Patents Issued in July 15, 2014
  • Patent number: 8776481
    Abstract: A packing-packaging machine includes: sheet feeding means; a horizontal bonding unit for forming a bag body by forming horizontal bonding on a tubular body at predetermined intervals; and an object dispensing unit for dispensing an object to be packaged to the bag body during a repetition of the formation of the horizontal bonding. The object dispensing unit includes a shutter for opening and closing a falling path of a predetermined amount of the object into the bag body. The shutter is opened and closed such that the predetermined amount of the object and another predetermined amount of the object fall with a spacing therebetween, and that before the horizontal bonding is formed on the bag body packed with the predetermined amount of the object which has been dropped during opening-closing operation of the shutter, the other predetermined amount of the object for a next bag body starts falling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Ohki Co., Ltd., Tsubakimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd., Fabrica Toyama Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Miyahara, Yoshiyuki Tsuji, Tomohiro Takemoto
  • Patent number: 8776482
    Abstract: A passage for the sealed and/or sterile passage of a functional element (15), for example a rod and/or wave-like functional element through at least one wall (6) separating a sterile chamber (5) from an non-sterile chamber, comprising at least one hydraulic seal (20) enabling a relative movement of the functional element (15) in relation to the at least one wall (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Drenguis
  • Patent number: 8776483
    Abstract: System, method and material for making pneumatically filled packing cushions in which a plastic film material having two superposed layers joined together along first and second longitudinal edges is prefabricated at a first location by forming longitudinally spaced, transversely extending rows of perforations across it and sealing it together along seal lines which extend from the first edge of the material in a direction generally parallel to the rows of perforations other and terminate a short distance from the second edge to form chambers with open mouths facing the second edge between the rows of perforations. The material is then fan-folded or formed into rolls for storage and shipment. At a second location, gas is introduced into the chambers by passing the material along a tube positioned between the ends of the seals and the second edge of the material and injecting the gas into the open mouths of the chambers through openings in a side wall of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Free-Flow Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunter G. Fuss, Vladimir Yampolsky
  • Patent number: 8776484
    Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine is adapted to manufacture a bag having a gusset section, and includes a conveying part, a plurality of splitters and an inward-folding member. The conveying part is configured and arranged to convey a tubular packaging material. The splitters extend along a conveyance direction of the tubular packaging material to contact with the tubular packaging material from an interior side. The inward-folding member has a pressing part including a plurality of contacting portions that are three-dimensionally arranged to generally correspond to a shape of the gusset section. The inward-folding member is configured and arranged to press the contacting portions of the pressing part from an external side of the tubular packaging material against an outer surface of a gusset formation area of the tubular packaging material located between the splitters to form the gusset section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Kondo, Makoto Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8776485
    Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine is capable of reducing poor sealing caused by a packaged article catching in lateral seal portions. The form-fill-seal machine is provided with an upper tube, a lower tube disposed therebelow, a former, a lateral sealing mechanism below the lower tube, and opening and closing sliding members. A packaged article is dropped through the interiors of the upper tube and the lower tube. The former winds a sheet of a film F around the circumference of the lower tube to convert same into a tubular film. The lateral sealing mechanism laterally seals the tubular film. The opening and closing sliding members, which are disposed between the upper tube and the lower tube, shut off an upwardly oriented flow of gas from the interior of the lower tube when in a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nishitsuji, Fumitaka Tokuda, Shinji Takeichi, Toshikazu Shimada, Toshiharu Kageyama, Toshikazu Shotsu
  • Patent number: 8776486
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping an object with a film has a film-feed head having a drive for pulling the film from a supply and feeding it in a feed direction through the head toward an object to be wrapped with the film and a pull-down device downstream in the direction from the head for drawing the film around the object. A blower directs a stream of air in the feed head parallel and immediately adjacent to the film and in the feed direction so as to entrain the film in the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: MSK-Verpackungs-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Rolf Michels, Norbert Vermeulen
  • Patent number: 8776487
    Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes at least one platform section. Each platform section has a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt with a leading edge, and a plurality of skid shoes. Each skid shoe extends rearwardly from the cutterbar assembly and has an upper surface defining a belt support for the leading edge of the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Coers, Kyle A. Meeske, John Andrios, Benjamin M. Lovett, Corwin M. Puryk
  • Patent number: 8776488
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting vegetation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first and second cutting mechanism for cutting vegetation. The first cutting mechanism is configured to cut vegetation from an original height to a first height. The original height is a height greater than a height reachable by the second cutting mechanism. The second cutting mechanism is configured to cut the same vegetation from the first height to a second height, after the first cutting mechanism has cut the vegetation to the first height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Armando Garza, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8776489
    Abstract: A quick-change mowing blade arrangement is provided. The mowing blade has a shaped feature and a hole which maintain a certain spacing X from one another. For installation, the mowing blade is held, by means of the hole, pivotally on a head of a peg. If the head) undergoes an impermissible amount of wear, the shaped feature is no longer hidden by a cover of the mowing cutter disc, but becomes visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Heinrich Tepe
  • Patent number: 8776490
    Abstract: A method for fabricating natural polymer yarn comprises the following steps: (a) forming a natural polymeric long fiber by wet spinning or electro spinning from a natural polymer solution; (b) combining the natural polymeric long fiber and at least one polymeric fiber by a false twist texturing process to form a natural polymeric yarn. A natural polymer yarn relates to the method. A natural polymer fabric includes said natural polymer yarn. A method of using said natural polymer fabric for medical dressing. By means of a false twist texturing process, the natural polymer yarn with enhanced tensile strength and elongation could reduce the drawback of conventional wound dressing products which lack strength and stretchiness in a wet condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Coreleader Biotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teeming Tsao
  • Patent number: 8776491
    Abstract: There is provided a lifting engagement chain unit that autonomously erects a pair of engagement chains, ensures engagement accuracy between link plates and improves buckling strength. A plurality of buckling restricting attachment plates is arrayed along an outer surface of the engagement chains in a chain longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Michio Oitaka, Takahisa Ando
  • Patent number: 8776492
    Abstract: An adjustable link for a bracelet, including first and second half links longitudinally moveable via cooperation of a guide and a complementary guide, and captived by cooperation of a stopping mechanism and a complementary stopping mechanism. The first half link includes a longitudinal finger with a locking mechanism including a radial elastic return moveable between folded and unfolded positions, and the second half link includes a longitudinal channel allowing the finger to pass in only one of the folded or unfolded positions, and, in proximity to the channel, a complementary locking mechanism cooperating, in at least one locking position, with the locking mechanism in the other of the folded or unfolded positions, the locking mechanism and complementary locking mechanism together defining at least two of the longitudinally separate locking positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Omega SA
    Inventor: Daniel Knuchel
  • Patent number: 8776493
    Abstract: A prime mover uses detonation chambers to provide rotary power through a center hub. The center hub has a center shaft able to rotate and mounted to the center hub, and rotating arms are mounted to the center shaft. A detonation chamber is mounted to each rotating arm at a distance from the center hub which establishes a force moment about the center hub. Fuel passages connect an external fuel source, such as hydrogen and oxygen, with the detonation chambers to deliver fuel to the detonation chambers. Fuel delivered to the detonation chambers is ignited to establish a reaction force which is transferred through the rotating arms and the center hub. The rotating force is used to drive a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David C. Dawson, Richard C. Adams
  • Patent number: 8776494
    Abstract: A system and method of cooling a rocket motor component includes injecting a high pressure liquid coolant through an injector nozzle into a cooling chamber. The cooling chamber having a pressure lower than the high pressure liquid coolant. The liquid coolant flashes into a saturated liquid-vapor coolant mixture in the cooling chamber. The saturated liquid-vapor coolant mixture is at equilibrium at the lower pressure of the cooling chamber. Heat from the rocket motor component to be cooled is absorbed by the coolant. A portion of the liquid portion of the saturated liquid-vapor coolant mixture is converted into gas phase, the converted portion being less than 100% of the coolant. A portion of the coolant is released from the cooling chamber and the coolant in the cooling chamber is dynamically maintained at less than 100% gas phase of the coolant as the thrust and heat generated by the rocket motor varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cal Poly Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Carpenter, William R. Murray, James A. Gerhardt, Patrick J. E. Lemieux
  • Patent number: 8776495
    Abstract: An exhaust gas after treatment system for an internal combustion engine comprises an oxidation catalyst device having a first substrate, a heater, and a second substrate disposed serially between the inlet and the outlet. A hydrocarbon supply is connected to and is in fluid communication with the exhaust system upstream of the oxidation catalyst device for delivery of a hydrocarbon thereto. The heater is configured to oxidize the hydrocarbon therein and to raise the temperature of the second substrate and exhaust gas passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8776496
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Patent number: 8776497
    Abstract: A cogeneration system includes a fuel evaporator; an internal combustion engine which outputs mechanical energy by combusting fuel evaporated by the fuel evaporator; an electric energy generator that converts the mechanical energy to an electric energy; a cold energy recovery portion which recovers cold energy generated when the fuel evaporator evaporates the fuel; an exhaust heat recovery portion which recovers heat exhausted from the engine; and a gas cleaner that cleans nitrogen oxides contained in gas exhausted from the engine. When the fuel is supplied to the gas cleaner, the fuel reduces the nitrogen oxides by reacting with the nitrogen oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Fuse, Kazutoshi Nishizawa, Kazutoshi Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 8776498
    Abstract: Embodiments are described to improve the durability of a lean NOx aftertreatment system. According to one embodiment of the present invention an air injection system is used to inject air continuously into the exhaust system between the upstream three-way catalyst and the downstream selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst when the engine is operating at stoichiometric or rich air/fuel ratios and the exhaust temperatures are above a calibratible level (e.g., 700° C.). In another embodiment, an oxidation catalyst is positioned downstream of the air injection point to prevent exothermic reactions from occurring on the SCR. In another embodiment, the reductant for the SCR is generated in-situ. In yet another embodiment, a diverter valve with a reduction catalyst in a bypass arm is utilized to bypass the SCR during high load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harendra S Gandhi, Robert Walter McCabe, Joseph Robert Theis
  • Patent number: 8776499
    Abstract: Provided are exhaust systems, components, and catalytic articles that have been passivated for use in conjunction with diesel engines that includes a NOx abatement system that uses a reductant. These items are passivated in order to minimize degradation of a reductant in their presence when, for example, they have been subjected to temperatures in excess of 650° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar V. Huennekes, Martin Kalwei
  • Patent number: 8776500
    Abstract: A control system for a hybrid vehicle is presented. The control system can include an air/fuel ratio control module that selectively commands a rich air/fuel ratio upon starting an engine based on a temperature of an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) in an exhaust system of the engine, wherein the EHC includes a hydrocarbon (HC) adsorber. The control system can include an air pump control module that selectively activates an air pump supplying air into the exhaust system upstream from the EHC based on whether the engine is on and at least one of whether the HC adsorber is full and whether the EHC is saturated with oxygen. The control system can also include an electric heater control module that selectively activates an electric heater of the EHC based on whether the engine is on and the temperature of the EHC, as well as whether the HC adsorber is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Halim G. Santoso, Bryan N. Roos
  • Patent number: 8776501
    Abstract: A power system comprising an engine that produces exhaust, a fuel system that injects a fuel into the engine, an aftertreatment system that treats the exhaust, and is controller. The aftertreatment system includes an oxidation catalyst that converts NO from the engine into NO2, a particulate filter that traps soot from the engine, and a sensor that provides an indication of the amount of soot in the particulate filter. The controller increases an engine fuel injection pressure when the amount of soot in the particulate filter is above a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Tom W. Carlill, Jason Soilleux, Alistair C. Farman, Guy Blundell, Anthony C. Rodman
  • Patent number: 8776502
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for controlling a system for regenerating a diesel particulate filter. The method includes monitoring an engine run time that has lapsed since a previous regeneration event. The method also includes monitoring backpressure behind the diesel particulate filter. The method further includes triggering a regeneration flag if the engine run time that lapsed since the previous regeneration event reaches a predetermined time limit and the backpressure exceeds a minimum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hiemstra, Eivind Stenersen, Wenzhong Zhang, Allan T. Hovda, Gary Dale Reeves, Josh Kundert, Wayne M. Wagner, Todd R. Taubert
  • Patent number: 8776503
    Abstract: A reductant injector is configured to dispense a reductant into an exhaust gas feedstream of an internal combustion engine upstream of a selective catalytic reduction device. The reductant injector of a reductant injection system is monitored by generating injector pulsewidth commands corresponding to a prescribed reductant flowrate, monitoring the injector pulsewidth commands, verifying the prescribed reductant flowrate corresponds to the injector pulsewidth commands, monitoring a fluidic pressure in the reductant injection system, estimating a first injected quantity of the reductant corresponding to the injector pulsewidth commands, estimating a second injected quantity of the reductant corresponding to the fluidic pressure in the reductant injection system, and comparing the first and second injected quantities of reductant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Stephen Paul Levijoki
  • Patent number: 8776504
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system for a vehicle includes an intake conduit adapted to receive pressurized intake air provided from a turbocharger compressor and supply the pressurized intake air to an internal combustion engine. An uninterrupted bypass conduit bypasses the internal combustion engine and includes upstream and downstream ends. The upstream end branches from the intake conduit. An exhaust conduit includes an upstream end adapted to receive exhaust from the internal combustion engine. An upstream end of a mixing tube is fixed to and in fluid communication with a downstream end of the exhaust conduit and the downstream end of the bypass conduit at a tubular joint, wherein the exhaust and the pressurized intake air are mixed within the mixing tube. An exhaust treatment device is in fluid communication with a downstream end of the mixing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Kleinfeld
  • Patent number: 8776505
    Abstract: A method for predicting a NOx amount, may include determining a reference NOx amount according to a driving condition of an engine, primarily correcting the reference NOx amount according to an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) ratio, and secondarily correcting the primarily corrected NOx amount according to an environmental factor and the driving condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Jin Ha Lee, Jin Woo Park, Christopher Severin, Thomas Wittka
  • Patent number: 8776506
    Abstract: A method for predicting a NOx amount may include detecting an O2 amount in an intake air, calculating a reference O2 amount in the intake air according to a driving condition of an engine, calculating a reference NOx amount contained in an exhaust gas according to the driving condition of the engine, and primarily correcting the reference NOx amount based on the detected O2 amount in the intake air and the reference O2 amount in the intake air according to the driving condition of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Jin Ha Lee, Jin Woo Park, Christopher Severin, Thomas Wittka
  • Patent number: 8776507
    Abstract: A system for regenerating a particulate filter mounted on an exhaust pipe of a gasoline engine including a plurality of cylinders and an ignition device for igniting fuel and air in the cylinder, a three-way catalyst device mounted on the exhaust pipe connected to the gasoline engine, and to oxidize or reduce exhaust gas, the particulate filter mounted on the exhaust pipe downstream of the three-way catalyst device to trap particulate matter and regenerate the particulate matter using heat of the exhaust gas, a differential pressure sensor mounted upstream and downstream of the particulate filter and to measure a pressure difference of the particulate filter, and a control portion to receive the measured pressure difference and control parameters to determine an amount of non-ignited fuel which is not ignited and flows to the three-way catalyst device among the fuel flowing into the plurality of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Chibum In, Ki Young Yoon
  • Patent number: 8776508
    Abstract: A passive valve assembly for a vehicle exhaust system includes an exhaust component that defines an exhaust gas flow path and a vane that is positioned within the exhaust gas flow path. The vane is positioned at an initial start position and is movable between a closed position to provide a minimum exhaust gas flow and an open position to provide a maximum exhaust gas flow. The start position is orientated at a negative angle relative to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC
    Inventors: Kwin Abram, Robin Willats
  • Patent number: 8776509
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment device includes first and second substrates positioned in parallel within a housing. A baffle plate supports the substrates, an inlet tube and an outlet pipe, and defines a portion of a first chamber. First ends of the substrates and a second end of the inlet tube is in fluid communication with the first chamber. A partition supports the substrates, the inlet tube and the outlet pipe and defines a portion of a second chamber separate from first chamber. Second ends of the substrates and a second open end of the outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the second chamber. All of the exhaust flows in a first direction through the inlet tube, reverses direction through the substrates and reverses direction again to flow through the outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Megan Wikaryasz, Rick Thompson, Douglas Otrompke, Pavel Robles
  • Patent number: 8776510
    Abstract: A mounting unit (2) for fastening an injection member to an exhaust gas tract has a retaining region (12) for receiving the injection member, and an edge region (28). At least one opening (30) for receiving a fastening element is provided in the edge region (28). The mounting unit (2) is designed in such a manner that there is an air gap (13) between the fastening element and the retaining region (12) when the mounting unit (2) is fastened to the exhaust gas tract by the fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Stein, Arnad Beganovic, Ralf Gragen, Jens Benitsch
  • Patent number: 8776511
    Abstract: A swing energy recovery system for a machine is disclosed. The swing energy recovery system may have a pump configured to pressurize fluid, a motor driven by a flow of pressurized fluid from the pump, and an energy recovery arrangement configured to receive pressurized fluid discharged from the motor and selectively supply pressurized fluid to the motor. The swing energy recovery system may also have a pressure relief valve associated with the motor, and a controller in communication with the energy recovery arrangement and the pressure relief valve. The controller may be configured to selectively adjust a setting of the pressure relief valve based on an operating condition of the energy recovery arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Dayao Chen, Pengfei Ma, Tonglin Shang, Lawrence J. Tognetti, Jeffrey L. Kuehn
  • Patent number: 8776512
    Abstract: A swing system for construction machinery or a vehicle, particularly an excavator or a crane, includes a swing brake for blocking or unblocking a rotational movement of a first portion of the vehicle relative to a chassis portion of the vehicle, and a swing pump and a swing motor are provided for performing the rotational movement. The swing pump can be positioned in a neutral position where no rotational movement of the first portion takes place. At least one brake control actuator is provided for automatically engaging the brake when the swing pump is in its neutral position. The swing system can provide an improved control of the swing movement on a slope and an improved comfort during operation of the swing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Frederic Lastre, Timo Zenner
  • Patent number: 8776513
    Abstract: A fluid-pressure pump 2 rotated by an electric motor 9 drives a fluid-pressure cylinder 3. A discharge flow restrictor 15 is provided in a discharge passage 12 through which a working fluid from the fluid-pressure pump 2 is supplied to fluid-pressure cylinder 3. A pilot-pressure-operated shut-off valve 4 changes over a connecting position A at which the discharge passage 12 between the discharge flow restrictor 15 and the fluid-pressure cylinder 3 is connected to the tank 10 and a shut-off position B at which the discharge passage 12 is disconnected from the tank 10, in response to a pressure P1 in the discharge passage 12 between the discharge flow restrictor 15 and the discharge port 24, thereby enabling a change-over between a loaded mode and an unloaded mode assumed at an fluid-pressure actuator unit 1 in response to an operation of the fluid-pressure pump 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shiro Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8776514
    Abstract: A microactuator for displacing a platform vertically with respect to a substrate includes a first rigid frame, a first flexible bimorph beam connecting the first frame to the substrate, a second rigid frame, a second flexible bimorph beam connecting the second frame to the first frame, and a third flexible bimorph beam connecting a platform to the second frame. Activation of the first, second, and third flexible bimorph beams allows vertical displacement of the platform with respect to the substrate, with negligible lateral shift. A microactuator assembly includes a substrate, a plurality of first rigid frames, a plurality of first flexible bimorph beams, a plurality of second rigid frames, a plurality of second flexible bimorph beams, a platform, and a plurality of third flexible bimorph beams. Activation of the first, second, and third bimorph beams allows vertical displacement of the platform with respect to the substrate, with negligible lateral shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Lei Wu, Huikai Xie
  • Patent number: 8776515
    Abstract: A pumping assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first movable element selectively movable within a first pump housing and an actuator including an active material. The active material is configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material is operatively connected to the first movable element such that the change in attribute causes the first movable element to move within the first pump housing. In one example, the active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Pinto, IV, Scott R. Webb, Paul W. Alexander, Thomas W. Cox, Xiujie Gao
  • Patent number: 8776516
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system includes a plurality of Starling engines. Heaters of the Starling engines are disposed in an exhaust passage that is a heat medium passage. An inside of the exhaust passage is partitioned with a partitioning member into a first exhaust passage and a second exhaust passage. The heater of the Starling engine disposed on an upstream side in a flowing direction of exhaust gas is provided in the first exhaust passage, and the heater of the Starling engine disposed on a downstream side in the flowing direction of the exhaust gas is provided in the second exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Katayama, Daisaku Sawada, Hiroshi Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 8776517
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a system including a Rankine power cycle cooling subsystem providing emissions-critical charge cooling of an input charge flow. The system includes a boiler fluidly coupled to the input charge flow, an energy conversion device fluidly coupled to the boiler, a condenser fluidly coupled to the energy conversion device, a pump fluidly coupled to the condenser and the boiler, an adjuster that adjusts at least one parameter of the Rankine power cycle subsystem to change a temperature of the input charge exiting the boiler, and a sensor adapted to sense a temperature characteristic of the vaporized input charge. The system includes a controller that can determine a target temperature of the input charge sufficient to meet or exceed predetermined target emissions and cause the adjuster to adjust at least one parameter of the Rankine power cycle to achieve the predetermined target emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8776518
    Abstract: The in situ combustion of subterranean fossil fuels, e.g. coal, oil, and methane, and subsequent separation of combustion gases from nitrogen provides a method to minimize environmental pollution from combustion by-products through subterranean sequestration of carbon while using captured nitrogen as a heat transfer media vented to the surface and used for the production of electricity in mobile turbines for transfer to population centers or for use in energy banks such as the production of goods by electricity intensive manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Underground Recovery, LLC
    Inventor: Subodh Das
  • Patent number: 8776519
    Abstract: The various embodiments provide a power-generating plant including a dynamic floating platform that is configured to efficiently produce 100 MW of power using a honeycomb configuration of mist lift cells. The mist lift columns are configured to optimize performance and to adjust configurations of components to compensate for changes in orientation of the platform and temperature of sea water in order to manage power output of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Van Ryzin, Steven Rizea
  • Patent number: 8776520
    Abstract: A method for operating a steam power station is provided. The steam turbine power station includes at least one steam turbine and a process steam consumer, wherein a steam mass flow is subdivided into a first partial mass flow and a second partial mass. In a first operating state, the first partial mass flow is supplied to the steam turbine and the second partial mass flow is supplied to the process steam consumer. In a second operating state, at least part of the second partial mass flow is supplied to the steam turbine at least after the first turbine stages. A steam power station is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Beul, Stefan Glos, Matthias Heue, Thomas Hofbauer, Ralf Hoffacker, Nils Lückemeyer, Norbert Pieper, Roland Sievert
  • Patent number: 8776521
    Abstract: The present application describes a heat recovery steam generator. The heat recovery steam generator may include a superheater, a first turbine section, a first main steam line in communication with the superheater and the first turbine section, and a first prewarming line positioned downstream of the first main steam line such that a flow of steam from the superheater preheats the first main steam line without entry into the first turbine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Leslie Yung-Min Tong, Diego Rancruel, SriHarsha Vedavyasachar
  • Patent number: 8776522
    Abstract: A system reclaiming contaminated water includes a heat exchanger that receives the contaminated water and converts at least a portion of the contaminated water into steam and collects at least a portion of the contaminants within the heat exchanger. A thermal transfer fluid is heated by a heat exchanger is communication with a heat source. The heated fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger to heat the contaminated water. A steam engine is coupled to a generator, the steam engine receives the steam from the heat exchanger to drive the generator to provide power for the system. Steam exhausted from the steam engine is supplied to supplemental heat loads and then condensed in a modular condensing system. The collected contaminants are directed to an evaporation device to remove residual liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Morningside Venture Investments Limited
    Inventor: Frank Schubert
  • Patent number: 8776523
    Abstract: A steam-driven power plant includes a steam source providing steam at a desired pressure and a steam turbine operably connected to the steam source. The steam turbine includes a low pressure section and an intermediate pressure section. A low pressure admission conduit is configured to convey steam from the steam source to an entrance of the low pressure section and an intermediate pressure admission conduit is configured to convey steam from the steam source to a mid-steampath point of the intermediate pressure section. One or more valves are located between the steam source and the steam turbine to control a flow of steam from the steam source through the low pressure admission conduit and/or the intermediate pressure admission conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahendra Singh Mehra, Nachiket Chilhatey, Nestor Hernandez Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8776524
    Abstract: A fuel distribution system for a gas turbine with multistage burner arrangement is provided having at least one distribution line that branches off from a common fuel feed line and leads to a burner stage, and at least one element is provided in each distribution line for the specific influencing of the fuel mass flow. In such a fuel distribution system simplified controlling is made possible by a control valve being arranged in each case in one section of the distribution lines as an element for the specific influencing of the fuel mass flow, and in that a restrictor, which is preset in a fixed manner, is arranged in each case in the remaining distribution lines as an element for the specific influencing of the fuel mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Christian Kreutle, Martin Zajadatz, Simone Camponovo
  • Patent number: 8776525
    Abstract: The present invention provides in one embodiment a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine combustion system. Still another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine combustor. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and gas turbine engine combustion systems and combustors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor L. Oechsle
  • Patent number: 8776526
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motor including a combustion chamber, an oxidizer injector, a vortex generators and a nozzle. The combustion chamber can be used to dispose a solid fuel, and the oxidizer injector is used to control the flow rate of an oxidizer and to inject the oxidizer into the combustion chamber. The vortex generators is disposed on the inner wall of the combustion chamber for generating eddies to enhance the mixing of the fuel and the oxidizer. Additionally, the nozzle is connected with the combustion chamber for exhausting the gas generated by the combustion of the propellants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories
    Inventors: Yen-Sen Chen, Jong-Shinn Wu, Tzu-Hao Chou
  • Patent number: 8776527
    Abstract: A discharge nozzle is provided having a centerbody and a conduit enclosing the centerbody and is operable to receive exhaust flow from a turbine discharge of a gas turbine engine. In one form the centerbody is symmetric and extends along the flow direction, rising away from a reference axis to a maximum position before falling and converging on the reference axis. A set of rings is disposed between the centerbody and the conduit and are positioned between the centerbody and the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jagdish Sokhey, Brian Kornegay
  • Patent number: 8776528
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a gas turbine plant which is supplied with a fuel gas via a compressor station. The compressor station includes a compressor which compresses the fuel gas which is fed via a gas feed line and delivers it via at least one control valve to a combustion chamber of the gas turbine plant. A bypass system is arranged in parallel to the compressor via which fuel gas can be directed in a switchable manner past the compressor to the at least one control valve. An energy-saving operation can be achieved in a simple manner by continuously measuring the fuel gas pressure at the outlet of the at least one control valve. A minimum fuel gas pressure, which is desired (e.g., necessary) for operation of the gas turbine, at the inlet of the at least one control valve is determined from the measured pressure values in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Liedtke, Mengbin Zhang, Ulf Schirmeister, Aysegul Kirecci
  • Patent number: 8776529
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system for delivering fuel to a gas turbine engine includes a fixed critical flow nozzle, a first fuel nozzle and a second fuel nozzle. The fixed critical flow nozzle and the variable critical flow nozzle are connected to a fuel source in parallel. The fixed critical flow nozzle has an orifice throat with a fixed effective cross-sectional area. The variable critical flow nozzle has an orifice throat with a variable effective cross-sectional area. The first fuel nozzle is connected to the fixed critical flow nozzle for delivering fuel to the gas turbine engine, and the second fuel nozzle is connected to the variable critical flow nozzle for delivering fuel to the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Paradise
  • Patent number: 8776530
    Abstract: A method is provided of reducing lockout time of a gas turbine engine which includes: an inlet, a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and an exhaust duct, where the compressor and the turbine are carried on a turbomachinery rotor and each include an array of blades mounted for rotation inside a casing of the engine. The method includes: operating the engine at a first power output; shutting down operation of the engine without substantially reducing the power output beforehand, wherein thermomechanical changes occur in the engine subsequent to shutdown that tend to reduce a radial clearance between at least one of the blades and the casing; and subsequent to shutting down the engine, (1) heating the casing and/or (2) pumping an airflow of ambient air into the inlet and through the casing, past the rotor, and out the exhaust duct, so as to reverse at least partially the thermomechanical changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steve Shirooni, Mohamed Ahmed Ali, Mark Brands, John Edward Altman, Abdus Shamim