Gas Is Product Of Treatment Of A Volatile Fluid (e.g., Gas Is Steam) Patents (Class 180/303)
  • Patent number: 10968647
    Abstract: A walk-behind floor scraper machine for removing floor covering from a floor surface is disclosed. In one aspect, the machine includes a base frame, an electric motor secured to the base frame, and a scraper assembly movably secured to the base frame and driven by the electric motor. The machine also includes a rear wheel arrangement including a pair of wheels having a rotational axis. In one aspect, the machine includes a hydraulic circuit with a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor and a hydraulic motor powered by the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic motor has a drive axle coupled to the wheels, wherein the drive axle is coaxially aligned with the rotational axis. In one aspect, the machine can include a hydraulic tank-frame integral to the chassis of the machine that simultaneously stores hydraulic fluid and structurally supports the hydraulic motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Anderson Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Martin L. Anderson, Quinn M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10221933
    Abstract: A vehicle system, comprising an internal combustion engine, a transmission enclosed within a transmission case coupled to a gaseous fuel source, the transmission case having an amount of gaseous fuel located therein. Housing the transmission in a case containing low density gaseous fuel reduces the power losses from air resistance and increases fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Karl Bidner
  • Patent number: 9975417
    Abstract: A crawler vehicle having a first and second track driven by a first and second drive wheel respectively; an internal combustion engine; a mechanical power transmission assembly extending from the internal combustion engine to the first and second drive wheel; an electric power transmission assembly; a mechanical power connection configured to transfer energy between the mechanical power transmission assembly and the electric power transmission assembly; and at least one mechanical power transmission configured to transfer energy between the electric power transmission assembly and the mechanical power transmission assembly; the electric power transmission assembly extending from the mechanical power connection to the mechanical power transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: PRINOTH S.P.A.
    Inventors: Klaus Kalmbach, Mathias Lutz, Gianluca Milan, Alberto Giacometti, Martin Runggaldier
  • Patent number: 9846418
    Abstract: An energy control system (1) includes a photovoltaic power generation unit (10) that is connected to the grid and generates power using sunlight, a gas power generation unit (20) that generates power using gas, and a control unit (40) that performs control to supply a load by prioritizing the power generated by the gas power generation unit (20) when sale of the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit (10) to the grid is possible and to supply the load by prioritizing the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit (10) when the sale is not possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Iwata
  • Patent number: 9688153
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes: an engine which is disposed on a front side in the vehicle, and which is configured to drive rear wheels of the vehicle, the engine which includes a crank shaft that is extended in a front/back direction of the vehicle; and a drive motor which is arranged in line with the engine in a width direction of the vehicle, and which is disposed on an air intake side of the engine, the drive motor which is configured to drive front wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA ENGINEERING KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Yamamoto, Hidetoshi Ono, Eiji Akita, Naoki Kida, Tomoaki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9643490
    Abstract: The invention elates to an electric drive assembly for a multi-axle driven motor vehicle which comprises an internal combustion engine, a multi-step transmission with an output shaft for driving a rear axle, as well as an optionally driveable front axle. The drive assembly comprises an electric machine (6), a reduction gearing (7) drivingly connected to the electric machine (6), a driveshaft (9) drivingly connected to the reduction gearing (7) and drivingly connectable to a front propeller shaft (65) for driving the front axle, and a housing 5 in which the electric machine (6) and the reduction gearing (7) are arranged. The housing (5) comprises connecting means (16) for connecting the drive assembly (2) to the multi-step transmission. The electric drive assembly is designed such that, with the electric drive assembly mounted at the multi-step transmission (56), a rear propeller shaft (57) can be connected at least indirectly to the output shaft of the multi-step transmission for driving the rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Michael Schwekutsch, Mark Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9604527
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for powering a vehicle includes a micro turbine assembly with multi-fuel capabilities and a turbine drive shaft extending therefrom. The turbine drive shaft has a turbine engaged position where a turbine rotational output of the micro turbine assembly is transferred by the turbine drive shaft to wheels of the vehicle, and a turbine unengaged position where the turbine rotational output is independent from the wheels. A generator is selectively connected to the micro turbine assembly in parallel with a portion of the turbine drive shaft. A power storage device is chargeable by the generator and can drive an electric motor. A motor drive shaft has a motor engaged position where a motor rotational output of the electric motor is transferred by the motor drive shaft to the wheels, and a motor unengaged position where the motor rotational output is independent from the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Vittorio Manente
  • Patent number: 9114827
    Abstract: A riding yard maintenance vehicle may include a frame, a steering assembly, and a cable. Wheels of the riding yard maintenance vehicle may be attachable to the frame. The steering assembly may include a steering apparatus operably coupled to front wheels of the riding yard maintenance vehicle via a cable system. The cable system may include the cable, which may be wrapped around at least a portion of the steering shaft. The cable may terminate at respective ends thereof at corresponding portions of a turn magnification assembly that indirectly couples the cable to the front wheels. The turn magnification assembly may be configured to approximate Ackermann geometry steering of respective ones of the front wheels based on movement of the cable responsive to rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Duncan K. Burns, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8459391
    Abstract: A method and system for an external combustion engine operable using at least two different working fluids to be supplied to an engine to cause it to do mechanical work. The engine is started by providing a compressed gaseous working fluid at a sufficient pressure to the engine. At the same time the compressed gaseous working fluid is provided to the engine, a second working fluid that is liquid at ambient temperatures is provided to a heater to be heated. The second working fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to pressurized gas form. Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the second working fluid is injected into the engine to generate power, and the supply of the first working fluid may be stopped. After expansion in the engine, the working fluids are is exhausted from the engine, and the second working fluid may be condensed for separation from the first working fluid. The initial compressed fluid is recompressed for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Averill Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jeffrey Brookman, Douglas M. Read, Michael Anthony Cocuzza
  • Patent number: 8096382
    Abstract: [PROBLEM] To provide a construction machine capable of performing necessary operation or operations without a difficulty even when a remaining amount of a reducing agent becomes small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shohei Kamiya, Kazunori Nakamura, Yasushi Arai
  • Patent number: 8047312
    Abstract: A much more fuel-efficient automotive vehicle can be made utilizing an internal combustion engine paired to a conventional piston-type steam engine. There is a gasoline-powered boiler to produce the steam as well as a condenser to recycle spent steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Kevin Sebastian Henwood
  • Patent number: 7992670
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having a unit, particularly a drive assembly, which is operated by a fuel that is cryogenically stored in a vehicle tank, is provided, in which fuel is heated by a heat exchange with a warmer medium. The fuel taken from the vehicle tank comes in contact with the cold side of a thermoelectric generator, particularly in the form of a Seebeck element, in order to generate electric current for the electric power supply of the vehicle. The warm side of the thermoelectric generator is preferably acted upon by the warmer medium also used for the heat exchange with the cold fuel, in which case the thermoelectric generator may be integrated in a heat exchanger for the heat exchange between the fuel taken and the warmer medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengensellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Richter, Carsten Schwarz, Michael Schreiner, Johann Tonhauser
  • Patent number: 7926610
    Abstract: A compressed-air powered drive system for a vehicle (10) or a propeller-driven aircraft (12). In a land vehicle (10), the drive system includes a plurality of air motors (20) each driving a wheel (16) through a transmission device (18). Compressed air from an air storage tank (12) is supplied through a heat exchanger (40) to drive air motors. A fuel is burned in the heat exchanger (40) to provide hot, high pressure air to the first air motors. Water may be injected into the heat exchanger to provide a hot steam. A plurality of air pumps (22) are engaged with and driven by the wheels to pump air into the tank during driving. When braking, the air pumps (22) driven by the wheels (16) recapture kinetic energy by pumping air into the tank. The air motors can also act as pumps to pump air into the tank during braking by reversing the transmission devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Manoucher Adli
  • Patent number: 7743872
    Abstract: A method and system for an external combustion engine operable using at least two different fluids to provide pressure volume work to an engine. The engine is started by providing a compressed fluid at a sufficient pressure to move internal components of the engine that in turn rotate a shaft to generate power. At the same time the compressed fluid is provided to the engine, a liquid fluid is provided to a heater to be heated. The liquid fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to gas form. Additional heat is provided to increase the pressure of this gas fluid. Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the gas fluid is injected into the engine to generate power. The gas is exhausted from the engine, and is cooled and separated back into the two separate fluids. The initial compressed fluid is recompressed for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Jeffrey Brookman
  • Publication number: 20090000848
    Abstract: A method and system for an external combustion engine operable using at least two different fluids to provide pressure volume work to an engine. The engine is started by providing a compressed fluid at a sufficient pressure to move internal components of the engine that in turn rotate a shaft to generate power. At the same time the compressed fluid is provided to the engine, a liquid fluid is provided to a heater to be heated. The liquid fluid is heated to its boiling point and converted to gas form. Additional heat is provided to increase the pressure of this gas fluid. Once the pressure is increased to a sufficient level, the gas fluid is injected into the engine to generate power. The gas is exhausted from the engine, and is cooled and separated back into the two separate fluids. The initial compressed fluid is recompressed for later use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Jeffrey Brookman
  • Publication number: 20040065499
    Abstract: An improved method of propelling land, water, and air vehicles by utilizing an electrical source of initial energy (10), a “flash”-type boiler (14), and a steam engine (16). The system employs the usual devices, such as an alternator (22), voltage regulator (24), and other appurtenances of modern vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: John Joseph Fasanello
  • Patent number: 6397962
    Abstract: A motor vehicle drive system is provided wherein a steam engine and electric drive motor provide propel the vehicle through cooperating clutch controls. Steam to supply the steam engine is created by applying high frequency energy to liquid water until it is transformed into steam. The electrical power for the application of high frequency energy is supplied from a single direct current power source, a battery. The steam engine output shaft is mechanically linked to an alternator that recharges the battery through a voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Bllau
  • Patent number: 5385211
    Abstract: The drive wheels of an electric automobile are driven by one or more D.C. drive motors which derive their power from a battery. The battery is charged by two separate D.C. generators. The first D.C. generator is powered by an internal combustion engine, and the second D.C. generator is powered by a steam engine. The steam engine uses waste heat from the internal combustion engine to boil its operating liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: Robert D. Carroll
  • Patent number: 4405029
    Abstract: Hybrid vehicles having two or more power plants which can be operated independently or simultaneously and includes an electric motor as well as an internal combustion engine which may be selectively connected to drive the drive wheels of such vehicles either independently or simultaneously. When the internal combustion engine is used to drive a vehicle, the waste heat from such engine is utilized as a source of energy to generate electricity which electricity may be stored in suitable storage batteries and thereafter such batteries may be used to drive an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Inventor: Hugh S. Hunt
  • Patent number: 4359118
    Abstract: An engine system operates on liquid air and LNG, with the LNG being burned to obtain more energy from an expansion engine using the liquid air as the working fluid; and the liquid air is employed to trap or prevent the undesired venting of LNG fumes, which could otherwise burn or explode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: R & D Associates
    Inventors: Albert L. Latter, James L. Dooley, R. Philip Hammond
  • Patent number: 4354565
    Abstract: An automobile engine runs on liquid air plus a small amount of solid or liquid fossil fuel. The liquid is an efficient method of storing the energy of liquefaction. To get extended range and use of energy effectively some fuel is used to increase the temperature of this gas before it is introduced into the expansion engine. Two methods of using this fuel may be employed--one burns fuel internally in the expansion engine cylinders essentially at constant volume so a liquid form of the fossil fuel must be used; while the second method heats the gaseous working medium at constant pressure external from the expansion engine in a furnace so it can burn a wide range of either liquid or solid fossil fuels.With either system of operation the air/nitrogen as liquid is pumped at the rate of use from the insulated cold storage container up to high intial operation pressure (about 200 atmospheres) then passes through heat exchangers to bring it up to the intial temperature for expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: R & D Associates
    Inventors: Albert L. Latter, R. Philip Hammond, James L. Dooley
  • Patent number: 4294323
    Abstract: A cryogenic powered vehicle is disclosed which utilizes liquid nitrogen contained in a storage tank or tanks and communicated with a plurality of expansion assemblies through a one-way flow valve with the pressurized expanded gas being discharged to atmosphere through a turbine structure which is drivingly connected to the driving wheels of a vehicle through a suitable transmission and other conventional drive components. The expansion assemblies include heat exchange devices in the form of serpentine tubes having heat exchange fins thereon with one of the expansion assemblies being in the form of a heat exchange coil associated with the air conditioning system of an automobile or the load cooling system of a load carrying vehicle. One of the expansion assemblies is located adjacent the inlet of a turbine and is in the form of a master expander coil to discharge pressurized gas into a rotary vane type turbine to produce a rotational output that is drivingly connected to the drive train of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: Cryogenics Unlimited
    Inventor: Harold L. Boese