Patents Issued in March 27, 2018
  • Patent number: 9927107
    Abstract: An illuminated animal restraint includes an elongated leash having a housing having a selectively enabled light source. The light source has a try-me timer assembly which enables selectively sampling operation of the light source and enables continuous and intermittent operation of the light source. A try-me package is provided with an opening to allows the user to press a button to activate intermittent or “try-me” illumination of the leash without draining the power source and without removing the leash from the package. The continuous operation is activated by removing the leash from the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Nitey Leash, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Osher, Joseph Hassan
  • Patent number: 9927108
    Abstract: A luminaire having a body that includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion including two or more apertures. At least one of the two or more apertures being sized to match a main lighting component, at least one other of the two or more apertures being sized to match a first function module, and at least another of the two or more apertures being sized to match a second function module. One of the first function module and the second function module is one of a motion detector, a camera, an air pollution sensor, and a communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andras Kuti, Roland Batai, Norbert Kovacs, Daniel Lorincz
  • Patent number: 9927109
    Abstract: A touch lamp includes a touch unit configured to be touched by a user for generating a touch signal, a support frame, a base, a light-emitting element and a control unit. The support frame includes upper and lower support members respectively connected to upper and lower sides of the touch unit. The base is connected to a bottom end of the lower support member. The light-emitting element is connected to a top end of the upper support member. The control unit is electrically connected to the touch unit and the light-emitting element. The control unit controls illumination of the light-emitting element according to the touch signal received from the touch unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: HABITEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Pei-Lin Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9927110
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes a cabinet body having an open top; a door body (2) disposed at the top of the cabinet body pivotably around a pivot shaft (421) so as to open and close the cabinet body; and a light assembly (3), disposed at a side of the door body (2) facing the cabinet body (2) and arranged adjacent to the pivot shaft (421), wherein the light assembly (3) includes a PCB (31), an LED light (32) and a gravity switch (33), both the LED light (32) and the gravity switch (33) are connected onto the PCB (31), and the gravity switch (33) is configured to be switched on to light the LED light (32) so as to light an interior of the cabinet body when the door body (2) opens the cabinet body, and switched off to extinguish the LED light (32) when the door body (2) closes the cabinet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: HEFEI HUALING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianjun Zhou, Huawei Zhang, Xianghai Pu, Mingfeng Xu
  • Patent number: 9927111
    Abstract: An LED based illumination device includes LEDs mounted to an LED mounting board, an integrated output window sub-assembly, and a thermal frame coupled between the integrated output window sub-assembly and the LED mounting board. The integrated output window sub-assembly may include an output window and a thermally conductive ring coupled to the perimeter surface of the output window. The thermally conductive ring may have a radial width equal to or greater than the thickness of the output window. Additionally, the output window and the thermally conductive ring may have coplanar top and bottom surfaces. The thermally conductive ring surrounding the perimeter of the output window may include one or more pockets into which a curable, thermally conductive bonding material is disposed in an uncured state and flows into a gap between the perimeter of the output window and the thermally conductive ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Xicato, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Gregory W. Eng, Jim W. Li
  • Patent number: 9927112
    Abstract: A light fixture assembly for illuminating a display. The light fixture having a heat sink, a lens, and a body. The heat sink has edges and includes at least one corresponding light emitting diode (LED) board including one or more corresponding LEDs for emitting light. The lens has ending edges and is positioned over the heat sink and LED. The body has an inner wall and an outer wall. The body also has at least two pairs of heat sink mounting channels formed in the inner wall. A first pair of heat sink mounting channels is configured for slidably receiving the edges of the heat sink to provide a first orientation of the corresponding LEDs. A second pair of heat sink mounting channels is configured for slidably receiving the edges of the heat sink to provide a second orientation of the corresponding LEDs, with the first orientation being different than the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: TRINITY, LLC
    Inventors: George Clinton Cox, Jr., Michael Joseph Flynn
  • Patent number: 9927113
    Abstract: A heat sink includes first and second elongated heat sink bodies. The first and second elongated heat sink bodies are each formed from a respective electrically and thermally conductive material and also each extend from an LED coupling end of the heat sink to a lead end of the heat sink. An electrical insulator material connects the first and second elongated heat sink bodies together so as to bodies are electrically isolated from each other. Each elongated heat sink body also includes a respective LED coupling surface at the LED coupling end of the heat sink and a respective lead connecting surface located on the respective body at a location spaced apart from the LED coupling end of the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: KARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Dashiell Birnkrant
  • Patent number: 9927114
    Abstract: A light emitting assembly is disclosed. The light emitting assembly comprises a first electrode and a second electrode extending parallel to the first electrode. The assembly further comprises an LED strip comprising a plurality of LEDs in a semiconductor ink disposed on the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to emit a first emission. The first electrode and the second electrode are of an electrically conductive polymer configured to transfer heat away from the plurality of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Harry Lobo, Stuart C. Salter, Michael Musleh, Talat Karmo
  • Patent number: 9927115
    Abstract: A lighting arrangement comprises a carpet structure and a control unit. The carpet structure includes a carpet back lighting system comprising a carpet back lighting unit having a lighting unit front face and a plurality of light sources. The carpet structure further includes a light transmissive carpet unit comprising a carpet unit front face and a carpet unit back side. The lighting unit front face and the carpet unit back side are adjacent. The carpet unit is arranged to transmit at least part of the light travelling in a direction from the carpet unit back side to the carpet unit front face. The control unit is configured to receive one or more input signals and is configured to generate, in response to one or more input signals, one or more output signals to control the light generated by the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Maarten Marinus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Herpen, Markus Cornelius Vermeulen, Joseph L. Stuyfzand, Anjalika Bose, Thomas Schaper, Sr., Tim Dekker
  • Patent number: 9927116
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery apparatus includes an exhaust heat passage through which a first heat medium holding exhaust heat flows; a second heat medium passage through which the second heat medium, of which temperature is lower than that of the first heat medium, flows; a Rankine cycle which includes a pump, an evaporator, an expander, and a condenser and causes heat exchange at the evaporator between the first heat medium flowing through the exhaust heat passage and a working fluid, so that the working fluid is evaporated, the evaporated working fluid expands at the expander, and power is generated; and an exhaust heat recovery heat exchanger which causes heat exchange between the first heat medium flowing through the exhaust heat passage and the second heat medium flowing through the second heat medium passage, so that the second heat medium is heated and exhaust heat of the first heat medium is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuo Okaichi, Osao Kido, Takumi Hikichi, Osamu Kosuda
  • Patent number: 9927117
    Abstract: A thermal power plant has an exhaust gas system, a feed-water system, a high-pressure feed-water heater provided to the feed-water system, a main economizer, a catalytic NOx removal equipment, and a sub economizer. The main economizer is provided to the secondary side of the high-pressure feed-water heater of the feed-water system and increases the temperature of the feed-water by using the residual heat of the combustion gas from the boiler. The catalytic NOx removal equipment is provided to the secondary side of the main economizer of the exhaust gas system. The exhaust gas is supplied to the catalytic NOx removal equipment at a required temperature or higher. The sub economizer is provided between the high-pressure feed-water heater and the main economizer and increases the temperature of water by using the exhaust gas on the secondary side of the NOx removal equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Nagano, Shinsuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9927118
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a combustion method for a solid feed using a chemical loop wherein an oxygen-carrying material circulates, said method comprising at least: contacting the solid feed particles in the presence of metallic oxide particles in a first reaction zone (R1) operating in dense fluidized bed mode, carrying out combustion of the gaseous effluents from first reaction zone (R1) in the presence of metallic oxide particles in a second reaction zone (R2), separating in a separation zone (S3) the unburnt particles and the metallic oxide particles within a mixture coming from second reaction zone (R2), re-oxidizing the metallic oxide particles in an oxidation zone (R4) prior to sending them back to first zone (R1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: TOTAL SA, IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Thierry Gauthier, Ali Hoteit, Florent Guillou, Helene Stainton
  • Patent number: 9927119
    Abstract: A dual-bed system for preventing a boiler heating surface from being contaminated comprises a fluidized bed, a cyclone separator, a coal ash distributor, an ash-coal mixer, a lower pyrolysis bed, a return feeder and a cleaner, wherein the cyclone separator is connected with the upper lateral side of the fluidized bed; the inlet end of the coal ash distributor; the two outlets of the coal ash distributor are respectively connected with the inlet of the return feeder and the inlet of the ash-coal mixer; the outlet of the ash-coal mixer is connected with the inlet of the lower pyrolysis bed; the return feeder close to the lower lateral side of the fluidized bed is connected with the inlet on the lower lateral side of the fluidized bed; and the outlet of the cleaner is connected with the inlet on the lower lateral side of the fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: DONGFANG ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Liyong Cao, Wei Fan, Qi Du, Pan Guo, Zhengning Liu, Yuan Zhang, Chunfei Zhang, Jiang Liu, Chunyun Hu, Xiaoguang Zhang, Yu Lei
  • Patent number: 9927120
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for thermally after-burning the waste gas flows developing during the production of acrolein in a gas phase process and for thermally after-burning the waste gas flows developing during the production of hydrocyanic acid in a gas phase process, characterized in that the waste gas flows from the production of acrolein and the waste gas flows from the production of hydrocyanic acid are supplied to a joint thermal after-burning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Caspar Heinrich Finkeldei, Pablo Zacchi, Martin Körfer
  • Patent number: 9927121
    Abstract: Servo gas system (11) for a gas burner (10), namely for controlling a pressure regulation valve (20) positioned in a gas duct (18) of the gas burner, thereby controlling a gas pressure within the gas duct (18) being present downstream of the pressure regulation valve (20) and thereby controlling a pressure difference between a pressure in a burner chamber (12) of the gas burner and said gas pressure within the gas duct (18), the servo gas system (11) comprising a static servo gas flow branch (28) and a dynamic servo gas flow branch (29) being connected in parallel, and a flow sensing element (30) being connected between the static servo gas flow branch (28) and the dynamic servo gas flow branch (29) and providing a signal used to control the pressure regulation valve (20) by an electric actuator (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell Technologies, Sarl
    Inventor: Willem Super
  • Patent number: 9927122
    Abstract: A carabiner having a fire-starter for easily mounting the fire-starter on to a variety of items for quick and easy access and easy carry. The carabiner has a loop to fasten to the variety of items. The fire-starter utilizes a flint that can be scraped across the rasp attached to the body of the carabiner. A light emitting device may also be attached to the body and configured to emit light near the fire-starter so as to illuminate the area where the fire is to be started. The fire-starter may further comprise a lock to prevent unintentional sparks from being created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Sudhir Mundhra
  • Patent number: 9927123
    Abstract: A fluid transport system for a gas turbine engine includes a plenum configured to provide a fluid, an airfoil having an internal cavity, and a transfer tube arranged to transfer the fluid between the plenum and the internal cavity of the airfoil. The transfer tube includes an inlet, an outlet, a cavity extending from the inlet to the outlet, and at least one partition wall dividing the cavity into multiple flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Hagan
  • Patent number: 9927124
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel nozzle assembly and method for axially staging fuel injection. The fuel nozzle assembly comprises a plurality of vanes connected to a core, with an annular ring connectedly surrounding the plurality of vanes. Fuel is directed through the core and then through the vanes and is injected at different axial planes generally perpendicular to an oncoming air stream to obtain a broad spectrum of gas residence time between the point of fuel injection and the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Peter Stuttaford, Chiluwata Lungu, Sumit Soni, Nicolas Demougeot, Justin Bosnoian, Kevin B. Powell, Paul Economo
  • Patent number: 9927125
    Abstract: A start-up injector for a turbine engine combustion chamber, said injector including a fuel injection circuit; and a fuel ignition circuit including a fuel injector supplied by the fuel injection circuit and a spark plug for igniting the injected fuel. The start-up injector also includes a partitioned enclosure including a first compartment in which the fuel is ignited by the spark plug and a second compartment separated from the first compartment by a thermally conductive partition; and a main combustion start-up circuit which includes at least one fuel injector supplied by the fuel injection circuit and opens into the second compartment of the enclosure such as to inject the fuel against the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: TURBOMECA
    Inventor: Bernard Carrere
  • Patent number: 9927126
    Abstract: A pilot fuel injector is provided for a fuel nozzle of a gas turbine engine. The pilot fuel injector can include an axially-elongated, inner pilot centerbody wall extending from an upstream end to a downstream end, with the axially-elongated, inner pilot centerbody wall having a diverging-converging orientation with respect to a centerline axis to define a hollow tube having an upstream diameter, a throat, and a downstream diameter such that the throat has an inner diameter that is less than both of the upstream diameter and the downstream diameter. The pilot fuel injector also includes a center air circuit positioned at the upstream end, and an annular fuel passage defining the downstream end and intersecting with the centerbody wall at a pilot fuel metering orifice. A pilot fuel film surface is downstream from the annular fuel passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Benjamin, Alfred Albert Mancini, Rameshkumar Muthuvel Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 9927127
    Abstract: An oven appliance with one or more features for notifying a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber is heavily loaded is provided. Further, a method for operating an oven appliance to notify a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber is heavily loaded is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Scott Johnson, James Lee Armstrong, Joshua Stephen Wiseman
  • Patent number: 9927128
    Abstract: A method for operating an oven appliance includes establishing a set temperature, operating a heating element of the oven appliance in order to heat a cooking chamber of the oven appliance to a target temperature with the heating element, and continually reducing the target temperature to the set temperature. A related control system for an oven appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Christopher Boedicker
  • Patent number: 9927129
    Abstract: The connected oven includes a cooking cavity defined by a back, a door opposing the bottom, a top adjacent the back and door, a bottom opposing the top, and opposing sidewalls adjacent the remainder of the walls, a user interface unit configured to receive instructions from the user, a sensor, and a thermal management system for minimizing or preventing thermal damage to heat-sensitive components arranged on the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: June Life, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Bhogal, Matthew Van Horn, Mathias Watson Schmidt, Drew Atkinson, Gabriel Risk
  • Patent number: 9927130
    Abstract: A glass ceramic cooktop is provided, which has a knob pattern that is ground off in a peripheral area of the cooktop to create a flat facet with a shallow angle, which can be used as a display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Jan-Peter Ortmann, Dennis Puntheller, Klaus Frank, Gerold Ohl
  • Patent number: 9927131
    Abstract: Systems and methods for storing power from distributed generation systems or other loads and sources that affect line voltage are disclosed. In embodiments, a water heater can be powered in a way that absorbs excess power from the grid by heating water when a controller senses excess power generation in the grid. Excess power generation can be sensed by either an increase in line voltage amplitude above a predetermined standard, or an increase in line voltage frequency above a predetermined standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Roger W. Rognli, Kevin Allmaras, Matthew Oong
  • Patent number: 9927132
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a heat pump unit including a radiator usable with a refrigerant, a gas furnace unit including a heating section arranged to heat passing air, a blower arranged to generate an air flow that passes through the radiator and the heating section, and a controller configured to control each action of the heat pump unit, the gas furnace unit, and the blower. The controller operates either the heat pump unit or the gas furnace unit as a heat source unit, generates a capacity command used to variably adjust operating capacity of the heat source unit, and executes switch control in order to switch the heat source unit from either one of the heat pump unit or the gas furnace unit to the other when an operating capacity level designated in the capacity command is within a predetermined numerical range for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Moriwaki, Hiroshi Yoh, Masakazu Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9927133
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a heat pump section performing indoor air-warming by using a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, a separate heat source section performing indoor air-warming by using a heat source separate from the heat pump section, and a control unit configured to control actions of the heat pump section and the separate heat source section. When a heat pump air-warming operation is being performed, and when a first switching condition is met, the control unit switches from the heat pump air-warming operation to a separate heat source air-warming operation. The first switching condition is that an outside air temperature reaches a first switching outside air temperature and an air-warming capability of the heat pump section reaches an upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akiharu Kojima
  • Patent number: 9927134
    Abstract: Air conditioner units are provided. A unit includes an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, and a compressor. The unit further includes a bulkhead disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The unit further includes a vent aperture defined in the bulkhead. The unit further includes a dehumidification system disposed at least partially within the outdoor portion, the dehumidification system including an evaporator configured for removing heat from outdoor air flowing therethrough, a condenser configured for adding heat to outdoor air flowing therethrough, and an auxiliary compressor in fluid communication with the evaporator and the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Charles Beilfuss, Thomas Allen Bailey
  • Patent number: 9927135
    Abstract: In various implementations, an air conditioning system may automatically adjust an amount of refrigerant using an accumulator. The air conditioning system may operate in at least two operation modes including a cooling operation and a reheat operation. The amount of refrigerant allowed to flow to a condenser of the system may be based at least partially on the operating mode of the air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Der-Kai Hung
  • Patent number: 9927136
    Abstract: A fan assembly includes a body housing an impeller and motor for driving to the impeller to generate an air flow. A nozzle is mounted on the body for emitting the air flow. The nozzle defines an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air emitted from the nozzle. A nozzle retaining mechanism is provided for releasably retaining the nozzle on the body. The mechanism is moveable from a first configuration in which the nozzle is retained on the body to a second configuration in which the nozzle is released for removal from the body. The mechanism includes a depressible member for effecting movement of the mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Staniforth, Daniel James Beavis, Jude Paul Pullen
  • Patent number: 9927137
    Abstract: An air-conditioning control device includes a conversion definition information storage unit, an air-conditioning control computation unit, and a gateway unit. The conversion definition information storage unit preliminarily stores conversion definition information for converting air-conditioning control original data acquired from an external air-conditioning facility into computational data for performing an air-conditioning control computation or conversion definition information for converting air-conditioning control computation resultant data acquired as a result of the air-conditioning control computation into air-conditioning control data used for air-conditioning control at the air-conditioning facility. The air-conditioning control computation unit performs the air-conditioning control computation based on the computational data, and outputs the air-conditioning control computation resultant data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yukio Hiraoka, Takanobu Tsuzaki, Syuuji Kondoh, Shinya Kondo, Akihiro Fujii, Hirotaka Okamoto, Tomohiro Asazuma, Hiraku Asakura
  • Patent number: 9927138
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling at least one fan and/or a compressor are described and shown. The system may comprise an electronic controller, an indoor sensor responsive to at least one characteristic of interior air, and an outdoor sensor responsive to at least one characteristic of exterior air. The electronic controller may cause at least one fan to be activated when interior air meets certain criteria relative to a set point and exterior air meets certain criteria relative to interior air. The method may comprise the steps of measuring at least one characteristic of exterior air, at least one characteristic of interior air, and activating at least one fan when the interior air meets certain criteria relative to a set point and the exterior air meets certain criteria relative to the interior air. A compressor may be selectively activated to provide air conditioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: James Wiese
  • Patent number: 9927139
    Abstract: Example air ducts comprising pliable tubular sidewalls are provided with example internal frameworks that hold the duct in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is depressurized. The framework tensions the pliable sidewall material along the length of the ducts to keep the material taut. In some examples, the framework is restrained within the duct such that the duct's sidewall, being in tension, holds the framework in compression longitudinally. Thus, in the longitudinal direction, the duct is in tension and the framework is in compression. To prevent the framework from buckling under the compressive force, some example frameworks comprise a central longitudinal shaft with a plurality of radial spokes and rings that help hold the shaft straight. In some examples, the rings also help hold the duct radially expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
  • Patent number: 9927140
    Abstract: Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a shaft to be disposed within an air duct, to extend in a longitudinal direction, and to be in longitudinal compression. The air duct system also includes a plurality of ribs to be coupled to the shaft and to engage an inner surface of the air duct and a spring to be disposed within the air duct, the spring to be coupled to the shaft. The spring under stress being a contributing factor in both the shaft being in longitudinal compression and the air duct being in longitudinal tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
  • Patent number: 9927141
    Abstract: Improvements in the manufacture, mounting and implementation of dry open window (DOW) structures. Such structures comprise a plurality of louvers which, when viewed in cross section, have “V” or “W” shapes that enable air to pass through a window opening while substantially preventing precipitation to pass, the precipitation instead being captured by the louvers for collection or drainage. Apparatus for mounting a DOW structure in overlying registration around the periphery of an existing window opening may include four corner frame members around and containing the DOW structure. The frame members slidingly engage, with fasteners being provided to lock the frame members to one another when they form an assembled rectangle with dimensions corresponding to the periphery around a window opening. A plurality of components are then provided for mounting the frame members and DOW structure contained therein to the periphery of the window opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Zhihua Fang
  • Patent number: 9927142
    Abstract: A modular interface template configured to receive a plug and play comfort device, the modular interface template including a wall having a first surface and a second surface, an air inlet channel configured to enable air flow from the first surface to the second surface, an air outlet channel configured to enable air flow from the second surface to the first surface, a gas conduit configured to supply fuel from the first surface to the second surface, a water inlet conduit configured to enable water flow from the first surface to the second surface, a water outlet conduit configured to enable water flow from the second surface to the first surface and a first electric power conductor configured to enable electric power transmission from the first surface to the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Intellihot, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar Deivasigamani, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Patent number: 9927143
    Abstract: A burner includes a first burner port that generates a first flame, a gap that surrounds the first burner port, and a plurality of second burner ports that are disposed on either side of the gap, the second burner ports generating second flames to hold the first flame. The first burner port combusts a first mixture (lean mixture) to generate the first flame (lean flame). The first mixture includes air more than fuel gas. A gap that surrounds the first burner port is formed. A plurality of the second burner ports are arranged on either side of the gap. The second burner ports combust a second mixture (rich mixture) to generate the second flames (rich flames) and hold the first flame. The air-fuel ratio of the second mixture is smaller than the first mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: PURPOSE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsumi Naitoh, Yoshiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 9927144
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a heating device may comprise a control assembly having a self-contained, on board power supply. A control unit may control the operation of the heater and the power supply may comprise a first power source in electrical communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the first power source to selectively supply electrical power to at least a portion of the heating device; and, a second power source in electrical communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the second power source to selectively supply electrical power to at least a portion of the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ENERCO GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Dennis O'Toole
  • Patent number: 9927145
    Abstract: A heating system combines a heat source for applying heat energy to a supply of heat transfer fluid including a polyol having five or less pendant hydroxyl groups and a polydimethylsiloxane and a pump that moves the heat transfer fluid through conduits to a heat exchanger. In one configuration, the heating system has a primary circuit including the heat source, delivery line, pump, heat exchanger and return line, and a sub-circuit including a bypass line interconnecting the delivery line and the return line to provide a flow path bypassing the heat source. The sub-circuit includes the bypass line, a portion of the delivery line, the pump, the heat exchanger, and a portion of the return line. Control valves and a control mechanism direct the flow of fluid between the primary and sub-circuit. The heat transfer fluid is a blended mixture of 5-15% glycerin, 20-40% propyl glycol and 45-75% silicone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Ronald H. Madeira
  • Patent number: 9927146
    Abstract: The heat exchanger comprises at least one gas flow channel, at least one water flow channel, and a metal wall delimiting the gas flow channel from the water flow channel. The at least one water flow channel comprises a number of consecutive parallel straight segments. Two consecutive parallel straight segments are separated by a wall and by a U-turn comprising an upstream section and a downstream section. The upstream and the downstream sections are defined as the sections of the U-turn delimited on the one hand by the plane of the wall separating the two consecutive parallel straight segments; and on the other hand by the plane through the end section of the wall separating the two consecutive parallel straight segments, the plane which is parallel with the width direction of the water flow channel and which is perpendicular to the plane of the wall separating the two consecutive parallel straight segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: BEKAERT COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY B.V.
    Inventors: Omke Jan Teerling, Raymond Westers, Geeske Berga, Marco Kauw
  • Patent number: 9927147
    Abstract: A PTC electric heating assembly, an electric heating device and an electric vehicle are provided. The PTC electric heating assembly (2) comprises two electrode plates (23) and a PTC heating module (20) disposed between the two electrode plates (23), and comprising an insulation fixing frame (22) and a plurality of PTC heating elements (21), the insulation fixing frame (22) defining a plurality of fixing units (220) and the PTC heating elements (21) being disposed into the fixing units (220) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Mengxiang Wu, Maolin Ren, Tianyou Deng, Shumin Wang, Xiaofang Li, Hongmei Qiu, Xinping Lin
  • Patent number: 9927148
    Abstract: A system and method for generating excess heat through the process of chemical looping combustion. A volume of a first metal oxide is provided. The first metal oxide is reacted with an acid solution to create a reaction solution that contains metal hydroxide. The metal hydroxide is precipitated from the reaction solution. This produces particles of metal hydroxide. The particles of metal hydroxide are separated from the reaction solution, which is regenerated. The particles of metal hydroxide are then reacted with heat to produce a less complex second metal oxide. The second metal oxide is reacted with oxygen in a confined chamber. As the second metal oxide oxidizes, it releases heat. The heat released is greater than the heat needed to operate the system. The heat can be utilized to produce steam or otherwise meet the energy needs of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Calvin E. Phelps, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9927149
    Abstract: The method is for using solar power in an efficient manner. A solar concentrator is provided in operative engagement with a storage unit. The storage unit has at least one glass rod disposed therein and at least one sheet enclosing the storage unit. The solar concentrator receives solar power as sunrays and conveys the solar power to the glass rod disposed in the storage unit. The solar power is in the glass rod is converted to heat to heat to the storage unit. Gas flows between the storage unit and the sheets. The storage unit heats the gas. The gas flows to a heat exchanger to exchange heat with steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Rodluvan Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Nordin, Mats Olof Erik Mattsson
  • Patent number: 9927150
    Abstract: A stabilizing system for stabilizing an arrangement for pivoting an elongate assembly plane extending along a longitudinal axis about an axis of rotation oriented along the longitudinal axis, comprising a first tension element and first and second base arrangements each including a deflecting element fixed on the assembly plane, and spaced apart from the axis of rotation to different sides, wherein the base arrangements are offset with respect to one another along the longitudinal axis, the base arrangements the first tension element, or a second tension element is connected the deflecting element to a fixed point and back at a first distance, and wherein the first tension element and/or the tension element is guided between the base arrangements along the longitudinal axis whereby a tension can be built up in the base arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: IDEEMATEC DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Eduard Eckl, Johann Kufner
  • Patent number: 9927151
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of extracting geothermal energy, generally comprising the steps of: insertion of a thermal mass into a Heat Absorption Zone, absorbing heat in thermal mass, raising the thermal mass to a Heat Transfer Zone, and transferring the heat from the thermal mass. The acquired heat can be used to generate electricity or to drive an industrial process. The thermal mass can have internal chambers containing a liquid such as molten salt, and can also have structures facilitating heat exchange using a thermal exchange fluid, such as a gas or a glycol-based fluid. In some embodiments, two thermal masses are used as counterweights, reducing the energy consumed in bringing the heat in the thermal masses to the surface. In other embodiments, solid or molten salt can be directly supplied to a well shaft to acquire geothermal heat and returned to the surface in a closed loop system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: David Alan McBay
  • Patent number: 9927152
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a first dewar configured to house a first optical imaging device, a second dewar configured to house a second optical imaging device, and a Stirling cycle refrigerator. The Stirling cycle refrigerator can include a compressor, a first expander in fluid communication with the compressor and in thermal communication with the first dewar, and a second expander in fluid communication with the compressor and in thermal communication with the second dewar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph W. Landry, John A. Tejada
  • Patent number: 9927153
    Abstract: A main core portion (6) performing heat exchange between air and a refrigerant, a receiver tank (8) into which the refrigerant having flowed through the main core portion flows, a sub-cool core portion (10) for sub-cooling a liquid refrigerant having flowed through the receiver tank by heat exchange with air, a first flow path (36b, 68, 78) through which a refrigerant flows in order of the main core portion, the receiver tank, and the sub-cool core portion, a second flow path (36a, 36c, 68, 72) through which the refrigerant flows in order of the main core portion and the sub-cool core portion by bypassing the receiver tank, and flow-path switching means (82) for switching between the first flow path and the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuichi Matsumoto, Shinji Kouno
  • Patent number: 9927154
    Abstract: Cryogenic cooling apparatus is disclosed for cooling a target region using the demagnetization cooling effect. The apparatus has a primary magnet for providing a magnetic field within the target region and a demagnetization magnet arranged to selectively provide conductive cooling to the target region. A primary shielding magnet substantially cancels the magnetic field from the primary magnet at least at a first position between the primary and demagnetization magnets. A demagnetization shielding magnet substantially cancels the magnetic field from the demagnetization magnet at least at the first position between the primary and demagnetization magnets. Each of the primary shielding magnet and demagnetization shielding magnet comprises a cylindrical superconducting coil having a geometric envelope which encloses the primary magnet and demagnetization magnet respectively. A conductive cooling assembly provides conductive cooling to each of the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: OXFORD INSTRUMENTS NANOTECHNOLOGY TOOLS LIMITED
    Inventor: Chris King
  • Patent number: 9927155
    Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration apparatus includes beds of magnetocaloric material with a hot side and a cold side. The apparatus also includes a magnet to apply a magnetic field to the beds, a heat transfer fluid, a pump to circulate the heat transfer fluid, a hot side heat exchanger, a cold side heat exchanger, and a controller to control the flow of heat transfer fluid from the cold side to the hot side of the beds when the magnetic field on the beds is high at an average flow rate of ?H for a duration ?tH. The controller also controls the flow of heat transfer fluid from the hot side of the beds to the cold side of the beds when the magnetic field on the beds is low at an average flow rate of ?C for a duration ?tC, where ?tC>?tH and ?C<?H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ASTRONAUTICS CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Andre Michael Boeder, Jeremy Jonathan Chell, Steve Alan Jacobs, John Paul Leonard, Jon Jay Auringer, Carl Bruno Zimm, Bryant Wayne Mueller
  • Patent number: 9927156
    Abstract: A heat exchanging device using a thermoelectric element includes a thermoelectric element for generating heat absorption or heat generation on different surfaces thereof when a voltage is applied thereto, a heat sink for cooling the thermoelectric element, and a cooling channel for cooling a coolant through the heat absorption of the thermoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Gun Goo Lee