Gas Pressure Exchange Using Rotary Cellular Conveyor Patents (Class 417/64)
  • Patent number: 11940191
    Abstract: An expansion valve includes a housing, a threaded bush, a valve body, and a permanent magnet body. The threaded bush is arranged in the housing and extends along an axial direction. The threaded bush includes an external thread. The valve body is partially adjustably received in the threaded bush along the axial direction. The permanent magnet body is of a pot-shaped design and arranged in the housing. The permanent magnet body extends the threaded bush along the axial direction such that the valve body is partially received in a valve body receptacle surrounded by the permanent magnet body. The permanent magnet body surrounds a radially outside of the threaded bush in a common transition portion. In the transition portion, the permanent magnet body is firmly connected to the threaded bush via a latching connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Jeffrey Van Delden, Matthias Lindenberg, Florian Wetzel
  • Patent number: 11460050
    Abstract: An apparatus having a plurality of pressure exchangers. Each pressure exchanger includes a first conduit and a second conduit and is operable for pressurizing a low-pressure dirty fluid via a high-pressure clean fluid. Each first conduit conveys the high-pressure clean fluid into a corresponding one of the pressure exchangers and to an adjacent one of the pressure exchangers, and each second conduit conveys a pressurized dirty fluid out of a corresponding one of the pressure exchangers and from the adjacent one of the pressure exchangers. The first conduits collectively form at least a portion of a high-pressure clean fluid manifold distributing the high-pressure clean fluid among the pressure exchangers, and the second conduits collectively form at least a portion of a pressurized dirty fluid manifold combining pressurized dirty fluid collectively discharged from the pressure exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Rod William Shampine
  • Patent number: 11073169
    Abstract: A rotary liquid piston compressor and a power generation system including a first fluid loop. The first fluid loop includes a pump that circulates a liquid. A second fluid loop that generates power by circulating a supercritical fluid. The second fluid loop includes a turbine that rotates and powers a generator as the supercritical fluid flows through the turbine. A rotary liquid piston compressor fluidly coupled to the first fluid loop and the second fluid loop. The rotary liquid piston compressor exchanges pressure between the liquid circulating in the first fluid loop and the supercritical fluid circulating in the second fluid loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
    Inventor: Azam Thatte
  • Patent number: 10995774
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for pressurizing well operations fluids via a pressure exchanger having a housing with a bore extending between first and second ends of the housing and a rotor rotatably disposed within the bore of the housing. A chamber extends through the rotor between first and second ends of the rotor. The chamber has a larger chamber diameter section and a smaller chamber diameter section. A piston assembly is slidably disposed within the chamber. The piston assembly has a larger piston diameter section slidably disposed within the larger chamber diameter section and a smaller piston diameter section slidably disposed within the smaller chamber diameter section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Rod William Shampine
  • Patent number: 10527073
    Abstract: A method for using a pressure exchanger to reduce flow as a choke that includes receiving a flow of high pressure fluid at the pressure exchanger, filling a chamber of the pressure exchanger with high pressure fluid, and discharging a portion of the fluid in the chamber at a low pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Grant Martin, David Deloyd Anderson, Adam Rothschild Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10323485
    Abstract: A system includes a rotary isobaric pressure exchanger (IPX) configured to exchange pressures between a first fluid and second fluid. The rotary IPX includes a first end cover including a first fluid aperture configured to route the first fluid. The rotary IPX also includes a first piston coupled to the first end cover. The first piston includes a first hydraulic path configured to route the first fluid to or from the first fluid aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Theodossiou
  • Patent number: 10138907
    Abstract: A rotary energy recovery device (11) wherein a multi-channel cylindrical rotor (15) revolves with its end faces (32) juxtaposed in sealing relationship with end surfaces (33) of a pair of flanking end covers (19, 21), and wherein inlet and outlet fluid passageways (27, 29) are provided in each end cover. Fluid may be directed into the rotor channels (16) and allowed to exit therefrom in an axial direction parallel to the axis of the rotor; however, rotor revolution is self-driven as a result of the interior design of the channels (16) which extend axially through the rotor and are shaped so that fluid flow therethrough creates a torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Miguel Pinto, Jeremy G. Martin, Richard L. Stover
  • Patent number: 10024496
    Abstract: A split pressure vessel for processing of two flows encountered with energy exchange devices, consisting of two opposite facing end caps 1,2 having each a side port for low pressure 3,5 and one axial port 4,6 preferably in the same plane as the side ports. Each end cap has internal structurally integrated manifolds for high pressure 17,22 and low pressure manifold 19,24 connecting to axial ports of the internal energy exchange device. The high pressure side of one end cap may be structurally integrated with a circulation pump or booster 26 having a submersible or external motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Leif J. Hauge
  • Patent number: 9885372
    Abstract: A system includes an isobaric pressure exchanger (IPX) that includes a housing and a rotor disposed within the housing. The system also includes a rotor advancing tool configured to engage and to move the rotor while the rotor is within the housing. The housing includes an opening that enables the rotor advancing tool to extend through the opening to engage and move the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
    Inventors: James Lee Arluck, Prem Krish, Jeremy Grant Martin, Felix Winkler, Alexander Patrick Theodossiou
  • Patent number: 9546671
    Abstract: A pressure exchange device is equipped with a rotator, for which first flow paths through which a first fluid flows in and out and second flow paths through which a second fluid flows in and out are arranged around a shaft center so as to penetrate through in the direction of the rotation axis. The device includes a first lateral member with a first fluid inflow path, a second fluid outflow path, a second fluid inflow path, and a first fluid outflow path. The device also includes a second lateral member with communication sections that connect the first flow paths and the second flow paths and exchange pressure between the first fluid and the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Hirosawa, Norihiro Teramoto, Akira Shouzaki, Kazuto Komatsu
  • Patent number: 9328743
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger includes a rotator disposed with pressure transmission sections around a rotation axis. Each pressure transmission section is formed such that a first flow path and a second flow path are communicated with each other. A first lateral member is formed with: first fluid inflow paths guiding the first fluid to the first flow paths; second fluid outflow paths guiding, from the second flow paths, second fluid obtained after pressure exchange with the first fluid; second fluid inflow paths guiding the second fluid to the second flow paths; and first fluid outflow paths guiding, from the first flow paths, first fluid obtained after pressure exchange with the second fluid in the thickness direction. A second lateral member is rotatably sandwiching the rotator between the second lateral member and the first lateral member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Hirosawa, Norihiro Teramoto, Akira Shouzaki
  • Publication number: 20150050163
    Abstract: A hydraulic machine, in particular hydraulic pressure exchanger, is provided comprising a drum rotatable about a rotational axis, a first front plate arrangement at a first front face of said drum, a second front plate arrangement at a second front face of said drum, said drum comprising a plurality of cylinders, said first front plate arrangement comprising a first front plate and a pressure shoe (8), said first front plate comprising at least a high pressure supply port. Such a pressure exchanger should have a simple construction. To this end the pressure shoe (8) comprises at least a pressure cylinder (14), said pressure cylinder (14) opening to said first front plate, a piston (17) being arranged in said pressure cylinder (14), said pressure cylinder (14) being in fluid contact with said high pressure supply port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Haraldur Sigurdsson
  • Patent number: 8622714
    Abstract: A pressure vessel provided with a first port acting as a high pressure inlet of a first stream and a second port acting as a high pressure outlet. A rotatable valve element is located in the center of the machine. In operation, a fluid stream is introduced to the machine at high pressure where it then passes through the open ports of the valve element and into flow distributor causing upward displacement of a first duct piston, resulting in pressurization and flow of a second fluid. At the same time the second fluid is introduced to the machine at low pressure and flows into the pressure exchange duct, causing downward displacement of a second duct piston and resulting in flow of the first fluid below the duct piston, which then flows into the lower flow distributor, into the valve element, and then out of the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Flowserve Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20130294944
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger includes a rotator disposed with pressure transmission sections around a rotation axis, each pressure transmission section being so formed that a first flow path and a second flow path are communicated with each other; a first lateral member formed with first fluid inflow paths guiding the first fluid to the first flow paths, second fluid outflow paths guiding, from the second flow paths, second fluid obtained after pressure exchange with the first fluid, second fluid inflow paths guiding the second fluid to the second flow paths, and first fluid outflow paths guiding, from the first flow paths, first fluid obtained after pressure exchange with the second fluid in the thickness direction; and a second lateral member rotatably sandwiching the rotator between the second lateral member and the first lateral member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Hirosawa, Norihiro Teramoto, Akira Shouzaki
  • Publication number: 20130121850
    Abstract: A rotary energy recovery device (11) wherein a multi-channel cylindrical rotor (15) revolves with its end faces (32) juxtaposed in sealing relationship with end surfaces (33) of a pair of flanking end covers (19, 21), and wherein inlet and outlet fluid passageways (27, 29) are provided in each end cover. Fluid may be directed into the rotor channels (16) and allowed to exit therefrom in an axial direction parallel to the axis of the rotor; however, rotor revolution is self-driven as a result of the interior design of the channels (16) which extend axially through the rotor and are shaped so that fluid flow therethrough creates a torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Juan Miguel Pinto, Jeremy G. Martin, Richard L. Stover
  • Publication number: 20130037008
    Abstract: The pressure wave supercharger includes a housing having an accommodating room to accommodate a rotor rotatably about an axis, and an exhaust side wall face which is arranged at the accommodating room as being opposed to one end face of the rotor and to which an exhaust gas introduction port and an exhaust gas discharge port are opened, and the rotor includes a shaft portion supported by the housing rotatably about the axis, plural partition walls arranged as being extended in the radial direction from the shaft portion and in the axial direction from the one end face to other end face of the rotor, and a partition member which is arranged at a space between adjacent partition walls and which partitions the space into an inner cell and an outer cell as extending from the one end face to the other end face of the rotor, and an exhaust side groove portion concaved in a direction being apart from the rotor is formed at the exhaust side wall face as being overlapped with a trajectory of the partition member lined
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fumio Takamiya
  • Patent number: 8308444
    Abstract: A device and method configured to exchange pressures between fluid streams as a way to reuse the pressure energy of one of the fluids. The device includes a rotatable valve that fluidly cooperates with pressure exchange ducts so that a high pressure fluid stream flows into a high pressure exchange duct to displace a duct piston contained therein so that a fluid within this duct that is downstream of the piston is pressurized. At the same time, a low pressure fluid stream is introduced into a low pressure exchange duct to displace a duct piston contained therein so that a fluid within this duct that is downstream of its piston is pressurized. Rotation of the valve fluidly couples the pressurized fluid from the high pressure duct to the low pressure duct while the fluid from the low pressure duct becomes fluidly coupled to the high pressure duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Flowserve Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20120257991
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger for transferring pressure from a high pressure fluid to a low pressure fluid, including a housing and a rotor arranged for rotation within the housing, the rotor having at least one passage extending generally axially through the rotor, the passage having a first opening at one end and a second opening at another end, the openings being mutually spaced along the length of the rotor, the housing having a plurality of ports at one axial portion for communication with the first passage opening and a plurality of ports at another axial portion for communication with the second passage opening, wherein the first passage opening is directed substantially radially such that fluid is directed radially inwardly when entering the first passage opening and radially outwardly when exiting the first passage opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: GHD Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Mark Owen Woodthorpe
  • Publication number: 20120097137
    Abstract: A gas-dynamic pressure wave machine for a combustion engines includes a crankcase ventilation system (11). The crankcase ventilation system (11) is connected to a cold gas housing of the pressure wave machine (3) and leads in particular into a cold gas side of the control disk of the pressure wave machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Glitz, Christian Smatloch, Urs Wenger
  • Publication number: 20120070316
    Abstract: A pressure wave supercharger includes a cell rotor which is arranged in the housing and driven by an electric motor. The electric motor includes a rotating member which is connected to the cell rotor, and a fixed member. A bearing assembly is provided to simultaneously support the cell rotor within the housing and the rotating member in relation to the fixed member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Glitz, Frank Rabe, Jan Araszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8136512
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, fresh air is compressed by a pressure-wave supercharger. At least one operating parameter of the pressure-wave supercharger is controlled or regulated as a function of at least one actual operating variable of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Lino Guzzella, Christopher Onder, Martin Rauscher, Peter Spring
  • Publication number: 20120057994
    Abstract: A cellular wheel made of metal comprises an outer sleeve located symmetrically to a rotational axis and an inner sleeve. The annular space between the outer sleeve and inner sleeve is divided by cell wall parts, which are oriented in parallel to the rotational axis and delimited by cell edges, into a plurality of rotation-symmetrically arranged cells, wherein the cell edges are located on intersecting lines of cylinder lateral surfaces with rotation-symmetrically arranged axial planes, said surfaces being arranged concentrically to the rotational axis. The outer sleeve and inner sleeve delimit a cell structure, in which cell edges, which delimit a cell wall part in each case, are concurrently located in pairs on adjoining cylinder lateral surfaces and on adjoining axial planes. With each cell edge located on two adjoining axial planes of adjoining cylinder lateral surfaces, each cell edge on a cylinder lateral surface delimits two cell walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: MEC Lasertec AG
    Inventor: Karl Merz
  • Patent number: 8075281
    Abstract: A pressure transfer device for the transfer of pressure energy from a high pressure fluid stream to a lower pressure fluid stream wherein a generally cylindrical housing (61) contains a rotor (63) having a plurality of channels (65) extending axially therethrough that revolves about a central stator (67) or within a surrounding sleeve (73) and a pair of end covers (69, 71) which slidingly and sealingly interface with respective planar end faces (68) of the rotor. The end covers (69, 71) and the accompanying components of the device are constructed so as to allow the channels to be at least twice filled with a high pressure first liquid during each revolution of the rotor and thus discharge twice the volume of a pressurized second liquid than if they were filled only one with high pressure liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Martin, Richard L. Stover
  • Publication number: 20110176936
    Abstract: A pressure vessel provided with a first port acting as a high pressure inlet of a first stream and a second port acting as a high pressure outlet. A rotatable valve element is located in the centre of the machine and includes a centre plate, which is utilized to separate high pressure streams. At each end of the valve element are valves. The valves ensure that as the valve element rotates the exchange ducts are either both isolated or that one is exposed to high pressure while the other is exposed to low pressure. In operation, a fluid stream is introduced to the machine at high pressure through port and flows around the outside of the exchange duct towards the centre of the machine. The stream then flows downwardly to the valve element, where it then passes through the open ports of the valve element and into flow distributor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: William T. Andrews
  • Patent number: 7815421
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger transferring pressure energy from a liquid in a first liquid system to a liquid in a second liquid system, having a housing with inlet and outlet connection openings for each liquid and a rotor arranged in the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis. Through rotor channels are arranged around the rotor longitudinal axis with openings on each axial end face of the rotor. The rotor channels are arranged for connection through opposing flow openings facing the housing to the connection openings of the housing. During rotor rotation high pressure liquid and low pressure liquid are alternately introduced into the respective systems. Liquid flowing to the rotor through the openings generates a circumferential force (cu) for driving the rotor, and starting at or following the openings a flow guiding configuration formed as a rotor channel flow diverting contour is arranged in the rotor channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bross, Wolfgang Kochanowski
  • Patent number: 7669587
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, fresh air is compressed by a pressure-wave supercharger. At least one operating parameter of the pressure-wave supercharger is controlled or regulated as a function of at least one actual operating variable of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Lino Guzzella, Christopher Onder, Martin Rauscher, Peter Spring
  • Patent number: 7661932
    Abstract: A pressure exchange apparatus includes a main section having a plurality of internal chambers and a piston disposed in each of the chambers. The apparatus also includes a pair of fluid distributor assemblies fixed to the main section and co-axial therewith. Each of the distributors include inlet and outlet ports for communicating with one of the internal chambers and sealingly separated from the other chambers. A pair of dual disk controller assemblies each of which includes a fixed disk and a moveable disk housed in a dual disk holder for directing fluid streams from one of the ports into and out of one of the chambers is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
    Inventors: Essam E. F. El-Sayed, Mahmoud Abdel-Jawad, Ali Al-Odwani
  • Publication number: 20090185917
    Abstract: There is disclosed a pressure vessel (1) provided with a first port (10) acting as a high pressure inlet of a first stream and a second port (11) acting as a high pressure outlet. A rotatable valve element (9) is located in the centre of the machine and includes a centre plate (19), which is utilized to separate high pressure streams. At each end of the valve element (9) are valves. The valves ensure that as the valve element (9) rotates the exchange ducts (3a and 3b) are either both isolated or that one is exposed to high pressure while the other is exposed to low pressure. In operation, a fluid stream is introduced to the machine at high pressure through port (10) and flows around the outside of the exchange duct (3b) towards the centre of the machine. The stream then flows downwardly to the valve element (9), where it then passes through the open ports of the valve element (9) and into flow distributor (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Rovex LTD.
    Inventor: William T. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20080187445
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to pumps, device, and methods for handling liquids on a microscale. Specifically, a microfluidic pump is described in which liquid in a fluid microchannel may be moved in either direction due to the diffusion of a gas through a diffusion membrane in response to a pressure differential applied through a control microchannel. This pump can provide non-contact, and optionally, bi-directional movement of liquid in microfluidics platforms, as well as bubble-free filling of dead-end microchannels and reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce K. Gale, Mark A. Eddings
  • Patent number: 7306437
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger for transferring pressure energy from a high-pressure fluid stream to low-pressure fluid stream. A ducted rotor is positioned on a central axle between two end covers inside the vessel with a coaxial inlet and outlet pair that is in communication with a pair of low pressure ports having inclination forming an inlet tangential velocity vector in the direction of rotor rotation and an outlet tangential velocity vector in opposite direction imparting a rotational momentum on rotor. A pair of high-pressure ports is adapted for flow without inclination and imparts no momentum to the rotor. The end covers have a sloped surface following a flat sealing area that increases the clearance in the direction of rotation causing increased outflow during depressurization and lower duct pressure. This also causes increased inflow during the pressurization phase which will dissipate pressure energy as opposed to producing cavitation or pressure waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Leif Hauge
  • Patent number: 7214315
    Abstract: A pressure exchange device is provided that utilizes an integral high pressure boost pump that is in fluid communication with a pressure exchange unit. An optional low pressure boost pump unit may also be provided. The pressure exchange unit comprises a rotating rotor assembly inside a housing to transfer the pressure of a fluid from one high pressure fluid to another low pressure fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Scott Shumway
  • Patent number: 7207781
    Abstract: A pressure exchange device is provided that utilizes a rotor assembly inside a housing to transfer the pressure of a fluid from one high pressure fluid to another low pressure fluid. The housing may comprise a pressurized fluid contained therein to provide a sealing force to reduce fluid leakage between the spinning rotors and the housing. The sealing force and wear characteristics may be controlled to reduce leakage and wear of the pressure exchange device. The rotor assembly may be driven in either direction and the high pressure ports may be switched with the low pressure ports if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Scott Shumway
  • Patent number: 6988493
    Abstract: The method for the control of an internal combustion engine combined with a gas-dynamic pressure wave machine comprising a rotatable housing in order to control the process tuning over the entire performance field of the internal combustion engine as well as a variable width adjustment of the high pressure exhaust gas channel includes a certain control sequence of steps in a positive load variation and a certain control sequence of steps in a negative load variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Swissauto Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Urs Wenger, Roger Martin
  • Publication number: 20040003802
    Abstract: The method for the control of an internal combustion engine combined with a gas-dynamic pressure wave machine comprising a rotatable housing in order to control the process tuning over the entire performance field of the internal combustion engine as well as a variable width adjustment of the high pressure exhaust gas channel includes the following steps, while a certain control sequence is followed in each area of the performance field:
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Swissauto Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Urs Wenger, Roger Martin
  • Patent number: 6659731
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger for transferring pressure energy from one third flow to a second where two end covers (13, 14), a rotor (11) and a rotor liner (12) are mounted together via a centre bolt (10) in a pressure housing (1) in order to reduce elastic deformation, essentially tensile stress, and to protect the pressure exchanger against impact or shock. One end cover (13) is arranged for inlet of fluid at high pressure and outlet of the same fluid depressurized in a corresponding end cover (14) via a central course in the rotor. The second end cover (14) has in addition an inlet for fluid at low pressure and an outlet for the same fluid under high pressure. A base (2) which is attached with lease pins at the bottom of the pressure housing (1) has external connections (3, 4) and internal passages, which are connect with the inlet (24) of fluid at low pressure together with the outlet (23) for depressurized fluid in the and cover (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Energy Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventor: Leif J. Hauge
  • Patent number: 6537035
    Abstract: A pressure exchange apparatus for transferring the energy of pressurization between two fluids, wherein one fluid is at a relatively higher pressure than the other comprising a rotating cylindrical rotor having a bore extending therethrough in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Scott Shumway
  • Patent number: 6499288
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a pressurizer for pressurizing a fluid, comprising a pressurant entrance for the introduction of a pressurant, a fluid entrance for the fluid, a fluid exit for the fluid, and a transfer chamber movable in a cycle with respect to the fluid exit, where for a portion of a cycle the pressurant exerts a force on the fluid inside the transfer chamber. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the pressurizer further comprises a spindle housing more than one transfer chamber, rotatable about an axis between the fluid entrance and the fluid exit. In another preferred aspect, the transfer chamber comprises either a flexible membrane or a movable piston to separate the pressurant and the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Andrew F. Knight
  • Publication number: 20020146325
    Abstract: An improved pressure exchange apparatus having elongated ports that are defined by a swept area of the bores of an internal rotor, thereby increasing throughput and providing for improved sealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Scott Shumway
  • Patent number: 6439209
    Abstract: The gas-dynamic pressure wave machine, which is destined for the charge air supply of an internal combustion engine, comprises a rotor, a low pressure fresh air inlet channel, a high pressure charge air channel leading to the internal combustion engine, a high pressure exhaust channel coming from the internal combustion engine, and a low pressure exhaust channel the low pressure exhaust channel and the high pressure exhaust channel being enclosed in a gas housing and the low pressure fresh air inlet channel and the high pressure charge air channel being enclosed in an air housing, and each of all four channels communicating with the rotor through sector-shaped openings in their respective housings. The sector-shaped openings of the high pressure charge air channels are adjustably arranged in order to allow an adjustment of the process over the entire performance field of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Swissauto Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Urs Wenger, Roger Martin
  • Patent number: 6367460
    Abstract: The gas-dynamic pressure wave machine, which is destined for the charge air supply of an internal combustion engine, comprises a rotor, a low pressure fresh air inlet channel, a high pressure charge air channel leading to the internal combustion engine, a high pressure exhaust channel coming from the internal combustion engine, and a low pressure exhaust channel, the low pressure exhaust channel and the high pressure exhaust channel being enclosed in a gas enclosure and the low pressure fresh air inlet channel and the high pressure charge air channel being enclosed in an air enclosure. In order to obtain an improved efficiency in low flow rate and temperature conditions, the high pressure exhaust channel is enlarged on the rotor side without forming a ridge, and the size of the enlargement is variable. The use of a heating device acting upon the high pressure exhaust channel allows a further improvement of the cold start properties, without the need for an enlargement or gas pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Swissauto Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Urs Wenger, Roger Martin
  • Patent number: 6314951
    Abstract: The gas-dynamic pressure wave machine which is destined for the charge air supply of an internal combustion engine comprises a rotor (6, 40) with cells (18, 41), a low pressure fresh air inlet channel (14, 38), a high pressure charge air channel (10, 32) leading to the internal combustion engine (1, 33), a high pressure exhaust channel (3, 31) coming from the internal combustion engine, and a low pressure exhaust channel (4, 35), the low pressure exhaust channel (4, 35) and the high pressure exhaust channel (3, 31) being enclosed in a gas enclosure (5, 34) and the low pressure fresh air inlet channel (14, 38) and the high pressure charge air channel (10, 32) being enclosed in an air enclosure (15, 39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Swissauto Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Urs Wenger, Roger Martin
  • Patent number: 6082341
    Abstract: There is disclosed a supercharger for an engine in which intake air is increased in pressure by the use of exhaust gas flowed into the supercharger from the engine, and is fed to the engine. An impeller 2, having a plurality of blades formed on an outer peripheral portion thereof, is received within a casing 1, and a ring-like fluid passage is formed around the plurality of blades, and a first partition 3 and a second partition 4 are provided in the fluid passage to divide this fluid passage into two fluid passages, that is, an exhaust gas passage 6 and an intake air passage 9. There is provided a fluid machine construction for causing the exhaust gas of the engine to flow into and out of the exhaust gas passage, and for causing the intake air to flow into and out of the intake air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobukatsu Arai, Seiji Sakagami, Tsutomu Okazaki, Tetsuo Udagawa
  • Patent number: 5799641
    Abstract: A pressure-wave supercharger for an internal combustion engine is incorporated into the engine flywheel. The supercharger includes a rotor with a plurality of cells extending axially of the rotor and arranged circumferentially about the rotor, an exhaust tube for introducing exhaust gas into the cells at one end of the rotor during rotation thereof, an ambient air inlet tube for introducing air into the cells at another end of the rotor during rotation thereof, the air introduced into the cells being compressed by the exhaust gas introduced into the cells. A compressed air inlet tube feeds the compressed air to the engine. The cells or channels of the rotor are formed within the flywheel itself such that the flywheel operates as the supercharger mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Van Reatherford
  • Patent number: 5524587
    Abstract: A sliding vane engine, where the vanes slide with at least of one of an axial and radial component of vane motion, and where the compression ratio of the engine may be variably controlled. The engine includes a stator and a rotor in relative rotation, and a plurality of vanes in rotor slits defining one or more main chamber cells and one or more vane slit cells. The vanes contain extended pins that move in a pin channel for controlling the sliding motion of the vane. Fuel is mixed by incorporating air turbulence generators at or near the intake region. The intake and exhaust regions of the engine also incorporate a wave pumping mechanism for injecting and scavenging air from the main chamber cells and the vane slits. The compression ratio of the engine may be varied while the engine is in operation, and the engine geometry provides for an extended temporal duration at about peak compression. The engine is insulated by using segmented ceramic inserts on the stator and rotor surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Mallen Research Ltd. Partnership
    Inventors: Brian D. Mallen, Jakob J. Keller, Robert E. Breidenthal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5522217
    Abstract: In a pressure wave machine with integrated combustion, which consists essentially of a rotor (1) which rotates between two side parts (4), (5) and has cells (2) in which an ignition and combustion process takes place repetitively, cooling air conduits (7) are arranged in the casing and passages (3) are arranged in the rotor (1) below and above the cells (2), viewed in the radial direction. The rotor (1) can be additionally surrounded at its inner periphery and outer periphery by at least one sheet-metal guide (8) in order to form further cooling passages (6), the internal space of the pressure wave machine casing being connected to the low-pressure outlet. For cooling the rotor of the pressure wave machine, a small part of the entering air is branched off before the admixture of the fuel, is led through the casing by cooling air conduits (7) and is subsequently guided through the passages (3), the cooling air itself then being subjected to its own pressure wave process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Management AG
    Inventor: Erwin Zauner
  • Patent number: 5338158
    Abstract: A pressure exchanger for transfer of pressure energy from one fluid flow to another in a housing having inlet and outlet ducts for each fluid flow and a rotor adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis within the housing. The rotor is formed with a plurality of rotor ducts arranged around the axis of rotation, the rotor ducts extending from one end of the rotor to the other and having openings at the ends which alternately connect the inlet and outlet ducts of the respective fluids to one another during rotation of the rotor. The rotor is frusto-conical in shape and the openings at the larger diameter end of the rotor are spaced from the axis of rotation at a distance which is substantially greater than the radial spacing of the openings at the smaller end of the rotor. The openings at the smaller end of the rotor are located in proximity to the axis of rotation of the rotor and the openings at the larger end of the rotor are disposed in a narrow annular region in proximity to the periphery of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Leif J. Hauge
  • Patent number: 5274994
    Abstract: A pressure wave machine with integrated combustion has a cellular wheel (10) containing a number of cells (16) in which an always recurring ignition and combustion process takes place. To maintain this always recurring process, neither a supply of ignition energy from the outside nor a control intervention should be necessary. Hot-gas channels (18) are provided, by means of which hot gas is taken from one cell (16), in which the combustion step belonging to a cycle has been completed, and recycled to a cell (16) which contains the fuel/air mixture which is to be ignited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan-Pin Chyou, Tino-Martin Marling, Erwin Zauner
  • Patent number: 5267432
    Abstract: A wave rotor system includes a wave rotor coupled to first and second end plates. Special ports are provided, one in each of the first and second end plates, to cancel expansion waves generated by the release of working fluid from the wave rotor. One of the expansion waves is reflected in the wave rotor from a reflecting portion, and provided to the special port in the second end plate. Fluid present at the special port in the second end plate has a stagnation pressure and mass flow which is substantially the same as that of the cells of the wave rotor communicating with such special port. This allows for cancellation of the expansion wave generated by the release of working fluid from the wave rotor. The special port in the second end plate has a first end corresponding substantially to the head of the expansion wave, and a second end corresponding substantially to the tail of the expansion wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration
    Inventor: Daniel E. Paxson
  • Patent number: 5154583
    Abstract: In a rotor of a pressure wave machine, rotor cells (2) are evenly distributed at its periphery, these rotor cells being intended to accept two gaseous media during operation for the purpose of compressing the first by means of pressure waves of the second medium. The rotor cells are arranged in such a way that they extend in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the rotor (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Yau-Pin Chyou, Erwin Zauner
  • Patent number: 5116205
    Abstract: This pressure exchanger has an at least single-series cellular wheel arranged on a central axis and equipped with cells. These cells interact in a specific time sequence on the one hand with a hot-gas guide housing and on the other hand with an air guide housing. A pressure enchanger having an increased flushing energy is to be provided. This is achieved in that the cells each have a longitudinal axis which intersects the central axis at an angle. Moreover, the faces of the hot-gas guide housing and air guide housing confronting the cellular wheel extend parallel to the corresponding faces of the cellular wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventor: Hubert Kirchhofer