Patents Issued in March 31, 2015
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Patent number: 8991160Abstract: A mixing device includes: an elbow pipe attached to an outlet pipe of a filter device, the elbow pipe changing a flow direction of an exhaust gas flowing from the filter device; a straight pipe connected to a downstream side of the elbow pipe, the straight pipe extending in a direction intersecting an axial line of the outlet pipe; an injector attached to the elbow pipe and injecting a reductant aqueous solution inside the elbow pipe toward the straight pipe; and a mixing pipe disposed in the elbow pipe to serve as a cover for the reductant aqueous solution, the mixing pipe being provided with openings on a circumferential wall thereof. A plurality of large openings are provided on a circumferential wall of the mixing pipe near the injector and a plurality of small openings are provided on a circumferential wall of the mixing pipe near the straight pipe.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Katou, Hiroyuki Tomioka, Boku Itou
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Patent number: 8991161Abstract: A process which solves the problem of supplying NO2 in accordance with requirements by means of temperature control of the precatalyst which is decoupled from the operating state of the engine. In an associated apparatus, a precatalyst which contains at least one oxidation component and whose temperature can be controlled independently of the operating state of the engine and an active SCR stage comprising an SCR catalyst with upstream metering facility for a reducing agent from an external source are arranged in series. A particle filter can be arranged between precatalyst and metering facility. The precatalyst preferably additionally contains a nitrogen oxide storage material.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Lothar Mussmann, Ingo Lappas, Andreas Geisselmann, Wilfried Mueller
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Patent number: 8991162Abstract: An engine has an exhaust gas treatment apparatus attached thereto, wherein an exhaust pipe can be prevented from being damaged by a vibration of the engine body. An exhaust gas treatment apparatus is supported by an engine body and the engine body and the exhaust gas treatment apparatus communicate with each other through an exhaust pipe. The casing of the exhaust gas treatment apparatus consists of a plurality of casing units separable from each other. Connection flanges are disposed in respective end portions of the casing units. The casing units are coupled together by a connection of the connection flanges, and the exhaust gas treatment apparatus is supported by the engine body through the connection flanges.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Tetsuya Kosaka, Yusuke Suzuki, Yoshinobu Odawara, Nobuyuki Okabe
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Patent number: 8991163Abstract: A burner for an exhaust aftertreatment system is provided that includes a nozzle assembly having a body and a heating element. The body may include first and second cavities, a fuel inlet passage and an air inlet passage. The first cavity may receive portion of the heating element and may be in fluid communication with the fuel inlet passage and a fuel discharge passage such that fuel from the fuel inlet passage is heated in the first cavity by the heating element and discharged from the first cavity through the fuel discharge passage. The second cavity may be in fluid communication with the air inlet passage and an air discharge passage. The first and second cavities may be fluidly isolated from each other and may supply fuel and air, respectively, to an exit aperture disposed downstream of the fuel discharge aperture and the air discharge aperture.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventor: Keith G. Olivier
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Patent number: 8991165Abstract: Energy recovery systems can utilize waste heat from an internal combustion engine or other base energy conversion system in the operation of hydrogen processors. Some energy recovery systems can utilize more than one source of waste heat from the energy converting system for this purpose.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Inventor: Lyle Bates
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Patent number: 8991166Abstract: A drive connection for fixing a torque converter to an engine crankshaft includes a crankshaft, a torque converter, and a threaded fastener. The crankshaft includes an end face, a rotational axis, and a threaded hole aligned with the axis. The torque converter includes a rotational axis and a cover having an aperture aligned with the axis. The threaded fastener extends through the aperture and is engaged with the threaded hole to secure the cover to the end face. In an example embodiment, the drive connection includes a sealing element disposed between the fastener and the cover. The sealing element may be a washer or an o-ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co KGInventors: Kevin L. Parks, Michael Davis, Scott Strong, Philip George
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Patent number: 8991167Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for driving a load includes a drive shaft; first and second hydraulic pumps driven by the drive shaft, and a control system that operates the hydraulic drive system in a plurality of modes including: a) a first mode where the second hydraulic pump pumps hydraulic fluid from a supply line to an accumulator; b) a second mode where the second hydraulic pump pumps hydraulic fluid from the accumulator to the supply line; c) a third mode where the second hydraulic pump pumps hydraulic fluid from the supply line to a reservoir; and d) a fourth mode where the second hydraulic pump pumps hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the supply line. At least the second hydraulic pump is a variable displacement bidirectional pump.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: QingHui Yuan, Ankur Ganguli
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Patent number: 8991168Abstract: A hydraulic motor 100 includes a switching valve 3 which is connected to a pilot passage 54 by which a pressure fluid is introduced into a back pressure chamber 21 of a relief valve 2 and takes a first changeover position 3a where the back pressure chamber 21 is connected to a tank 102 or a second changeover position 3b where the pilot passage 54 is connected to the back pressure chamber 21. By this switching valve 3, the pressure fluid supplied to a hydraulic motor mechanism 1 is introduced into the back pressure chamber 21 via the pilot passage 54 when the hydraulic motor mechanism 1 is in operation, whereas the back pressure chamber 21 is connected to the tank 102 as the pressure in the pilot passage 54 becomes not higher than a predetermined pressure when the hydraulic motor mechanism 1 is being braked.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Nabtesco CorporationInventors: Teruhiko Satake, Takuhiro Karino
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Patent number: 8991169Abstract: A method for adapting stiffness in a variable stiffness actuator includes a member configured to transmit motion that is connected to a fluidic circuit, into which a control fluid circulates. The fluidic circuit includes a supply and distribution unit of the control fluid having a reservoir of the control fluid and a pumping unit. The supply and distribution unit includes two distribution lines of the control fluid, which are fluidly connected to the actuator such that an increase and/or decrease in the pressure of the control fluid activates the member that transmits motion. The stiffness of the actuator is adapted by adapting the pressure of the control fluid into the two distribution lines. The present invention includes also a variable stiffness actuator utilizing the above method for adapting stiffness.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Inventor: Matteo Zoppi
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Patent number: 8991170Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduces the dead volume in a heat engine or heat pump, such as a duplex Stirling or Vuilleumier cycle device, by nesting the components of the displacer and regenerator such that nearly all working fluid is purged from the interstices of the regenerator elements and all other working fluid spaces that are not involved in doing useful work at each portion of the cycle. Particularly, a more scalable and efficient method and apparatus for providing solar air conditioning or refrigeration by means of a heated cylinder that alternately pressurizes and depressurizes a separate cooling cylinder by directly transferring thermally induced pressure changes to that cooling cylinder at optimized times in the cycle, under the control of a numerically controlled actuation system that can cycle at a much lower rate than mechanically coupled or harmonically phased systems.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Inventor: Thomas Mallory Sherlock
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Patent number: 8991171Abstract: A cup for a master cylinder coming into contact with its primary piston or its secondary piston and subjected to the pressure of the brake fluid of the primary chamber and of the secondary chamber. The cup has two large grooves bordered: by a rib between the heel and the first groove, by a rib between the first groove and the second groove, by a rib between the second groove and the small grooves, these ribs being in protrusion relative to the cylindrical surface of the heel in the mounted position of the cup in order to separate the heel from the surface of the piston and form, between the heel and the surface of the piston, a gap with a film of brake fluid. Master cylinder notably a tandem master cylinder fitted with such cups.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Olivier Bernadat, Marc Noblet, Julien Gateau, François Gaget, Marc Rodriguez
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Patent number: 8991172Abstract: A control device of a premix combustion engine includes a hybrid turbocharger including a turbocharger having a compressor and a turbine, and a motor generator coupled with the compressor. A control unit controls the motor generator based on the operating conditions regarding a generator or the premix combustion engine and includes: an airflow rate computing unit for computing the necessary airflow rate required for the premix combustion engine, and an arithmetic unit for computing the power output or the rotation speed regarding the hybrid turbocharger to obtain the necessary airflow rate required for the premix combustion engine. Feedback control regarding the power output or the rotation speed as to the hybrid turbocharger is performed based on the computed results obtained by the arithmetic unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yuuichi Shimizu, Yuta Furukawa
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Patent number: 8991173Abstract: A linear actuator for a variable-geometry member of a turbocharger includes a piston/rod assembly that can axially translate and also pivot to a limited extent. A permanent magnet is mounted in a fixed position within the actuator. A non-magnetized flux carrier is mounted in the piston/rod assembly, and its movement alters the magnetic field of the magnet. A Halls effects sensor detects the magnetic field and the signals produced by the sensor are used for determining axial position of the piston/rod assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Robert Mavir, Matus Rakoci
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Patent number: 8991174Abstract: A turbine for an exhaust turbocharger, in particular for a motor vehicle, has a turbine flap which controls an exhaust volume flowing through the turbine. A wastegate valve directs exhaust past the turbine and a wastegate flap controls an exhaust volume flowing through the wastegate valve. We also provide for an exhaust turbocharger, a motor vehicle having such an exhaust turbocharger, and for a method for operating such an exhaust turbocharger.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Ralf Böning, Roland Herfurth, Achim Koch, Christoph Sparrer
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Patent number: 8991175Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing with a bearing bore and a thrust wall. The bearing housing includes a journal bearing disposed within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a shaft supported by the journal bearing for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft and configured to be rotated about the axis by the engine's post-combustion gasses. The turbocharger additionally includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft and configured to pressurize an ambient airflow. Furthermore, the turbocharger includes a thrust bearing assembly pressed onto the shaft and configured to transmit thrust forces developed by the turbine wheel to the thrust wall. Pressing the thrust bearing assembly onto the shaft minimizes radial motion between the thrust bearing assembly and the shaft. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Carl Eric Fonville, Louis P. Begin
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Patent number: 8991176Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a shaft, a first turbine wheel, a compressor wheel, and a second turbine wheel. The shaft includes a first end and a second end and is supported for rotation about an axis. The first turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gasses emitted by the engine. The compressor wheel is mounted on the shaft between the first and second ends and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine. The second turbine wheel is mounted on the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to be rotated about the axis by a pressurized fluid. An internal combustion engine employing such a turbocharger is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Louis P. Begin, Carnell E. Williams
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Patent number: 8991177Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder group including a plurality of cylinders and at least one exhaust turbocharger, each cylinder including a plurality of outlet valves for exhaust gas, each outlet valve being assigned an outlet duct which opens into an exhaust manifold and via which the respective exhaust gas, after flowing through the respective outlet valve and outlet duct, can be guided in the direction of an exhaust turbocharger, and first outlet ducts of the cylinders being contoured in the manner of nozzles, and second outlet ducts of the cylinders being contoured in the manner of diffusers.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Erwin Rutschmann, Willi Schultz
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Patent number: 8991178Abstract: An internal combustion engine has first and second non-deactivatable cylinder banks. Each cylinder bank is assigned exhaust lines which extend from exhaust manifolds. First and second exhaust-gas turbocharger in the exhaust line are assigned to the first and second cylinders, respectively. A first catalytic converter in the first exhaust line contains the first exhaust-gas turbocharger, and is arranged downstream of the first exhaust-gas turbocharger as viewed in the flow direction of the exhaust gas of the first cylinder bank. A second catalytic converter in the second exhaust line contains the second exhaust-gas turbocharger, and is arranged downstream of the second exhaust-gas turbocharger as viewed in the flow direction of the exhaust gas of the second cylinder bank. A flow transfer line is arranged between the first and the second exhaust line, and a first control element, by an exhaust-gas mass flow passing through the flow transfer line can be regulated.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jochen Schlund, Erwin Rutschmann, Norbert Hemmerlein
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Patent number: 8991179Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit, in particular for a vehicle drive, comprising a drive machine generating driving power, a cooling system for the fluid cooling of the drive machine and/or a component of the drive unit which is supplied at least indirectly with driving power by the drive machine, wherein in the cooling system a coolant circulates; a lubricating circuit for the lubrication of at least one movable component of the drive unit with a lubricant. The invention is characterized in that the drive unit further comprises an accumulation reservoir, in which a comprehensive operating fluid, which comprises a mixture of an ionic fluid and a vaporizable fluid, is stockpiled, wherein the cooling system and the lubricating circuit are at least indirectly fluidically connected to the accumulation reservoir in order to extract lubricant and coolant from the comprehensive operating fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Steamdrive GmbHInventors: Jürgen Berger, Stephan Bartosch
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Patent number: 8991180Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the recovery of waste heat from an internal combustion engine (2), according to which a feed pump (6), a heat exchanger (8), an expansion engine (10) and a capacitor (12) are arranged in a circuit (4) containing a circulating working medium. A bypass connection (14) is mounted in parallel to the expansion engine (10), in the circuit (4), the expansion engine (10) being coupled to the circuit (4), or decoupled therefrom, according to an operating situation of the internal combustion engine (2).Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Gregory Rewers, Nadja Eisenmenger, Achim Brenk, Dieter Seher, Hans-Christoph Magel, Andreas Wengert
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Patent number: 8991181Abstract: A method (400, 1100) and apparatus (500, 1200) for producing work from heat includes a boiler (510) which is configured for heating a pressurized flow of a first working fluid (F1) to form of a first vapor. A compressor (502) compresses a second working fluid (F2) in the form of a second vapor. A mixing chamber (504) receives the first and second vapor and transfers thermal energy directly from the first vapor to the second vapor. The thermal energy that is transferred from the first vapor to the second vapor will generally include at least a portion of a latent heat of vaporization of the first working fluid. An expander (506) is arranged to expand a mixture of the first and second vapor received from the mixing chamber, thereby performing useful work after or during the transferring operation. The process is closed and enables recirculation and therefore recycling of thermal energy that is normally unused in conventional cycle approaches.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Harris CorporationInventor: William R. Palmer
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Patent number: 8991182Abstract: A system and method for increasing the efficiency of an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system is described. In some examples, the system collects thermal energy using a solar collector, warms ocean water located within the solar collector, and provides the warmed water to an OTEC system, such as to a vaporizer of a heat engine. In some examples, the OTEC system provides electricity and other energy to another system, creating a cycle of sustainable economic development of energy and resources.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLCInventor: Roy E. McAlister
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Patent number: 8991183Abstract: A thermal energy storage and recovery device is disclosed which includes a heat exchanger arrangement configured for guiding a flow of a heat transfer medium between a first end and a second end, and a heat storage material surrounding the heat exchanger arrangement so that a thermal interaction region is formed for thermally coupling the heat transfer medium with the heat storage material. The heat exchanger arrangement is sealed against the heat storage material so that, when in a first operational mode, in which the heat storage material is supposed to receive thermal energy from the heat transfer medium, a compressed gas is usable as the heat transfer medium for transferring thermal energy from the heat transfer medium to the heat storage material.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Henrik Stiesdal
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Patent number: 8991184Abstract: Provided is a hybrid construction machine (driving the upper swing structure using a hydraulic motor and an electric motor together) 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 driving of the upper swing structure, while also being capable of securing satisfactory operational feeling and operation capability even when the electric motor does not operate. When the electric motor is not driven, a controller controls a hydraulic circuit system (specifically, a swing direction/flow rate control valve, a center bypass cut valve and a regulator) so as to increase output torque of the hydraulic motor by an amount corresponding to torque to be compensated for the non-driving of the electric motor compared to cases where the electric motor is driven.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takatoshi Ooki, Hidetoshi Satake, Kouji Ishikawa, Shinji Nishikawa
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Patent number: 8991185Abstract: A combustion device (1) for a gas turbine includes portions (12) having an inner and an outer wall (13, 14) with an interposed noise absorption plate (15) having a plurality of holes (16). The combustion device (1) further has first passages (17) connecting zones between the inner wall (13) and the plate (15) to the inside of the combustion device (1) and second passages (21) for cooling the inner wall (13). The portions (12) also have an inner layer (22) between the inner wall (13) and the plate (15) defining inner chambers (23), each connected to at least a first passage (17), and an outer layer (24) between the outer wall (14) and the plate (15) defining outer chambers (25) connected to the inner chambers (23) via the holes (16) of the plate (15).Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.Inventors: Andreas Huber, Nicolas Noiray, Bruno Schuermans, Urs Benz
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Patent number: 8991186Abstract: A fuel control system comprises a metering valve operable to control the flow of fuel between a supply line and a delivery line, a spill valve operable to control fuel flow within the supply line, a pressure raising valve connected to the delivery line, and a control servo valve movable between a thrust control mode in which it modifies the control of the spill valve to reduce the fuel flow delivered via the metering valve and an outlet of the pressure raising valve, and a windmill relight position in which it modifies the control of the pressure raising valve to allow fuel delivery through the outlet of the pressure raising valve at a reduced system pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Rolls-Royce Engine Control Systems LimitedInventors: Daniel James Bickley, Michael Griffiths
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Patent number: 8991187Abstract: The present application provides for a combustor for combusting a flow of fuel and a flow of air. The combustor may include a number of fuel nozzles, a lean pre-nozzle fuel injection system positioned upstream of the fuel nozzles, and a premixing annulus positioned between the fuel nozzles and the lean pre-nozzle fuel injection system to premix the flow of fuel and the flow of air.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael John Hughes, Jonathan Dwight Berry, Jason Thurman Stewart, Almaz Valeev, Chunyang Wu
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Patent number: 8991188Abstract: A cooling circuit for a fuel nozzle in a gas turbine includes an end cap cavity receiving passive purge flow from a compressor of the turbine, and fuel nozzle swozzles disposed in a swozzle shroud that impart swirl to incoming fuel and air. Purge slots are formed in the swozzle shroud and through the fuel nozzle swozzles in fluid communication with the end cap cavity. The purge slots are positioned upstream of a quat fuel injection passage, and the passive purge flow enters fuel nozzle tip cavities of the fuel nozzle to provide tip cooling and tip purge volume without mixing the passive purge flow with quat fuel.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Donald Mark Bailey, Robert Rohrssen
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Patent number: 8991189Abstract: A gas turbine engine augmentor includes at least one fluid based augmentor initiator defining a chamber in flow communication with a source of air and a source of fuel. The chamber includes a plurality of ejection openings in flow communication with an exhaust flowpath. The at least one fluid based augmentor initiator is devoid of any exhaust flowpath protrusions thereby minimizing any pressure drops and loss of thrust during dry work phase of operation. The source of fuel is operable for injecting fuel into the chamber such that at least a portion of the fuel flow is ignited at the plurality of ejection openings to produce a plurality of fuel-rich hot jets radially into the exhaust flowpath.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Narendra Digamber Joshi, Adam Rasheed, Matthew Patrick Boespflug, Seyed Gholamali Saddoughi
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Patent number: 8991190Abstract: A method for transferring fuel includes flowing water to at least one nozzle of a main fuel circuit. Also included is flowing oil to the at least one nozzle of the main fuel circuit. Further included is flowing liquid fuel to the at least one nozzle of the main fuel circuit, wherein flowing water to the at least one nozzle of the main fuel circuit occurs prior to flowing oil to the at least one nozzle of the main fuel circuit and flowing liquid fuel to the at least one nozzle of the main fuel circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hua Zhang, Douglas Frank Beadie, Gregory Allen Boardman, Geoffrey David Myers
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Patent number: 8991191Abstract: A thermally actuated venting system includes a thermally actuated vent for opening a vent outlet in a gas turbine engine associated compartment with a passive thermal actuator located in the compartment based on a temperature of the compartment. Outlet may be located at or near a top of a core engine compartment, a fan compartment, or a pylon compartment. Actuator may be operably connected to a hinged door of vent for opening outlet. Actuator may be actuated by a phase change material disposed in a chamber and having a liquid state below a predetermined actuation temperature and a gaseous state above the predetermined actuation temperature. Actuator may include a thermal fuse for closing door during a fire. Thermal fuse may include at least a portion of piston rod or a cylinder wall of actuator being made of a fuse material having a melting point substantially above the predetermined actuation temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Carlos Enrique Diaz, Daniel Jean-Louis Laborie, Stephen Dennis Geary
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Patent number: 8991192Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly for use in a combustor apparatus of a gas turbine engine. An outer housing of the fuel nozzle assembly includes an inner volume and provides a direct structural connection between a duct structure and a fuel manifold. The duct structure defines a flow passage for combustion gases flowing within the combustor apparatus. The fuel manifold defines a fuel supply channel therein in fluid communication with a source of fuel. A fuel injector of the fuel nozzle assembly is provided in the inner volume of the outer housing and defines a fuel passage therein. The fuel passage is in fluid communication with the fuel supply channel of the fuel manifold for distributing the fuel from the fuel supply channel into the flow passage of the duct structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: David J. Wiebe, Timothy A. Fox
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Patent number: 8991193Abstract: A cooling and heating cup holder may include a holder body being open in a top thereof and defining a space therein so as to receive a cup, a blower fluid-connected to first and second sides of the holder body, wherein the blower supplies air to the first side of the holder body and draws the air off from the second side of the holder body to circulate the air around the holder body, and a flow guide having a spiral shape provided along an inner circumferential surface of the holder body, wherein a first end of the flow guide may be fluid-connected to the first side of the holder body and a second end of the flow guide may be fluid-connected to the second side of the holder body so that the flow guide guides the air in the holder body to flow spirally outside an outer circumferential surface of the cup held in the holder body.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jae Woo Park, Jae Woong Kim, Man Ju Oh
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Patent number: 8991194Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to controlling multiple Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) to maintain a set point temperature of a chamber. In one embodiment, a controller receives temperature data corresponding to a temperature of the chamber. Based on the temperature data, the controller selectively controls two or more subsets of the TECs to maintain the temperature of the chamber at a desired set point temperature. In this manner, the controller is enabled to control the TECs such that the TECs operate to efficiently maintain the temperature of the chamber at the set point temperature. In another embodiment, the controller selects one or more control schemes enabled by the controller based on temperature data and a desired performance profile. The controller then independently controls one or more subsets of the TECs according to the selected control scheme(s).Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Phononic Devices, Inc.Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav
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Patent number: 8991195Abstract: A method with the following steps is described for testing a Peltier element: applying a voltage to the Peltier element; switching off the voltage at the end of a defined period of time; measuring the voltage at the Peltier element; and comparing the measured voltage with a reference value. Furthermore, a small electrical appliance, such as an electric shaver, with a Peltier element is described, which small electrical appliance has a safety device which ensures that a malfunction of the Peltier element cannot result in danger to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Braun GmbHInventor: Jan Christian Langsdorf
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Patent number: 8991196Abstract: A helium-cooling type regenerator configured to retain cold temperatures of working gas includes a first section through which the working gas flows, a second section configured to accommodate helium gas as a regenerator material, and a regenerator material pipe connected to the second section and to a helium source.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Mingyao Xu
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Patent number: 8991197Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided for fueling a device using a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus may comprise: a cryogenic fluid supply container; a vessel connected to the supply container with an entrance valve to regulate flow of cryogenic fluid from the supply container; a heat transfer system capable of transferring heat from a device to the vessel to heat gas in the vessel; and an accumulator connected to the vessel with an exit valve to regulate flow of gas from the vessel to the accumulator. The accumulator may be capable of being connected to a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Daniel A. Watts, Jason A. Grow
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Patent number: 8991198Abstract: Automated control of a cooling system cooling at least one electronic component is provided. The control includes monitoring over a period of time variation of an operational variable of the cooling system or of the at least one electronic component, and based, at least in part, on variation of the operational variable over the period of time, automatically determining whether to adjust control of the cooling system to limit variation of the operational variable. In one implementation, depending on the variation of the operational variable, and whether control of the cooling system has been previously adjusted, the method may further include automatically determining a probability of fail or an expected residual life of the cooling system, and responsive to the predicted probability of fail exceeding a first acceptable threshold or the expected residual life being below a second acceptable threshold, automatically scheduling for a cooling system repair or replacement.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Kearney, Rejean P. Levesque, K. Paul Muller, Andrew H. Vogel, Emmanuel Yashchin
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Patent number: 8991199Abstract: A heat pump system includes: a heat-source-side refrigerant circuit having a heat-source-side compressor, a first usage-side heat exchanger operable as a radiator of heat-source-side refrigerant, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger operable as an evaporator of heat-source-side refrigerant; and a usage-side refrigerant circuit having a usage-side compressor arranged to compress usage-side refrigerant with a pressure of the usage-side refrigerant corresponding to a saturated gas temperature of 65° C. that is 2.8 MPa or less at gauge pressure, a refrigerant-water heat exchanger operable as a radiator of usage-side refrigerant to heat an aqueous medium, and a first usage-side heat exchanger operable as an evaporator of usage-side refrigerant by the radiation of heat-source-side refrigerant. The weight of usage-side refrigerant enclosed in the usage-side refrigerant circuit is one to three times the weight of refrigeration machine oil enclosed to lubricate the usage-side compressor.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignees: Daikin Industries, Ltd., Daikin Europe N.V.Inventor: Masahiro Honda
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Patent number: 8991200Abstract: An air conditioner and a method of operating an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include at least one indoor device, each having an indoor heat exchanger installed therein; at least one outdoor device connected to the at least one indoor device by a refrigerant flow path, and each having a water-refrigerant heat exchanger that provides heat exchange between a refrigerant and heat source water and an outdoor device controller installed therein; a heat source water flow path connected to each water-refrigerant heat exchanger; a pump installed on the heat source water flow path; a variable flow valve installed on the heat source water flow path; a central controller that controls the at least one outdoor device; and a variable flow valve control board that regulates an opening degree of the variable flow valve and a flow rate of heat source water.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Junhyeon Hwang, Hongseok Choi, Changhwan Cho
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Patent number: 8991201Abstract: An ejector cycle system with a refrigerant cycle through which refrigerant flows includes an ejector disposed downstream of a radiator, a first evaporator that evaporates refrigerant flowing out of the ejector, a throttling unit located in a branch passage and depressurizes refrigerant to adjust a flow rate of refrigerant, and a second evaporator located downstream of the throttling unit. In the ejector cycle system, a flow ratio adjusting means adjusts a flow ratio between a first refrigerant flow amount depressurized and expanded in a nozzle portion of the ejector and a second refrigerant flow amount drawn into a refrigerant suction port of the ejector, based on a physical quantity related to at least one of a state of refrigerant in the refrigerant cycle, a temperature of a space to be cooled by the first and second evaporators, and an ambient temperature of the space.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Makoto Ikegami, Hiroshi Oshitani, Etsuhisa Yamada, Naohisa Ishizaka, Hirotsugu Takeuchi, Takeyuki Sugiura, Takuo Maehara
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Patent number: 8991202Abstract: To provide an air-conditioning hot-water supply complex system that can simultaneously process a cooling load, a heating load, and a high-temperature hot-water supply load to provide a stable heat source all through the year. The air-conditioning hot-water supply complex system provides a bypass pipe in which a bypass electromagnetic valve is installed in parallel with a heating medium-refrigerant heat exchanger between a gateway of refrigerant piping of the heating medium-refrigerant heat exchanger to control an inflow amount of the refrigerant for hot-water supply to the heating medium-refrigerant heat exchanger by making the refrigerant for hot-water to flow into a bypass pipe by opening and closing the bypass electromagnetic valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Hironori Yabuuchi, Junichi Kameyama, Kosuke Tanaka, Satoshi Akagi
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Patent number: 8991203Abstract: It is an object to provide an electrostatic atomizing apparatus which is simply structured, is easy to assemble, is low in cost, has clogging resistance against foreign matter, can be used for a long time, and is highly reliable, or a home electrical appliance such as a refrigerator, air conditioner, etc. including the electrostatic atomizing apparatus. A discharge electrode formed of foam metal, whereto water that attaches to a surface is supplied by capillary action, a counter electrode provided so as to be opposed to the discharge electrode, and a water supply that is provided directly above the discharge electrode via a predetermined clearance, supplying water to the discharge electrode or the electrode holding part, are included.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Makoto Okabe, Katsumasa Sakamoto, Reiji Morioka, Masumi Handa, Hiroshi Nakashima
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Patent number: 8991204Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus including a first refrigeration cycle circuit having a first compressor, a first radiator, a supercooler, a first pressure-reducing device and an evaporator that are connected through a refrigerant pipe, a second refrigeration cycle circuit having a second compressor, a second radiator, a second pressure-reducing device and the supercooler that are connected through a refrigerant pipe, a refrigeration unit in which the first compressor and the first radiator are mounted, a showcase in which the first pressure-reducing device and the evaporator are mounted, a supercooling hot water supply device in which the second compressor, the second radiator, the second pressure-reducing device and the supercooler are mounted, and a hot-water stock device having a hot water supply tank that is connected to the second radiator of the supercooling hot water supply device through a second radiator.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahisa Otake, Hidetaka Sasaki, Setsu Hasegawa, Ken Kawakubo, Kazuhiko Mihara
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Patent number: 8991205Abstract: A refrigerator door is provided. The refrigerator door has an outer case forming a shape of the refrigerator door, an inner case provided within the outer case to configure a backside of the refrigerator door wherein a space between the inner case and the outer case is charged with a foaming liquid, an ice making unit provided to one side of the inner case to make ice, a fixing unit provided to the space charged with the foaming liquid between the inner case and the outer case and fixing the ice making unit to the refrigerator door, and a dispenser provided to one side of the outer case to discharge the ice supplied by the ice making unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Bok Dong Lee, Seung Mok Lee, Sam Kyu Park
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Patent number: 8991207Abstract: To provide a refrigerating cycle apparatus capable of improving cooling ability by water spray to perform an efficient operation while suppressing decrease in collected power by an expander. The refrigerating cycle apparatus includes: a first compressor that compresses the refrigerant; an expander that decompresses and expands the refrigerant to collect power for expansion; a second compressor that is driven by the power collected by the expander to further compresses the refrigerant compressed by the first compressor to transmit it to a main radiator; a heat exchanger having an intercooler that cools the refrigerant compressed by the first compressor and a main radiator that cools the refrigerant compressed by the second heat exchanger to transmit it to the expander; indoor heat exchangers that heat the refrigerant decompressed by the expander; and a water spray apparatus that sprays water onto the outer surface of the intercooler and the main radiator.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Keisuke Takayama, Yusuke Shimazu
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Patent number: 8991208Abstract: A variable speed liquid LNG expander (X1) and a variable speed two-phase LNG expander (X2) in line, downstream from X1. The rotational speed of both expanders can be controlled and changed independent from each other. The speed of expander X1 and expander X2 is determined in such way that the amount of liquid LNG downstream from the PHS compared to the feed gas supply is maximized and the amount of vapor and boil-off downstream of X2 is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Ebara International CorporationInventor: Hans E. Kimmel
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Patent number: 8991209Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high pressure nitrogen is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Shinji Tomita, Kouhei Nakamura, Kenji Hirose, Jerome Beauvisage, Bao Ha
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Patent number: 8991210Abstract: An apparatus comprising a stud, a first magnet, a retaining portion, and a second magnet. The stud may be configured to have a diameter to pass through an earlobe. The first magnet may (i) be connected near a first end of the stud and (ii) have a first polarity. The retaining portion may (i) be connected to a middle portion of the stud and (ii) be configured to secure the earlobe to the first magnet. The second magnet may (i) be connected near a second end of the stud and (ii) have a similar polarity to said first polarity. The similar polarity may be configured to oppose the first polarity to allow the second magnet to spin in relation to an axis of the stud.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Inventor: Cary Stewart, Jr.
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Patent number: 8991211Abstract: Methods for producing glass articles of a wide range of geometrical shapes, including shapes that are heretofore difficult or impossible to make monolithically. The glass articles are made by first building the nascent glass article from glass powder and a binder using a three-dimensional printing free-form fabrication process followed by sintering the nascent glass article at a temperature that is hundreds of degrees above the glass powder composition's glass transition temperature while supporting the nascent glass article in a bed of an inert powder having a high flowability.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: The ExOne CompanyInventors: John C. Arlotti, Paul Knor