cantilevered member is movably coupled to the idler pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Oldemar Boeck, Antonio C. Bosquet
  • Publication number: 20140109537
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting bast plants that have stalks, husks, and seeds. The method includes cutting the bast stalks from the bast plants and receiving the bast stalks onto a first belt. The method then orients at least a portion of the bast stalks on the first belt, the longitudinal axis of the at least a portion of the bast stalks being generally oriented in the direction the first belt is moving. The husks and seeds may be removed from the bast stalks. The bast stalk may be packaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Abbott, Robert A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20140109538
    Abstract: A cover having a side skirt and an upper face part covers a pulley provided to a mower deck. A latch mechanism removably attaches the cover to a top plate of the mower deck using an elastic deformation of the cover. The latch mechanism includes a first bracket forming a first opening, and a second bracket which is provided to the top plate so as to oppose to the first bracket via the pulley, and forms at least one second opening, a first projection provided to the side skirt of the cover, and for engaging with the first opening when attaching the cover, and at least one second projection provided to the side skirt of the cover, and for engaging with the second opening when attaching the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihito SUGIO
  • Publication number: 20140109539
    Abstract: A front baffle assembly (1) for a lawn mower (30) is provided. The front baffle assembly (1) is adapted for attachment to a lawn mower chassis (2), and comprises a stopper (5a, 5b) configured to abut against an upper side of the chassis (2) and a front baffle (4) configured to abut against a lower side of the chassis (2). The front baffle assembly (1) comprises a catch element (6a, 6b) which protrudes downwardly from the stopper (5a, 5b) and is arranged to extend through the chassis (2) and beyond a lower side of the front baffle (4). The front baffle assembly (1) comprises a front axle (7) arranged to be received between the catch element (6a, 6b) and the lower side of the front baffle (4) to clamp the chassis (2) between the stopper (5a, 5b) and the front baffle (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Mikael Adolfsson, Fredrik Edholm, Helena André, Magnus Henriksson, Jasmin Insanic, Jörgen Johansson, Jonas Tibbelin
  • Publication number: 20140109540
    Abstract: A floor seal for a forwardly facing opening through a floor of a plant cutting machine through which a knife arm extends for side to side reciprocating movement for driving a sickle of the machine as the machine is moved forwardly for performing a plant cutting operation. The floor seal includes a stationary outer peripheral seal element engaged with a peripheral edge of the floor about the opening and carrying a cover element in covering relation to the opening about the knife arm and defining and bounding a forwardly facing aperture containing the knife arm and an inner peripheral seal element carried in the aperture by the cover element bounding and forming a barrier to entry of loose material or sealed condition about the knife arm and movable side to side therewith relative to the outer seal and cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Joel T. Cook
  • Publication number: 20140109541
    Abstract: A fruit harvesting unit mounted on a harvesting machine. The harvesting unit comprises a straddling chassis delimiting a harvesting tunnel in which plants to be shaken are introduced successively to move through said tunnel between a front opening and a rear opening of said tunnel. The harvesting unit has a main shaker system including two shaker devices disposed on respective sides of the harvesting tunnel to delimit transversely a central part of said tunnel, and an additional shaker system that is mounted on the straddling chassis and comprises two shaker devices disposed on respective sides of the harvesting tunnel to delimit transversely a front upper part of said tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: CNH FRANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Berthet, Bruno Montaigu
  • Publication number: 20140109542
    Abstract: Rotor strippers are sized and shaped to securely fit between adjacent rotor fingers on a rotor shaft of a rotor for stripping crop material and for conveying the crop material to a bale chamber for forming a bale. Each rotor stripper is formed of a segment comprised of two opposing side walls with an interior section extending between the two opposing side walls. A first end portion has a curved hook section shaped to securely fit around a majority portion of the rotary shaft for secure engagement therewith; a second end portion is secured to a backbone portion of the rotor allowing the segment to remain fixed with respect to rotation of the rotary shaft; and a middle portion extends between the first and second end portions in a curved manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: John R. McClure, William Dale Hotaling, Chandrashekhar Singh
  • Publication number: 20140109543
    Abstract: A device for harvesting long agricultural products, such as grass, straw, pulses, biomass products and the like, includes a frame having a main axis of extension, a plurality of agricultural product harvesting elements, each in turn equipped with at least one long harvesting prong, a movement system for moving each of the harvesting elements along a closed trajectory surrounding the main axis of extension, and a plurality of bands fixed to the frame, positioned one after another and spaced out along the main axis of extension. The device also includes a conveyor unit including an elongate body extending along its own axis of rotation and provided with at least one peripheral step forming an agricultural product feed shoulder extending, along an axis which is substantially radial relative to said axis of rotation, between an edge proximal to the axis of rotation and an edge distal from the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ROC S.R.L.
    Inventor: Raffaele UBALDI
  • Publication number: 20140109544
    Abstract: In one featured embodiment, a closure sleeve for a valve comprises a sleeve body surrounding a center axis and defined by an overall length extending from an upstream end to a downstream end. The sleeve body has an internal cavity that is enclosed at the downstream end and is open at the upstream end. The internal cavity is defined in part by a piston contact surface that is defined by an inner diameter. The piston contact surface is configured to slide against a piston to be received within the internal cavity, and a ratio of the inner diameter to the overall length is between 1.0 and 1.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Rickis, Francis P. Marocchini
  • Publication number: 20140109545
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the conversion of solid organic waste material, such as waste plastics, into fuel for the generation of heat and power. In addition, embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein relate to converting solid organic waste material into a gasified material for mixing with an oxidizing gas to allow for clean combustion of the fuel, thereby minimizing emissions of pollutants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Christopher Flanagan, Anna Craver, Brittne Rose Lynn, Mason Riley, Katherine Dixon, Chuanwei Zhuo, Yiannis Levendis
  • Publication number: 20140109546
    Abstract: A fan rotor includes a rotor body with at least one slot receiving a fan blade. The fan blade has an outer surface, at least at some areas, formed of a first material and an airfoil extending from a dovetail. The dovetail is received in the slot. A spacer is positioned radially inwardly of the dovetail biasing the fan blade against the slot. The spacer includes a grounding element, which is in contact with a portion of the dovetail formed of a second material that is more electrically conductive than the first material. The grounding element is in contact with a rotating element that rotates with the rotor. The rotating element is formed of a third material. The first material is less electrically conductive than the third material. The grounding and rotating elements form a ground path from the portion of the dovetail into the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140109547
    Abstract: A method for operating a recirculating waste heat steam generator is provided, in which in a pressure stage of the recirculating waste heat steam generator, the feed water mass flow is guided on the basis of a specified desired value in order to control the water level in a drum. The method should give a recirculating waste heat steam generator a particularly high degree of efficiency and simultaneously a particularly high level of operational flexibility. For this purpose the thermal input introduced into an evaporator of the pressure stage is used as input variable in the determination of the desired value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Bruckner, Martin Effert, Frank Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140109548
    Abstract: A rotor disk for a gas turbine engine is disclosed and formed to enable operation at high rotational speeds in a high temperature environment. The rotor disk is formed to include a bore, a live rim diameter and an outer diameter related to each other according to defined relationships.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140109549
    Abstract: Thruster grid clear circuits and methods to clear thruster grids are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a low voltage grid clear circuit to apply first energy to a grid at a first voltage, and a high voltage grid clear circuit to detect a failure of the applied energy to clear a short circuit condition of the grid and to apply second energy to the grid at a second voltage higher than the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: THE BOEING COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20140109550
    Abstract: This invention is a piston in cylinder engine using water injection into a relative vacuum heated to steam by expanding in the cylinder and by an electric arc or other heat source. The resulting steam explosion applies a work force on the piston. The piston has jet nozzles uncovered at the end of its work stroke to jet the piston to help propel it during the return stroke and to form a vacuum in place of the usual compression stroke. The piston has a cover plate with tapered pins depending into jet nozzles through the piston to block the jet nozzles during the main work stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Leonard D. Barry
  • Publication number: 20140109551
    Abstract: A solid chemical rocket propulsion system includes a solid fuel and a solid oxidizer that is physically separated from the solid fuel and is not mixed with solid fuel while the rocket is initially at rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Los Alamos National Security, LLC, Grant A. Risha
  • Publication number: 20140109552
    Abstract: A system for in-flight attitude control and side-force steering includes a thruster body and a plurality of valves capable of generating side thrusts put into communication with the thruster body. The valves are arranged in two sets of valves spaced apart from each other towards the front and towards the rear of the thruster body in substantially symmetrical manner relative to the center of gravity of the vehicle situated on a longitudinal axis (A) of the vehicle. Each set comprises a first pair of valves generating thrust in opposite directions along axes that are not in alignment and are parallel to a first axis, and a second pair of valves generating thrust in opposite directions along axes that are not aligned and are parallel to a second axis. The first and second axes are distinct and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: HERAKLES
    Inventors: Pascal Caubet, Aurore Ferrant
  • Publication number: 20140109553
    Abstract: A diesel engine exhaust aftertreatment system and method of use. The system and method combine the attributes of lean or stoichiometric operation, using multiple LNTs (lean NOx traps) with one being capable of acting both as a lean NOx trap and a three-way catalyst. The engine is operated with lean air-to-fuel ratios during times that LNT treatment can efficiently reduce NOx from the exhaust gas. During times that lean NOx treatment is ineffective, the diesel engine is operated at or near a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, so that three-way catalyst treatment can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Charles E. Roberts, JR., Christopher J. Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20140109554
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle diesel engine having an exhaust emission control system is provided. The emission control system includes an oxidation catalytic converter, a particle filter, and an SCR catalytic converter, in which the exhaust gas that is discharged from the diesel engine is passed through the oxidation catalytic converter before passing through the particle filter and the SCR catalytic converter. A regeneration of the particle filter with thermal soot burn-off is occasionally carried out, during which the diesel engine is operated at an air-fuel ratio having a lambda value (?) of at least approximately 1.0, and air is added to the exhaust gas after it exits the oxidation catalytic converter and before it enters the particle filter air, so that soot deposited on the particle filter is burnt-off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Ortwin Balthes, Thomas Beckmann, Berthold Keppeler, Siegfried Mueller
  • Publication number: 20140109555
    Abstract: A method for converting soot particles of an exhaust gas includes providing at least nitrogen dioxide or oxygen in the exhaust gas, ionizing soot particles with an electric field, depositing electrically charged soot particles on inner channel walls of at least one surface precipitator, and bringing at least nitrogen dioxide or oxygen into contact with the deposited soot particles on the inner channel walls of the at least one surface precipitator. A device for carrying out the method includes at least one surface precipitator having a plurality of channels through which the exhaust gas can flow and extending between an inlet region and an outlet region, and at least one deposit inhibitor for electrically charged soot particles provided in at least part of the inlet region, especially allowing the soot particles to be evenly deposited and the surface precipitator to be continuously regenerated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: EMITEC GESELLSCHAFT FUER EMISSIONSTECHNOLOGIE MBH
    Inventors: WOLFGANG MAUS, PETER HIRTH, ROLF BRUECK
  • Publication number: 20140109556
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine and a motor-generator for running the vehicle, includes: a power storage device to be supplied to the motor-generator; a current leakage detection circuit detecting a decrease in insulation resistance, the current leakage detection circuit being electrically connected to a negative electrode of the power storage device; an electrical heated catalyst device; and a power supply device that converts electric power from the power storage device into energization power of the electrical heated catalyst device by a power conversion path passing through an insulating mechanism. The power supply device includes a switching device. The switching device is opened when the electrical heated catalyst device is energized, and is closed when the decrease in insulation resistance of the electrical heated catalyst device is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keita HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140109557
    Abstract: A mixer/evaporator or an exhaust system (5) of an internal combustion engine (1), includes a carrier (20) surrounding, in a circumferential direction, a flat cross section of a mixing/evaporating device (12), through which exhaust gases flow and which extends at a right angle to the axial direction (17). The carrier has opposite side walls, wherein short side walls (23, 24) connect each long side walls (21, 22) to one another. Guide blades (25) project in a direction of the respective opposite long side wall, are set at an angle in relation to the axial direction and are arranged at one of the long side walls at at least one axial end (26, 27). An axial end of the first long side walls is offset in the axial direction in relation to the axial end of the second long side wall on the same side of the mixing/evaporating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Eberspacher Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Silvia CALVO
  • Publication number: 20140109558
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an after-treatment device. The after-treatment device may have a center plenum configured to be fluidly connected to an engine. The after-treatment device may also have a filter bank having a plurality of filter assemblies. Each filter assembly may have an inlet fluidly connected to the center plenum. The inlet may be oriented orthogonal to the center plenum. Each filter assembly may also have an outlet. Further, the after-treatment device may have an exhaust plenum fluidly connected to the outlet. The exhaust plenum may be oriented orthogonal to the outlet. The exhaust plenum may also have an outer wall disposed parallel to and located at a predetermined distance from the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTRO-MOTIVE DIESEL, INC.
    Inventors: PRADEEP GANESAN, SATYAJIT GOWDA
  • Publication number: 20140109559
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold for an engine has at least one collecting pipe for conveying exhaust gases. Several exhaust gas inlets are in fluid communication with the collecting pipe. Several flanges each define one of the exhaust gas inlets. Each flange has an external face adapted to be pressed against a receiving surface of the engine. Several back flanges are each associated to one of the flanges and are adapted to press the corresponding flange against the receiving surface. The flanges are areas of a single plate, which has a thickness between 0.2 and 2 mm. The areas are continuously connected to one another by other areas of the plate. The collecting pipe is not integral with the plate. The manifold has leak tight connections connecting the collecting pipe to each of the flanges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FAURECIA SYSTEMES D'ECHAPPEMENT
    Inventors: Vincent Leroy, Marc-Antoine Belpeer
  • Publication number: 20140109560
    Abstract: A soft robotic device includes a flexible body having a width, a length and a thickness, wherein the thickness is at least 1 mm, the flexible body having at least one channel disposed within the flexible body, the channel defined by upper, lower and side walls, wherein at least one wall is strain limiting; and a pressurizing inlet in fluid communication with the at least one channel, the at least one channel positioned and arranged such that the wall opposite the strain limiting wall preferentially expands when the soft robotic device is pressurized through the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Filip Ilievski, Xin Chen, Aaron D. Mazzeo, George M. Whitesides, Robert F. Shepherd, Ramses V. Martinez, Won Jae Choi, Sen W. Kwok, Stephen A. Morin, Adam Stokes, Zhihong Nie
  • Publication number: 20140109561
    Abstract: A system for reversible storage of energy, the system comprising: means for generating energy; first conversion means for converting the energy into stored energy by means of low ratio (3.2:1 or less) high pressure (200 bar minimum) compression of gas; and second conversion means for converting the stored energy by expansion or reversal of the first process into usable energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Kenway, Dwayne Garneau
  • Publication number: 20140109562
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an emergency drive for a construction machine, comprising a hydraulic motor which is connectable with a pump transfer gearbox of a drive of the construction machine via a first mechanical shaft and a port provided for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Joerg Gebele
  • Publication number: 20140109563
    Abstract: A method for storing energy using a combined heat and pressure storage device, includes mixing a gaseous first component and a liquid second component in an initial first step at a first pressure/temperature point to form a working medium. The working medium is compressed in a following step in such a way that the working medium has a second pressure/temperature point, at which the second component is at least partially gaseous. The compressed working medium is led into the combined heat and pressure storage device and stored there. In order to recover the energy, the working medium is expanded, whereupon the second component is at least partially liquefied. An apparatus for implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ADENSIS GMBH
    Inventors: TIM MUELLER, BERNHARD BECK
  • Publication number: 20140109564
    Abstract: A power-generating tower comprises: at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies, at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies, a tower structure arranged to support each upper heat-exchange assembly, at least one ascending circulating-fluid column within the tower structure, at least one descending circulating-fluid column within the tower structure, and at least one turbine. Each ascending column is arranged and connected to receive the circulating fluid from at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies and to convey the circulating fluid thus received upward and into at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies. Each descending column is arranged and connected to receive the circulating fluid from at least one of the upper heat-exchange assemblies and to convey the circulating fluid thus received downward and into at least one of the lower heat-exchange assemblies. The turbine is arranged to be driven by flow of circulating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Steven A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20140109565
    Abstract: [Problem] To more smoothly commence actuation of a stroke simulation function. [Means for Resolution] A pedal feel simulator unit 3 of a master cylinder 1 has a start-up load reducing unit 28, and this start-up load reducing unit 28 has a start-up load reducing spring 29. The elastic modulus of the start-up load reducing spring 29 is set smaller than the elastic modulus of a simulator actuation piston return spring 16. Consequently, when the start-up load reducing spring 29 is pressed by an input shaft 4, the start-up load reducing spring 29 starts to elastically flex before the simulator actuation piston return spring 16 elastically flexes and a simulator actuation piston 14 starts to move forward. Because of this, the start-up load of the pedal feel simulator unit 3 is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Shuusaku Chiba, Naoshi Uchida
  • Publication number: 20140109566
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for optimizing heat transfer within a device or system used to compress and/or expand a gas, such as air, are described herein. For example, systems, methods and devices for optimizing the heat transfer within an air compression and expansion energy storage system are described herein. A compressor and/or expander device can include one or more of various embodiments of a heat transfer element that can be disposed within an interior of a cylinder or pressure vessel used in the compression and/or expansion of a gas, such as air. Such devices can include hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuators to move a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) within the cylinder or pressure vessel. The heat transfer element can be used to remove heat energy generated during a compression and/or expansion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: General Compression, Inc.
    Inventor: General Compression, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140109567
    Abstract: A hydraulic converter for a hydraulic brake system or clutch system, in particular, of a handlebar-steered vehicle, in particular of a bicycle, includes at least one hydraulic master device and a mechanical slave device for actuating the hydraulic master device. The hydraulic master device comprises a cylinder with a pressure chamber, a piston arranged in the cylinder displaceably along the axis of the cylinder, and the hydraulic converter having an adjustment device for adjusting the volume of the pressure chamber of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Joachim Hujer, Jochen Coconcelli
  • Publication number: 20140109568
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a pro-active condensate clean-out of a charge air cooler. In response to condensate in a charge air cooler and engine operating conditions, airflow is increased to the intake manifold, purging condensate from the cooler. Engine actuators may also be adjusted to maintain torque demand during the clean-out procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Adam Nathan Banker, Qiuping Qu
  • Publication number: 20140109569
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exhaust gas recirculation system for an engine (1), wherein at least a downstream sub-region of a region of an exhaust passage (33) upstream of a turbine wheel (52) is divided into two sub-passages (R1, R2) by a partition wall (20a, 30a) extending along an exhaust gas flow direction. A high-speed sub-passage (R2) in the two sub-passages (R1, R2) is equipped with an openable-closable exhaust variable valve (23). The exhaust variable valve (23) is configured to be controlled to open the high-speed sub-passage (R2) when an engine speed is equal to or greater than a reference speed, and close the high-speed sub-passage (R2) when the engine speed is less than the reference speed. An inlet (60a) of an EGR passage (60) on the side of the exhaust passage (33) is opened to the high-speed sub-passage (R2) at a position downstream of the exhaust variable valve (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuhei TSUJITA, Einosuke SUEKUNI, Junji UMEMURA, Yuki NABETANI
  • Publication number: 20140109570
    Abstract: A control device and method for the air system of a diesel engine is disclosed. The feature of the diesel engine is characterized by transfer function. During the control process, a decoupling transfer function is computed according to the transfer function and the steady working parameters of the diesel engine. By the decoupling transfer function acting on the processed state parameters of the air system, driving signals for controlling the exhaust gas recirculation system and the turbocharge system can be individually generated from one another, in order to realize decoupling of them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: WEICHAI POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guangdi Hu, Shaojun Sun, Dehui Tong, Shenggang Guo, Yingli Gong
  • Publication number: 20140109571
    Abstract: A method includes combusting air within a plurality of cylinders of an internal combustion engine by injecting a fuel into the plurality of cylinders. The method further includes expanding a first portion of an exhaust gas generated from the plurality of combustion cylinders via a turbine. The method further includes controlling at least one of feeding a second portion of the exhaust gas via an exhaust channel bypassing the turbine; and recirculating a third portion of the exhaust gas to the plurality of combustion cylinders via a recirculation channel, as a function of an intake manifold air temperature and pressure at which the engine is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roy James Primus, Omowoleola Chukwuemeka Akinyemi, Thomas Michael Lavertu, James Robert Mischler, Venu Gopal Gummadavelli
  • Publication number: 20140109572
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold for an internal combustion engine with exhaust turbocharging and an exhaust gas recirculation device, includes a header pipe with several inflow openings connected with the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine via connecting pieces, and outlet openings branching from the header pipe via connecting branches for the exhaust gas recirculation and the exhaust turbocharger. To achieve a high exhaust gas recirculation. rate and an effective pressurization of the exhaust turbocharger with exhaust gas, at least one flow guide element is arranged in the header pipe close to the outlet openings which divides the exhaust gas flow onto the two outlet openings in a targeted manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: MAN Truck & Bus AG
    Inventor: Manfred GREINER
  • Publication number: 20140109573
    Abstract: A power systems utilizing at least two heat source streams with substantially different initial temperatures, where the systems include a simple vaporization, separation, and energy extraction subsystem, a recycle subsystem, and a condensation and pressurization subsystem and methods for making and using same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: KALEX, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander I. Kalina
  • Publication number: 20140109574
    Abstract: A heat engine system is disclosed and includes first and second condensers fluidly and structurally coupled to first and second recuperators. An expansion device is coupled to the condensers at a drive end and suspended from the recuperators at a non-drive end. The recuperators can be printed circuit heat exchangers which provide superior heat transfer capabilities but are also robust enough to support the expansion device, and thereby form an integral part of a structural baseplate for mounting and aligning various components of the heat engine system. Exhaust conduits extending between the expansion device and the recuperators also provide added structural support for the expansion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Publication number: 20140109575
    Abstract: Plants, devices, and methods are presented which economically and effectively reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from flue gases by converting heat derived from one or more sources of flue gas to drive a heat engine, which generates power, energy, and/or work that is utilized by a CO2 capture unit coupled to the stream of flue gas. CO2 captured from the flue gas stream may be sequestered and/or utilized for commercial purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sander Balkenende
  • Publication number: 20140109576
    Abstract: An apparatus for generation of energy through organic Rankine cycle comprises a heat exchanger (3) to exchange heat between a high temperature source and an organic working fluid, so as to heat and evaporate said working fluid, an expansion turbine (4) of the radial-outflow type, fed with the vaporised working fluid outflowing from the heat exchanger (3), to make a conversion of the thermal energy present in the working fluid into mechanical energy according to a Rankine cycle, a condenser (6) where the working fluid outflowing from the turbine (4) is condensed and sent to a pump (2) and then fed to the heat exchanger (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: EXERGY S.P.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Spadacini, Dario Rizzi, Alessandro Barbato, Lorenzo Centemeri
  • Publication number: 20140109577
    Abstract: A ducting arrangement (10) for a can annular gas turbine engine, including: a duct (12, 14) disposed between a combustor (16) and a first row of turbine blades and defining a hot gas path (30) therein, the duct (12, 14) having raised geometric features (54) incorporated into an outer surface (80); and a flow sleeve (72) defining a cooling flow path (84) between an inner surface (78) of the flow sleeve (72) and the duct outer surface (80). After a cooling fluid (86) traverses a relatively upstream raised geometric feature (90), the inner surface (78) of the flow sleeve (72) is effective to direct the cooling fluid (86) toward a landing (94) separating the relatively upstream raised geometric feature (90) from a relatively downstream raised geometric feature (94).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Ching-Pang Lee, Jay A. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20140109578
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a combustor transition adapted to guide combustion gases in a hot gas flow path extending between a can combustor and a first stage of turbine in a gas turbine. The combustor transition includes a duct having an upstream end adapted for connection to the can combustor and a downstream end adapted for connection to a first stage of a turbine, wherein the downstream end comprises an outer wall, an inner wall, a first and a second side wall. At least one side wall has a side wall extension, which extends in a downstream direction beyond the outlet. The side wall extension at least partly encloses a first resonator volume and at least one side wall extension includes a resonator hole, which is configured as a neck of a Helmholtz-damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Mirko Ruben BOTHIEN, Michael Düsing
  • Publication number: 20140109579
    Abstract: The disclosure relates combustor transition adapted to guide combustion gases in a hot gas flow path extending between a can combustor and a first stage of turbine in a gas turbine. The combustor transition includes a duct having an upstream end adapted for connection to the can combustor and an downstream end adapted for connection to a first stage of a turbine, wherein the downstream end comprises an outer wall, an inner wall, a first and a second side wall. The combustor transition is, characterized in that at least one side wall has a side wall extension, which is extending in a downstream direction beyond the outlet. Besides the combustor transition a gas turbine includes such a combustor transition, a method for retrofitting a gas turbine with such a combustor transition as well as a method for borescope inspection of a GT with such a combustor transition are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Michael DÜSING, Mirko Ruben BOTHIEN