Patents Issued in May 22, 2014
  • Publication number: 20140137554
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery (WHR) system connects a working fluid to fluid passages formed in an engine block and/or a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, forming an engine heat exchanger. The fluid passages are formed near high temperature areas of the engine, subjecting the working fluid to sufficient heat energy to vaporize the working fluid while the working fluid advantageously cools the engine block and/or cylinder head, improving fuel efficiency. The location of the engine heat exchanger downstream from an EGR boiler and upstream from an exhaust heat exchanger provides an optimal position of the engine heat exchanger with respect to the thermodynamic cycle of the WHR system, giving priority to cooling of EGR gas. The configuration of valves in the WHR system provides the ability to select a plurality of parallel flow paths for optimal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicants: PACCAR, INC., CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Timothy C. ERNST, Christopher R. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20140137555
    Abstract: The invention can be a method for maintaining an operating temperature of a power plant during shut-down periods. The method can include, during shut-down of the power plant, generating heat with an electric heater in order to approximately maintain the operating temperature of the power plant. The method can use electric power to operate the electric heater, where at least some of the electric power is from an electricity grid external to the power plant. The method can continue to generate heat with the electric heater as long as at least one of the electrical prices and the demand for electricity indicate that it will be more efficient to use electric power from the electricity grid to generate heat with the electric heater than to more completely shut down or restart the power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Hyteresis, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonardo Andres DEL CAMPO, Warren KATZENSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20140137556
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor includes a combustion cylinder, a premixing tube, and a pressure injection unit. Holes are formed in a peripheral wall of the premixing tube in a tangential direction. An inner wall is provided in the peripheral wall while having a gap therefrom. The compressed air in the gap forms a swirl flow. The compressed air and injected fuel supplied into the inner wall form straight flows each with a predetermined cross-section area in the inner wall under no influence of the swirl flow. They are combusted in the combustion cylinder via a protruding wall. The flame is stably retained at an appropriate position apart from the top portion of the combustion cylinder to improve durability without being excessively heated. This may prevent deterioration in durability of the combustion cylinder by the heat by retaining the flame at the appropriate position in the combustion cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Masamichi KOYAMA, Shigeru TACHIBANA
  • Publication number: 20140137557
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor includes a combustion cylinder and a premixing tube. A protruding wall of the tube has an inner diameter enlarging portion with a chamfer at an open end thereof A swirl flow in the tube is guided outward along the chamfer, so that the cross-section area of a straight flow in the tube is expanded to have a lower flow velocity, and the distance between a flame in the cylinder and the enlarging portion is shortened. When using the fuel with high heat radiation upon combustion, the enlarging portion is replaced with the one having a smaller chamfer. The cross-section area of the straight flow is reduced to increase the flow velocity, and the lift distance becomes longer. Therefore, the damage to the combustion cylinder owing to the intensified heat radiation is prevented. The flame lift position retained in the cylinder is easily set and changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Masamichi KOYAMA, Shigeru TACHIBANA
  • Publication number: 20140137558
    Abstract: A fuel supply system supplies fuel to a plurality of combustion sectors of a combustion section of a gas turbine. Each of the combustion sectors includes at least two combustors. The fuel supply system generally includes a fuel distribution manifold that is in fluid communication with a fuel supply. A first flow path is defined between the fuel distribution manifold and a first combustion sector. A second flow path is defined between the fuel distribution manifold and a second combustion sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: David Kaylor Toronto
  • Publication number: 20140137559
    Abstract: A combustor section for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor vane which extends at least partially into a combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Cunha, Nurhak Erbas-Sen
  • Publication number: 20140137560
    Abstract: A turbomachine with a trapped vortex feature includes a unibody liner formed to define a flow path for combustion products, the unibody liner including first and second portions defining first radial planes, a third portion defining a second radial plane and fourth and fifth portions extending substantially radially between proximal ends of the first and third portions and proximal ends of the second and third portions, respectively, and an injector configured to deliver a fuel or a fuel/air mixture to a space partially bound by the third, fourth and fifth portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucas John Stoia, Bryan Wesley Romig
  • Publication number: 20140137561
    Abstract: A system for reducing modal coupling of combustion dynamics includes a plurality of combustors, and at least one fuel injector in each of the plurality of combustors. The system also includes structure for dithering a combustion instability frequency in at least one combustor in the plurality of combustors. A method for reducing modal coupling of combustion dynamics includes flowing a compressed working fluid at a temperature to a plurality of combustors and flowing a fuel to at least one fuel injector in each of the plurality of combustors. The method further includes dithering at least one of the temperature of the compressed working fluid flowing to the plurality of combustors or the fuel flow to the at least one fuel injector in at least one combustor in the plurality of combustors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Sarah Lori Crothers, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Christian Xavier Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20140137562
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator having one or more actuators coupled to one or more heating elements in which the actuator(s) are used to improve the transfer of thermal energy from heating element(s) to one or more fuel units contained within the generator. In one embodiment, an actuator allows insertion and/or removal of packaged fuel units without the need of removing the heating element(s) and/or the actuator(s). When the actuator is in a retracted state (e.g., a low temperature state), the packaged fuel unit may be inserted and/or removed from a cavity of the hydrogen generator. When the actuator is in an extended state (e.g., a higher temperature state), the actuator forces contact between itself or the heating element and the fuel unit when a prescribed operating temperature is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Chad E. Law, Mark D. Vandayburg
  • Publication number: 20140137563
    Abstract: A method for operating a compressed air energy storage system is provided. The method can include compressing a process gas with a compressor train to produce a compressed process gas and storing the compressed process gas in a compressed gas storage unit. The method can also include extracting the compressed process gas from the compressed gas storage unit to an expansion assembly through a feed line. A valve assembly fluidly coupled to the feed line can be actuated to control a mass flow of the compressed process gas from the compressed gas storage unit to the expansion assembly. The method can further include heating the compressed process gas in a preheater fluidly coupled to the feed line upstream from the expansion assembly, and generating a power output with the expansion assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Jason M. Kerth, George M. Lucas, Stephen S. Rashid
  • Publication number: 20140137564
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigation of hot corrosion in steam injected gas turbine. In one embodiment, a steam injection system can provide for automatic injection of steam in a gas turbine for NOx abatement and power augmentation. The system can obtain indications as to whether the steam to be injected meets the requirements of the gas turbine in terms of purity and quality. If the quality or purity is not adequate, steam the injection into the combustor or compressor discharge casing (CDC) is automatically inhibited. The system may also monitor the dynamic pressure oscillations inside the combustor. The system may modulate steam flows modulates to enhance the total steam flow while maintaining the dynamic oscillations within acceptable limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alston I. Scipio, Sanji Ekanayake, Paul Robert Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20140137565
    Abstract: When starting a dual fuel turbine engine on liquid fuel, a flow of air assist into a combined pilot gaseous fuel and air assist tube is supplied. The velocity of the flow of air assist is increased as it is expelled through an outlet of the tube. The flow of air assist is directed into a first end of a pilot injector barrel. Additional air is drawn into the first end of the pilot injector barrel from an enclosure containing both the first end of the pilot injector barrel and the tube outlet. Liquid pilot fuel is supplied at a second end of the pilot injector barrel, and this fuel is atomized by the flow of the air assist and additional air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Solar Turbines, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Zdzislaw Twardochleb, Robert Anthony Corr, II
  • Publication number: 20140137566
    Abstract: A combustor (10) includes a combustion chamber (18), a liner (12) surrounding the combustion chamber, and a flow sleeve (52) surrounding the liner. An annular passage is between the liner and the flow sleeve, and a fuel injector (50) is located partially in the annular passage and extending through the liner into the combustion chamber. The fuel injector includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and a flow passage. A method of supplying a fuel to a combustor includes flowing a diluent inside an outer tube extending along a liner and flowing a liquid or gaseous fuel inside an inner tube extending inside a portion of the outer tube. The method further includes flowing the diluent and the liquid or gaseous fuel through the liner and into a combustion chamber surrounded by the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Borys Borysovych Shershnyov, Geoffrey David Myers, Leonid Yulyevich Ginesin
  • Publication number: 20140137567
    Abstract: Disclosed are a micro gas turbine and a method of assembling the same. The micro gas turbine includes an ignitor assembly having an ignitor, along with an ignitor-coupling structure. The ignitor-coupling structure includes a mounting bracket having first and second ends, the first end being coupled to the ignitor and the second end being provided on its outer circumference with an external screw. A coupling member is mounted to a liner casing surrounding a combustor and has, on its inner circumference, an internal screw corresponding to the external screw. A bellows surrounds the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: STX Heavy Industries, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Min PARK, Jae Suk PARK, Sang Min LEE, Ta Kwan WOO
  • Publication number: 20140137568
    Abstract: A device for mounting a spark plug in a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine includes a chimney including a collar extending radially inwards, a washer fastened on an axial end of the chimney so as to project towards the inside of the chimney, and a bushing forming a spark plug guide and including an inner collar and an outer collar that are axially spaced apart from each other by a cylindrical portion. Each collar extends radially outwards. The bushing is floatingly mounted inside the chimney with its collars axially positioned between the collar of the chimney and the washer. The inner collar comes in operation to bear against the collar of the chimney. The outer collar presents an outside diameter (d1) greater than the inside diameter (d2) of the washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jacques Marcel Arthur Bunel, Mario César De Sousa, Gilles Ulryck
  • Publication number: 20140137569
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling condensation generation in an air conditioning system for use in a bed (mattress). During active operation of the air conditioning system to generate conditioned air, the relative humidity of ambient air is measured and operation of one or more thermoelectric devices (TEDs) within the air conditioning system in response to the measured relative humidity is adjusted to control condensate buildup. In addition, during a subsequent drying operation, the relative humidity of the ambient air is measured and the drying operation is adjusted or otherwise controlled based on the measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Marlow Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Overton Parish, Leonard Recine, Kevin Garrett, Anthony Tran
  • Publication number: 20140137570
    Abstract: A variable-thermal-resistance mounting system may include a cylinder coupled to a heat source, or heat load and a rod movably engaged to the cylinder and coupled to a remaining one of the heat source and heat load. The rod may be coupled to a heat load. The rod may be axially slidable relative to the cylinder between a collapsed position and an extended position in a manner causing a change in heat flow between the heat source and the heat load such that the warm-side temperature of the heat load is initially set at a substantially optimal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Perpetua Power Source Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Hauck, Ingo Stark, Paul McClelland
  • Publication number: 20140137571
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the performance of dilution refrigeration systems are described. Filters and traps employed in the helium circuit of a dilution refrigerator may be modified to improve performance. Some traps may be designed to harness cryocondensation as opposed to cryoadsorption. A cryocondensation trap employs a cryocondensation surface having a high thermal conductivity and a high specific heat with a binding energy that preferably matches at least one contaminant but does not match helium. Multiple traps may be coupled in series in the helium circuit, with each trap designed to trap a specific contaminant or set of contaminants. Both cryocondensation and cryoadsorption may be exploited among multiple traps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: D-Wave Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Craig Petroff, Richard G. Harris
  • Publication number: 20140137572
    Abstract: A natural gas fuel system is provided. The system includes a vent gas recapture tank, a liquid natural gas (LNG) storage tank operably connected to the vent gas recapture tank, and a pressure control regulator operably connected to the vent gas recapture tank and the LNG storage tank. Vent gas is released from at least one point on the fuel system and stored in the vent gas recapture tank when certain conditions are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Joshua W. Steffen
  • Publication number: 20140137573
    Abstract: A system includes a load module, a comparison module and a control module. The load module is configured to determine a current load of a compressor. The comparison module is configured to compare the current load to a previous load of the compressor to generate a comparison signal based on the comparison. The control module is configured to generate (i) a first control signal based on a superheat value of the compressor, and (ii) a second control signal based on the current load and the previous load. The control module is configured to, based on the comparison signal, control a position of an expansion valve according to either the first control signal or the second control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Zhiyong LIN, Daniel J. SCHUTTE, Benedict J. DOLCICH, Roger NOLL
  • Publication number: 20140137574
    Abstract: An aircraft galley compartment cooling system includes a source of chilled air, and a closed compartment with a door. A sensor detects the opening of the door, and sends a signal to the cooling system to deactivate while the door is opened to prevent ambient air from entering the cooling system. Once the door is closed, the cooling system is reactivated. The sensor can be a light sensor, a mechanical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like for determining movement or the presence/non-presence of the door to the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Harkamal Singh Hothi
  • Publication number: 20140137575
    Abstract: An egg chiller is provided that can be used to chill both raw and hard-boiled eggs. The egg chiller has a base tray and at least one additional tray. An interior volume of both the base tray and the at least one additional tray is filled with an amount of water through an interior opening. A plug is inserted into the interior opening of both the base tray and the at least one additional tray in order to prevent the amount of water from leaking out. After the amount of water is allowed to freeze, eggs are placed within a plurality of egg-bottom recesses of both the base tray and the at least one additional tray. The at least one additional tray is then stacked on top of the base tray, allowing for compact storage of the egg chiller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Gustavo GUERRERO
  • Publication number: 20140137576
    Abstract: An ice support and storage tray includes one or more cavities having upwardly facing spherical surface portions that support spherical pieces of ice. The tray is preferably made of a material having a low thermal conductivity to reduce melting of the spherical pieces of ice. The spherical support surfaces minimize melting points that could otherwise cause the spherical pieces of ice to melt and develop irregular surface shapes. The ice tray may be used in a freezer having an ice maker that transports spheres of ice to the ice support cavities. The ice storage tray may be configured to permit removal of spheres of ice without tipping the tray upside down and/or twisting/deforming the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRIAN K. CULLEY, LINDSEY ANN WOHLGAMUTH
  • Publication number: 20140137577
    Abstract: An ice piece release and formation system (and associated methods) including a chilled compartment, a warm section, a tray in thermal communication with the chilled compartment, and a reservoir assembly in thermal communication with the warm section. The tray includes ice piece-forming receptacles and a cavity in thermal communication with the receptacles. The reservoir assembly includes chambers in fluid communication with the cavity and a driving body for moving the chambers. The system further includes a heat-exchanging fluid that resides in the chambers and the cavity of the tray. The driving body and the reservoir assembly are further adapted to move each of the chambers to a position above the cavity, and the other of the chambers to a position below the cavity, such that the fluid within the chamber positioned above the cavity flows into the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: COREY M. GOODEN, STEVEN JOHN KUEHL
  • Publication number: 20140137578
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to heat transfer and refrigerant compositions and methods that include HFC-32; HFO-1234ze and HFC-125.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: SAMUEL F. YANA MOTTA, MARK W. SPATZ, ELIZABET DEL CARMEN VERA BECERRA, ANKIT SETHI, THOMAS MORRIS
  • Publication number: 20140137579
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery and recharge device and a method to recharge oil to refrigeration equipment is disclosed. The refrigerant recovery and recharge device comprises a valve block which is adapted to establish fluid communication between the device and refrigeration equipment and a recharge path adapted to recharge oil to the refrigeration equipment through an outlet in the valve block. The device further comprises at least a first oil container and a second oil container and the valve block comprises a valve with a first inlet and a second inlet. The first oil container is in fluid communication with the first inlet and the second oil container is in fluid communication with the second inlet to recharge oil to the refrigeration equipment. The method for recharging oil recharges oil either from the first oil container or the second oil container in dependence of the type of fuel used in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicants: Bosch Limited, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: G K Venkatesh
  • Publication number: 20140137580
    Abstract: A method of refrigeration control through a refrigeration system of a refrigerated transport container includes performing a defrost cycle on the refrigeration system by activating a heat source; and restarting the refrigeration system after the defrost cycle has completed, wherein restarting the refrigeration system includes performing a liquid slugging avoidance process including: initiating a compressor of the refrigeration system at a speed; opening a pressure equalization valve in parallel with the compressor in response to the initiating; opening a liquid valve in series between a condenser and an evaporator after opening of the pressure equalization valve; and closing the pressure equalization valve after a period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Fabienne Peyaud, JeanPhilippe Goux, Virginie Choquart
  • Publication number: 20140137581
    Abstract: A pumped two phase fluid routing system includes an evaporator. The evaporator includes a base portion having an input liquid port for receiving a working fluid and an output liquid port for expelling a liquid. The evaporator also includes a wick portion including a plurality of vapor grooves and a plurality of vapor vents for providing a vapor flow path of a vapor formed within the evaporator. The evaporator further includes a lid portion disposed in close proximity to the wick portion and receiving heat for formation of the vapor, the lid portion having a vapor port for expelling the vapor. The fluid routing system also includes a first liquid line in fluid communication with the base portion for receiving the expelled liquid. The fluid routing system further includes a vapor line in fluid communication with the lid portion for receiving the expelled vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Wei-Lin Cho
  • Publication number: 20140137582
    Abstract: Provided is a cooling system wherein a first two-phase refrigerant can be circulated by a pump through an evaporator, to a first condenser, to a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and back to the pump. By providing the refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger in series with the condenser, a first environment can be cooled without having to operate a vapor compression circuit when an ambient temperature outside the first environment is a predetermined amount below an ambient temperature in the first environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy Louvar, Brandon Wegmann, Abhijit Sathe
  • Publication number: 20140137583
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an air conditioner is provided. The apparatus may include a control apparatus connected to one of a plurality of component devices to monitor and control the plurality of component devices. The control apparatus may receive cycle data from the plurality of component devices to enable problem diagnosis on the plurality of component devices connected thereto, in real time, display the cycle data for the plurality of component devices on a frame, and change the cycle data thus displayed if the data on the plurality of component devices changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Seontaek KIM, Hana PARK, Seongjin SHIN
  • Publication number: 20140137584
    Abstract: An air conditioning system is provided that may include a control apparatus that provides easy access to data for an air conditioner to determine and control an operation state of the air conditioner visually. The air conditioning system may store and manage data received from the air conditioner, and display visually a change in the operation state of the air conditioner with time, enabling a user to easily determine a state of the air conditioner and to instantly recognize a problem with the air conditioner and to easily determine a flow on a whole structure and general operation of the air conditioner, thereby to significantly improving user convenience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Seontaek KIM, Seongjin SHIN, Nakhoon KIM, Byungsoon KIM
  • Publication number: 20140137585
    Abstract: A system includes an error module configured to integrate a difference between a superheat signal and a superheat setpoint to generate an error signal, wherein the superheat signal indicates suction superheat values of a compressor. A comparison module is configured to compare the error signal to a first predetermined threshold to generate a first comparison signal based on the comparison. A zero-crossing module is configured to compare a first count value to a second predetermined threshold to generate a second comparison signal. The first count value is generated based on at least one comparison between the superheat signal and the superheat setpoint. A setpoint module is configured to adjust the superheat setpoint based on the first comparison signal and the second comparison signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Zongtao LU, Zhiyong LIN, Craig WARD, Benedict J. DOLCICH, John F. JUDGE
  • Publication number: 20140137586
    Abstract: A system for facilitating communication of information between an information source positioned inside a refrigerated environment and a position outside the refrigerated environment comprising a transmitter for transmitting a signal including the information, a planar antenna fixed to a gasket for resonating the transmitted signal, the gasket providing a seal between the refrigerated compartment and a door providing access to the refrigerated compartment, and a receiver for receiving the signal including the information. The information could include information concerning at least one container positioned in a refrigerated environment. The system may utilize a Wi-Fi device, a Bluetooth® device, RFID device, or other devices for transmitting the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: FLUID MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Somnath Mukherjee
  • Publication number: 20140137587
    Abstract: A method for storing food items within a refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes placing a plurality of food items within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance and establishing an identity of each food item of the plurality of food items. The method also includes determining a preferred storage condition of the chilled chamber based upon the identities of the plurality of food items and adjusting a current storage condition of the chilled chamber to about the preferred storage condition. Operating the chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance at the preferred storage condition can improve a useful life of food items within the chilled chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Joel Erik Hitzelberger
  • Publication number: 20140137588
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a main refrigerant circuit where refrigerant flows in order of a compressor, outdoor heat exchanger, expansion valve, and indoor heat exchanger. An injection circuit is configured such that the refrigerant diverges between the outdoor heat exchanger and indoor heat exchanger in the main refrigerant circuit and returns to the compressor having a pressure between a suction pressure of compressor and a discharge pressure of compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi TAKEICHI
  • Publication number: 20140137589
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a first refrigerant flow switching device, a plurality of intermediate heat exchangers, a first expansion device, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger, through all of which a refrigerant circulates and all of which in combination form a refrigeration cycle; and a heat medium circuit including the plurality of intermediate heat exchangers, a pump, and a plurality of use-side heat exchangers, through all of which a heat medium circulates. The air-conditioning apparatus further includes a heat medium energy storage that is connected to the heat medium circuit and stores the heat medium; and an intra-storage heat exchanger that is connected to the refrigerant circuit and heats or cools the heat medium in the heat medium energy storage by using the heat-source-side refrigerant supplied thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Motomura, Osamu Morimoto, Daisuke Shimamoto, Kouji Azuma
  • Publication number: 20140137590
    Abstract: An integrated transport refrigeration unit comprises an engine providing power to drive a shaft. The shaft drives a refrigerant compressor and a generator, both of which being encased within a housing, and the generator is immersed in refrigerant. In an exemplary embodiment, an integrated transport refrigeration unit also includes an auxiliary generator driven by the shaft and disposed externally from said housing. In this embodiment, the auxiliary produces current for charging a battery and for operating a fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Chopko, Richard T. Pandzik
  • Publication number: 20140137591
    Abstract: A preheat tank to which a heat exchanger is operatively coupled receives water from a distribution subsystem. A water distribution subsystem and tempered fluid distribution subsystem provide domestic water and tempered fluid, respectively, to a plurality of spaces. Air handlers transfer heat between the tempered fluid and the spaces for heating and cooling. A controller coupled to the tempered fluid subsystem, the heat exchanger and a refrigerator has: (i) a first mode, wherein the fluid is routed through the heat exchanger, to pass heat to the preheat tank; and (ii) a second mode, wherein the fluid is routed through an evaporator of the refrigerator, to pass heat to the refrigerant. A storage tank is coupled to the preheat tank to receive water therefrom and is coupled to the condenser of the refrigerator such that heat rejected by the condenser is passed to the contents of the storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Robert G. Rutherford
  • Publication number: 20140137592
    Abstract: A corrugated fin (6) disposed between flat tubes (5) having a cross-sectional shape extended in a first direction includes a plurality of plate portions (6A) and a plurality of folded portions (6B). Each plate portion (6A) has a plurality of louvers (7) formed by cutting and raising, the louvers (7) being inclined with respect to the first direction and being substantially continuous with each other in the first direction. Each plate portion (6A) has an extension portion (60) projecting windward in the first direction from a joining region (8) where the folded portions (6B) are joined to the flat tubes (5). A foremost louver (7a) that is located on the most windward side among the louvers (7) is disposed entirely within the extension portion (60). Each plate portion (6A) has a front flat portion (61) located windward of the foremost louver (7a). The front flat portion (61) has an area larger than half of that of the extension portion (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Subaru Matsumoto, Kou Komori
  • Publication number: 20140137593
    Abstract: A sump for use in an ice maker, the sump adapted to hold a mass of water, wherein the ice maker freezes some or all of the mass of water into ice. The sump includes a recirculation area and one or more additional areas separated from the recirculation area. The recirculation area and the one or more additional areas are in fluid communication via one or more passageways. The recirculation area is adapted to hold and receive a first portion of the mass of water having a first mass. The one or more additional areas are adapted to hold a second portion of the mass of water having a second mass. Thus, if the first portion of water forms into slush, the second portion of water can be recirculated to melt the slush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: True Manufacturing Comapany, Inc.
    Inventor: John Allen BROADBENT
  • Publication number: 20140137594
    Abstract: An ice storage bin assembly including an ice storage bin having a cavity for the storage of ice and an opening which provides access to the cavity for retrieval of ice stored therein. The ice storage bin assembly further includes a door rotatably connected to the ice storage bin by one or more hinges which permit the door to swing down from a closed position to an open position. When the door is in the closed position, the door closes the opening and when the door is in the open position, the cavity of the ice storage bin is accessible. Optionally, one or more hooks may be disposed on the back side of the door, such that the one or more hooks are adapted to temporarily retain a bucket when the door is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: True Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John Allen BROADBENT
  • Publication number: 20140137595
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided for a motor vehicle air-conditioning system with an inner tube and with an outer tube, which at least in regions encloses the inner tube in the region of a line portion subject to forming an intermediate space in tube longitudinal direction through which a heat exchanger medium can flow. The intermediate space at least in portions is subdivided into at least three flow channels with at least three webs running in tube longitudinal direction, which open into a distribution or manifold space formed through radial expansion of the outer tube, in which the webs compared with the line portion have a smaller extension in radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lothar SEYBOLD, Kai-Ove PIETSCH
  • Publication number: 20140137596
    Abstract: A cooling element includes two layers of a foil material, fastened to one another by welding connections such that a compartment closed for liquid is formed between them and at least one of the layers is vapor-transmitting over at least a portion of its surface area. The two layers of foil material include thermoplastic plastic, or polyurethane, polypropylene, or polyethylene. Alternatively or additionally, the layers of foil material include a weldable material at least at sides that face one another, and the connections are formed by welded connections. The layers of foil material and the intermediate layer may be manufactured from thermoplastic plastics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: INUTEQ B.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Dijkema, Erland Bakkers
  • Publication number: 20140137597
    Abstract: In a cooling and compressing process, a wet feed gas (1) that is rich in carbon dioxide is scrubbed with water and with an antifreeze agent in a column (3) in order to produce a flow of gas that is rich in carbon dioxide, water-depleted and cooled, the flow of gas rich in carbon dioxide is compressed in a compressor (20) and a liquid rich in carbon dioxide (18) is vaporized in order to cool the water and antifreeze agent before sending them to the scrubbing operation, it being possible for the liquid to originate from an external source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Alain Briglia, Philippe Court, Arthur Darde
  • Publication number: 20140137598
    Abstract: A regenerative carbon dioxide removal system (38) is provided onboard the container (10) through which air from within the cargo box (12) may be circulated for removing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide present in the air. The regenerative carbon dioxide removal system (38) includes a scrubber module (40) containing a carbon dioxide absorbent material (42), and an actuator (50) for moving the scrubber module (40) to pass the carbon dioxide absorbent material (42) alternately between a first flow of air (32) to be cleaned drawn by the evaporator fan (30) from within the cargo box (12), and a second flow of air (44) drawn from an environment outside the cargo box for regenerating the carbon dioxide adsorbent material (42) by removing collected carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide adsorbent material (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm N. Fleming, JR., Catherine Thibaud-Erkey
  • Publication number: 20140137599
    Abstract: A system and methods for recovering helium from a natural gas stream are disclosed. The system may include a cold box configured to chill a feed stream and a cryogenic stripper column configured to separate the feed stream into a gaseous top stream and a liquid bottom stream. The gaseous top stream includes an enhanced concentration of helium. A Joule-Thompson (J-T) valve is configured to flash at least a portion of the liquid bottom stream into a first gaseous stream into a heat exchanger in a cold box to chill the feed stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Russell H. Oelfke, Donald Victory
  • Publication number: 20140137600
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a Friendship bracelet that appears as one but can be torn into two individual bracelets for each friend to wear and be connected to each other is disclosed. The invention described here allows a proper link between both friends who wear half of the bracelet. The result is a proper symbol that connects two friends to each other by wearing half of a bracelet that used to be one single bracelet before being torn in two. The friendship bracelet according to another embodiment of the present invention that appears as one but can be torn into a plurality of individual bracelets for each friend in a group to wear and be connected to one another is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Michael James Rich, William Womack
  • Publication number: 20140137601
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for fabricating continuous glass ribbons are disclosed. The method includes forming the continuous glass ribbon by drawing the continuous glass ribbon from a draw housing in a drawing direction, heating at least one portion of a central region of the continuous glass ribbon at a heating location downstream of the draw housing, sensing a temperature of the continuous glass ribbon at a sensed temperature location downstream of the draw housing, and automatically controlling the heating of the at least one portion of the central region of the continuous glass ribbon based on the sensed temperature to mitigate distortion of the continuous glass ribbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tomohiro Aburada, Anmol Agrawal, Steven Roy Burdette, Masumi Kihata, Gautam Narendra Kudva, Michael Yoshiya Nishimoto
  • Publication number: 20140137602
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a band-shaped glass includes forming, while being drawn downward, the band-shaped glass having a thickness of 300 ?m or less except both edge portions in a width direction thereof, and then changing a conveying direction of the band-shaped glass to a lateral direction so that a front surface constitutes an upper surface. The band-shaped glass is introduced to a region for changing the conveying direction under a curved state in which the front surface side thereof is concave in the width direction. The band-shaped glass in the curved state satisfies a relationship of 0>???200 mm, where ? represents a maximum separation distance with respect to an imaginary straight line connecting both the edge portions of the band-shaped glass in the width direction, provided that the maximum separation distance is positive on the front surface side of the band-shaped glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shusaku Tamamura, Takahide Nakamura, Katsutoshi Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20140137603
    Abstract: Feeder channel for molten glass including an infrastructure including a block self-cast and sintered in situ. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a block of such an infrastructure and a supply channel for a glassmaking furnace are claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CENTRE DE RECHERCHES ET D'ETUDES EUROPEEN
    Inventors: Cyril Linnot, Michel Bobo