Patents Issued in February 10, 2015
  • Patent number: 8950148
    Abstract: A floor panel for a floor covering includes a pair of two opposite sides having coupling parts allowing to couple the floor panel to similar floor panels. The coupling parts, in a coupled condition, provide locking in vertical and horizontal directions. The floor panel has a core including two core material parts provided as a sandwich structure between an upper layer and a bottom layer, and respectively extending up to one of the two sides. A locking element is in the form of an insert located at one of the sides of the coupling parts, and is mounted in the core material part. The locking element is of the type which, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels, effects a locking in a vertical direction. The two core material parts include a different basic material or a basic material with different properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Lode De Boe
  • Patent number: 8950149
    Abstract: In a concrete structure, consisting of at least two upright precast concrete elements (1, 1?), it is intended to develop the butt joints between the precast concrete elements in such a way that forces can be absorbed better in at least two directions. For this purpose, it is proposed that at least two tongue-and-groove connections (4, 9; 5, 10) are provided in the region of at least one butt joint (2, 2?) between the precast concrete elements (1, 1?), wherein one of the tongue-and-groove connections (4, 9) is arranged such that it is turned with respect to the second tongue-and-groove connection (5, 10) in a range between about 1° and about 179°, and wherein the butt joint (2, 2?) is of an offset form, and the tongue-and-groove connections (4, 9; 5, 10) are provided in the regions of the offset that run substantially parallel to the surface (3) of the precast concrete elements (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Droessler GmbH Umwelttechnik
    Inventor: Michael Stahl
  • Patent number: 8950150
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for maintaining the orientation of a tower-mounted device in use with a tower structure. The apparatus includes an adjustable vertical mount member positioned within a tower structure. Several adjustable rods move the vertical adjustable vertical mount member by adjusting their position relative to the tower. Movement of the adjustable vertical mount member in one direction causes an extended section of the adjustable vertical mount member to move in the opposite direction. This has the effect of adjusting the orientation of any device attached to the extended section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Ray Pecor
  • Patent number: 8950151
    Abstract: The present invention is a light steel framed metal joist including an adjustable connector fastened to the joist web that allows one to adjust the length and angle of the joist when attaching to floor and wall systems. The adjustment allows one to install end connectors onto the joists prior to installation while retaining flexibility of orientation during construction. The joist functions in both web bearing and bottom chord bearing configurations. A flat plate distributing member allows one to design a floor system without having to coordinate the positioning of the joist with wall studs. Angle or U shaped members can be fastened to the lower portion of the flat plate distribution member to support joists during construction. The invention further provides a seamless fire stopping system with consideration for acoustic dampening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ispan Systems LP
    Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Douglas M. Fox
  • Patent number: 8950152
    Abstract: A sleeve for creating a moveable anchor in concrete may include an open end and a closed end. A cavity may be formed within a rigid wall, and the cavity and the rigid wall may extend from the open end to the closed end. The sleeve may also include a hollow foot section formed at the closed end and in communication with the cavity. An adjustable anchor system may include a sleeve and a moveable bolt. The sleeve may include cavity extending from an open end to a closed end. The sleeve may also include a hollow foot section formed at the closed end and in communication with the cavity. The bolt may include a shaft disposed within the cavity and extending through the open end, and an angled portion disposed within the foot section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: David P. Milkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8950153
    Abstract: A wireguide configured to couple to a T-bar structure of a drop ceiling and method for installing the wireguide is provided. The wireguide includes a first portion contacting a base of the T-bar structure; a second portion extending from the first portion over a top member of the T-bar structure; and a third portion extending from the second portion to the base of the T-bar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Domenick Luongo
  • Patent number: 8950154
    Abstract: A thermal break device minimizes the transfer of heat from a building with a concrete slab floor. The thermal break device comprises a hollow conduits fabricated from a synthetic polymeric material. An insulating material completely fills the hollow conduit. The insulating material comprises a polymeric foam material. A weatherstrip seal is secured to a top surface of the thermal break device. The thermal break device is positioned within a concrete slab across an opening for an entry door such that the closed door contacts the weatherstrip seal of the thermal break device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Scott William Casey
  • Patent number: 8950155
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for pool step forms and related methods for forming steps in a pool formed by wall panels. The step forms may include a wall panel insert configured for insertion between adjacent pool wall panels. The step forms may include one or more step form brace configured to couple with the wall panel insert and, thereby, the wall panels. The step forms may include riser forms that from riser portions of the stairs when the step forms and riser forms are coupled. The pool stair forms may be filled with filling material to form tread portions of the stairs. The pool stair forms may include liner support members coupled to the step form braces and/or the wall panels that facilitate the coupling of a liner to the stairs formed by the pool stair forms and filling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Imperial Pools, Inc.
    Inventor: John V. Maiuccoro
  • Patent number: 8950156
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a form assembly is provided with a form member facing an existing wall, to which sheathing panels are attached. The cavity created between the sheathing panels and the existing wall can be filled with a foamable, adhesive material which adheres to the sheathing panels and the existing wall and creates an adhesive connection between them. In some embodiments, the form assembly is vertically adjustable to facilitate the installation of multiple rows of sheathing panels. In some embodiments, the foamable, adhesive material is introduced in successive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: SR Contractors, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald G. Vandehey
  • Patent number: 8950157
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for mounting solar panels and other equipment to tile roofs, or similar roof structures, that does not require removal of roofing tile for installation. A stanchion is inserted into a hole drilled into a roofing tile. Two or more wood securing fasteners are inserted into diagonal and crossing through-holes in the sides of the stanchion above the tile and exit on opposing sides of the stanchion, with respect to their insertion point, below the tile. The ends of the wood securing fasteners engage the surface of the roof sheeting beneath the tile at a distance outwardly away from the stanchion. With this arrangement, the tile roof equipment-mounting device engages the roof surface over a wider area than the diameter of the hole drilled into the roof tile without the need for removing the roof tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sunmodo Corporation
    Inventor: Clifford Schrock
  • Patent number: 8950158
    Abstract: An antenna tower structure for wireless communication antennas includes an antenna cupola mounted on a tower based on at least one standardized ISBU shipping container that has been modified and erected to stand upright on a foundation. The modifications may include longitudinal reinforcements along at least two longitudinal edges of the container, mounting hardware at the two ends of the container, an access door on a side of the container, an access hatch in the upper end of the container, a ladder extending longitudinally inside the container, and a floor extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container. The container provides a weather-protected climate-controlled interior space for sheltering electronics equipment. The cupola has antennas installed on at least one level, and may include shutters, a clock, a bell etc. to hide the antennas and disguise the tower. The exterior of the structure may be finished to match surrounding buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Chadwick J. Walton
  • Patent number: 8950159
    Abstract: A connector and a method of anchoring the connector to a first object that includes providing the connector having a sleeve element and a piston element with a shaft portion, providing a through hole in the first object, and inserting the connector through the through hole and until a distal portion of one of the sleeve and/or the piston element rests against the second object. Mechanical oscillations are coupled into the piston element while the piston element is pressed towards the distal side, and thereby liquefying portions a thermoplastic material at an interface portion between the sleeve element and the piston element while a periphery of the interface portion is adjacent the circumferential wall, and causing the liquefied thermoplastic material to flow radially outward from the periphery and into structures of the first object and/or along an inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Woodwelding AG
    Inventors: Peter L. Cove, William E. T. Vallance, Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani
  • Patent number: 8950160
    Abstract: Pre-filled mortar packages are positioned between masonry construction elements (such as stones, blocks or bricks) when forming a wall (such as a dry-stack stone wall). Each mortar package includes an outer covering with a porous outer surface, a mortar mixture covered by the outer covering, and (optionally) an adhesive incorporated onto or in the porous outer surface. Both the adhesive and the mortar mixture are activated by a liquid, such as water. The mortar packages may be pre-wetted and placed on masonry construction elements when stacking the masonry construction elements. Alternatively, the mortar packages may be dry when placed on masonry construction elements, and activated by applying water or by wetting from rain water. Mortar packages are more convenient and efficient than adhesives or mortar alone, and create walls and other structures with increased strength and improved aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Preferred Inspections, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton L. Ridings, III
  • Patent number: 8950161
    Abstract: A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Stephen A. Koch
  • Patent number: 8950162
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated glass unit (VIGU) comprises a first pane of a transparent material and a second pane of a transparent material. The second pane is spaced apart from the first pane to define a cavity therebetween. At least one of a spacer and an array of stand-off members is disposed between the first and second panes to maintain separation therebetween. A first adhesive layer forms at least a portion of a gas-tight connection between the first pane and the second pane. A highly hermetic coating is disposed over the adhesive layer, where the coating is an inorganic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: EverSealed Windows, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth A. Miller, David H. Stark, William H. Francis, IV, Viswanadham Puligandla, Edward N. Boulos, John Pernicka
  • Patent number: 8950163
    Abstract: A packaging machine seals goods in blister shell moldings with a blister film. The packaging machine contains a first transport system for a blister film web, a second transport system for blister shell moldings, and a sealing apparatus, the effect of which is to connect a blister shell molding to a portion of the blister film web. A printing apparatus is provided for applying optical information to the blister film web. A dancing roller system is provided for motional decoupling and disposed between a position at which the printing apparatus prints on the blister film web and the sealing apparatus along the blister film. The printing apparatus and/or the first transport system for the blister film web contains an apparatus for insulating against occurring vibrations of the rest of the packaging machine at the position at which the printing apparatus prints on the blister film web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jörg-Achim Fischer, Timo Ihfe, Christian Matthiesen, Wilhelm Paulsen, Burghart Schnabel, Holger Suhr, Jörg Suhr
  • Patent number: 8950164
    Abstract: A packaging for a mattress consisting of a wrapping provided by a sheet of heat-sealing plastics, the wrapping comprising two rectangular portions, which are sized to cover the opposite faces of the mattress and have perimetric regions which are folded so as to cover the perimetric band of the mattress and have, along at least two mutually opposite and parallel sides of the mattress, subflaps which are folded outward and heat-sealed to each other, so as to form wings provided with slots adapted to act as handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Resta S.R.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Resta, Paolo Resta
  • Patent number: 8950165
    Abstract: In an apparatus for inserting a postal item into an envelope, the envelope is fed with its flap fold trailing its envelope body and its flap along a flap opener. A free flap opener edge enters between the flap and the envelope body until the flap fold abuts the free flap opener edge. While holding the flap against the flap opener, the flap is pivoted relative to the envelope body about the flap fold to an open position and subsequently the postal item is inserted into the envelope body. An apparatus for carrying such a method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Fransiscus Hermannus Feijen
  • Patent number: 8950166
    Abstract: A machine for packaging solid pharmaceuticals includes a plurality of storage locations for storing a variety of pharmaceutical dispensing canisters and a robotic arm for retrieving said dispensing canisters and providing the canister at a location proximate the package to be filled thus minimizing the distance which the pharmaceutical travels from the dispensing canister and the package cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: MTS Medication Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Feehan, Robert Barrett
  • Patent number: 8950167
    Abstract: Riding lawn mower switchable between mulching and bagging modes includes: a delivery passage for delivering grass, cut by cutting blades in a housing, from the housing to a receptacle by delivering air; and a scroll guide provided in an entrance of the passage for directing the grass clippings to the passage. An overall shape of the scroll guide as viewed in top plan is a substantial isosceles triangle extending into the housing while tapering forward from a scroll guide's base section located in the entrance and as viewed in side elevation is a substantial triangle tapering forward from the base section. Left and right side surfaces of the scroll guide each comprises lower and upper slanting surfaces formed as different slants, each of which gradually increases in area from the distal end of the scroll guide toward the base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Moroi, Makoto Uchimi
  • Patent number: 8950168
    Abstract: A hybrid yarn for producing molded parts having a thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers embedded therein. The hybrid yarn includes a core substantially made of staple fibers aligned in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the hybrid yarn, and a cover made substantially of staple fibers wound helically about the core. The staple fibers forming the core and the staple fibers forming the cover each are made of an intimate mixture of thermoplastic matrix fibers and reinforcing fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Deutsche Institute fur Textil-und Faserforschung Denkendorf
    Inventors: Uwe Heitmann, Heinrich Planck
  • Patent number: 8950169
    Abstract: Rotary expansible chamber (REC) devices having one or more working-fluid ports that are adjustable, for example, in size or location. In some embodiments, the variable port mechanisms can be used to control any one or more of a plurality of operating parameters of a REC device independently of one or more others of the operating parameters. In some embodiments, the REC devices can have a plurality of fluid volumes that change in size during rotation of the REC device, and that transition to a zero volume condition during the rotation of the REC device. Systems are also provided that can include one or more REC devices. Methods for controlling various aspects of REC devices, including methods of controlling one or more operating parameters, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Aaron Feustel
  • Patent number: 8950170
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a housing having an aperture intersecting a passage that includes first and second passage portions. A plug is arranged in the aperture in an interference fit in a first position at a first temperature condition to block the passage and fluidly separate the first and second passage portions. A biasing element is arranged in the housing and is configured to move the plug from the first position to a second position at a second temperature condition to fluidly connect the first and second passage portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Paradise
  • Patent number: 8950171
    Abstract: A tip turbine engine provides an axial compressor rotor that is counter-rotated relative to a fan. A planetary gearset couples rotation of a fan to an axial compressor rotor, such that the axial compressor rotor is driven by rotation of the fan in a rotational direction opposite that of the fan. By counter-rotating the axial compressor rotor, a final stage of compressor vanes between the final stage of compressor blades and inlets to the hollow fan blades of the fan are eliminated. As a result, the length of the axial compressor and the overall length of the tip turbine engine are decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel Suciu, Brian Merry, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 8950172
    Abstract: The jet (40) has an air-fuel combustion chamber (42) and a plurality of rocket engines (11) arranged upstream from the combustion chamber (42), each rocket engine having its own combustion chamber with the wall thereof being cooled by lateral injection of fuel through said wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Daniel Peyrisse, Jean-Marie Conrardy
  • Patent number: 8950173
    Abstract: An integrated exhaust gas after-treatment system for eliminating pollutants present in exhaust gases is disclosed. The integrated exhaust gas after-treatment system includes a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC)-Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) assembly, a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), a dosing module and a reducing agent supply system. The Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC)-Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) assembly is connected to an exhaust gas manifold of an engine and includes a canister for holding a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is disposed downstream of the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) and is spaced there-from. The Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is disposed downstream of the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC)-Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) assembly and facilitates elimination of NOx present in the exhaust gases by reduction of the NOx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Mahindra & Mahindra Limited
    Inventors: Vishnu Kedari Patade, Rakesh Janardhan Kokate, Madhav Anant Hardikar, Ramasamy Velusamy
  • Patent number: 8950174
    Abstract: Described is a catalyst comprising a substrate and a catalyst coating of two or more layers: (a) a first layer comprising Pd and Rh on the substrate; and (b) a second layer comprising Pt and/or Pd on the first layer; these layers each further comprising: one or more particulate support materials; one or more oxygen storage component (OSC) materials; and one or more nitrogen oxide storage materials comprising one or more elements selected from the group of alkali and/or alkaline earth metals, wherein the total amount of alkali and alkaline earth metals ranges from 0.18 to 2.0 g/in3 calculated as the respective alkali metal oxides M2O and alkaline earth metal oxides MO. Also described is a method for the production of a catalyst, as well as a process for the treatment of a gas stream, in particular of an exhaust gas stream resulting from an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventor: Marcus Hilgendorff
  • Patent number: 8950175
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas aftertreatment device for an internal combustion engine includes a catalytic converter having a tubular member which defines a volume housing a catalytic converter substrate. The volume housing the catalytic converter substrate communicates with an inlet portion for receiving exhaust gas from the engine and with an outlet portion for discharging the exhaust gas after catalytic conversion thereof in the volume. The device further has a pipe member within the tubular member which connects the inlet portion with the volume in the tubular member and guides the exhaust gas from the inlet portion in a first direction of flow. The pipe member opens downstream into a deflector which deflects the exhaust gas into the volume of the tubular member in a second direction of flow other than the first direction of flow. Unburned liquid fuel contained in the exhaust gas is deposited on the deflector for later evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Mats Laurell, Jan Dahlgren, Staffan Ovesson
  • Patent number: 8950176
    Abstract: An exhaust emission reduction system for a fuel injected engine system has a plurality of emission reduction components configured to process the exhaust gas. The emissions reduction components include of one or more NOX reduction components and one or more filtration components configured to reduce particulate matter, hydrocarbons and/or carbon monoxide emissions. Each engine cylinder is associated with a respective one of the emission reduction components, such that exhaust gas from each engine cylinder flows through the respective one emission reduction component in parallel with the exhaust gas flows from the other cylinders through their respective emission reduction components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Teoman Uzkan, Thomas Gallagher
  • Patent number: 8950177
    Abstract: A control system includes a heater control module and a particulate matter (PM) load module. The heater control module selectively activates an electric heater to initiate regeneration in a zone of a particulate filter and deactivates the electric heater after the regeneration is initiated. The regeneration continues along a length of the particulate filter after the electric heater is deactivated. The PM load module determines a PM load based on an outlet temperature of the particulate filter after the regeneration is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Stuart R. Smith, Garima Bhatia
  • Patent number: 8950178
    Abstract: An exhaust device for a multi-cylinder engine for connecting both exhaust passage members with a communicating hole formed in each one when the two exhaust passage members are to be spaced apart. A base plate has a through hole communicating with the communicating hole and a cover plate for covering the outside of the base plate. The outer circumferential area of the through hole of the base plate overlaps the outer surface of the exhaust pipe with the entire outer circumferential area of the through hole is welded to the exhaust pipe. The edge portions on both sides of the cover plate are welded to the base plate so as to surround the outer side of the through hole. The area extending between edge portions on both sides of the cover plate is welded to the front and rear edge portions of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sosuke Miki, Takuya Otsuka
  • Patent number: 8950179
    Abstract: An engine exhaust aftertreatment component includes a housing defining an exhaust flow path from an exhaust inlet to an exhaust outlet. The housing supports an internal support channel. An aftertreatment brick module includes a catalytic brick, a can configured to receive the catalytic brick, and an end plate disposed along an end of the can. The end plate includes a coupling mechanism configured to be received within the internal support channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Pradyumna Venkata Rao, Saad Hasan, Ian Aguirre, Varun Malik
  • Patent number: 8950180
    Abstract: A hybrid construction machine drives the upper swing structure using a hydraulic motor and an electric motor together and is capable of regenerating the energy of the upper swing structure in deceleration or stopping into electric power and using the regenerated electric power for assisting the hydraulic motor for driving the upper swing structure. The opening area characteristics of a meter-out restrictor and a bleed-off restrictor of a swing directional control valve are set to become larger than for construction machines driving the upper swing structure with the hydraulic motor alone. Torque of the electric motor is controlled so that the total sum of the actual torque occurring in the hydraulic and electric motors in deceleration or acceleration of the hydraulic motor equals the torque occurring when the opening area of the meter-out restrictor or the bleed-off restrictor is set at the prescribed opening area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatoshi Ooki, Yusuke Kajita, Hidetoshi Satake, Seiji Ishida, Shiho Izumi, Kouji Ishikawa, Shinya Okumura, Manabu Edamura
  • Patent number: 8950181
    Abstract: Energy can be stored by directing fluid into an expandable receptacle that has a relatively heavy mass above it. The fluid fills the receptacle such that it expands and lifts up the heavy mass above it. At a time when energy is needed, the fluid can be allowed to flow out of the receptacle and through a turbine or hydraulic motor to generate power or electricity. Intermittent or unreliable sources of power can be used to fill the receptacle, or power from a power grid can be used to fill the receptacle at times that are off-peak. During peak-load times, the potential energy of the fluid in the receptacle can be converted to power. The receptacle can also be used to control water flows and can provide a source of power and potable water to a community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Ivy, Guy Carl Eastwood
  • Patent number: 8950182
    Abstract: A method of adjusting an external exhaust gas recirculation mixture in response to engine knock of a spark-ignition turbocharged engine, and related products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: David B. Roth
  • Patent number: 8950183
    Abstract: An engine system includes a plurality of turbochargers each including a compressor outlet fluidly connected to an intake manifold of an engine. A plurality of intake conduits are configured to each convey incoming combustion air to one of the turbochargers, and each includes a casing, and a duct within the casing having a surge inhibitor mounted thereon which includes a flow-directing surface oriented obliquely to an axis of the duct to direct combustion air leaked back out of the compressor inlet away from a discharging stream of combustion air exiting the duct. Related methodology is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jed W. Nixon, Keith G. Rochford
  • Patent number: 8950184
    Abstract: A device for utilizing waste heat of an internal combustion engine. A heat exchanger of a circuit of a working medium is provided in its exhaust system. A pump is connected upstream from the heat exchanger, the circuit containing an expansion machine. A coupling heat exchanger is located in the circuit of the working medium, the working medium of the circuit and the cooling medium of the internal combustion engine flowing through the coupling heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Stegmaier, Martin Cichon, Manfred Schmitt, Achim Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8950185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for converting thermal energy into mechanical work, which comprises imparting thermal energy to a working fluid in a tank. The working fluid in the vapor phase is fed into a device for converting energy into mechanical work. The vaporous working fluid is condensed and cyclically returned in the liquid phase to the tank. A catalytic additive in the form of a catalytic substance or a catalytic mixture of substances in an amount of 0.0000001 to 0.1 wt. % is introduced into the working fluid before or after starting the heating. The additive is a solid, its solution or suspension, or a liquid or its emulsion. The catalytic substance and the ratio of components of the mixture are chosen to prevent or promote decomposition of the substance or the mixture under the effect of high temperature and pressure according to current needs. The method enhances the efficiency of the process and expands its operational capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Igor A. Revenko
  • Patent number: 8950186
    Abstract: A system and method for supplementing fuel feed pressure and flow within an aircraft fuel system. The fuel system includes boost and override fuel pumps delivering fuel from the tanks to a fuel manifold, and a jettison fuel pump. The method includes the steps of: (a) sensing whether the aircraft engine is operating near maximum power; (b) upon sensing the condition, operating the jettison fuel pump in fluid interconnection with the override fuel pump to deliver fuel to the fuel manifold; and (c) upon sensing the cessation of the condition, deactivating the jettison fuel pump. The system includes a monitoring circuit signaling when the aircraft engine speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, and a fuel system control circuit operating a jettison fuel pump enable circuit portion in response to the signal while omitting other jettisoning operations. The jettison fuel pump consequently functions as an override fuel pump assist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William H. McCabe
  • Patent number: 8950187
    Abstract: A premix burner of the multi-cone type for a gas turbine, that includes a plurality of shells, which are arranged around a central burner axis and are parts of a virtual, axially extending common cone, which opens in a downstream direction, whereby the parts are displaced perpendicular to the burner axis such that a tangential slot is defined between each pair of adjacent shells. A disadvantageous transition piece between the shells and a downstream mixing tube is avoided by bordering the downstream ends of the shells by intersecting planes, which are defined by intersecting the shells with a virtual coaxial cylinder of a predetermined radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Ennio Pasqualotto, Hanspeter Knopfel
  • Patent number: 8950188
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly for a gas turbine, the assembly including: a cylindrical center body; a cylindrical shroud coaxial with and extending around the center body, and a turning guide having an downstream edge extending in a passage between the center body and an inlet to the shroud, wherein the turning guide extends only partially around the center body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jason Thurman Stewart
  • Patent number: 8950189
    Abstract: A fuel injection array for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of bluff body injectors and a plurality of swirler injectors. A control operates the plurality of bluff body injectors and swirler injectors such that bluff body injectors are utilized without all of the swirler injectors at least at low power operation. The swirler injectors are utilized at higher power operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy S. Snyder
  • Patent number: 8950190
    Abstract: In a gas turbine combustor and a gas turbine, an air passage (54) that supplies combustion high-pressure air, a pilot nozzle (44), a main fuel nozzle (45), and a top hat nozzle (47) that supply fuel, and openings (64) that supply film air (cooling air) are provided with respect to a combustor inner cylinder (42), and contraction members (71, 72, and 73) are arranged along a circumferential direction on an inner wall surface in a downstream of a flow direction of combustion gas in the inner cylinder (42). The contraction members (71, 72, and 73) are provided in a predetermined area in the circumferential direction excluding penetrating portions (74, 75, and 76), which do not disturb the flow of cooling air, thereby enabling to suppress generation of carbon monoxide and the like and to suppress the occurrence of unstable combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keijiro Saito, Shinji Akamatsu, Kenji Sato, Shigemi Mandai
  • Patent number: 8950191
    Abstract: Variable speed drive controlled discharge pumps are used for pumping chilled water from a chilled water storage tank to coils operatively associated with the air inlet of a gas turbine, wherein the gas turbine is used to generate electricity. Use of the variable speed drive controlled discharge pumps aids is protecting the temperature distribution in the chilled water storage tank so that a thermocline rises with the addition of chilled water during charging of the tank with chilled water, and lowers during discharge of the tank when using the chilled water to cool inlet air at one or more gas turbines operated at a facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bicent Power LLC
    Inventors: Frank Landis, James Nolan
  • Patent number: 8950192
    Abstract: A gas turbine includes a turbine section; an annular combustor disposed upstream of the turbine section and configured to discharge a hot gas flow on an outlet side to the turbine section; an outer shell delimiting the combustor and splittable at a parting plane; a plenum enclosing the outer shell; a rotor; a turbine vane carrier encompassing the rotor; a plurality of stator vanes disposed on the vane carrier, and at least two sealing segments forming a ring, each of the at least two sealing segments having an inner edge and a head and a foot section and being movably mounted on the inner edge by the foot section to the outer shell and by the head section to the turbine vane carrier so as to mechanically connect the combustor to the turbine vane carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Remigi Tschuor, Russell Bond Jones, Luis J. Rodriguez, Hartmut Haehnle, Marion Duggan (-Oneil)
  • Patent number: 8950193
    Abstract: Pulse tube refrigeration or cooling systems are described which utilize a secondary regenerator or a secondary pulse tube. Use of such a secondary regenerator or pulse tube enables a commercially available pressure oscillator to be incorporated in the cooling system. The commercially available oscillator can be operated at room temperature or approximately so.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards and Technology
    Inventors: Ray Radebaugh, Isaac Garaway, Peter E. Bradley
  • Patent number: 8950194
    Abstract: In order to minimize the loss of cryogen during transportation of superconductive magnet systems, or indeed at any time that the refrigerator is turned off, part of the boil-off gas is directed from the cryogen vessel through the refrigerator interface and past the refrigerator to cool the refrigerator. Some of the heat conducted along the refrigerator into the system is intercepted and removed by that part of the boil-off gas. The heat load onto the cryogenic vessel is thereby reduced, which in turn reduces the boil-off of cryogen from the cryogenic vessel. This part of the boil-off gas is then vented from the system along with the remainder of the boil-off gas, for example to leave the cryogenic liquid vessel via the access neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens PLC
    Inventors: Timothy John Hughes, Stephen Paul Trowell, Keith White
  • Patent number: 8950195
    Abstract: A thermodynamic pump for provides gaseous hydrogen employing a plurality of liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks sequentially pressurized with gaseous hydrogen (GH2) from an accumulator. A heat exchanger receiving LH2 from each of the plurality of tanks as sequentially pressurized returns pressurized GH2 to the accumulator for supply to an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel A. Watts
  • Patent number: 8950196
    Abstract: Contemplated power plants and LNG regasification facilities employ a combination of ambient air and non-ambient air as continuous heat sources to regasify LNG and to optimize power production. Most preferably, contemplated plants and methods are operable without the need for supplemental heat sources under varying temperature conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Patent number: 8950197
    Abstract: A clear ice making system and method utilizes an ice forming tray pivotally connected to opposing side walls of an icemaker housing. Ice forming fingers of a dedicated evaporator extend into fluid within the ice forming tray, and are cooled by communication with the refrigerant circulating system of the refrigerator. A motor oscillates the ice forming tray about a longitudinal axis at a frequency of about 0.4-0.6 hertz as fluid channels freezes on the ice forming fingers over time, forming clear ice pieces. During an ice dispensing event, the motor pivots the ice making tray about the longitudinal axis such that fluid remaining within the ice making tray drains into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming fingers are then heated to release the clear ice pieces for transfer from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Anderson Bortoletto, Kevin M. Chase, Tony L. Koenigsknecht, Ronald L. Voglewede, Matthew E. Young