Inlet Internally Extending Patents (Class 137/592)
  • Patent number: 11560726
    Abstract: A method of constructing multiple conduits in building foundations that eliminates the process of core drilling after the foundation has been poured and set. This method creates optional openings for possible future connections. The process uses removable conduit molds installed before the foundation is poured. Once the foundation has set, conduit molds are removed to explose conduits in the foundation as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventors: Tommaso Conti, Robert Aschwanden, Morgan Forger
  • Patent number: 11493238
    Abstract: Trench-confirmable geothermal reservoirs with flexible reservoir bodies that can snugly abut trench walls (that may be of virgin, compacted earth) for facilitating heat exchange and flow liquid from one lower end to an opposing top end, and vice versa, depending on desired heat exchange. The direction can be reversed for summer and winter heat/cooling configurations. A series of the reservoirs may be used for appropriate heat transfer. The water volume of the reservoirs is relatively large and slow moving for good earth heat conduction. The reservoirs include first and second ports, one of which has an elongate internal tube that has a bottom that resides adjacent a bottom of the reservoir body and a series of apertures on only a lower portion of the internal tube to intake or output liquid depending on flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Gary Scott Peele
  • Patent number: 11280519
    Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a tank extending along a vertical direction between a top end wall and a bottom end wall and a dip tube extending from an inlet end to an outlet end. The inlet end of the dip tube is coupled to a cold water inlet in the top end wall of the tank. The outlet end of the dip tube may be positioned in a bottom corner of the tank and/or positioned at an outer perimeter of the bottom end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Hutchison, Craig Iung-Pei Tsai, Timothy David Gantt, Alan George Constance, Jonathan D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10918271
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reprocessing a medical device includes a decontamination basin, a first flush conduit, a second flush conduit, and a manifold. The first and second flush conduits have respective first and second coupling ports configured to fluidly connect to the medical device positioned within the decontamination basin. The manifold is fluidly connected to the first and second flush conduits and configured to distribute the fluid received therein accordingly. The apparatus also includes a first valve, a second valve, and a primary pump configured to discharge the fluid into the manifold at a predetermined supply flow rate. The first and second valve are positioned respectively in the first and second flush conduits for balancing the respective flow rates discharged therefrom at a first predetermined conduit flow rate and a second predetermined conduit flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: ASP GLOBAL MANUFACTURING GMBH
    Inventors: Sungwook Yang, Dang Minh Ngo
  • Patent number: 10371033
    Abstract: A diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank for an off-road vehicle including a retaining bar configured to support the DEF tank and a channel molded into a side of the DEF tank. The channel is configured to interface with the retaining rod. The DEF tank further including a cutout formed within the channel, wherein the cutout establishes a gap between the retaining bar and a body of the DEF tank. The DEF tank also includes a drain channel molded into an exterior surface of the DEF tank. The drain channel is configured to provide structural support to the DEF tank, and the gap is configured to enable DEF flow downwardly into the drain channel without contacting the retaining bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Ralph Hertsgaard, Jason Keith Novacek, David Donald Blomberg, John Thomas Rasset, Erik Andrew Larson, Paul Eugene Wibbels, Daniel LaRoy Hinz, Jay Michael Larson, David Larry Tveito, David Edward Susag, Russell Victor Stoltman, Chad Alry Bautz, Nathaniel James Keller, David Sheldon Booth
  • Patent number: 10041705
    Abstract: An outdoor device for an air conditioner is provided that may include a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, an expansion device that decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant decompressed in the expansion device, and a refrigerant storage that bypasses at least a portion of the refrigerant condensed in the condenser to store the bypassed refrigerant therein. The refrigerant storage may include a first storage that stores the bypassed refrigerant, and a second storage in which the refrigerant passing through the evaporator is introduced. The second storage may discharge a gaseous refrigerant of the introduced refrigerant to the compressor. The first storage may be provided above the second storage to supply the refrigerant stored therein into the second storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jonghwan Jeung, Hoki Lee, Sangyoung Kwon
  • Patent number: 10040001
    Abstract: A liquid-cooling device and an air collector thereof are provided. The air collector includes a tank, an inlet channel, an outlet channel, and a barrier plate. The inlet channel is located at one end of the tank and extended into the tank. The outlet channel is located at the other end of the tank and extended into the tank. The barrier plate is located in the tank between the inlet channel and the outlet channel. The diameter of the tank is greater than those of the inlet channel and the outlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Chao-Wen Lu
  • Patent number: 10009991
    Abstract: A target supply device may include: a tank including a cylindrical main body, a first end portion blocking an axial first end of the main body, and a second end portion blocking an axial second end of the main body; a nozzle provided to the first end portion of the tank and configured to output a target material contained inside the tank; and an inert gas supply unit configured to supply inert gas into the tank, in which the inert gas supply unit includes a gas flow path penetrating the second end portion of the tank and configured to guide the inert gas in a direction toward an inner wall of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Nishisaka, Yoshiaki Kato, Fumio Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 9939208
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes: stacked tubes through which a refrigerant flows; and a fin joined to the tube to increase a heat exchange area with air flowing around the tube. A cross-section of the fin perpendicular to a flow direction of the air is shaped in a wave shape that has: planar sections substantially parallel to the flow direction of the air; and a top for connecting between the adjacent planar sections. A clearance is defined in the planar section of the fin. When a portion of the fin where the shortest distance from a center line between the adjacent planar sections becomes the maximum is set as a furthest section in a cross-section perpendicular to a stacking direction of the tubes, the clearance is defined in one furthest section or at least one of a plurality of furthest sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryohei Sugimura, Mitsuharu Inagaki, Mitsuyoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 9919596
    Abstract: An object is to provide a technique that suppresses deformation or the like of a spring provided to close a flap valve in an open-close device for fuel tank. The open-close device for fuel tank comprises a filler port-forming member that is configured to form a filler port of a fuel passage; an open-close member that is configured to open and close the filler port; and a double torsion spring that is configured to include a pressing portion arranged to press the open-close member in a valve closing direction and two coil portions connected with respective ends of the pressing portion and is supported by the filler port-forming member in a rotatable manner. The double torsion spring has a space defined by the two coil portions. The filler port-forming member is placed in the space and has a restricting element configured to restrict deformation of the double torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagano
  • Patent number: 9909328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a feed-through member (1) which is to be mounted in a wall element or floor element and comprises a tube element (2) that includes a first (23) and a second (24) tube element section. Said tube element sections (23, 24) can be moved relative to one another in the conducting direction (21) in such a way that the length of the tube element (2) is adjustable, a blocking mechanism (26, 32; 51, 61) being provided which at least partly prevents the tube element sections (23, 24) from moving when same are in the relative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hauff- Technik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Kurz
  • Patent number: 9708807
    Abstract: An underground water collection and transfer system using a primary and secondary water storage chambers. At least one of the water transfer inlets is angled and positioned lower than the outlet into the secondary storage chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph S. Miskovich
  • Patent number: 9696078
    Abstract: The air-conditioning apparatus includes a compressor; a heat source side heat exchanger; a use side pressure-reducing mechanism; a use side heat exchanger and an accumulator connected by a pipe so that a refrigerant circulates therethrough; a high-low pressure bypass pipe; a high-low pressure bypass unit installed in the high-low pressure bypass pipe; and a unit controller configured to perform a refrigerant amount detection operation in which an operation frequency of the compressor is controlled so that a value of an evaporating temperature becomes an evaporating temperature target value of the compressor to discharge a liquid-state refrigerant of the refrigerant from the accumulator, and control an opening degree of the high-low pressure bypass unit in performing the refrigerant amount detection operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Tamaki, Kazuyoshi Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 9499045
    Abstract: Provided is a working vehicle comprising: a fuel tank; a tank support member configured to receive and support the fuel tank from below; and an inverse U-shaped hood support member provided upright in a state of spanning left and right of the fuel tank, the hood support member including an elastic member that acts on an upper portion side of the fuel tank so as to hold the fuel tank at a predetermined position on the tank support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Megumi Sawai, Kazunobu Sugano, Shinsuke Kashiyama, Motoki Izukura, Koji Kajino, Tatsuya Ueda, Kenichi Aoyama
  • Patent number: 9469977
    Abstract: A water storage system is provided that stores a quantity of fresh, potable water for residential or commercial use when municipal water or ground water is not available. The system comprises several embodiments, including a pressurized system and a non-pressurized system that stores water from a main water line in one or more storage tanks for subsequent use. A solar-powered pump is utilized to pump water from the storage tank or tanks when no electrical power is available, allowing water to be distributed into a dwelling or building to run facilities and to allow for undisturbed operation in the event of a catastrophe or emergency event. Water is continually or operably circulated through the tanks in order to maintain a fresh supply under normal conditions, while the tanks can be isolated from the main water supply in an emergency event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventors: Russell Keisel, Kathi Keisel
  • Patent number: 9284113
    Abstract: A fluid containment system comprises a plurality of curved panels having a front face a rear face, a top end, a bottom end and two side ends, wherein the plurality of curved panels are positioned serially adjacent one another in a generally upright or vertical manner so as to comprise a generally circular arrangement, with each of the plurality of curved panels further comprising at least one fastening member on its front face and wherein the fastening member is suitable to generally abut to a similar fastening member of an adjacent curved panel. Once fastened, the plurality of curved panels may be lined with a liner and used for fluid storage. In another aspect a fluid handling and containment apparatus comprises a tank suitable to hold a volume of fluid, the tank having a main compartment with a plurality of outlets exiting from the main compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Jason Corbeil
  • Patent number: 9248075
    Abstract: A laminar jet for a hydrotherapy tub having a water inlet adapted for attachment to a water circulation system, a flow inducer section and a cap having a water outlet at one end of the cap. The cap may be rotated so the jet directs a substantially laminar water stream from the water outlet substantially parallel to tub surface. The jet cap may be locked in a desired position. A bathtub may have a number of laminar jets which may be direct water streams toward convergent zones and may simulate natural laminar flows. The zones or streams may be associated with recesses, channels or protrusions on a tub wall or directed to or around an object or occupant in the tub. The jet may be optimized for laminar flow by CFD, including streamline adjusting, eliminating negative pressure drop, and maximizing volumetric flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Spencer, Scott A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150122356
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage installation including a thermal energy storage tank and a spider diffuser system mounted in said tank. The TES tank comprises an outer wall having a generally cylindrical inner surface surrounding a hollow internal space in the tank. The spider diffuser system comprises a centrally disposed manifold structure that is disposed in vertically spaced relationship relative to a thermocline formed in a temperature stratifiable liquid in the space during operation of the tank. The manifold structure has an internal chamber and includes an opening for introduction of a said liquid into the chamber or discharge of a said liquid from the chamber. The spider diffuser system also includes a diffuser pipe assembly comprising a plurality of elongated diffuser legs. Each of the legs is attached to the manifold structure so as to extend generally radially outwardly from the structure and toward the inner surface of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: THE CROM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher Talmadge Mincey
  • Patent number: 9022053
    Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel tank filler neck associated with a fuel tank. The fuel tank filler neck includes a fill tube for receiving a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle and a fuel conductor interconnecting an interior region of the fuel tank and a passageway formed in the fill tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Stant USA Corp.
    Inventors: Cory J. Doble, Paul C. Wetzel, Jason M. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8991422
    Abstract: A diffuser assembly for a hydraulic reservoir is disclosed. The diffuser assembly includes an inlet tube for connection to the inlet to the reservoir. A middle portion of the middle tube is connected to a plurality of diffusers. The diffusers are disposed at an angle with respect to an axis of the inlet tube and the axis of the inlet to the reservoir so that fluid flowing into the reservoir must change flow directions for entering and exiting the diffusers. The disclosed diffuser assembly is less prone to damaged cause by fluid flow spikes and is particularly useful for high flow/high pressure applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno Lawrence Risatti
  • Patent number: 8991421
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle is provided with a filler neck, which is connected to a filling element arranged inside the tank. The filling element contains a flexible hose, which extends right to the base of the tank and which at the free end has an axial outlet orifice directed towards the base of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Heinz-Jürgen Geurtz
  • Publication number: 20150068625
    Abstract: A water storage system comprising a tank having a first inclined or conical floor at the bottom of the tank, a second inclined or conical floor above the first inclined or conical floor, dividing the tank into upper and lower compartments, one or more inlet(s), an overflow outlet, a first draining outlet located at the sloping end of the first inclined floor or at the convergence of the first conical floor, a second draining outlet located at the sloping end of the second inclined floor or at the convergence of the second conical floor, and a consumer supply outlet located above the second inclined floor or above the second conical floor, wherein the upper compartment holds potable-grade water and the water from the lower compartment is reserved for fire fighting needs and used for non-potable purposes with periodic replenishment from upper compartment
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Jainendra Kumar SINGH
  • Patent number: 8925581
    Abstract: A pump suction line assembly includes a sump including a wall formed with a bore and a seat, a tube including an inlet, an outlet, a length connecting the outlet and inlet, and a flange contacting the seat, a housing, a seal fitted in the bore and contacting the flange and the housing, and fasteners that compress the seal, secure the tube to the wall, and secure the sump to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lev Pekarsky, Vladimir Yasnogorodskiy, Brandon D. Lint, David P. Aeschliman
  • Patent number: 8910649
    Abstract: A readily cleanable water storage system and a method of maintaining cleanliness of water in said system are disclosed. The system comprises an overhead water tank, wherein said water tank comprises a floor, at least one inlet, a draining outlet with a stop cock, an overflow outlet, a supply outlet and a pump, characterized in that the floor of the tank is inclined at a pre-determined continuous and effective slope either towards another point on the periphery to form an inclined floor, or from all sides to form a conical bottom with the supply outlet located at the side wall of the tank above the conical bottom and the draining outlet is located at the periphery of the inclined floor at sloping end or at the convergence of the cone formed by the conical bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Jainendra Kumar Singh
  • Patent number: 8887765
    Abstract: A fluid flow system is provided. The system includes a tank, a first manifold and a second manifold. The tank has a generally centralized portion and a sidewall. The tank extends from a lower portion to an upper portion to contain fluid therein. The first manifold is located adjacent the sidewall and has a first length extending from the lower portion to the upper portion. The first manifold defines at least in part a first opening extending along at least a portion of the first length permitting fluid flow therethrough. The first manifold is positioned to permit fluid to flow between the first manifold and the sidewall independent of the first opening. The second manifold is located about the centralized portion and has a second length extending from the lower portion to the upper portion. The second manifold defines a second opening extending along at least a portion of the second length permitting fluid flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: J. Mark Crump
  • Patent number: 8826936
    Abstract: A float device for use in drawing liquids such as fuel from a tank or other reservoir is disclosed. The device comprises a float arranged for rising and falling with the level of liquid in the tank and a liquid pick-up duct, which comprises a flexible tube having its free end coupled to the float. The float is arranged for vertical movement within a filter or other member, which encloses the float and the flexible tube. The filter or other member is elongate and tubular in construction and comprises an open lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Fuel Active Limited
    Inventor: Michael John James
  • Patent number: 8752568
    Abstract: A low mass draw and return tube assembly, for use in fuel tanks, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson
  • Patent number: 8752581
    Abstract: A hydraulic tank for an industrial truck having a tank lower part with a base and a side wall and produced in one piece, a tank cover which is connected to an upper edge of the side wall, is produced in one piece and defines at least one hydraulic medium receiving chamber together with the base and the side wall, at least one hydraulic medium intake pipe extending from a hydraulic medium suction connector of the tank cover, and at least one hydraulic medium return pipe extending from a hydraulic medium return connector of the tank cover, wherein the hydraulic medium intake pipe and the hydraulic medium return pipe, together with the tank cover, form a tank upper part which is assembled as a modular unit with the tank lower part to form the hydraulic tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Johannes Haslberger
  • Patent number: 8733400
    Abstract: The inlet device has a horn-shaped passage piece at a peripheral wall of a column that feeds a fluid tangentially into the column so that the fluid enters into a vortex flow that rotates around an axis adjacent to a central axis of the column. A middle zone and discharge zone of the passage piece are made in the manner of a diffuser and abut the peripheral wall to extends over less than one half of the wall. A discharge zone of the passage piece through which flow takes place presets a middle flow direction of the fluid which extends along the peripheral wall and is inclined against the main direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Felix Muggli, Pierre Schaeffer, Lorenzo Ghelfi
  • Patent number: 8707988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water inlet arrangement for the use in fish tanks in aquaculture, including a pipe to feed water into the tank, the pipe having a plurality of openings and, for a better adjustment of the flow, a surrounding second element having a plurality of openings and/or a fixed or adjustable shield are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karsten Glomset, Kenneth Glomset, Ove Gjelstenli
  • Patent number: 8701694
    Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel tank filler neck associated with a fuel tank. The fuel tank filler neck includes a fill tube for receiving a fuel-dispensing pump nozzle and a fuel conductor interconnecting an interior region of the fuel tank and a passageway formed in the fill tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Stant USA Corp.
    Inventors: Cory J. Doble, Paul C. Wetzel, Jason M. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8695632
    Abstract: A brine generating system is disclosed for use with an underground storage tank, the system including a main salt delivery channel that branches into two horizontal feed lines through a reducer to deliver salt under pressure to the bottom of the storage tank in a generally equal distribution along the tank floor. The salt distribution system can be combined with a water distribution system to ensure delivery of water at the location of the salt deposits along the tank floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Brinemaker, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Ireland
  • Patent number: 8684032
    Abstract: A container for an operating liquid or fluid for a motor vehicle includes a container wall which delimits an interior space or chamber of the container. The container has a first wall section, a second wall section and at least one discharge line for discharging the operating liquid out of the container. The discharge line extends from the first wall section to the second wall section and can be adjusted in its length to a distance between the first wall section and the second wall section. A method for producing the container and a motor vehicle having the container are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Rolf Brück, Jan Hodgson, Sven Schepers
  • Patent number: 8636163
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle fuel tank (1) of thermoplastics having at least one filler neck (4) not moulded on in one piece, the latter being connected in a fluid-tight manner to the fuel tank (4), wherein the filler neck (5) is inserted into an opening (5) in the fuel tank (1) and is sealed by sealing means (11) at its outer circumference relative to the fuel tank (1) in the opening (5). The filler neck (4) is clamped axially against the tank wall (2), with the seal acting radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Gebert, Axel Wagner
  • Patent number: 8622084
    Abstract: A liquid-suctioning tank includes a liquid inflow port, a gas outflow port, a baffle plate and a guide member. The liquid inflow port communicates with an upper space of a surface of a liquid, and configured and arranged to be connected to a liquid-suctioning object. The gas outflow port communicates with the upper space, and configured and arranged to be connected to a suctioning device so that a negative pressure is applied to the upper space by the suctioning device to trap liquid from the liquid-suctioning object using suction. The baffle plate is disposed in the upper space so that the liquid flowing from the liquid inflow port collides against the baffle plate. The guide member has a guiding wall configured and arranged to guide the liquid that has collided with the baffle plate from the baffle plate toward the surface of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishii, Akihiro Satake, Nobuyuki Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 8607820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuously mixing fed-out natural gas with oxygen to produce a burnable gas used for heating the pressurized natural gas before or after the relaxation thereof, comprising a mixing section having connections for a natural gas supply line, an oxygen infeed line, and a burnable gas discharge line. The mixing section is designed as a closed mixing container, which has a mixing chamber, at the center of which forming a mixing zone a distributing pipe for oxygen is disposed that is joined to the connection for oxygen infeed. The mixing chamber is filled completely, and the distributing pipe is filled at least partially, with a packing of ceramic granular material. The mixing chamber of the mixing container is equipped with temperature sensors for temperature measurement. The mixing container is designed as a standing container, which at the bottom has the connection of the natural gas supply and at the top the connection for the burnable gas discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: EWE Gasspeicher GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Lenk
  • Patent number: 8608823
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for granulating a metal melt. The apparatus substantially comprises a round water tank, into which water is injected in a tangential direction with the aid of a number of nozzles, so that the water in the tank rotates and forms a parabolic surface. The nozzles are arranged such that they are distributed in height and around the circumference of the tank wall. The uppermost nozzle is located in the region of the surface of the water and produces a stream of water or fan of water lying in the surface of the water. For granulating a metal melt, it is poured continuously from a melting crucible into the stream of water or fan of water of the uppermost nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Veit Koenig, Andreas Huber, Bernd Amend
  • Patent number: 8590579
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inlet for a tank which is intended for a liquid food product. The inlet is placed in the side wall of the tank and at the upper end of the tank. The inlet is further designed so that the inflowing product is distributed in fan-shape along the inside of the tank. The application also includes a method of supplying liquid food product to a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Max Leufstedt
  • Patent number: 8573253
    Abstract: There is disclosed a valve assembly for a gas container capable of appropriately discharging a gas from the gas container, even if a valve of a discharge passage has a failure or the like. The valve assembly for the gas container disposed at the gas container has, as passages which allow the inside of the gas container to communicate with the outside, a filling passage which fills the gas container with the gas and a discharge passage which discharges the gas. Furthermore, the valve assembly has a filling-side valve disposed at the filling passage and configured to close this passage, a discharge-side valve disposed at the discharge passage and configured to close this passage, a communication path which connects a downstream side of the discharge-side valve to a downstream side of the filling-side valve, and a shut-off valve disposed at the communication path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ogami, Nobuo Kobayashi, Akira Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8549852
    Abstract: A hydraulic oil tank has a housing, a connecting member and a filtering device. The housing includes a main body, a storage compartment and a first through hole. The storage compartment is formed within the main body for containing a the hydraulic oil, and the first through hole is formed through the main body. The connecting member is disposed on the main body and covering the first through hole, the connecting member including a contact face having a planar shape. The filtering device is disposed within the storage compartment. The filtering device is connected to a part of the contact face exposed within the first through hole. The filtering device includes an overlapped portion overlapping with an inner edge of the first through hole in a plan view of the first through hole seen from inside of the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Saeki, Tatsushi Itou
  • Patent number: 8544282
    Abstract: A closed loop geothermal system has a fluid circulation loop that includes in series: a heat pump, a ground loop heat exchanger, a tank flow center and a circulation pump. The tank flow center includes a tank, a first valve, a second valve and a tank bypass line all mounted in a common housing. The tank may include a refill inlet that opens through a top surface of the housing. A cap may be attached to close the refill inlet. The tank flow center has the regular geothermal operation configuration, a system flush configuration, and a refill configuration. The tank flow center may be elevated above the circulation pump a distance to produce a water column that is greater than a minimum cavitation avoidance head pressure for the circulation pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Wyer, Demitri Gula
  • Patent number: 8511341
    Abstract: A marine fuel backflow preventer and overfill alarm for use with marine vessels includes a housing provided for in-line installation in the fuel fill inlet line and directs fuel entering the a fuel filling inlet generally directly to a fuel filling outlet such that the fuel passes freely through the back flow preventer while being directed to the vessel fuel tank. The housing further functions as a reservoir for containing fuel which has accumulated therein due to over-filling and/or that has been carried into the housing via the fuel tank vent line. By providing a fuel containing reservoir disposed in-line the present invention thus functions to prevent unintended fuel spillage into the environment. The back flow preventer further includes an electro-mechanical float switch that automatically activates an alarm upon sensing the presence of fuel within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Gary E. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8511343
    Abstract: A bladderless reservoir tank is provided with a hollow body that forms a cavity for receipt of a working fluid. A pick-up tube is attached to the hollow body of the reservoir tank. A portion of the pick-up tube extends into the interior of the body such that a port of the pick-up tube is positioned at the centroid of the hollow body. The pick-up tube has a channel that extends from the port at the centroid to the exterior of the body of the reservoir tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Control Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Scholtes
  • Patent number: 8511344
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a gas feed injector apparatus includes a mounting flange having an internal surface, a first internal gas inlet pipe coupled to the mounting flange, a second internal gas inlet pipe coupled to the mounting flange and an internal gas injection header coupled to the first and second internal gas inlet pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cliff Yi Guo, Dhaval Bharat Mistry
  • Patent number: 8403000
    Abstract: A tank for a cryogenic liquid is fitted with a conduit assembly that provides for flow of the cryogenic liquid into and out of the tank, venting of the tank and control of the fill level in the tank. The conduit assembly includes serpentine tubes that extend into an upper region within the inner shell. Within the inner shell, one of the tubes extends downwardly to a lower opening and provides for liquid flow into and out the tank; the other tube has an end with a downwardly facing opening in the upper region whereby vapor can be conducted out of the tank and the fill level is established. A system for effecting pressure management of the cryogenic liquid in the tank includes a conduit network that provides for pressure build as pressure in the conduit network drops and provides for delivery of liquid only to, e.g., a vehicle engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cryogenic Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E Adkins, Harold E Sutton
  • Patent number: 8403001
    Abstract: A connector for a fuel tank includes a cylindrical main body; a connecting cylinder body including an attachment portion of a pipe connecting the fuel tank and an external portion, and assembled with the cylindrical main body; and a reinforcing cylinder body housed inside the connecting cylinder body. By a stopper portion formed on an inside of the connecting cylinder body, and a holding end portion of the cylindrical main body positioned inside the connecting cylinder body by the above-mentioned assembling, the reinforcing cylinder body is sandwiched from both sides so that the reinforcing cylinder body is positioned on an inside of the attachment portion of the connecting cylinder body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Taiichi Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 8381770
    Abstract: A blowoff tank (B) for receiving blowdown, blowoff, and drain water from an HRSG (C) or other type of boiler, so as to lower the temperature of that water enough to enable it to be discharged into a sewer system, includes a generally cylindrical vessel (50) and inlet pipes (60) through which the blowdown, blowoff, and drain water is introduced into the vessel. Each pipe has a radial segment (62) that passes through the sidewall (52) of the vessel, a generally vertical segment (64) that extends upwardly within the vessel, and a tangential segment (68) that opens into the vessel. The radial segment contains a small drain aperture (74). The tank also has a cooling line (90) through which cooling water is introduced into the vessel to lower the temperature of the blowdown, blowoff, and drain water in the vessel and a drain line (86) that drains the mixture of cooling water and blowdown, blowoff, and drain water from the vessel, but never exceeds the elevation of the apertures in the inlet pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nooter/Eriksen, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8323378
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying oxygen to meet a user demand in which oxygen is separated from air by an electrically driven oxygen separation device to supply oxygen to meet the user demand and to charge an adsorbent bed with all or part of the separated oxygen. When a user demand exists, oxygen can be supplied from both the electrically driven oxygen separation device and from oxygen desorbed from the adsorbent bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadashiv Swami, Philip A. Barrett, Richard Martin Kelly
  • Patent number: 8316881
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel tank check valve including: a main tubular body attached on a fuel filler pipe; a valve element; a first tube that is disposed between the main tubular body and the fuel filler pipe and that has a first locking portion to engage with the fuel filler pipe; an annular seal member; and a second tube that is disposed to sandwich the annular seal member with the first tube and that has a second locking portion to engage with the main tubular body, wherein the fuel filler pipe is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the first tube, wherein the first locking portion projects in an inside diameter direction, and wherein the first locking portion engages with an engagement hole in the fuel filler pipe from an outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Kosei Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8302626
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plant for recovering a polluting fluid contained in the tank (4) of a sunken vessel (1) comprising a plurality of pipes (5) fixed to a deck (2), wherein each pipe comprises a first and second ends and, according to the beaching position of the sunken vessel, can form means for introducing a pressurized water into the tank or means for removing the polluting fluid outside thereof. Said invention is characterized in that said pipes are positioned in such a way that the ends thereof enters near each top corner of the tank and the second ends thereof are accessible from the inside of the sunken vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: JLMD Ecologic Group
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Dabi