Heating Or Cooling Patents (Class 141/82)
  • Patent number: 12085234
    Abstract: Gas pressure actuated fill termination valves for cryogenic liquid storage tanks and storage tanks containing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Patelczyk, Ian Neeser, Paul Drube
  • Patent number: 12085235
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a combined defuel and priority panel for a fueling station. The defuel and priority panel is configured to defuel a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle and direct the defueled gas to fuel other CNG vehicles at the panel fueling and defueling site. The defuel and priority panel is also configured to store defueled gas in defuel storage tanks, which can then be used to later fuel CNG vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: OPAL FUELS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Kubista, Martin Edward Lucas, Claudiu Dorian Pruteanu
  • Patent number: 12080923
    Abstract: An energy storage system comprises at least one cryogen storage device that includes a subcooling loop and that is configurable to store a cryogen with or without boil-off losses. The system also comprises a cryoplant configured to interact with a power source and with the subcooling loop of the at least one cryogen storage device. The system also includes a control system configured to control the interaction of the cryoplant with the power source and the at least one cryogen storage device. The control system is configured to control interaction of the cryoplant with the power source and the at least one cryogen storage device according to a plurality of operational modes, including: a cooling mode, a passive storage mode, a fuel cell backup mode, and a liquefaction mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Ruslan Nagimov
  • Patent number: 12060976
    Abstract: A fuel supply device includes a fuel tank having an internal space configured to store fuel, a tube member having a flow path therein and having one side connected to the fuel tank and the other side connectable to an external component, and an opening/closing control unit coupled to the tube member and configured to control an operation of opening or closing the flow path of the tube member. The opening/closing control unit is configured to close the flow path of the tube member based on a rate (dP/dt) of pressure change over time of the fluid being greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 12025278
    Abstract: A filling station for supplying vehicles with gas containing hydrogen comprises: a storage unit comprising high pressure gas containers; a compression unit comprising compressors for increasing the pressure of gas for the storage unit; and a supply unit comprising a supply device for supplying a vehicle; a storage circuit for circulating gas from the compression unit to the storage unit; and a filling circuit for circulating gas from the storage unit to the compression unit. The storage circuit comprises a storage pipe network connecting each compressor to each container and at least one storage distributor for selectively associating the compressors and the containers. The filling circuit includes a filling pipe network connecting each container with each compressor and a filling distributor for selectively associating the containers and the compressors. The station further includes control means for controlling the storage and filling distributors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: McPhy Energy
    Inventor: Cédric Dupuis
  • Patent number: 12004557
    Abstract: The present apparatus and system relate to a machine and components thereof adapted to fill packages and which may be utilized according to a method. The machine progresses a package via a conveyor through sub-stations, such as a cone trimmer, product conveyor, packing head, folding station, and injection station. The cone trimmer trims the package to a desired length, the product conveyor deposits product into the packing head, the packing head packs the product in the package, the folding station folds the package, and the injecting station injects the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Inventors: Mark W. Holderman, Gregory A. Russell
  • Patent number: 11971347
    Abstract: A seamless fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device tailored to analyzing a flowed sample. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample flowed through a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. The lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration. Additionally, while well suited for flow-based sample analysis, a valve of the cavity may be utilized for holding a sample in a temporarily static state for measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Thomas Moore, Kurt D. Retherford, Charity Phillips-Lander
  • Patent number: 11964863
    Abstract: Disclosed is a water dispenser. The water dispenser includes a water outlet component; a water cooling module for accessing a water source, an output port of the water cooling module being communicated with the water outlet component through a first water pump; and/or a water heating module, an input port of the water heating module accessing the water source through a second water pump, an output port of the water heating module being communicated with the water outlet component, the water outlet component accessing the water source through the second water pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: FOSHAN MIDEA CHUNGHO WATER PURIFICATION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mianchun Huang, Hexin Gu, Xingzhi He, Wenxue Du
  • Patent number: 11932432
    Abstract: A system and method of use of the system, the system including: a tank configured to store a fluid; a positive displacement pump in fluid communication with the tank; and a filling needle in fluid communication with the pump and configured to form a releasable sealed attachment to a cartridge; wherein the pump is configured to pump measured doses of the fluid received from the tank through the needle into the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Bausch Advanced Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Bausch, Mirzet Kamic, Maximilian Rothenbuecher
  • Patent number: 11927144
    Abstract: An intelligent fuel storage system can consist of a storage pod connected to a storage module with the storage pod having a plurality of separate storage vessels each residing below a ground level. The storage pod may concurrently store a first volume of a first fuel and a second volume of a second fuel prior to altering the first and second volumes in accordance with a performance strategy generated by the storage module to provide a predetermined blend of the first fuel and second fuel with at least a threshold volume and at least a threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Patent number: 11903409
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for automatic infusion of concentrate and distillate material into cigarettes or other containers. In one embodiment, a thermally-controlled infusion system is provided. The system can maintain a selected temperature of the concentrate material throughout the infusion process, using a two-stage approach. In a first stage, the concentrate material is pressure-fed to a dosing chamber. In the second stage, the concentrate material is pumped into an insertion cannula and into a cigarette or container. A revolver houses the cigarettes or containers and vertically transitions them to an insertion position, where the insertion cannula can infuse the cigarettes or containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Sorting Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nohtal Partansky, Paul Skaar
  • Patent number: 11885270
    Abstract: An energy utilization system can initially store a plurality of different fuels in a fuel storage pod before choosing a fuel ratio with a blend module connected to the fuel storage pod. The fuel ratio chosen in response to an electrical generation parameter tracked by the blend module. The supply of at least two of the plurality of different fuels to a power generator with the chosen fuel ratio allows for the combustion of the supplied fuels with the electrical power generator to create electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Patent number: 11878772
    Abstract: A vapor taker system, a vessel-based solution to accommodate vapor destruction during hydrocarbon loading and/or lightering, is disclosed. The vapor taker has vapor destruction equipment, support fuel, and accommodation for loading hose connections as necessary to comply with air emissions requirements for the destruction of volatile organic compounds. The vapor taker system can be modular or fully integrated into a marine vessel such as a ship, barge, tanker, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: G Squared V LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Johnston, Gary Brian Vogt
  • Patent number: 11841181
    Abstract: An ice maker for a household refrigeration apparatus includes a housing with an opening through which ice is dispensable from an interior of the housing out of the housing. A crushing device for crushing ice is provided at the opening. A flap is movably disposed at the opening and switchable between a closed position for dispensing crushed ice and an opened position for dispensing uncrushed ice through the opening. A drive unit is coupled to the flap by a coupling device for moving the flap. The flap has a pivot axis about which the flap pivots and a first flap arm coupled to the coupling device and a second flap arm movable relative to the opening, extend radially away from the pivot axis. A household refrigeration apparatus includes an apparatus housing having a receiving space for food, and an ice maker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Prashantagouda Hosamani, Robert Stahl, Mathias Sigl, Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11655137
    Abstract: A fluid exchange service cart for performing fluid exchange service operations on a vehicle. The fluid exchange service cart additionally comprises an instrument panel and a number of panel loci to which the instrument panel may be detachably appended in different operating configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Benjamin Borton
  • Patent number: 11621431
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a hydrogen tank, a hydrogen supply passage connecting the hydrogen tank and the fuel cell, a cutoff valve configured to cut off circulation of hydrogen in the hydrogen supply passage, a detection unit configured to detect a start of filling of the hydrogen tank with hydrogen, and a purge controller configured to close the cutoff valve in a case where the fuel cell system is stopped and the detection unit detects the start of filling with hydrogen in a state in which purge processing of purging the in-cell hydrogen flow passage is to be executed, and to execute processing of purging the in-cell hydrogen flow passage by causing hydrogen remaining on a downstream side of the cutoff valve in a hydrogen flow in the hydrogen supply passage to flow in the in-cell hydrogen flow passage as the purge processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Ito, Masashi Toida, Hiroyuki Tsunekawa, Tsuyoshi Maruo
  • Patent number: 11480303
    Abstract: Gaseous fueling systems and methods are provided for dispensing fuel to a vehicle or container. The distribution systems speed up the filling process and may eliminate the use of expensive cooling systems required in the art. The methods utilize sequences of filling and emptying the vehicle gas storage tank to control the temperature of the gas inside the tank. The methods repeatedly dispense fuel to the vehicle fuel tank at a first flow rate and for a first period of time and remove fuel from the fuel tank at a second flow rate for a second period to maintain fuel temperature within a desired temperature range and until the vehicle fuel tank is filled to a desired level. In addition, the fill-up mass flowrate can be maximized to system capabilities so a fill-up can be can be completed in about one minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: VASILIOS MANOUSIOUTHAKIS
    Inventor: Vasilios I. Manousiouthakis
  • Patent number: 11473728
    Abstract: A method for filling a high-pressure gas accumulator from a reservoir is provided, comprising: removing the gas from the reservoir, transporting the gas through a gas line to a jet pump coupled to the interior of the high-pressure gas accumulator, and generating a ring flow guided along the inside of the wall of the high-pressure gas accumulator. A high-pressure gas accumulator that is suitable for carrying out the method and has a casing having a heat-sensitive layer on the inside, and has an inlet opening that traverses the casing and the layer, wherein a jet pump coupled to the inlet opening is arranged within the casing, and wherein the jet pump is oriented to generate a guided flow to the wall of the casing opposite the jet pump with deflection therein into a ring flow flowing along the heat-sensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: VOLKSWAGEN AG, AUDI AG
    Inventors: Maik Kraus, Florian Hennecke
  • Patent number: 11465791
    Abstract: In the field of medical dosing device filling, a propellant conditioning assembly (10) comprises an input conduit (12) to receive a propellant at a constant pressure from a propellant reservoir (102). The conditioning assembly (10) also includes a bifurcation (18) to divide the input conduit (12) into first and second conditioning conduits (20, 22). The first conditioning conduit (20) includes a cooler device (24) to selectively cool a diverted first propellant stream (26) that flows through the first conditioning conduit (20), and the second conditioning conduit (22) includes a heater device (32) to selectively heat a diverted second propellant stream (34) that flows through the second conditioning conduit (22). The conditioning assembly (10) still further includes an output conduit (44) to receive the first and second propellant streams (26, 34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: MEXICHEM FLUOR S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Watkinson, Paul Alan Dowdle
  • Patent number: 11447262
    Abstract: An inerting system and method for an aircraft includes an inert gas generation apparatus, an air supply line, a compressor and an inert gas line. The compressor supplies the inert gas generation apparatus with air from the air supply line at a pressure necessary for operation of the inert gas generation apparatus. The inert gas line carries the inert gas produced by the inert gas generation apparatus on to an inert gas consumer. The air supply line is connected to an exhaust air system of the aircraft. A method for supplying an inert gas in an aircraft includes tapping of air from an exhaust air system of the aircraft, compression of the tapped air, and production of inert gas in an inert gas generation apparatus from the compressed air. An aircraft is disclosed in which such an inerting system is arranged and/or used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Klimpel, Alexander Solntsev
  • Patent number: 11435117
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a flow passage switching device, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant container, a first expansion device and a second expansion device connected by pipes, wherein the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger have inner volumes satisfying a relationship of an inner volume of the indoor heat exchanger<an inner volume of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a controller which, performs control so as to allow the flow passage switching device to switch the flow passage to the heating flow passage and allow an opening degree of the second expansion device to be larger than that of the first expansion device, starts the compressor, performs control so as to allow the opening degrees of the first expansion device and the second expansion device to be initial opening degrees for the cooling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tsubasa Tanda
  • Patent number: 11391415
    Abstract: A direct fueling station and a method of refueling are provided. The station includes an insulated tank for storing a liquefied fuel, a pump, at least a heat exchanger, a control unit, a dispenser including a flow meter, a flow control device, and at least one sensor for testing pressure and/or temperature. The heat exchanger converts liquefied fuel from pump into a gaseous fuel, which is added into an onboard fuel tank in a vehicle. The control unit includes one or more programs used to coordinate with the pump, the flow meter, the flow control device, and/or the sensor(s) so as to control a refueling method. A peak electrical power requirement is less than that determined by the product of a rated volumetric flow rate of the pump and a rated pumping pressure adequate for a fill pressure of the vehicle. A computer implemented system having the program(s) is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: China Energy Investment Corporation Limited, National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy
    Inventors: Xianming Li, Anthony Ku, Kenneth William Kratschmar, Jerad Allen Stager, Edward Youn
  • Patent number: 11346348
    Abstract: A liquefied gas unloading and deep evacuation system may more quickly, more efficiently and more completely unload liquefied gases from transport tanks, such as rail cars, into stationary storage tanks or into truck tanks. The system may utilize a two stage compressor, an electric motor, a variable frequency drive, a four way valve, a three way valve, a two way valve, a programmable logic controller based control system and pressure and temperature transmitters. The valving enables deep evacuation of the transport or supply tank to more completely empty the transport tank. The programmable logic controller and variable speed drive may be used to variably control the speed of the two stage compressor so that the system may be running as fast as possible during changes in ambient temperature and/or different stages of offloading the liquefied gases without exceeding the compressor's horsepower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ADVANCED FLOW SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Blake Wallace, Jay Taylor
  • Patent number: 11346771
    Abstract: A seamless fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device tailored to analyzing a flowed sample. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample flowed through a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. The lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration. Additionally, while well suited for flow-based sample analysis, a valve of the cavity may be utilized for holding a sample in a temporarily static state for measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Moore, Kurt D. Retherford, Charity Phillips-Lander
  • Patent number: 11155459
    Abstract: Device and method for filling pressurized gas tanks, particularly vehicle pressurized hydrogen tanks, the device comprising a liquefied gas source, a transfer circuit comprising two parallel transfer lines each having an upstream end linked to the liquefied gas source, at least two separate downstream ends intended to be each removably connected to a tank to be filled, each of the two transfer lines comprising: a pump, a vaporizer for evaporating the pumped fluid, a branch for bypassing the vaporizer and a distribution valve(s) set configured to control the flow of fluid pumped and distributed between the vaporizer and the branch line, the device further comprising a storage buffer(s), which storage buffer(s) is(are) connected in parallel to each of the two transfer lines via a set of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Simon Crispel, Marcus Buck, Anh Thao Thieu, Vincent Fairy
  • Patent number: 11136951
    Abstract: In order to provide a gas fueling method capable of suppressing overheating of a tank immediately after a start of fueling, in the gas fueling method, an accumulator and a hydrogen tank are coupled to each other with a gas flow passage. In a main fueling control at and after the timing t2, a sensor-based value MAT of a temperature parameter of a measurement position Q1 is calculated on the basis of a detection value of a first station temperature sensor, and the fueling control is performed on the basis of the sensor-based value MAT. In an initial fueling control at the timing t0 to t2, a prediction value MAT_pred of the temperature parameter is calculated at the timing t2 on the basis of an ambient temperature value, a mass flow rate value, and a heat capacity. The fueling control is performed on the basis of the prediction value MAT_pred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Handa
  • Patent number: 11113921
    Abstract: Implementations of ice vending machines may include a cabinet having a frame, an ice maker coupled to the frame, and an ice storage section coupled to the frame and below the ice maker. The ice storage section may include one or more agitators. Implementations may also include an ice feed coupled below the ice storage section, a bagging system coupled to the frame and below the ice feed, a retrieval section coupled to the frame and below the bagging system, and an interactive panel coupled to an outer surface of the cabinet. The interactive panel may be configured to receive a purchase request from a customer for a bag of ice. The ice vending machine, in response to the purchase request, may be configured to fill and dispense the bag of ice on demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Quick & Pure Holding, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Metzger
  • Patent number: 11079156
    Abstract: An ice bagger is provided. The ice bagger includes an ice hopper into which ice is disposed from an ice manufacturer. The ice hopper further includes an ice agitator. The ice hopper defines an ice trough positioned beneath the ice hopper. An ice auger is housed inside the ice trough. The ice auger transports ice to an ice delivery chute. A hatch is positioned beneath the ice delivery chute, upon which the bag rests while filling. The ice delivery chute and the hatch define a bag filling area such that, when bags are present in the bag filling area, the bags are positioned to be filled. A scale is positioned on the hatch. The scale weighs the ice being deposited into the bag. When the bag is full, the bag is sealed by a sealer. When the bag is sealed, the hatch opens and the bag of ice is deposited in an bag depository. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Aspen Ice, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Witt, Margaret Lowan Benezra, Craig Anderson, Martin Rathgeber, King Ya Moy, Natan Pheil, Daniel A. Peterson, David Chesley
  • Patent number: 11040861
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filling device for filling a container to be filled with a filling product in a filling product filling plant, comprising at least one filling valve for dosing the filling product into the container that is to be filled, as well as a sterilization device for sterilizing at least a portion of the at least one filling valve, wherein a contactless temperature sensor is provided for contactlessly measuring the temperature of the filling valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Baumgartner, Juergen Soellner, Thomas Weber, Thomas Knitl, Bernd Schafaczek
  • Patent number: 10994904
    Abstract: A cap for engagement with a beverage container allows an extractor needle or other conduit to pass through a portion of the cap such that beverage can be removed from the container without removing the cap. The cap may include a septum that is radially and/or axially compressed and a barrier layer arranged to engage with the container to form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Coravin, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lambrecht, Michael Rider, Otto DeRuntz
  • Patent number: 10974085
    Abstract: An enclosure, vehicle, and method for containing an overheating device are provided. An enclosure includes a body and a door that form a volume. The body includes is connected to a Venturi tube that is in communication with a fluid flow path flowing across an opening at an opposite end. In the event an overheating device is placed in the enclosure, a pressure sensor measures a pressure in the volume and a controller opens a first valve in a flow path through the Venturi tube so that air is pumped from the volume via the Venturi effect. The first valve is closed when the measured pressure drops below a threshold pressure. The enclosure can also include an extinguishing agent that can be expelled into the volume if a temperature sensor measures a temperature above a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Rocke R. Koreis, Joseph A. Scarce
  • Patent number: 10871319
    Abstract: An ice bagger is provided. The ice bagger includes an ice hopper into which ice is disposed from an ice manufacturer. The ice hopper further includes an ice agitator and defines an ice trough there beneath. An ice auger, housed inside the ice trough, transports ice to an ice delivery chute. A hatch is positioned beneath the ice delivery chute, upon which the bag rests while filling. A scale is positioned on the hatch. The scale weighs the ice being deposited into the bag. When the bag is full, the bag is sealed by a sealer. When the bag is sealed, the hatch opens and the bag of ice is deposited in an bag depository. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Aspen Ice, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Witt, Margaret Lowan Benezra, Craig Anderson, Martin Rathgeber, King Ya Moy, Natan Pheil, Daniel A. Peterson, David Chesley
  • Patent number: 10865943
    Abstract: A multi-vessel fluid storage and delivery system is disclosed which is particularly useful in systems having internal combustion engines which use gaseous fuels. The system can deliver gaseous fluids at higher flow rates than that which can be reliably achieved by vapor pressure building circuits alone, and that keeps pressure inside the storage vessel lower so that it reduces fueling time and allows for quick starts thereafter. The system is designed to store gaseous fluid in liquefied form in a plurality of storage vessels including a primary storage vessel fluidly connected to a pump apparatus and one or more server vessels which together with a control system efficiently stores a liquefied gaseous fluid and quickly delivers the fluid as a gas to an end user even when high flow rates are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: WESTPORT POWER INC.
    Inventors: Gage D. Garner, Melih Ogmen
  • Patent number: 10845005
    Abstract: A Venturi filling system having a first filling coupler configured to be coupled to a first set of fittings disposed at a first tank end of a tank; a second filling coupler configured to be coupled to a second set of fittings disposed at a second tank end of the tank; and a Venturi assembly that includes: a Venturi mixing chamber, the Venturi mixing chamber communicating with the first filling coupler; a Venturi nozzle configured to introduce a first flow of fluid from a fluid source to the Venturi mixing chamber of the Venturi assembly; and an suction inlet communicating with the second filling coupler and coupled with the Venturi chamber and configured to receive a second flow of fluid originates from the second filling coupler such that the second flow of fluid flows into the Venturi chamber and mixes with the first fluid flow within the Venturi mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Other Lab, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Stein Wexler, Durward Kimball Stone, Karthick Chandraseker
  • Patent number: 10571077
    Abstract: The present invention is a hydrogen cooling apparatus comprising: a air-cooled condenser disposed on a part of a first coolant passage so as to enable cooling of a first coolant by driving an air-cooling fan; a first heat exchanger enabling cooling of a second coolant by the first coolant, between another part of the first coolant passage and a part of a second coolant passage; and a second heat exchanger enabling cooling of hydrogen by the second coolant, between another part of the second coolant passage and a part of a hydrogen passage. A driving rotational speed of the air-cooling fan is inverter controlled in such a manner that a pressure of the first coolant from the air-cooled condenser to the first heat exchanger is maintained between 1.5 MPa and 1.7 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Shinwa Controls Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Seki, Katsutoshi Sakai, Hirofumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 10486186
    Abstract: A hot melt glue gun provides a melt chamber for supplying melted glue to a discharge nozzle. An auxiliary chamber is connected to the melt chamber, and melted glue is drawn from the melt chamber into the auxiliary chamber when discharge of glue is terminated. The glue drawn from the melt chamber reduces the possibility of glue dripping from the discharge nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Adhesive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Belanger
  • Patent number: 10352600
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for multi-phase vacuum-assisted recovery of refrigerant from a vehicle. One apparatus for multi-phase vacuum-assisted recovery of refrigerant from a vehicle includes a compressor that removes refrigerant from the vehicle during a first phase and a second phase of a recovery process. The apparatus also includes one or more pressure sensitive devices that are each configured to measure a first pressure and/or a second pressure in the apparatus. Upon the first pressure being less than a first threshold pressure, a vacuum pump that is fluidly connected in series with the compressor assists the compressor in the removal of refrigerant from the vehicle during a second stage of the recovery process. Also, upon the second pressure being less than a second threshold pressure, the vacuum pump ceases assisting the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig Govekar, Rahhali Sanhaji
  • Patent number: 9657852
    Abstract: A flow through isolation valve having a stationary member; a movable member, with a surface of the stationary member interfacing with a surface of the movable member; and at least one pin isolation valve. The pin isolation valve has a flow through internal conduit and is movable so that the internal conduit can fluidically communicate with at least one blank opening in the movable member and with a flow through internal conduit in the movable member. Movement is by rotation, linear or curvilinear translation. At least one pin isolation valve is fluidically coupled typically to a sample loop of a face seal valve, or to a pump supplying high pressure liquid to or to a column discharging liquid from a face seal valve of a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) system or directly to the face seal valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Keene, David R. Friswell
  • Patent number: 9481483
    Abstract: A sterilization unit comprises at least one nozzle pipe for injection of a sterilization agent into a packaging container to be sterilized. The sterilization unit is driven to move in an axial direction, in a downward stroke and an upward stroke, corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the nozzle pipe such that it is inserted into an open end of the packaging container during sterilization thereof. The nozzle pipe is suspended such as to be displaceable in relation to the sterilization unit, in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Manoochehr Keikhaee, Rasmus Nyström, Jörgen Riis Mörk
  • Patent number: 9463890
    Abstract: The Stay Fresh appliance maintains food freshness by using a vacuum motor to remove the air from inside the interior of the unit or by the external vacuum opening for bags and containers. It uses the vacuum process and a UV light to kill all bacteria inside the unit to prevent bacteria from growing. The unit needs no refrigeration and can keep food fresher much longer and make more room for the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Eric Mowry
  • Patent number: 9394025
    Abstract: A heated bottle cage for a bicycle is provided. The bottle cage includes a main body having an elongated spine configured for mounting to an adjacent portion of a bicycle frame, a base tab extending from the elongated spine, and at least one band extending from the elongated spine at a position spaced from the base tab. The bottle cage further includes a heating element for applying heat to a bottle positioned within the bottle cage. The bottle cage may also include a housing configured to house a power source that is operatively connected to the heating element for providing energy to the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas I. Briney
  • Patent number: 9175807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for filling a tank with pressurized gas, comprising transfer of a predefined amount of a gas into the tank from at least one pressurized gas source via a filling duct, the gas being selectively cooled by a cooling component before it enters into the tank in order to prevent a defined temperature limit from being reached in the tank, characterized in that the method comprises a step of defining the maximum amount of energy that can be added to the tank without exceeding the temperature limit, this maximum amount of energy being expressed in the form of the maximum enthalpy that can be added to the tank, a step of defining the effective amount of energy that will be added to the tank during the transfer of gas into the tank without cooling, expressed in the form of an added enthalpy, cooling of the gas by the cooling component being controlled in order to remove selectively an amount of heat from the gas transferred into the tank corresponding at least to the fractio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Frederic Barth
  • Patent number: 9156390
    Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying fresh cooking oil to fryers and removing used cooking oil from the fryers of facilities. The systems and methods include utilizing one or more portable vehicles to carry fresh and used oil for delivery and collection to and from fryers in remote kitchens, or kitchens where hard piped oil lines are not preferred. Also provided are methods of delivering cooking oil to, and removing cooking oil from, the facility via one or more additional vehicles that travels between the facility and one or more depots. In one embodiment, there is provided a bulk cooking oil distribution system having a bulk fresh cooking oil tank and a bulk used cooking oil tank. The system includes a fresh cooking oil tank and a used cooking oil tank, where these tanks are associated with a portable device for delivery and pickup of cooking oil in a facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Oilmatic Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Allora, Ronald B. Dana
  • Patent number: 9150398
    Abstract: A filling element includes a channel that forms a delivery opening for delivering filling into a container, a valve arranged in the channel for opening and closing the filling element, the valve being connected by a control valve device to sources for a main and additional component of the filling, and a filling-material section common to the components and forming a space. The element also includes flow meters for measuring volumetric flow of the filling and generating corresponding electrical measurement signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Hartel, Jonathan Lorenz
  • Publication number: 20150136273
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for controlling the temperature within a gas absorbent storage vessel of a vehicle may include an air conditioning system forming a continuous flow loop of heat exchange fluid that is cycled between a heated flow and a cooled flow. The system may also include at least one fluid by-pass line extending at least partially within the gas absorbent storage vessel. The fluid by-pass line(s) may be configured to receive a by-pass flow including at least a portion of the heated flow or the cooled flow of the heat exchange fluid at one or more input locations and expel the by-pass flow back into the continuous flow loop at one or more output locations, wherein the by-pass flow is directed through the gas absorbent storage vessel via the by-pass line(s) so as to adjust an internal temperature within the gas absorbent storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Tamburello, Donald L. Anton, Bruce J. Hardy, Claudio Corgnale
  • Publication number: 20150122670
    Abstract: A reservoir for storing and supplying a portion of a reservoir gas into a gas-filled tube is presented. The reservoir includes a first vessel having a thermally conductive surface, a meshed vessel having a lid, and placed inside the first vessel to form a cavity between the meshed vessel and the first vessel, at least one tray placed inside the meshed vessel to divide an inner space of the meshed vessel into a plurality of compartments, a sorbent material placed inside the plurality of compartments in the meshed vessel, a temperature control device positioned such that a first portion of the temperature control device is in physical contact with at least a portion of the thermally conductive surface, and a change in the temperature of the temperature control device changes the temperature of the sorbent material, wherein the reservoir gas is retained by the sorbent material at the storage temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ernst Wolfgang Stautner, Joseph Darryl Michael
  • Patent number: 9016329
    Abstract: A gas filling system (1) includes a gas tank (30); a gas filling device (2) that fills gas into the gas tank (30); and a controller (24) that calculates a temperature increase ?T and a pressure increase ?P in the gas tank (30) during a predetermined period of time (t seconds) that elapses from a start of gas filling. The controller (24) selects a filling rate map (Ma, Mb) from a prepared filling rate map group on the basis of the calculated temperature increase ?T and the calculated pressure increase ?P. The gas filling device (2) carries out gas filling using the filling rate map selected by the controller (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 8991445
    Abstract: A hydrogen filling system to fill a hydrogen fuel tank with hydrogen includes a high-pressure water electrolysis device capable of electrolyzing water to produce oxygen and the hydrogen. A hydrogen pipe connects the high-pressure water electrolysis device and a filling mechanism to fill the hydrogen fuel tank with the hydrogen. At least one hydrogen storage tank is provided to the hydrogen pipe to store the hydrogen produced by the high-pressure water electrolysis device at substantially a same pressure as a maximum filling pressure of the hydrogen fuel tank. A first valve mechanism is arranged downstream of the at least one hydrogen storage tank. A bypass pipe is provided to the hydrogen pipe and connects the high-pressure water electrolysis device and the filling mechanism to bypass the at least one hydrogen storage tank and the first valve mechanism. A second valve mechanism is arranged on the bypass pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Nakazawa, Masanori Okabe, Jun Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20150068641
    Abstract: A device for filling a tank with a pressurized gas, in particular with pressurized hydrogen, comprising a pressurized-gas source and a circuit for transferring gas from the source to the tank, the transfer circuit including a member for expanding and cooling the gas in order to lower the pressure and temperature of the gas from the source to respective values determined with a view to filling the tank, characterized in that the gas-expansion and cooling member includes a refrigerator that expands the gas by means of a Stirling or Ericsson thermodynamic cycle, the refrigerator being selectively supplied with gas from the source, and in that at least a portion of the cooled and expanded gas supplied to the tank is extracted from the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Gerald Aigouy, James Butterworth
  • Patent number: 8955562
    Abstract: A filling element for filling systems for filling bottles or similar containers (2) with a hot liquid product, comprising a liquid channel (14, 15), which is formed in the filling element (1), has a filling valve (9) and forms at least one discharge opening, via which, by controlled opening and closing of the liquid valve (9), the liquid product can be introduced into the respective container (2) that has been raised towards the filling element (1) in a lifting movement, and comprising at least one flow path (16, 17, 18), which is formed in the liquid valve (1) and, for heating the filling element (1), can be connected to a hot circulation of the liquid product, characterized in that control means (5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch