Patents Issued in July 24, 2014
  • Publication number: 20140202128
    Abstract: A trimmer assembly for attachment onto the mower deck of a riding mower is provided. The assembly comprises an L-shaped attachment and a height adjustment attachment. The L-shaped attachment is connected to the trim blade spindle of a riding mower, and comprises a pulley surface and a downward extending trim shaft holding surface. A series of pulleys within the L-shaped attachment are connected together by a trimmer drive belt that facilitates the movement of the trimmer shaft when the trim blade spindle rotates. The height adjustment comprises an upstanding shaft with a lever attached thereon. The lever is pivotally attached onto the top of the upstanding shaft, and comprises a foot actuatable handle, whereby the movement of the handle alters the height of the L-shaped attachment. The device further includes a pair of wheels that enable side-to-side movement, and a spring loaded mount that provides protection against damages from impacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Frank Bell
  • Publication number: 20140202129
    Abstract: An overfeed roller assembly for use on a rotating drive shaft of a textile machine is adapted for adjusting downstream tension in a continuous moving length of yarn. The overfeed roller assembly comprises a base assembly designed for mounting on the drive shaft, and an annular yarn tension adjuster carried by the base assembly. The tension adjuster comprises opposing closely spaced yarn-contacting walls. The yarn-contacting walls define a shallow generally serpentine depression in the tension adjuster adapted for receiving the continuous moving length of yarn. Yarn tension downstream of the roller assembly is thereby reduced as the moving yarn meanders through the tension adjuster in frictional contact with the yarn-contacting walls of the serpentine depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Donald Lynn Hoover
  • Publication number: 20140202130
    Abstract: A multi-color pyrometry imaging system for a high-temperature asset includes at least one viewing port in optical communication with at least one high-temperature component of the high-temperature asset. The system also includes at least one camera device in optical communication with the at least one viewing port. The at least one camera device includes a camera enclosure and at least one camera aperture defined in the camera enclosure, The at least one camera aperture is in optical communication with the at least one viewing port. The at least one camera device also includes a multi-color filtering mechanism coupled to the enclosure. The multi-color filtering mechanism is configured to sequentially transmit photons within a first predetermined wavelength band and transmit photons within a second predetermined wavelength band that is different than the first predetermined wavelength band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jordi Estevadeordal, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan, Nilesh Tralshawala, Jeremy Clyde Bailey
  • Publication number: 20140202131
    Abstract: A plasma micro-thruster, including: an elongate and substantially non-conductive tube having a first end to receive a supply of propellant gas, and an open second end to act as an exhaust; first, second, and third electrodes extending circumferentially around the tube and being mutually spaced along a longitudinal axis of the tube, the third electrode being longitudinally interposed between the first and second electrodes; wherein the tube and the first, second and third electrodes are configured to generate a plasma from propellant gas flowing though the tube from the first end of the tube when the third electrode receives radio frequency power and the first and second electrodes are electrically grounded relative to the third electrode, such that the expansion of the plasma from the open end of the tube generates a corresponding thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Roderick William Boswell
  • Publication number: 20140202132
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of fueling a rocket engine or air-breathing engine for a hypersonic vehicle with a high performance hydrocarbon fuel characterized by a hydrogen content greater than 14.3% by weight, a hydrogen to carbon atomic ratio greater than 2.0 and/or a heat of combustion greater than 18.7 KBtu/lb. The disclosed fuels generally have a paraffin content that is at least 90% by mass and a C12-C20 isoparaffin content of at least 40% by mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Johann Haltermann Limited
    Inventor: Indresh Mathur
  • Publication number: 20140202133
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes first and second stages having a rotational axis. A circumferential array of airfoils is arranged axially between the first stage and the second stage. At least one of the airfoils have a curvature provided equidistantly between pressure and suction sides. The airfoils extend from a leading edge to a trailing edge at a midspan plane along the airfoil. An angle is defined between first and second lines respectively tangent to the intersection of the midspan plane and the curvature at airfoil leading and trailing edges. The angle is equal to or greater than about 10°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Praisner, Shankar S. Magge, Matthew B. Estes
  • Publication number: 20140202134
    Abstract: A method for controlling a heat recovery device in an internal combustion engine, in particular, for a motor vehicle. The heat recovery device is provided with a circuit for a working medium having an evaporator of an expansion machine that is arranged in an exhaust gas flow path of the internal combustion engine, a condensor, an expansion tank, and a feed pump. The working temperature of the working medium is controlled by varying the mass flow of the working fluid as a function of at least one operating parameter. A setpoint value of the working medium mass flow of an exhaust gas flow path of an exhaust gas tract and/or an exhaust gas recirculation line is calculated on the basis of a base setpoint value for the working medium mass flow. The base setpoint value for the working medium mass flow is at least a function of the exhaust gas temperature, preferably upstream of the evaporator, and of the exhaust gas mass flow in the exhaust gas flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Klemens Neunteufl, Helmut Theissl, Philip Mark Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20140202135
    Abstract: Various methods and system are described for determining ambient humidity via an exhaust gas sensor disposed in an exhaust system of an engine. In one example, a reference voltage of the sensor is modulated between a first and second voltage during non-fueling conditions of the engine. The ambient humidity is determined based on an average change in pumping current while the voltage is modulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Richard E. Soltis, Timothy Schram, Timothy Joseph Clark, Evangelos Skoures
  • Publication number: 20140202136
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust-gas treatment device for processing exhaust gas from a combustion aggregate, especially a diesel engine. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for processing exhaust gas from a combustion aggregate by means of selective catalytic reaction, and it also relates to a motor vehicle in which the method according to the invention is implemented or which has the exhaust-gas treatment device according to the invention. It is provided that the exhaust-gas treatment device comprises an exhaust-gas system and, arranged in it, an oxidation catalyst, a reduction catalyst for selective catalytic reduction, and a particle filter, whereby the oxidation catalyst is arranged upstream from the reduction catalyst and the reduction catalyst is arranged upstream from the particle filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Jörg Sprute
  • Publication number: 20140202137
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to control a supercharge pressure in such a manner as not to interfere with warming-up of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, in an internal combustion engine with a turbo supercharger. To this end, a control device for an internal combustion engine with a turbo supercharger provided by the present invention makes a determined value of a target supercharge pressure with respect to a same target intake pressure smaller when a request to warm up the exhaust gas purifying catalyst is present, as compared with when the request is absent. Note that the target intake pressure is determined based on a target air amount determined from a requested torque for the internal combustion engine. The present control device operates a throttle based on the target intake pressure and an actual supercharge pressure, and operates a wastegate valve based on the target supercharge pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyonori Takahashi, Shinichi Soejima, Satoru Tanaka, Satoshi Yoshizaki
  • Publication number: 20140202138
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust control device of an engine (10) comprising a catalyst (45) in an exhaust passage (40). In this invention, the active element transforms as a solid solution in the carrier when a catalyst temperature is higher than or equal to a predetermined solid solution temperature and an atmosphere in the catalyst is an oxidation atmosphere and the active element precipitates from the carrier when the catalyst temperature is higher than or equal to a predetermined precipitation temperature and the atmosphere in the catalyst is a reduction atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Yusuke Saito
  • Publication number: 20140202139
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling hydrocarbon delivery in an exhaust gas processing system of an engine that includes a heat generating device and a DPF, comprising a fuel injector and a control manifold, which has a pressure chamber holding compressed air for separating hydrocarbon from exhaust gas, and is fluidly connected to the fuel injector, a fuel control solenoid valve for controlling hydrocarbon supply, a pressure sensor, and a volume changing device, which provides a linear relationship between its volume change and pressure change in the control manifold. With the volume changing device, a deterioration factor value indicative of performance change of the hydrocarbon delivery device can be calculated for compensating temperature control, calculating the hydrocarbon conversion efficiencies of the heat generating device and the DPF in the exhaust gas processing system, detecting failures and mal-functions in the exhaust gas processing system and the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Baohua Qi, Mi Yan
  • Publication number: 20140202140
    Abstract: Embodiments of a pre-turbo catalyst positioned within a turbine in a turbocharger of an engine are disclosed. In one example approach, a turbocharger for an engine comprises a turbine and a catalyst substrate mounted directly within the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Murphy
  • Publication number: 20140202141
    Abstract: A mixing device for an exhaust system of a vehicle includes an inlet pipe, through which exhaust gas can enter a mixing chamber of the mixing device, and an outlet pipe for the exhaust gas to leave the mixing chamber. The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe form an angle. The mixing chamber includes an opening for an outlet of a dosage device, by means of which a reducing agent for exhaust gas aftertreatment is introducible into the mixing chamber. A baffle is arranged at a wall of the inlet pipe a baffle, which is induces a turbulence in the exhaust gas flow entering the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Peng QUAN, Jeffrey GIRBACH
  • Publication number: 20140202142
    Abstract: A diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank for an off-road vehicle including a first conduit channel molded into an exterior surface of the DEF tank, at a first depth, in which the first conduit channel is configured to guide a first conduit along the exterior surface of the DEF tank. The DEF tank further including a second conduit channel molded into the exterior surface of the DEF tank at a second depth, different than the first depth, in which the second conduit channel is configured to guide a second conduit, and the first depth and the second depth are selected to create a vertical gap between the first conduit and the second conduit at an intersection of the conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Ralph Hertsgaard, Jason Keith Novacek, David Donald Blomberg, John Thomas Rasset, Erik Andrew Larson, Paul Engene Wibbels, Daniel LaRoy Hinz, Jay Michael Larson, David Larry Tveito, David Edward Susag, Russell Victor Stoltman, Chad Alry Bautz, Nathaniel James Keller, David Sheldon Booth
  • Publication number: 20140202143
    Abstract: A cylinder head capable of improving a productivity of a cylinder head having an exhaust collecting portion and improving a cooling efficiency of the exhaust collecting portion is disclosed. An exhaust collecting portion 9 is surrounded by an upper side flow passage portion 15, a lower side flow passage portion 16 and extended flow passage portions 17 into which coolant flows through a coolant communication passage 26 from a lower portion side water jacket 12 that is opening in a cylinder block 2. The upper side flow passage portion 15 and the extended flow passage portions 17 are formed at a time of the molding along with an upper portion side water jacket 11 by a core for upper portion side water jacket 18, while the lower side flow passage portion 16 is formed by the drilling after the molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuo TABUCHI
  • Publication number: 20140202144
    Abstract: The combined pump and energy recovery turbine includes at least one fluid flow pressurizing a sliding vane pump and a sliding vane energy recovery turbine that recovers energy from a second fluid flow, such as the brine discharge from an RO seawater desalination system. A cylindrical rotor has two sliding vanes in respective slots, the rotor being concentrically disposed within an oval-shaped enclosure defining two mirror image crescent-shaped chambers, each chamber having inlet and outlet passageways. The first chamber pressurizes the first fluid flow, and the second chamber functions as a second outflow-driven energy recovery turbine, thus enabling the single rotor device to operate as a pressurizing pump on the first fluid flow, and second outflow-driven energy recovery turbine recovering energy from the pressure drop in the second fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: KUWAIT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: OSAMA M. AL-HAWAJ
  • Publication number: 20140202145
    Abstract: A control device and a control method of an electric booster include an assist function by an electrical actuator. An input piston of the electric booster moves along an axial direction within the booster piston in response to an operation of a brake pedal. During a brake operation, the control device controls an electric motor to integrally move the input piston and the booster piston while retaining a length of a gap between the input piston and the booster piston. In addition, when starting an internal-combustion engine, the control device performs a control of shortening the length of the gap to prepare for a decrease in power supply voltage of the electric motor. Therefore, a force in a return direction applied to the input piston from the booster piston in association with a power supply drop is suppressed, and causing a driver to feel a sense of discomfort is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi KURAMOCHI, Hiroyuki SAITO
  • Publication number: 20140202146
    Abstract: A method for operating a wave energy converter for converting energy from a wave motion of a fluid into a different form of energy includes at least one rotor and at least one energy converter that is coupled to the at least one rotor. A first torque that acts on the at least one rotor is generated by the wave motion, and a second torque (M1) that acts on the at least one rotor is generated by the at least one energy converter. The second torque (M1) is specified during a control of the energy converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch BmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Hagemann, Nik Scharmann, Daniel Seiler-Thull, Michael Hilsch
  • Publication number: 20140202147
    Abstract: Heat engines perform a thermodynamic cycle, making use of working fluid which increases pressure and/or volume in response to temperature, resulting in the transformation of heat into useful work. The present invention makes use of a particular type of working fluid that undergoes one or more reversible chemical reactions in response to an increase in temperature, to increase the molar quantity of fluid, producing more useful work and higher thermal efficiency than similar, conventional engines. One embodiment takes the form of a Stirling engine, with a regenerative heat exchange process which recovers most of the energy required to cause the chemical dissociation, ensuring efficiency gain. A method for selecting the working fluid, useful temperature ranges for the engine, and other operating parameters is also claimed. Other types of embodiments may take the form of turbine engines, with one embodiment being a turbine engine that approximates an Ericsson cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Woodsum
  • Publication number: 20140202148
    Abstract: The invention refers to an actuator with a movable controlling element (7), a wire-shaped SMA element (2) for moving the controlling element in one direction, on whose at least one wire end (3) a connector (4) having a contact surface (13) and made of an electrically conductive material has been fixed, and a structural part (5) made at least partially from an electrically non-conductive plastic material, that has been provided with a conductive strip (6). The connector (4) is fixed to an area of the structural part made from non-conductive material, whereby as a result of that, the contact surface (13) is maintained in electrically conductive contact with the conductive strip (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Actuator Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Köpfer, Tobias Sonnleitner
  • Publication number: 20140202149
    Abstract: An engine system and various methods for controlling the outlet temperature of an EGR stream before entering an engine intake system are disclosed. In a system and the various methods, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve is positioned within an EGR passage fluidly connecting an engine exhaust stream and an engine intake stream, while a waste heat recovery (WHR) system is used to recover heat from the EGR stream. An engine control unit (ECU) is coupled to various sensors and valves to divert working fluid in the WHR system from cooling the EGR exhaust flow below a level which favors production of condensation in the engine intake system. The ECU operates to divert working fluid flow away from the EGR boiler when sensors indicate characteristics of either the exhaust flow or the intake stream which might lead to heavy condensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventor: Deokkyu Park
  • Publication number: 20140202150
    Abstract: The reciprocating piston of an exhaust pressure wave charger for a combustion engine has an integrated hydraulic piston and an air piston transferring exhaust gas energy into mechanical power and provides exhaust gas for the combustion chamber. The fluid communication between hydraulic piston and hydraulic circuit is controlled by valves to extract the exhaust energy during the expansion stroke and advance the charger piston back into top end position. The hydraulic piston has two faces for adapting the hydraulic piston force more closely to the exhaust gas forces. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is provided by an air piston and valves controlling the flow of exhaust gas into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Ingo Valentin
  • Publication number: 20140202151
    Abstract: A hybrid air-cooled condenser system. The system may be provided by converting one among the many air-cooled condensers or condenser bays of a conventional condenser system to an evaporative cooler or condenser. The evaporative condenser may be plumbed in the condenser system to be in series in the vapor path with, upstream or downstream of, the air-cooled condensers. In one embodiment, the working fluid flows from an output or discharge header of the air-cooled section or assembly of the hybrid condensing system to an inlet of the evaporatively cooled section, e.g., to one or more evaporative coolers or condensers. In one modeled geothermal power plant, the condensing load on the air-cooled section was reduced by 50 percent when compared to a fully air-cooled condenser system. The condenser arrangement may be used to improve summer time performance of geothermal power plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Desikan BHARATHAN, Thomas WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20140202152
    Abstract: A cold state engine utilising air heat energy to output work, refrigeration and water, includes a first cycle and a second cycle. The first cycle comprises of vaporiser, expander, and working fluid pump. The second cycle includes a vaporiser, circulation pump, air heat exchanger. The two cycles are opera lively interconnected via at least a vaporiser, piping, valves, sensors and a generator. Using air or water as a high temperature heat source, an expander generates cryogenic liquid as a low temperature heat source, using natural gases (such as N2, He, Air, CO2 etc.) as a working fluid, based on methods of cryogenic working fluid thermodynamic—refrigeration cycle and frost-free two stage heat exchange cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Jason Lew
  • Publication number: 20140202153
    Abstract: Method of maintaining or widening the long-term operating temperature range of a heat transfer medium and/or heat storage medium comprising a nitrate salt composition selected from the group consisting of alkali metal nitrate and alkaline earth metal nitrate and optionally alkali metal nitrite and alkaline earth metal nitrite, wherein the nitrate salt composition is brought into contact with an additive comprising the components nitric acid and/or nitrous acid and oxygen-comprising gas having an oxygen partial pressure which is equal to or greater than that in air and/or oxygen-generating compounds and optionally nitrogen oxides and/or compounds which generate further nitrogen oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Jürgen Wortmann, Michael Lutz, Johan ter Maat, Kerstin Schierle-Arndt, Stephan Maurer, Michael Ladenberger, Florian Garlichs, Katharina Kaleta
  • Publication number: 20140202154
    Abstract: An integrated renewable energy system is provided for a tall multi-story building including solar, wind, and hydrogen subsystems. The solar subsystem includes a plurality of photovoltaic panels to produce a first source of electrical energy and a concentrated solar thermal system for producing a second source of electrical energy. The concentrated solar thermal system includes plurality of directional mirrors operative to concentrate solar energy onto a plurality of stream producing vessels and a turbine generator operative to receive steam expanded from the vessels to drive a turbine of the generator. The wind subsystem includes at least one wind turbine to produce a third source of electrical energy. The hydrogen subsystem includes an artificial photosynthesis (photoelectrolysis) system for producing hydrogen and a fuel cell receiving the hydrogen for producing a fourth source of electrical energy through reverse hydrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Michael R. Tilghman
  • Publication number: 20140202155
    Abstract: A solar thermal electric power generation system using heating medium that undergoes phase change between liquid phase and vapor phase, including a Fresnel type heat collectors for heating the heating medium by solar thermal energy, a gas turbine generating device for generating electric power while discharging exhaust gas, a heating device including a first channel through which the heating medium flows and a second channel which is located near the first channel and through which the exhaust gas from the gas turbine generating device flows, a vapor-liquid separating device for separating the heating medium having been heated by the heating device into vapor phase and liquid phase, and a turbine generating device driven by the heating medium in vapor phase separated by the vapor-liquid separating device. The heating device heats the heating medium in the first channel by the exhaust gas in the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideaki Ota
  • Publication number: 20140202156
    Abstract: A thermal power plant is described comprising a solar collector field and a heat storage to allow the use of the thermal energy collected by the solar field with a time delay for the production of electricity in the steam power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Olivier CLEMENT, Silvia VELM, Volker SCHÜLE
  • Publication number: 20140202157
    Abstract: Thermal storage systems that preferably do not create substantially any additional back pressure or create minimal additional back pressure and their applications in combined cycle power plants are disclosed. In one embodiment of the method for efficient response to load variations in a combined cycle power plant, the method includes providing, through a thermal storage tank, a flow path for fluid exiting a gas turbine, placing in the flow path a storage medium comprising high thermal conductivity heat resistance media, preferably particles, the particles being in contact with each other and defining voids between the particles in order to facilitate flow of the fluid in a predetermined direction constituting a longitudinal direction, arrangement of the particles constituting a packed bed, dimensions of the particles and of the packed bed being selected such that a resultant back pressure to the gas turbine is at most a predetermined back pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Meir Shinnar, Shlomo Shinnar
  • Publication number: 20140202158
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly comprises a heat exchanger body including a first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit. The first circuit includes a first bypass valve in flow communication with a first fluid circuit inlet channel. The first fluid circuit also includes a plurality of cooling channels in flow communication with the first bypass valve. The first bypass valve is configured to channel a first fluid to the plurality of cooling channels during a first mode of operation to facilitate reducing a temperature of the first fluid. The second fluid circuit includes a second bypass valve configured to facilitate a flow of a second fluid through at least a portion of the heat exchanger body during the first mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: UNISON INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Ralph Storage, Dennis Alan McQueen, Roger Earl Foster
  • Publication number: 20140202160
    Abstract: A system including a gas turbine engine, including a combustor configured to generate products of combustion, a turbine driven by the products of combustion from the combustor, a compressor having a compressor discharge leading into a chamber between the combustor and a compressor discharge casing, an extraction manifold coupled to the combustor, wherein the extraction manifold is fluidly coupled to the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryan Wesley Romig, Brandon Taylor Overby
  • Publication number: 20140202161
    Abstract: A combustor includes: a combustor basket configured to surround a fuel nozzle from an outer circumferential side, and a plurality of connecting members formed in a circumferential direction at intervals to connect a rear end of the combustor basket and a casing and configured to define a flow path through which compressed air introduced into the combustor basket flows. A circulation direction of the compressed air flowing through the flow path is configured to be reversed at a rear end of the combustor basket and the compressed air is introduced into the fuel nozzle. The flow path is partially or entirely inclined in the circumferential direction to blow the compressed air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yuasa, Toshihiko Saito, Kotaro Miyauchi, Keijiro Saito, Satoshi Takiguchi
  • Publication number: 20140202162
    Abstract: Colorless distributed combustion (CDC) reactors or green combustion gas turbine combustors having a combustion chamber are presented for improved performance of gas turbine combustion engines. The combustors are configured and designed for providing a superior pattern factor (uniform thermal field in the combustion zone) and a reduction or complete elimination of pollutants emission from the combustor (i.e., zero emission gas turbine combustor) and uniform thermal field in the entire combustion zone to provide significantly improved pattern factor. Colorless distributed combustion is achieved with fuel and air entering the combustion chamber via one or more injection ports as non-premixed, or premixed. Rectangular, cylindrical, stadium and elliptical shaped combustors are presented with injection ports and exit ports located in various locations of the combustors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: University of Maryland
    Inventor: Ashwani K. Gupta
  • Publication number: 20140202163
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing techniques may be utilized to construct effusion plates. Such additive manufacturing techniques may include defining a configuration for an effusion plate having one or more internal cooling channels. The manufacturing techniques may further include depositing a powder into a chamber, applying an energy source to the deposited powder, and consolidating the powder into a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the defined configuration. Such methods may be implemented to construct an effusion plate having one or more channels with a curved cross-sectional geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Christopher Paul Keener, Heath Michael Ostebee, Daniel Gerritt Wegerif
  • Publication number: 20140202164
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle comprises a housing having an aft end that terminates in a row of chevrons. At least one surface of the housing has scalloped root regions proximate bases of adjacent chevrons. The scalloped root regions have a reduced thickness relative to the rest of the aft end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: David F. Cerra, Lie-Mine Gea, Robert H. Willie, Leonard J. Hebert, Donald E. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140202165
    Abstract: A fuel oxidizer system is operated in a first operating mode. In the first operating mode, a mixture that includes fuel from a fuel source is compressed in a compressor of the fuel oxidizer system; the fuel of the compressed mixture is oxidized in a reaction chamber of the fuel oxidizer system; and the oxidized fuel is expanded to generate rotational kinetic energy. The fuel oxidizer system is operated in a second operating mode. In the second operating mode, fuel from the fuel source is directed to bypass the compressor, and the fuel that bypassed the compressor is oxidized in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ENER-CORE POWER, INC.
    Inventor: Edan PRABHU
  • Publication number: 20140202166
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of operating a gas turbine engine (12) for reduced ammonia slip. An exemplary method (100) includes operating (102) the engine over a range of power output levels; controlling (104) a mass flow of NOx produced in exhaust (19) of the engine to be within 10% over the range of power output levels; and treating (106) the exhaust of the engine in a selective catalytic reduction process (22). In this way, the production of NOx and a corresponding flow of reducing agent (33) utilized in the SCR process remain relatively constant in terms of mass (molar) flow throughout the range of power output levels and ammonia slip is controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Ramesh Kagolanu, Jordan M. Haywood
  • Publication number: 20140202167
    Abstract: The power generation system includes a fuel cell that generates electric power using a fuel gas, a gas turbine including an air compressor, a combustor, and a turbine, an exhaust fuel line that introduces an exhaust fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell into the combustor, a branch exhaust fuel line branching off midway from the exhaust fuel line, a switching unit that sends the exhaust fuel gas to one of the branch exhaust fuel line and the combustor, and a heating portion that heats the exhaust fuel line at a downstream side of the switching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryutaro Mori, Hiroyuki Ozawa, Haruki Mukumoto, Norihisa Matake
  • Publication number: 20140202168
    Abstract: A composite annular shroud supported by a support assembly including at least one ring and at least partially disposed within the ring. The shroud is biased against and in sealing engagement with an inner flange of the ring. A three ring assembly includes the inner ring disposed radially inwardly of a middle ring disposed radially inwardly of an outer ring and the shroud at least partially disposed within the inner ring. At least three clocking pins extend radially inwardly from the middle ring through slots in the inner ring into notches in the shroud. The middle ring may be an aft end of a support ring fixedly connected to an engine backbone. Mounting pins may be press fitted into pin holes in the middle ring and extend radially outwardly from the middle ring through radial holes in the outer ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Jason David Shapiro, Jared Peter Buhler, Brian Kenneth Corsetti
  • Publication number: 20140202169
    Abstract: In an assembly including a bypass turbine engine and an attachment system attaching the turbine engine to an aircraft structure, the attachment system includes a mast, at least two rear attachments connecting the mast to two rear attachment points of the turbine engine, and a rear covering covering the rear attachments and providing a streamlined fairing. The rear covering includes two side walls, each including a first portion extending along and in proximity of the mast and extending rearwards, and a second portion projecting sideways relative to the first portion towards its outside, to cover the rear attachments. Each second portion is substantially a bulge and is connected to the first portion along a curved connection line extending between front and rear points situated substantially level with an inner longitudinal edge of the first portion to minimize the impact on a flow of bypass stream leaving the bypass passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Mathieu Gaillot, Jean Bertucchi, Matthieu Leyko
  • Publication number: 20140202170
    Abstract: An article has a polymeric substrate and a coating system. The coating system includes a metallic plating and a polymeric coating atop the metallic plating. The metallic plating has a thickness of at least 0.05 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: United Technologies Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140202171
    Abstract: A magnetocaloric cascade containing at least three different magnetocaloric materials with different Curie temperatures, which are arranged in succession by descending Curie temperature, wherein none of the different magnetocaloric materials with different Curie temperatures has a higher layer performance Lp than the magnetocaloric material with the highest Curie temperature and wherein at least one of the different magnetocaloric materials with different Curie temperatures has as lower layer performance Lp than the magnetocaloric material with the highest Curie temperature wherein Lp of a particular magnetocaloric material being calculated according to formula (I): Lp=m*dTad,max with dTad,max: maximum adiabatic temperature change which the particular magnetocaloric material undergoes when it is magnetized from a low magnetic field to high magnetic field during magnetocaloric cycling, m: mass of the particular magnetocaloric material contained in the magnetocaloric cascade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Colman CARROLL, Olaf Rogge, Bernard Hendrik Reesink, Andrew Rowe, Danny Arnold, Armando Tura
  • Publication number: 20140202172
    Abstract: Method for fabricating a cold finger for attachment to a base assembly of a cold head of a Stirling cycle or pulse tube cryocooler. The exterior of a titanium alloy workpiece is machined to form a cylindrical outer surface. The exterior surface of the titanium workpiece is nickel plated and then brazed to a stainless steel workpiece to form an integral body. The brazed stainless steel workpiece is machined to form it into an adapter ring for attachment to the base assembly. An intermediate segment of the titanium workpiece is machined into a cylindrical surface including removing all of the nickel plating from the intermediate segment and removing a portion of underlying titanium alloy to reduce the diameter of the titanium alloy workpiece in order to reduce the thickness of the cold finger wall. The interior of the integral body is machined to form a cylindrical interior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SUNPOWER, INC.
    Inventor: SeonYoung Kim
  • Publication number: 20140202173
    Abstract: A cryogenic refrigerator includes a compressor that compresses a working gas; a displacer to which the working gas compressed by the compressor is supplied; a drive mechanism that includes a drive shaft and is configured to drive the displacer; a motor that drives the drive mechanism; a housing that accommodates the drive mechanism; a valve mechanism that adjusts a pressure of the working gas supplied to the displacer; a pipe that supplies the working gas from the compressor to the valve mechanism; and a branch pipe that branches out from the supply pipe and is connected to a space formed between the drive shaft and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki Morie, Mingyao Xu
  • Publication number: 20140202174
    Abstract: A closed-cycle refrigerator provides cooling to extremely low temperatures, particularly in the range of 0.5 K to 2.0 K. A 4 K pulse-tube cryocooler cold head or G-M cryocooler cold head liquefies helium in a first cooling chamber at a pressure at approximately 1 atmosphere. Liquid helium flows from the first cooling chamber, through a Joule-Thomson valve, and into a second cooling chamber under a pressure differential created by a pump. Helium vapor extracted from the second cooling chamber by the pump is routed back to the first cooling chamber to be re-condensed. This closed-cycle design provides continuous cooling below 2 K. Cryocooler cold head cold sections have no physical contact with subsequent cooling elements, such as the first and second cooling chambers to reduce vibration transfer. In some embodiments the cryocooler cold head is connected to a vacuum chamber via a vibration damping coupler to further reduce vibration transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Cryomech, Inc.
    Inventor: Chao Wang
  • Publication number: 20140202175
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single-stage double-acting traveling-wave thermoacoustic system, comprising three elementary units; each unit comprises a linear motor and a thermoacoustic conversion device. The linear motor comprises a cylinder and a piston; the piston can perform straight reciprocating motion in the cylinder. The thermoacoustic conversion device comprises a first heat exchanger, a heat regenerator, a second heat exchanger, a thermal buffer tube and a third heat exchanger connected in sequence, the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger of each thermoacoustic conversion device are connected to cylinder cavities of different linear motors respectively, forming a loop structure of a gas medium flow. The system comprises a thermal buffer tube and a third heat exchanger, making the temperature of gas medium given feedback to the cylinder cavity of another linear motor be close to the room temperature, ensuring the piston and cylinder working at room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: LIHAN THERMOACOUSTIC TECHNOLOGIES (SHEN_ZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: ERCANG LUO, WEI DAI, Jianying Hu, Zhanghua Wu, Guoyao Yu, Haibing Li
  • Publication number: 20140202176
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that expand environmental support for an HVAC system with an HVAC fluid circulating throughout by vaporizing a cryogen; and sparging the vaporized cryogen to dispense sparge bubbles to the HVAC fluid to cool the HVAC fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: REFLECT SCIENTIFIC, INC
    Inventors: Boyd Bowdish, John Hammerman
  • Publication number: 20140202177
    Abstract: A cooling system uses a closed circuit cooling tower in series with a chiller to either lower the chiller operating point or completely cool the chill water without use of the chiller, depending on weather conditions. The process and system expands the entire function of the cooling process with a control system design that examines the power consumed by all the devices of the system, the actual load being introduced into the system, water temperatures, and weather conditions, and makes decisions based on performance criteria through the control device's program algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Charles Warrener Rush
  • Publication number: 20140202178
    Abstract: The present application provides a cooling system having a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger having first and second flow passages extending therethrough and a cold plate having first and second flow passages extending therethrough, the first flow passage of the cold plate configured to communicate with the first flow passage of the heat exchanger and the second flow passage of the cold plate configured to communicate with the second flow passage of the heat exchanger. During low ambient air temperatures, a vehicle battery is cooled to its operational temperatures by the cold plate without having to operate a vapor compression loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Michael W. Trumbower