Patents Issued in August 12, 2014
  • Patent number: 8800268
    Abstract: Exhaust treatment filters, systems, and methods are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a particulate filter is zone coated with an oxidation catalyst and is used in an emission treatment system or method including a NOx reducing catalyst and an optional NH3 destruction catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Voss, Ingemar Gottberg, Steve Truesdail, Marius Vaarkamp
  • Patent number: 8800269
    Abstract: In a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine in which a first fuel, which has a property to inhibit the adsorption of exhaust gas components by an exhaust gas purification catalyst, and the second fuel, which has a property not to inhibit the adsorption of the exhaust gas components by the exhaust gas purification catalyst, are able to be selectively used, the present invention has a task to decrease an amount of consumption of the second fuel in a suitable manner. In order to solve this task, the fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine according the present invention is constructed such that the second fuel is first supplied to the internal combustion engine when the exhaust gas purification catalyst is in a cold state, and a change from the second fuel to the first fuel is then made before the exhaust gas purification catalyst subsequently rises in temperature to an activation temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakayama, Toru Kidokoro, Hiroshi Sawada
  • Patent number: 8800270
    Abstract: An exhaust system for treating an exhaust gas composition having NO2 in a first NO2 concentration. The exhaust system includes a first catalyst that contacts a first portion of the exhaust gas composition converting it into a first oxidized exhaust mixture that includes NO2 in a second NO2 concentration that is greater than the first NO2 concentration. The system further includes a bypass that receives a second portion of the exhaust gas composition and a recombination section positioned downstream of the first catalyst. The first oxidized exhaust mixture is combined with the second portion of the exhaust gas composition to produce a first combined exhaust gas mixture. A second catalyst converts the first combined exhaust gas mixture to a second combined exhaust gas mixture having a third NO2 concentration that is less than the second NO2 concentration. The method used by the exhaust system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Umicore Autocat USA Inc.
    Inventors: Owen Herman Bailey, Robert Reginald Loucks, Christopher Simon Owens
  • Patent number: 8800271
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an SCR system of a vessel for discharging exhaust gas from an exhaust gas source in the vessel to an outside after performing purification of the exhaust gas. The SCR system includes an SCR reactor connected at a leading end thereof to the exhaust gas source and including a catalyst activated by the exhaust gas introduced into the SCR reactor, a reducing agent supply line supplying NH3 or urea into the SCR reactor, and a bypass system forcing the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust gas source to bypass the SCR reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kwang Sung Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keai Yoon Hwang, Sung Chul Hwang
  • Patent number: 8800272
    Abstract: Systems and methods for storing NH3 that has slipped through a first SCR are described. In one example, NH3 is stored in a second SCR and released to the first SCR via desorption. The systems and method may reduce NH3 consumption and increase NH3 utilization within an exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Avra Brahma, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Patent number: 8800274
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is configured to operate in a compression-ignition combustion mode and includes an exhaust aftertreatment system having an ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device. A method for operating the engine includes determining a present engine NOx generation rate, determining a NOx reduction rate of the ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device, determining an ammonia slip rate from the ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device corresponding to the NOx reduction rate of the ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device and the present engine NOx generation rate, and controlling engine operation to adjust the present engine NOx generation rate in response to the ammonia slip rate from the ammonia-selective catalytic reduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Min Sun, Jean-Yves Lavallee
  • Patent number: 8800275
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for an injector is located in a curved portion of an exhaust line having an exhaust flow from an upstream end to a downstream end. The mounting assembly includes an indent extending at least partially into the exhaust line curved portion and disposed in the exhaust flow. The downstream wall has an interior surface oriented to substantially face the exhaust line downstream end. A recess extends from the downstream wall in a direction away from the exhaust line downstream end, and a recess aperture is formed in the recess and configured to fluidly communicate with the injector. The recess reduces the amount of exhaust heat reaching the injector tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Anderson Crandell, Jinhui Sun, Yong Yi, Zhi Huang, Matthew Fahrenkrug, James E. Webster, III, Michael Max Blanco
  • Patent number: 8800276
    Abstract: A mixing system is provided. The mixing system includes a housing defining a boundary of a mixing conduit including an expansion section with an injector mount and a reductant diverter extending into the conduit upstream of the injector mount in the expansion section. The mixing system further includes an atomizer with openings positioned in the housing and a helical mixing element positioned in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Levin, Furqan Zafar Shaikh
  • Patent number: 8800277
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for aircraft wherein at least one circuit includes two hydraulic pumps, at least one of which is driven by an engine that may suffer uncontained failure that can damage hydraulic lines close to the pump, is equipped with pressure sensors for the hydraulic fluid in the lines close to the pump and a sensor for the hydraulic fluid level in a hydraulic tank of the circuit supplied by the pump. A control system for a cut-out valve installed on a suction line wherein the fluid arrives at the pump includes logic that determines the occurrence of an uncontained engine failure requiring the isolation of the pumps from line elements that may have been damaged from measurements of the fluid pressures in the lines, from measurement of the level of fluid in the tank and from information supplied late by a uncontained engine failure detection system to command the closure of the cut-out valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Roger Morvan, Nicolas Dubois, Cedric Lonjon
  • Patent number: 8800278
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a hydraulic drive system for a hydraulic excavator, which makes it possible to efficiently perform grading work by using residual energy of pressure oil in a hydraulic circuit although no attention has been paid to the residual energy in conventional technologies. [Solution] A hydraulic drive system for a hydraulic excavator is provided with a boom cylinder 1 and arm cylinder 2, a main hydraulic pump 4 for feeding pressure oil to both the cylinders 1,2, a directional control valve 7 for a boom and directional control valve 8 for an arm to control flows of pressure oil to be fed to the boom cylinder 1 and arm cylinder 2, respectively, and a reservoir line 8c connecting the directional control valve 8 for the arm with a working oil reservoir 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8800279
    Abstract: A hydraulic transmission system for a zero-turn vehicle, comprises first and second transaxles each of which includes an axle, a casing supporting the axle, a fluid sump provided in the casing, first and second ports provided on the casing and opened outward from the casing, an HST circuit, a charge pump disposed in the casing, and a charge passage disposed in the casing to supply the HST circuit with fluid delivered from the charge pump. A first pipe connects the first ports of the transaxles, thereby making the flow of fluid from the charge pump of the first transaxle to the fluid sump of the second transaxle. A second pipe connects the second ports of the transaxles, whereby overflowing fluid of the fluid sump of the second transaxle is released to the fluid sump of the first transaxle via the second pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kita, Koji Iwaki, Shinya Sakakura
  • Patent number: 8800280
    Abstract: A generator comprising heat differential, pressure, and conversion modules, and a heat recovery arrangement; the differential module comprising a first high temperature reservoir containing a work medium at high temperature, a second low temperature reservoir containing a work medium at low temperature and a heat mechanism in fluid communication with the reservoir(s). The heat mechanism maintains a temperature difference therebetween by providing heat to and/or removing heat from the reservoirs; the pressure module comprises a pressure medium in selective fluid communication with the reservoirs for alternately performing a heat exchange process with the work medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Gershon Machine Ltd.
    Inventor: Gershon Harif
  • Patent number: 8800281
    Abstract: A heat engine includes four groups of cylinder assemblies and a transmission output mechanism. The transmission output mechanism includes a rocker-arm shaft support, a crankshaft support, a first rocker-arm assembly, a second rocker-arm assembly, and a crankshaft rotatablely installed on the crankshaft support. A crankshaft long-arm connecting rod and a crankshaft short-arm connecting rod are hinged on the crankshaft. The first rocker-arm assembly includes a first straight shaft, a first long arm and a second long arm, and a first hinged part is arranged on the second long arm to hinge with the crankshaft long-arm connecting rod. The second rocket-arm assembly includes a second straight shaft, a third long arm and a fourth long arm and a short arm. A second hinged part is arranged on the short arm to hinge with the crankshaft short-arm connecting rod. The crankshaft long-arm connecting rod is parallel with the short arm and the crankshaft short-arm connecting rod is parallel with the second long arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Yongshun Yang
  • Patent number: 8800282
    Abstract: An energy harvesting system comprises a first region and a second region having a temperature difference therebetween. A heat engine is configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a first discrete element of a shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite in response to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. The first discrete element of the shape memory alloy expands and contracts in response to the phase change to exert a linear force. A motion conversion mechanism is operatively connected to the first discrete element to be driven by the linear force and a component is driven by the motion conversion mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Patrick B. Usoro, Nilesh D. Mankame, Xiujie Gao, Marten Wittorf
  • Patent number: 8800283
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) heat engine includes a first rotatable pulley, a second rotatable pulley, and an SMA material disposed about the first and second rotatable pulleys and between a hot region and a cold region. A method of starting and operating the SMA heat engine includes detecting a thermal energy gradient between the hot region and the cold region using a controller, decoupling an electrical generator from one of the first and second rotatable pulleys, monitoring a speed of the SMA material about the first and second rotatable pulleys, and re-engaging the driven component if the monitored speed of the SMA material exceeds a threshold. The SMA material may selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite and austenite and between the hot region and the cold region to convert the thermal gradient into mechanical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy Inc., The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander, John Andrew Shaw, Christopher Burton Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe, Guillermo A. Herrera, Jeffrey W Brown, Richard J. Skurkis
  • Patent number: 8800284
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator includes a wire portion which is inserted through a first tube member, a shape memory alloy wire portion which is inserted through a second tube member, a movable body which is movable in a direction in which, a length of the shape memory alloy wire portion changes, an elastic member which exerts an external force in a direction in which, the shape memory alloy wire portion elongates, and a fixing member to which, one end of the second tube member and one end of the shape memory alloy wire portion are fixed, and one end of the wire portion is connected to the movable body, and one end of the shape memory alloy wire portion and one end of the wire portion are joined to a joining portion, and the joining portion includes a plurality of crimp terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Masaya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8800285
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a waste heat recovery (WHR) system and to a system and method for regulation of a fluid inventory in a condenser and a receiver of a Rankine cycle WHR system. Such regulation includes the ability to regulate the pressure in a WHR system to control cavitation and energy conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ernst, Christopher R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8800286
    Abstract: The invention comprises a rotary engine method and apparatus configured with an exhaust system. The exhaust system includes an exhaust cut or exhaust channel into one or more of a housing or an endplate of the rotary engine, which interrupts the seal surface of the expansion chamber housing. The exhaust cut directs spent fuel from the rotary engine fuel expansion/compression chamber out of the rotary engine either directly or via an optional exhaust port and/or exhaust booster. The exhaust system vents fuel to atmosphere or into a condenser for recirculating of fuel in a closed-loop circulating rotary engine system. Exhausting the engine reduces back pressure on the rotary engine thereby enhancing rotary engine efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Merton W. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 8800287
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) system at least partially co-generative for the production of electric energy and the heating of a fluid. The system includes at least two regenerative exchangers positioned in series on the route of the work fluid between the exit of an electric expander-generator group and the entrance of a condenser of the ORC system, and a heat exchanger-user connected by means of an offtake line to at least one of said regenerative exchangers to receive from them a part of the capacity of work fluid and crossed by the user fluid to be heated by means of a thermal exchange with said capacity of work fluid. A part of the capacity of the work fluid on exiting from the user exchanger is returned to the same regenerative exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Turboden S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mario Gaia, Roberto Bini
  • Patent number: 8800288
    Abstract: A system, including a combustor cap assembly, including a first plate configured to divide a combustion chamber from a head end chamber of a combustor, a first sleeve disposed about the first plate, and a first stiffening rib coupled to the combustor cap assembly, wherein the combustor cap assembly is configured to mount in a combustor, and the first stiffening rib is configured to damp vibration caused by combustion dynamics in the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kyle Lee Kidder, Marcus Byron Huffman, Stephen Wayne Tilley
  • Patent number: 8800289
    Abstract: A nozzle includes a fuel plenum and an air plenum downstream of the fuel plenum. A primary fuel channel includes an inlet in fluid communication with the fuel plenum and a primary air port in fluid communication with the air plenum. Secondary fuel channels radially outward of the primary fuel channel include a secondary fuel port in fluid communication with the fuel plenum. A shroud circumferentially surrounds the secondary fuel channels. A method for mixing fuel and air in a nozzle prior to combustion includes flowing fuel to a fuel plenum and flowing air to an air plenum downstream of the fuel plenum. The method further includes injecting fuel from the fuel plenum through a primary fuel passage, injecting fuel from the fuel plenum through secondary fuel passages, and injecting air from the air plenum through the primary fuel passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Jonathan Dwight Berry
  • Patent number: 8800290
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor has inboard and outboard walls. A forward bulkhead extends between the walls and cooperates therewith to define a combustor interior volume. Bluff body fuel injectors are along the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Stephen K. Kramer, John T. Ols, Albert K. Cheung
  • Patent number: 8800291
    Abstract: A diffuser which straightens the flow of air issuing from a centrifugal compressor in a turbine engine is provided. The diffuser having a cylindrical shape and including a first part having the form of two substantially parallel discs extending substantially radially relative to the axis of symmetry of the diffuser, a second bent part, and a third part intended to open out into a downstream cavity, positioned downstream of the diffuser and fed with air issuing from the compressor. The first part is traversed by a plurality of channels distributed evenly over its circumference and opening out on its downstream face so as to bring the air contained in the downstream cavity into communication with a bleed cavity situated upstream of the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Eric Stephan Bil, Jean-Francois Rios, Delphine Roussin-Leroux
  • Patent number: 8800292
    Abstract: A heat shield element arrangement including a heat shield element for a heat shield arranged on a supporting structure is provided. On each of the two opposing sides running parallel to the installation grooves the heat shield element includes a continuous screw head opening which penetrates the cold side and the hot side of the heat shield element substantially vertically and through which the screw head of the respective screw is arranged to be accessible to the supporting structure, and a spring element may be arranged under the respective screw, which spring element may be extended along the hot side of the heat shield element and the parallel installation groove of the supporting structure. An outer end of the spring element is embodied as a clamping retaining hook which is provided for the purpose of engaging in the laterally recessed retaining groove of the heat shield element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Böttcher, Andre Kluge, Marco Link, Wilhelm Scheidtmann, Gerhard Simon, Thomas-Dieter Tenrahm, Marc Tertilt, Sabine Tüschen
  • Patent number: 8800293
    Abstract: Floatwall panel assemblies and related systems are provided. A floatwall panel assembly includes a panel formed of porous ceramic material, the porous ceramic material exhibiting a porosity gradient along at least one of a length, a width and a depth of the panel, the panel lacking a substrate, formed of a material other than porous ceramic material, for supporting the porous ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Dierberger, Kevin W. Schlichting, Melvin Freling
  • Patent number: 8800294
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an integrated aero-engine flowpath structure. Another embodiment is a method of manufacturing integrated aero-engine flowpath structure. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aero-engine flowpath structures. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Ress, Jr., Randall E. Yount, Thomas D. Destefano, Jitendra R. Patel
  • Patent number: 8800295
    Abstract: A regulator device (10) for reducing the risk of surging in a turbine engine (3) that includes a gas generator (4), an air extractor (8), and a mechanical power take-off device (100). An engine computer (11) includes storage (16) that stores a plurality of acceleration regulation relationships, each acceleration regulation relationship corresponding to air extraction in a first range, and to mechanical power take-off in a second range. The regulator device (10) including a first measurement device (20) for measuring current air extraction, and a second measurement device (30) for measuring current mechanical power take-off, with the engine computer (11) controlling acceleration of the turbine engine (3) by implementing the acceleration regulation relationship corresponding to the current air extraction and to the current mechanical power take-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Southdary Beaud, Laurent Martin
  • Patent number: 8800296
    Abstract: An object is to reduce a fluctuation in the gas-turbine output in a nozzle switching period. In the nozzle switching period during which a first nozzle group that has been used is switched to a second nozzle group that is going to be used, the amounts of fuel supplied through the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group are adjusted by using at least one adjustment parameter registered in advance, the adjustment parameter registered in advance is updated according to the operating condition of the gas turbine, and the updated adjustment parameter is registered as an adjustment parameter to be used next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kishi, Akihiko Saito, Takashi Sonoda, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sosuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8800297
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for starting a gas and steam turbine system which comprises a gas turbine system which comprises at least one gas turbine, in addition to at least one steam turbine system which comprises at least one steam turbine and at least one steam system. Heat produced by the working fluid and which is released in the gas turbine is guided to the steam system in order to produce steam which drives the steam turbine. According to the invention, during starting, the gas turbine is started prior to the steam turbine and the steam turbine is started in the presence of the first steam in the system and is impinged upon by said steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Edwin Gobrecht, Rainer Newald, Erich Schmid
  • Patent number: 8800298
    Abstract: A washer for a turbine engine combustor comprises a first surface, a second surface facing generally opposite from the first surface, a bore communicating through the first and second surfaces, and a cooling passage separate from the bore and communicating through the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Ladd, Kevin Joseph Low
  • Patent number: 8800299
    Abstract: A jet engine nacelle includes an air intake section, a middle section, and an aft section. The aft section is formed from two half-shells rotatably mounted such that they can each be deployed between a working position and a maintenance position under the action of a jack and a telescopic connecting rod each respectively having a first end fastened on the jet engine and a second end fastened in the corresponding half-shell. In particular, the nacelle includes at least one damping member arranged between each telescopic connecting rod and the corresponding half-shell, and the damping member is designed so as to be in a prestressed state when the corresponding half-shell is in the working position and can reduce vibration in the half-shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventor: Fabrice Provost
  • Patent number: 8800300
    Abstract: In a gas turbine, an exhaust casing and an exhaust chamber are connected by an exhaust chamber support that can absorb thermal expansion, and the exhaust chamber and an exhaust duct are connected by an exhaust duct support that can absorb thermal expansion. An insulator is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the exhaust chamber, and the exhaust chamber support and the exhaust duct support are disposed outside the insulator in the form of a plurality of strips. Because the thermal stress at a connection portion of the exhaust chamber is reduced, the durability is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Hashimoto, Kenichi Arase
  • Patent number: 8800301
    Abstract: A device is disclosed which is designed to separate water, hydrocarbons and gases, based on the electric characteristics of the materials; the device utilizes the different capacitance of water and hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
    Inventors: Consuelo Goberna Selma, José Prieto Barranco, David Yañez Villareal
  • Patent number: 8800302
    Abstract: Vibrations of a principal machine are reduced at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies by driving the drive motor of an active balancer with balancing signals at the fundamental and selected harmonics. Vibrations are sensed to provide a signal representing the mechanical vibrations. A balancing signal generator for the fundamental and for each selected harmonic processes the sensed vibration signal with adaptive filter algorithms of adaptive filters for each frequency to generate a balancing signal for each frequency. Reference inputs for each frequency are applied to the adaptive filter algorithms of each balancing signal generator at the frequency assigned to the generator. The harmonic balancing signals for all of the frequencies are summed and applied to drive the drive motor. The harmonic balancing signals drive the drive motor with a drive voltage component in opposition to the vibration at each frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sunpower, Inc.
    Inventor: Ezekiel S. Holliday
  • Patent number: 8800303
    Abstract: A cold trap is provided with a cold panel provided in a pumping path such that the panel is exposed, a refrigerator thermally coupled to the cold panel and operative to cool the cold panel; and a controller configured, in a regeneration process for evaporating a gas frozen on the surface of the cold panel and discharging the gas outside using the vacuum pump, to control the refrigerator so as to raise the temperature of the cold panel to a temperature exceeding a non-liquefaction temperature range and to adjust a pressure in the pumping path at the temperature so that the gas frozen on the surface of the cold panel is evaporated without being melted, the non-liquefaction temperature range being a range in which it is guaranteed that a gas frozen on the surface of the cold trap is evaporated without being melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ken Oikawa
  • Patent number: 8800304
    Abstract: A cryopump comprises a cryopanel that cools and thus condenses or adsorbs gas, and a pump housing that contains the cryopanel. a regeneration process of the cryopump includes a basic purge process, an evacuation processes, and an optional purge process that is executed additionally if required. The optional purge process includes one or more gas purge steps. In a cryopump control apparatus that controls the cryopump, a deterioration evaluation unit determines whether a re-purge number, which is the total number of gas purge steps that are required to be executed in one regeneration process, reaches a deterioration evaluation criteria number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Koyama
  • Patent number: 8800305
    Abstract: A retrofit ice making and bagging apparatus and retrofit installation method provide automatic supply of bags of ice into a freezer compartment. The apparatus has an outer housing with a lower end configured for securing on top of an aisle freezer so that openings in the lower end of the housing and upper end of the freezer are aligned to provide a passageway into the freezer compartment. An ice making unit and bag making and filling station are mounted in the housing. Ice is transported from the ice making station into partially formed bags at the bag making and filling station, and a bag is sealed and separated when a sufficient amount of ice is supplied to the bag. The bag making and filling station communicates with the passageway into a storage compartment in the freezer, whereby separated bags of ice fall into the storage compartment on completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Schur Technology A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Pape, Ken Strong
  • Patent number: 8800306
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery machine includes two opposed and off-set pistons. The pistons are received in cylinders that are able to move depending on the alignment of the pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Michael Steven Schoenoff, Mark McMasters
  • Patent number: 8800307
    Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating chilled cargo includes providing a refrigeration system including a compressor and an evaporator fan associated with an evaporator. The method also includes determining the temperature of supply air and the temperature of return air. The method further includes determining one of a requirement for heating and a requirement for cooling based on the temperature of the return air and the temperature of the supply air. The method additionally includes activating the evaporator fan when a requirement for heating is determined and increasing the speed of the evaporator fan when increased heating is determined. The method also includes activating the compressor and the evaporator fan when a requirement for cooling is determined and increasing the power supplied to the compressor and maintaining the evaporator fan at a first speed when increased cooling is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Thermo King Corporation, Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ole Thogersen, Allan Dyrmose, Dan Vad Steffensen
  • Patent number: 8800308
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: 7AC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Patent number: 8800309
    Abstract: A method of automatically detecting an anomalous condition relative to a nominal operating condition in a vapor compression system. An expected input power function in the form of a hyperplane is calculated based on three temperature readings: an intake temperature from an intake area of the condenser unit, a return temperature from an intake area of an evaporator unit, and a supply temperature from a supply output area of the evaporator unit. The function produces an estimate of the expected input power consumed by the compressor unit, and this expected input power is compared with an actual input power measured from the compressor unit. If the expected input power deviates from the measured input power by more than a predetermined tolerance, an indication is stored and communicated that an anomalous condition, such as a refrigerant loss, condenser unit fouling, or a malfunctioning fan, exists in the vapor compression system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robert Buda, Roy Stephen Colby, Scott Robert Littler
  • Patent number: 8800310
    Abstract: A turbo compressor to suction and compress gas includes a housing including a flow passageway through which gas flows, an impeller disposed inside the flow passageway, the impeller providing suction for the gas by being rotationally driven, a liquid discharge port provided in the flow passageway on the upstream side of the impeller, the liquid discharge port discharging, from the flow passageway, any liquid produced as the gas liquefies when the turbo compressor is stopped, a liquid discharge pipe connected to the liquid discharge port, an electromagnetic valve connected to the liquid discharge pipe, and a controller configured to open the electromagnetic valve before the impeller is rotationally driven. A refrigerator includes the turbo compressor, wherein the turbo compressor compresses refrigerant gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventor: Noriyasu Sugitani
  • Patent number: 8800311
    Abstract: A garment is provided which comprises (a) a first portion constructed from stretchable material that is form fitting to a user's physique and that extends across any of a user's collar bone, neck, upper spine, or armpit area; and (b) a cooling composition disposed in said first portion, said cooling composition comprising a material that applies a cooling effect to the collar bone area of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hyper Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Raines, Dirk H. Buikema
  • Patent number: 8800312
    Abstract: In a storage compartment (124), storage spaces having different mist concentrations are formed such that effects of a mist is more efficiently utilized to provide a refrigerator with improved usability. The storage compartment (124) includes a first storage unit (164) that has a high mist concentration. The first storage unit (164) includes a spray device (167) and is disposed in a position outside an air path of cool air between a discharge port (152) through which the cool air flows in from outside the storage compartment (124) and a suction port (149) through which the cool air is discharged to outside the storage compartment (124). Thus, mist concentration inside the first storage unit (164) can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toyoshi Kamisako, Kenichi Kakita, Kumiko Okubo, Mitoko Ishita, Satomi Ueda
  • Patent number: 8800313
    Abstract: A water circulation system associated with a refrigerant cycle that includes an intermediate heat exchanger having a triple-pipe shape in which three independent flow passages are formed by three pipes having a concentric axis and different diameters. Accordingly, three fluids flowing through the three independent flow passages can exchange heat with each other at the same time through the intermediate heat exchanger and heat exchange capacity of the intermediate heat exchanger can selectively be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyoung Suk Woo, Jae Sun Song
  • Patent number: 8800314
    Abstract: An ice cube maker includes an ice-making compartment having side walls, at least one rod-shaped conductor extending distally into the compartment through one of the side walls, and a cooling device for cooling the conductor to a temperature sufficient to form ice on the conductor. A misting system includes a reservoir for water and a nebulizer for creating a liquid mist from water in the reservoir and introducing the liquid mist into the ice-making compartment so that a portion of the liquid mist freezes on the conductor to form a cup-shaped ice cube thereon. A return conduit connects a drain of the ice-making compartment and the reservoir for transferring liquid mist not freezing on the conductor to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8800315
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. In the refrigerator, a water supply unit connected to a water supply passage to temporarily store the supplied water, thereby stably supplying water is disposed above an ice making apparatus. Also, since water having a reduced pressure is supplied into the ice making apparatus, the water may be stably supplied into the ice making apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghyun Kim, Ilwook Joung, Siyeon An, Byoungjun Lee
  • Patent number: 8800316
    Abstract: An icemaker is provided. The icemaker includes a water overflowing member capable of rotating together with a tray. With this structure, the overflowing of the water can be prevented, when the door is opened and closed and ice is discharged from the tray as the tray rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong-Hoon Lee, Wook-Yong Lee, Sung-Hoon Chung
  • Patent number: 8800317
    Abstract: The present invention is a geometrically optimized beverage cooler, which positions fluid-filled containers (bottles, cans, vials, syringes, etc.) in an angled, upright, and evenly spaced position for serving and display. The device uniformly distributes ice and cold water around each bottle to maximize the effective cooling capacity of a given quantity of ice, thus reducing the amount of ice needed and the weight of the device during transport. Various embodiments of the apparatus include an ergonomically and structurally reinforced handle and an insulating lid having complementary contours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventors: Milton Dallas, Russell Robers
  • Patent number: 8800318
    Abstract: A hybrid absorber is disclosed for a closed absorption cycle apparatus. The hybrid absorber is comprised of a non-adiabatic section plus an adiabatic spray section in that order, with absorbent solution and vapor supplied sequentially to them. The spray section preferably also includes a non-adiabatic spray cooler. Coolant is supplied to the non-adiabatic absorber and the cooler either in parallel or in series, countercurrently to the absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Donald Charles Erickson