Patents Issued in December 6, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180347882
    Abstract: A snow-making apparatus has a housing, an evaporator roller rotatable in the housing, and a rotary distributor connected to the roller for circulating a coolant through the evaporator roller and thereby cooling the roller. Nozzles on the housing project a mixture of water and air at the evaporator roller such that the liquid freezes into a layer of ice crystals on the roller. A doctor blade smooths the layer of ice crystal on the rotating roller, and a scraper blade scrapes the ice crystals off the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Christian Cech, Helmut Turk
  • Publication number: 20180347883
    Abstract: Various embodiments of modular dual vector fluid spray nozzles are disclosed. Embodiments of the nozzles are characterized by specially shaped fluid channels, impingement surfaces and exit orifices used to generate atomized mists of fluid under pressure. Embodiments of the nozzles are generally characterized by composite fluid spray density patterns having horizontal and vertical components, i.e., dual vector in nature. The nozzles disclosed are modular and may be easily installed or removed from a given fluid spray system, nozzle head, or fixture as dictated by any given application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Snow Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitchell Joe Dodson
  • Publication number: 20180347884
    Abstract: A valve apparatus includes a housing including an inlet and first and second outlets, through which water introduced through the inlet is discharged, a first orifice including an opening communicating with the first outlet and a second orifice including an opening communicating with the second outlet, the first and second orifices being received in the housing, a first plunger for opening and closing the opening of the first orifice; and a second plunger for opening and closing the opening of the second orifice. Each of the orifices includes a rib surrounding the circumference of each of the plungers in a state in which each of the plungers closes the opening of each of the orifices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Sangjun KANG
  • Publication number: 20180347885
    Abstract: A refrigerating appliance includes a refrigerant line having a compressor and a condenser. A thermal exchange media is delivered from the condenser and through the refrigerant line to at least a freezer evaporator of a plurality of evaporators, wherein the thermal exchange media leaving the freezer evaporator defines spent media that is returned to the compressor. A multi-directional outlet valve selectively delivers the thermal exchange media to the freezer evaporator, wherein the multi-directional outlet valve also selectively delivers the thermal exchange media to at least one secondary evaporator of the plurality of evaporators to define a partially-spent media that is delivered to the freezer evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amit A. Avhale, Rishikesh Vinayak Kulkarni, E. Calvin Pickles, Yan Zhang, Vijaykumar Sathyamurthi
  • Publication number: 20180347886
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet including a storage compartment, a storage compartment door to open or close the storage compartment, a cool air duct provided in the storage compartment and positioned at an upper portion of the storage compartment to discharge cool air to the storage compartment, a damper to adjust an amount of cool air introduced into the cool air duct, and a door discharge duct communicating with the cool air duct and extending in a front-rear direction toward the storage compartment door to discharge cool air received from the cool air duct to the storage compartment door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Sunam CHAE, Kyungseok KIM, Soyoon KIM, Kyunghun CHA
  • Publication number: 20180347887
    Abstract: A reusable, substantially airtight, and insulated container system, assembly and method include detachable assembled top, side, and bottom panels to enclose a plurality of pallets of chilled, perishable products for transport. The top panel includes a plurality of pouches positioned within horizontal chambers within the inside top panel surface. Hook and loop closures secure and seal the panel assemblies. Thermoplastic polyurethane nylon fabric panel inner and outer surfaces are bonded to an internal insulation layer with thermal-welded edges. The system, assembly, and method include internal temperature control elements for a real time thermostatically controlled container environment protecting chilled products housed within the cover assembly during transport. An embodiment of the cover assembly is configured to a standard LD-7 air transport container base pallet, providing a thermostatically controlled container environment of approximately 745 cubic feet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Keith A. Kenneally
  • Publication number: 20180347888
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, a door, a secondary liner, and a heat exchange case. The cabinet may include an internal liner defining a freezer chamber and a fresh food chamber. The door may be attached to the cabinet. The secondary liner may be attached to the cabinet and define a sub-compartment in fluid isolation from the freezer chamber and the fresh food chamber. The heat exchange case may be attached to the internal liner at the freezer chamber in conductive thermal communication therewith. The heat exchange case may at least partially define a convection compartment along a portion of the internal liner. The convection compartment may be defined in fluid isolation from the freezer and in fluid communication with the sub-compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Hunter, Stephanos Kyriacou, Stephen Bernard Froelicher
  • Publication number: 20180347889
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an evaporator which evaporates a refrigerant, the evaporator forming a refrigeration cycle, a condenser which condenses the refrigerant, the condenser forming the refrigeration cycle together with the evaporator, a centrifugal fan which sends air toward the evaporator and the condenser, and a casing that houses the evaporator, the condenser, and the centrifugal fan, where the evaporator and the condenser are disposed so as to surround at least a portion of the centrifugal fan when viewed along a rotation axis direction of the centrifugal fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Shigeru KAWANO
  • Publication number: 20180347890
    Abstract: A method for operating a cooling unit on board an aircraft includes operating the cooling unit in a cooling mode and in a thawing mode. In the thawing mode, any thawed water in the cooling unit is drained off from a thawing element with the aid of gravitational force, and the thawing mode is prevented during specifiable flight phases and/or flight attitudes of the aircraft. A cooling unit configuration for an aircraft includes a cooling unit to be mounted on board an aircraft. The cooling unit can be operated in a cooling mode and in a thawing mode. The cooling unit has an element that thaws in the thawing mode, from which any thawed water can be drained off with the aid of gravitational force. A control device is configured to prevent the thawing mode during specifiable flight phases and/or flight attitudes of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: ALEXANDER JAHN, INGO ZERBES, JAN BORIS PHILIPP
  • Publication number: 20180347891
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cover 100 for cooling fins 4 disposed in an interior space 3 of a refrigerator 1. The cover comprises an inlet portion 101 comprising at least one inlet 102, wherein said inlet portion 101 is adapted such that an air flow is allowed to enter through said inlet 102. The cover 100 further comprises an outlet portion 103 comprising at least a first outlet 104, 105, wherein said first outlet 104, 105 is arranged relative to said inlet 102 such that said air flow is able to exit through said first outlet 104, 105. The first outlet 104, 105 is configured such that said air flow exiting through said first outlet 104, 105 is directed to at least a first volume 5 in said interior space 3 of said refrigerator 1. The invention is further directed to a refrigerator 1 for a vehicle having an inventive cover 100.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Anton Lundqvist, Björn Flemsäter, Per Wedby, Yongbin Zhang, Junbao Li
  • Publication number: 20180347892
    Abstract: A refrigerator may include a main body having a storage room, a door configured to open or close the storage room, a sensing lever configured to contact the door while the door is closed, where the sensing lever is movable in one of a first direction and in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, a sensor configured to sense a movement of the sensing lever in one of the first direction and the second direction, and a controller configured to open the door when the sensor senses the movement of the sensing lever in the first direction, and to maintain the door closed when the sensor senses the movement of the sensing lever in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Sung KIM, Sung Ho CHO, Il Sung BAE
  • Publication number: 20180347893
    Abstract: A refrigerated appliance is provided herein. The refrigerated appliance includes a cabinet defining a compartment. A first door is coupled to the cabinet. The first door defines a storage chamber therein. A second door is disposed on an opposing side of the first door from the cabinet. A bin is disposed within the chamber. A bracket is disposed between the first door and the bin. The bracket includes a rotatable member to rotate the bin between first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jackson F. Karl
  • Publication number: 20180347894
    Abstract: This invention is Central refrigerator and freezer up to 360° access and view, polygonal and circular, rotary and mobile both manually and electrically by remote control, equipped with water and battery storage reservoir in the upper part of central cylinder, with smart digital system connected to internal and external cameras with the capability to send and receive messages and images to and from owner and/or near stores and connected to the network for smart shopping, with remote control and satellite telephones and the possibility for consumer to access from all sides instead of limited access from one side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Kamal SAFARI KERMANSHAHI
  • Publication number: 20180347895
    Abstract: A control system automates control of reefer container resources in a reefer container system including a remote server computer in communication with reefer containers. Each reefer container includes a refrigeration system to control a climate of an interior cargo compartment of the reefer container. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration circuit, including a compressor, a cooling space, and sensors to measure or estimate refrigeration system readings. The refrigeration system transmits refrigeration system parameter data; the remote server computer obtains the parameter data acquired during operation of the refrigeration system from at least one reefer container, and estimates a condition of the refrigeration system, including determining whether an alarm has been issued, or whether the estimated reefer container condition indicates that the refrigeration system requires maintenance or testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Ragnar Ingi Jonsson, Rabia Line Bonding Granlund, Rasmus Solmer Eriksen, Thierry Seurin, Morten Rene Baerrentz
  • Publication number: 20180347896
    Abstract: A refrigerated transport system comprises a body enclosing a refrigerated compartment. A refrigeration system (29) comprises first and second vapor compression loops each having: a refrigerant charge; a compressor (36A,B) for driving the refrigerant of the refrigerant charge; a first heat exchanger (38A,B) positioned to reject heat to an external environment in a cooling mode; and a second heat exchanger (42A,B) positioned to absorb heat from the refrigerated compartment in the cooling mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Renee A. Eddy, Jeffrey J. Burchill, Giorgio Rusignuolo, Robert A. Chopko, Larry D. Burns, Ciara N. Poolman, Paul Papas, Ivan Rydkin
  • Publication number: 20180347897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for liquefying hydrogen, the method comprises the steps of: cooling a feed gas stream comprising hydrogen with a pressure of at least 15 bar(a) to a temperature below the critical temperature of hydrogen in a first cooling step yielding a liquid product stream. According to the invention, the feed gas stream is cooled by a closed first cooling cycle with a high pressure first refrigerant stream comprising hydrogen, wherein the high pressure first refrigerant stream is separated into at least two partial streams, a first partial stream is expanded to low pressure, thereby producing cold to cool the precooled feed gas below the critical pressure of hydrogen, and compressed to a medium pressure, and wherein a second partial stream is expanded at least close to the medium pressure and guided into the medium pressure first partial stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Umberto CARDELLA, Lutz DECKER, Herald KLEIN
  • Publication number: 20180347898
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. The outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure and cooled, then a portion is substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael C. Pierce, Kyle T. Cuellar, Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Publication number: 20180347899
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. A portion of the outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure, cooled and substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, then expanded to lower pressure and supplied to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kyle T. Cuellar, Michael C. Pierce, Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe t. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Publication number: 20180347900
    Abstract: The invention proposes a process and an air separation plant comprising a rectification column system comprising a high-pressure column, a low-pressure column, a main heat exchanger, and a main air compressor. The total air supplied to the rectification column system is compressed in the main air compressor to a first pressure level. The high-pressure column is operated at a second pressure level, at least 3 bar below the first pressure level. A gaseous, nitrogen-rich fluid is removed from the high-pressure column and warmed up in the gaseous state without prior liquefaction. A first partial quantity of the gaseous, nitrogen-rich fluid is warmed to a first temperature level of ?150 to ?100° C., supplied at this first temperature level to a booster and compressed further to a third pressure level. The first partial quantity is then warmed to a second temperature level and discharged from the air separation plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Dimitri GOLUBEV
  • Publication number: 20180347901
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of liquefying a contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream: (a) providing a CO2 contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream (20); (b) cooling the contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream to obtain a partially liquefied stream (70); (c) separating the partially liquefied stream obtaining a liquid stream (90); (d) cooling the liquid stream (90) in a direct contact heat exchanger (200) obtaining a multiphase stream (201) containing at least a liquid phase and a solid CO2 phase; (e) separating the multiphase stream in a solid-liquid separator (202) obtaining a CO2 depleted liquid stream (141); (f) passing the CO2 depleted liquid stream (141) to a further cooling, pressure reduction and separation stage to generate a further CO2 enriched slurry stream (206); (g) passing at least part of the further CO2 enriched slurry stream (206) to the direct contact heat exchanger (200) to provide cooling duty to and mix with the liquid stream (90).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Thijs GROENENDIJK, Raimo Edwin Gregor POORTE, Nirupa RAGHAVAN, Michiel Gijsbert VAN AKEN
  • Publication number: 20180347902
    Abstract: A method of drying an enclosure includes: extracting air from the enclosure until a first pressure of the enclosure is reached; repeating cycles of raising an enclosure pressure up to a second pressure and lowering the enclosure pressure down to substantially the first pressure (“cycle repetition”), the first and second pressures being within a water evaporation range; interrupting the cycle repetition and extracting the air from the enclosure until a third pressure is reached close to the triple point of water; and bringing the enclosure to an ambient pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Cleison Luis Webber
  • Publication number: 20180347903
    Abstract: A system for drying wood items for the agriculture-foodstuffs industry ensuring effective and economical tracking of the items produced comprises at least three conveyors arranged in such a manner as to constitute a closed circuit of conveyors to provide cyclic circulation of items disposed on these conveyors, at least two of the conveyors being inclined in such a manner that, in use, the items drop from one conveyor onto another, an exit conveyor that can be activated in a selective manner at a downstream end of one of the conveyors of the closed circuit in such a manner as to allow, when it is activated, the items to exit from the closed circuit, a plurality of vibrators adapted to cause the conveyors to vibrate, and heating means above the conveyors to dry the items deposited on the conveyors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Frédéric DEBACKER, Olivier MORIN
  • Publication number: 20180347904
    Abstract: An example furnace includes a plurality of furnace components that are stacked to form a plurality of furnace chambers therebetween. Each furnace component includes opposing sidewalls and a support wall that extends between the opposing sidewalls, separates adjacent ones of the plurality of furnace chambers, and defines a plurality of channels. A plurality of heating elements are situated in the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Elie G. Mordovanaki, Yasir Bilal
  • Publication number: 20180347905
    Abstract: An abrasion-resistant material for the working face of a metallurgical furnace cooling element such as a stave cooler or a tuyere cooler having a body comprised of a first metal. The abrasion-resistant material comprises a macro-composite material including abrasion-resistant particles which are arranged in a substantially repeating, engineered configuration infiltrated with a matrix of a second metal, the particles having a hardness greater than that of the second metal. A cooling element for a metallurgical furnace has a body comprised of the first metal, the body having a facing layer comprising the abrasion-resistant material. A method comprises: positioning the engineered configuration of abrasion-resistant particles in a mold cavity, the engineered configuration located in an area of the mold cavity to define the facing layer; and introducing molten metal into the cavity, the molten metal comprising the first metal of the cooling element body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Maciej Urban Jastrzebski, John Andrew Ferguson Shaw, Ian Archibald Cameron, David Henry Rudge, Andriy Ponomar, Volodymyr Ponomar, Dustin Alexander Vickress
  • Publication number: 20180347906
    Abstract: The invention makes public heating apparatus for vertically and helically conveying workpiece, including the main bracket, on which interconnected heating furnace and cooling furnace are arranged in parallel; The bracket is placed inside the heating furnace, the 1st spiral supporting plate is spiraling on the bracket, and conveyer belt is arranged on the 1st spiral supporting plate along spiral direction; one or multiple gas inlet/inlets are set on the heating furnace body to fill protective gas into furnace; The 2nd spiral supporting plate is spiraling vertically inside the mentioned cooling furnace; the direction of the mentioned conveyer belt inside the cooling furnace is uniform to that of the 2nd spiral supporting plate; drive mechanism for conveyer belt is installed on the mentioned main bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Jie HU
  • Publication number: 20180347907
    Abstract: Method for determining the state of a fire-resistant lining of a vessel containing molten metal in particular in which maintenance data, production data, and wall thicknesses at least at locations with the highest degree of wear are measured or ascertained together with additional process parameters of at least one identical/similar vessel after the vessel has been used. The data is collected and stored in a data structure. A calculating model is generated from at least some of the measured or ascertained data or parameters, and the data or parameters are evaluated using the calculating model using calculations and subsequent analyses. Thus, related or integral ascertaining processes and subsequent analyses can be carried out, on the basis of which optimizations relating to both the vessel lining as well as the complete process of the molten metal in the vessel are achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gregor Lammer, Christoph Jandl, Karl-Michael Zettl
  • Publication number: 20180347908
    Abstract: A system and equipment to measure and control the feeding of load material into an electrical arc furnace (EAF) includes an automatic control device feeding the load material; a measuring device positioned between the EAF and the tilting platform that includes an upper plate adapted to slide against the EAF, a lower plate engaged to the tilting platform, and a ring structure therebetween having a peripheral ring wall, a ring plate extending across the ring structure, and a contact member coupled to the ring plate that upperly contacts the upper plate and lowerly approaches, without contacting the lower plate; and one or more sensors measuring a deformation of the ring plate upon application of a load on the upper plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: TENOVA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Dario Locatelli, Sivio Maria Reali, Paolo Argenta
  • Publication number: 20180347909
    Abstract: A vehicle heat exchange apparatus, including: a heat exchanger provided rearward of a front bumper formed with an air intake port, and having an air inlet member on a front face of the heat exchanger; and a duct member provided between the front bumper and the heat exchanger, and forming a passage for passing cooling air from the air intake port of the front bumper to the air inlet member of the heat exchanger, wherein the duct member has: a first intake port introducing air from a vehicle front side into the passage through the air intake port provided in the front bumper; a second intake port introducing air from a vehicle lower side into the passage; and an outlet port opened at an end portion of the passage and facing the air inlet member of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Yuya Shimota, Hiroshi Takei
  • Publication number: 20180347910
    Abstract: Evaporation panel securing system can include first and second evaporation panels, and a security fastener to secure a male connector (first evaporation panel) within a female-receiving opening (second evaporation panel) in an orthogonally joined orientation, for example. The evaporation panels can include a plurality of evaporation shelves that are laterally elongated, vertically stacked, spaced apart from one another, and horizontally oriented; a plurality of vertical support columns positioned laterally along the plurality of evaporation shelves to provide support and separation to the plurality of evaporation shelves; a plurality of female-receiving openings individually bordered by two evaporation shelves and two support columns; and a plurality of male connectors positioned laterally at ends of the plurality of evaporation panels, wherein the male connectors of the first evaporation panel are releasably joinable with female-receiving openings of the second evaporation panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: ECOVAP, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Patey
  • Publication number: 20180347911
    Abstract: A heat pump apparatus includes: a compressor including a cylindrical shell, the compressor being configured to compress a refrigerant; and a shell heat exchanger including a helical conduit wound around the outer circumference of the shell, the shell heat exchanger being configured to transfer heat of the shell to a heating medium flowing through the conduit. The shell heat exchanger includes: a plurality of segments; and joining portions configured to connect end portions of adjacent segments to each other. The segments each at least partially have an arc-like shape along the outer circumference of the shell when viewed from the axial direction of the shell. The segments are removable in the radial direction of the shell when the joining portions are separated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Shuji MOTEGI
  • Publication number: 20180347912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a material and process for producing water- and oxygen-free halogen salts of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, or of a transition metal, or of a metal of groups 13 or 14 of the Periodic Table, in which at least one halogen salt is heated with a heating rate of from 0.2 K/min to 30 K/min, especially from 1.0 K/min to 10 K/min, proceeding from room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Louis MAKSOUD, Thomas BAUER
  • Publication number: 20180347913
    Abstract: Thermal energy storage systems and methods are provided including a bed, a blend of aggregates packed in the bed, and a high-density heat transfer fluid flowing through the blend of aggregates. The blend of aggregates includes rock materials and may also include non-rock materials. The heat transfer fluid flows through the blend of aggregates such that heat is transferred between the heat transfer fluid and the blend of aggregates. The porosity of the aggregates increases heat transfer and the high density of the heat transfer fluid reduces the pressure gradient of the heat transfer fluid. In exemplary embodiments, the heat transfer fluid is a liquid comprised of carbon-based molecules. Methods of safely storing and releasing energy are provided in which axial thermal conductivity of the bed is minimized and inadvertent pressure release failures are mitigated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Combined Power LLC,dba Hyperlight Energy
    Inventors: Gregory S. Mungas, John D. H. King, Nicholas Aaron Kramer
  • Publication number: 20180347914
    Abstract: A plate element (1) for a heat exchanger is designed as an at least two-layered laminate assembly (1). Said laminate assembly (1) includes a membrane layer (2) which allows enthalpy between two fluid flows separated by the plate element (1) to be transferred, and at least one support layer (3, 4) which is made of a broken-through, deformable material and which allows the plate element (1) to be provided with a given mechanical rigidity and three-dimensional structure and maintain said rigidity and structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Kai KLINGENBURG
  • Publication number: 20180347915
    Abstract: A small-scale but high-efficiency heat dissipation apparatus includes a frame, a blade set, and a radiator. The frame includes a base defining an accommodating space and an upper lid being configured for covering the accommodating space. The blade set and the radiator are mounted in the accommodating space, and the upper lid includes a plurality of internally threaded holes protruding away from the upper lid, and the internally threaded holes are configured to enable fixing to a heat-producing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: RUNG-AN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20180347916
    Abstract: A header pipe (1) for a heat exchanger (100), and a heat exchanger (100). The header pipe (1) comprises: a first header pipe portion (11) extending in the axial direction of the header pipe (1) and having a first edge (111) and a second edge (112) that extend in the axial direction; and a second header pipe portion (12) extending in the axial direction of the header pipe (1) and having a first edge (121) and a second edge (122) that extend in the axial direction, wherein the first edge (111) of the first header pipe portion (11) is connected to the first edge (121) of the second header pipe portion (12), and the second edge (112) of the first header pipe portion (11) is connected to the second edge (122) of the second header pipe portion (12). The header pipe (1) of the present invention is easy to assemble, and improves the welding efficiency and welding quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Junfeng Jin, Lisha Chen
  • Publication number: 20180347917
    Abstract: A tube sheet for a thermal transfer device can include a body having a plurality of apertures that traverse therethrough, where the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a plurality of tubes of the thermal transfer device. The tube sheet can also include an outer perimeter defining the body, where the outer perimeter has at least one first recess feature disposed therein. The at least one first recess feature can have a first shape and a first size, where the first shape is any shape aside from a semi-circle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Reza Khatami
  • Publication number: 20180347918
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a housing that includes an inlet for receiving bulk solids and an outlet for discharging the bulk solids. A first heat transfer plate bank is disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The first heat transfer plate bank includes a plurality of horizontally spaced apart, substantially parallel heat transfer plates for cooling the bulk solids that flow from the inlet, through spaces between adjacent plates. A second heat transfer plate bank is disposed between the first bank and the outlet. The second bank includes plurality of horizontally spaced apart, substantially parallel heat transfer plates for cooling or heating the bulk solids that flow from the spaces between adjacent plates of the first bank, through spaces between adjacent plates of the second bank, to the outlet. The plates of the second bank are horizontally offset from the plates of the first bank such that the plates of the second bank are not in vertically aligned with the plates of the first bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Ashley Dean BYMAN, Thomas Layne CHARLES, Xingcun HUANG
  • Publication number: 20180347919
    Abstract: Disclosed is a module for a gas turbine engine, the module including: a disk rotatable about an engine central axis and a vane fixedly disposed upstream of the disk, the vane being hollow and including a vane cavity, the vane cavity having a vane longitudinal span between a vane upstream opening and vane downstream opening, the vane including: a baffle fixedly supported within the vane cavity, the baffle having a hollow interior and having a baffle longitudinal span between a baffle upstream surface and a baffle downstream surface, the baffle longitudinal span being less than the vane longitudinal span to define a partial space eater baffle; wherein a baffle opening area fluidly connects the vane cavity to the baffle interior, and the baffle opening area is between 5.0×10??5 square inches and 1.5×10??3 square inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Brandon W. Spangler, Atul Kohli
  • Publication number: 20180347920
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are directed to a capacity modulating assembly configured to distribute two-phase refrigerant mixture to an evaporator of a HVAC system, such as a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHEX) evaporator. The capacity modulating assembly may include a plurality of expansion devices. During capacity modulation, at least one of the plurality of expansion devices can be closed so that a refrigerant flow rate through the remaining expansion devices can be maintained. The capacity modulating assembly can include a refrigerant outflow port, which may help direct refrigerant out of the heat exchanger. The capacity modulating assembly can be connected with the MCHEX. The plurality of expansion devices can be configured to extend inside a header of the MCHEX to help distribute refrigerant to the micro-channel tubes of the MCHEX.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Jun WANG, Roger VOORHIS, Robert Fredrick SCHULT, Justin Slade WINTERS
  • Publication number: 20180347921
    Abstract: In some examples, a computing device may include a set of components (e.g., processor, memory, and the like) and a conductive sheet (or cable). The conductive sheet (or cable) may include a first graphene layer to dissipate at least a portion of heat generated by a component (e.g., the processor) of the first set of components and a second graphene layer that is used as an electrical ground by signals communicated between a first component and a second component of the set of components. The computing device may include a single housing or a first housing (with a first display device) attached to a second housing (with a second display device) by one or more hinges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: John Trevor Morrison, Jace W. Files, Travis C. North
  • Publication number: 20180347922
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminum composite material including an aluminum alloy material containing magnesium, and a bonding material formed by brazing using a flux, the bonding material being adapted to bond the aluminum alloy material thereto. In the aluminum composite material, the bonding material contains a magnesium-containing compound other than KMgF3 and MgF2. The present invention provides an aluminum composite material with satisfactory brazeability to an aluminum alloy material containing magnesium, a heat exchanger including the aluminum composite material, and a flux suitable for use in braze.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Nobuhiro KOBAYASHI, Motohiro HORIGUCHi, Koichi SAKAMOTO, Toshiki UEDA, Shimpei KIMURA, Takahiro IZUMi
  • Publication number: 20180347923
    Abstract: A countermass liquid for a shoulder launched propulsion system that has low corrosivity, high density, low viscosity, and a constant viscosity as a function of temperature. Upon function of the shoulder launched propulsion system, the countermass liquid may be expelled through the breach end of the shoulder launched propulsion system by expanding propellant gas. The countermass liquid may be an organic salt selected from the group consisting of at least one or more of cesium formate and potassium formate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Dominic Jezierski, Jerry Lambert, Harry Blomquist, Stephen Joseph Early, Bill Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20180347924
    Abstract: A rifle platform with semi-automatic, select fire, and/or fully automatic shooting options uses a pistol cartridge. The rifle barrel includes an extension having a ramp for loading the cartridges and having a key way for the shell extractor. The magazine of the rifle is mounted to the lower receiver so as to load the cartridges in a direction perpendicular to the rifle barrel. The magazine follower automatically locks the bolt after the last cartridge is fired. The bolt and bolt carrier are integrally machined, and fully enclose the cartridge to preclude out of battery firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Steven R. Satern
  • Publication number: 20180347925
    Abstract: A lower receiver that may be right hand or left hand configurable is provided. The lower receiver includes a static ejector that can be easily configured for right hand or left hand positions within the same lower receiver and a magazine button assembly having a left magazine button and a right magazine button that are operatively coupled together so that either magazine button can be pushed to release the magazine. This allows the gun builder to use this one lower receiver to build a right or left handed rifle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gibbens, David W. Gibbens
  • Publication number: 20180347926
    Abstract: A firearm gas redirection assembly directionally directs discharged gases from a barrel towards a bolt frame, and uses the energy from discharged gases to force a bolt rearwardly in an action. The barrel has an elongated body, an inner barrel sidewall, an outer barrel sidewall, a rear end, and a forward end. The forward end of barrel forms gas vents. The barrel is fixed motionless on the frame of the weapon. A jet nozzle concentrically couples around the barrel and integrates with a bolt frame. The jet nozzle has inner and outer jet sidewalls and a jet nozzle edge. The inner jet sidewall and outer barrel sidewall form a gas space that is in communication with the bolt frame. Discharge of firearm forces high velocity gas through gas vents that form in the barrel, through gas space, and finally against the jet nozzle edge. This forces bolt frame rearwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Aleksandr Lopatin
  • Publication number: 20180347927
    Abstract: Magazine release button interference pin assembly and AR-style lower receiver functions to prevent the depression of the magazine release button on an AR-style rifle while the upper receiver is closed or locked onto the lower receiver. Magazine release button interference pin assembly and AR-style lower receiver prevents magazine release and reloading while the upper receiver is closed or locked onto the lower receiver. Magazine release button interference pin assembly and AR-style lower receiver is a magazine release button interference pin assembly as well as a specially machined lower receiver to accept the magazine release button interference pin assembly. Magazine release button interference pin assembly includes a special magazine release button interference pin with at least two protrusions, a spring, and a retaining pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: John W. Burns, Dustin W. Burns
  • Publication number: 20180347928
    Abstract: The present invention is an ammunition magazine, preferably made of a reinforced polymer, utilizing a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover features built in tools for, among other things, unloading and disassembling the magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Richard M. Fitzpatrick, Michael T. Mayberry, Brian L. Nakayama, Eric C. Burt
  • Publication number: 20180347929
    Abstract: A magazine extension for attachment to an open bottom of a magazine tube having a pair of sidewalls, a pair of end walls, and a flange on at least each of the sidewalls at the bottom. The extension includes an extension body having open first and second ends and forward and rear walls. The first open end of the extension body is slidably attachable to the sidewall flanges at the bottom end of a magazine tube. A bottom closure member is removably slidably attached to the open second end of the body and movable between open and closed positions. A latch member is slidably attached to a wall of the extension body to move toward and away from the magazine tube and open ends of the extension body. The latch member releasably secures the extension body to the magazine tube when moved toward the magazine tube and first open end of the extension body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Sheehan Hsu, Alec Wolf
  • Publication number: 20180347930
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of manufacturing are disclosed with regard to a rapid-fire accessory for a semi-automatic firearm. The rapid-fire accessory may include a trigger guard mount, a trigger actuator, and a trigger guard adapter. The trigger guard mount may include a mounting channel for receiving a trigger guard. The trigger actuator may be fixed relative to the mounting channel and configured to pull the trigger when the trigger guard slides forward in the mounting channel. The trigger guard adapter may be configured to mount on and remain fixed relative to the trigger guard. The trigger guard adapter may include an adapter channel for receiving the trigger guard. When the trigger guard adapter is mounted on the trigger guard and in the mounting channel, the trigger guard adapter guides a sliding movement of the trigger guard mount forward and rearward relative to the trigger guard adapter and the trigger guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Dennis Michael BAIR
  • Publication number: 20180347931
    Abstract: A firearm suppressor is adapted to convert from an over-barrel configuration to a muzzle-forward configuration. The firearm suppressor includes a core assembly that has a removable expansion chamber that can be included in the over-barrel configuration and removed in the muzzle-forward configuration. The firearm suppressor can be converted from the over-barrel configuration to the muzzle-forward configuration by removing the core assembly from a first hollow sleeve, removing the expansion chamber and inserting the core assembly into a shorter second sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Edward Donald SCHOPPMAN