Energy Converted To Work (e.g., Used To Drive Prime Mover) Patents (Class 62/50.3)
  • Patent number: 11609027
    Abstract: A method for operating and controlling a vapor-compression cycle includes providing a system comprising an evaporator with a fan, a compressor, a condenser with a fan, an integrated expander, and a flash tank device with a vapor/liquid two-phase inlet and two outlets wherein a first outlet is a vapor outlet and a second outlet is a liquid outlet, and a metering valve; bringing a vapor-compression cycle up to steady-state at a fixed operating condition; opening the metering valve until the desired compressor suction superheat is achieved; and maintaining the desired degree of superheat by selectively increasing and decreasing superheat by reducing and increasing metering valve flow rate respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Riley B Barta, Eckhard Achim Groll, Davide Ziviani, Florian Simon
  • Patent number: 11553998
    Abstract: The invention discloses a water toothpick, which includes a high-pressure gas generator, a water tank, a valve, a nozzle assembly and a water supply, wherein the high-pressure gas generator is communicated with the nozzle assembly, the valve is arranged between the high-pressure gas generator and the nozzle assembly, and the water supply is respectively communicated with the water tank and the nozzle assembly, so as to convey water in the water tank to the nozzle assembly. When the water toothpick is used, the high-pressure gas generator transmits generated high-pressure gas to the valve, and after a certain amount of water is stored in the nozzle assembly, the valve is opened, and the high-pressure gas at the valve is instantaneously discharged into the nozzle assembly, mixed with the water in the nozzle assembly to form compressed vapor, and then sprayed out from the nozzle assembly to complete one cleaning action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN YUNDING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Enping Guan, Liancheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11477918
    Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a heat-absorbing substance such as Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), a heat dissipation apparatus, a water storage tank, a heat exchanger, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is coupled between the LNG and the water storage tank. The heat exchanger is coupled between the heat dissipation apparatus and the water storage tank. The heat exchanger transfers heat of the heat dissipation apparatus to water of the water storage tank to lose heat to the heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger transfers heat of the water to the LNG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Fulian Precision Electronics (Tianjin) Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Tze-Chern Mao, Yen-Chun Fu, Chih-Hung Chang, Chao-Ke Wei, Li-Wen Chang, Ching-Tang Liu, Hung-Chou Chan
  • Patent number: 11204162
    Abstract: A method for controlling a coal supply quantity during a transient load-varying process considering exergy storage correction of a boiler system of a coal-fired unit is provided. Temperatures and pressures of working fluid and metal heating surface of the boiler system of the coal-fired unit are measured and recorded in real-time, and converted into the exergy storage amount at different operating load points. During the transient operation process, the real-time exergy storage amount of the boiler system is compared with the exergy storage amount at the corresponding steady-state load point, and the real-time exergy storage variation is obtained; thereafter, the feed-forward control signal of coal supply quantity input is superposed to the existing coal supply quantity command of the boiler system, and the coal supply quantity signal of the boiler system based on the exergy storage correction is finally generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ming Liu, Yongliang Zhao, Junjie Yan, Daotong Chong
  • Patent number: 10843808
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cryogenic fuel bayonet transfers are disclosed. A disclosed example fuel transfer system includes a fuel tank. The example fuel transfer system also includes a bayonet receptacle extending into an internal volume of the fuel tank, where the bayonet receptacle is to receive a fuel transfer bayonet to fill the fuel tank with fuel and a fuel discharge bayonet to discharge the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Insitu, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Knapp
  • Patent number: 10189733
    Abstract: A heating system for desalination. One system includes a desalination system configured to receive a brine and to produce desalinated water from the brine. The system also includes a power production system having an engine configured to provide power to the desalination system. The power production system does not include combined cycle power production. The system also includes a heating system driven by the power production system and configured to provide heat for heating the brine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Enviro Water Minerals Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Steven Wallace
  • Patent number: 10138810
    Abstract: Cryogenic energy storage systems, and particularly methods for capturing cold energy and re-using that captured cold energy, are disclosed. The systems allow cold thermal energy from the power recovery process of a cryogenic energy storage system to be captured effectively, to be stored, and to be effectively utilised. The captured cold energy could be reused in any co-located process, for example to enhance the efficiency of production of the cryogen, to enhance the efficiency of production of liquid natural gas, and/or to provide refrigeration. The systems are such that the cold energy can be stored at very low pressures, cold energy can be recovered from various components of the system, and/or cold energy can be stored in more than one thermal store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Highview Enterprises Limited
    Inventors: Robert Morgan, Stuart Nelmes, Nicola Castellucci, Stephen Gareth Brett
  • Patent number: 9523312
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated power generating system and method and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vaporization system and method. More particularly, heat from a CO2 containing stream from the power generating system and method can be used to heat the LNG for re-gasification as gaseous CO2 from CO2 containing stream is liquefied. The liquefied CO2 can be captured and/or recycled back to a combustor in the power generating system and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: 8 Rivers Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney John Allam, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt
  • Patent number: 9470452
    Abstract: The process of treating imported heating grade source LNG to form engine fuel grade LNG, and/or produce power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Cosmodyne, LLC
    Inventors: Ross M. Brown, Irina Dean, George B. Narinsky
  • Patent number: 8943842
    Abstract: A process and apparatus that includes a cryogenic source for providing a cryogenic fluid for vaporization, a cryogenic pump in fluid flow communication with the cryogenic source for increasing the pressure of the cryogenic fluid, an unfired vaporizer coolant circuit 110 in fluid flow communication with the cryogenic pump and adapted to accept the cryogenic fluid to form a heated stream, a direct-fired vaporizer downstream and in fluid flow communication with the unfired vaporizer coolant circuit 110 and adapted to accept the heated stream from the unfired vaporizer coolant circuit to form a superheated stream; and a diesel engine power unit 118 to provide power to the cryogenic pump, the unfired vaporizer coolant circuit 110, and the direct-fired vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: John Charles Street, Paul Martin Davis
  • Patent number: 8893514
    Abstract: A cryogenic liquid storage system for a spacecraft comprising at least one liquid tank with an outer casing and an evacuated space arranged between the tank and the outer casing. The system further comprises a propellant management device made of material that is a good conductor of heat and that is cooled by a cryorefrigerator to localize the liquid inside the tank when in microgravity, a filler pipe situated in the portion of the tank that is at the bottom when the tank is on the ground, and that is surrounded by an evacuated insulating double wall and a purge pipe connecting the tank to the outer casing and presenting an internal length that is not less than half the diameter of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Dominique Valentian
  • Publication number: 20140174107
    Abstract: An energy conversion apparatus for a freezer includes a housing having a first region therein for receiving liquid CO2 for providing potential energy; a movable member rotatably mounted to the housing and having a second region in fluid communication with the first region and constructed to receive the liquid CO, for providing kinetic energy from which mechanical work is provided to rotate the movable member; and a discharge member connected to the movable member and having a third region in fluid communication with the second region, the third region continuing the mechanical work when exhausting the liquid CO2 such that the liquid CO2 is changed to a CO2 snow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Michael D. NEWMAN
  • Publication number: 20140075965
    Abstract: Described herein are at least systems and methods for cryogenic fluid delivery which utilize pumpless delivery of cryogenic fluid. The systems and methods utilize hydraulic pressure, saturation pressure, or a combination of both hydraulic pressure and saturation pressure to deliver cryogen to a use device, such as an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jeff Patelczyk, Erik Gustafson
  • Patent number: 8534078
    Abstract: A cryogenic self powered system includes a cooled chamber having a hot face and a cold face; a power generator coupled to the hot face and the cold face to generate electricity therefrom; and a working fluid coupled to the cooled chamber and to the power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Reflect Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hammerman, Boyd Bowdish, Eric Pierson
  • Publication number: 20130152607
    Abstract: A process and plant for the vaporization of liquefied natural gas includes obtaining electric energy during the vaporization operation by way of thermal exchange by transformation of an energy source for obtaining electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Liberato CICCARELLI
  • Publication number: 20120151961
    Abstract: A method of liquid air energy storage is provided. This method includes liquefying and storing air to form a stored liquid air during a first period of time; during a second period of time, introducing a compressed air stream into a cryogenic system, wherein the cryogenic system comprises at least one cold compressor, and at least one heat exchanger. The method includes producing a first exhaust stream and a second exhaust stream. The method also includes vaporizing at least part of the stored liquid air stream in the heat exchanger, thereby producing a first high pressure compressed air stream, then combining the first high pressure compressed air stream, the first exhaust stream and the second exhaust stream to form a combined exhaust stream, heating the combined exhaust stream, then expanding the heated combined exhaust stream in an expansion turbine to produce power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Bao Ha, Jean-Renaud Brugerolle
  • Patent number: 8113006
    Abstract: A system for cryogenic storage and delivery of fuel, particularly for supplying an internal-combustion engine driving a motor vehicle, includes at least a cryotank having an inner reservoir for receiving the cryogenic medium, which inner reservoir is held in a heat-insulated manner in an outer reservoir, a coolable cooling shield between the inner reservoir and the outer reservoir of the cryotank, and a heat sink. As a thermal-energy storage device, the heat sink is in heat-transmitting contact with the cooling shield. A filling and removal device has at least one pipe penetrating the outer reservoir and leading into the inner reservoir. At least for the filling with or for the removal of cryogenic medium, the heat sink is in heat-transmitting contact with the pipe for the cryogenic medium, in order to reduce the entry of heat from the environment into the inner reservoir while emitting heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Rech, Achim Baier, Markus Amsz, Tobias Brunner, Thomas Hagler, Oliver Kircher, Gregor Fischer
  • Patent number: 8091593
    Abstract: Method for filling a tank with a pressurized gas, in particular a vehicle tank with hydrogen, including the step of compressing the gas from a first gas source in order to fill said tank directly or via at least one buffer vessel, wherein the compression step is carried out using the energy from a working fluid, said method being characterized in that it comprises a step of heat exchange between said compressed gas and said working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Laurent Allidieres
  • Publication number: 20110225987
    Abstract: A cryogenic self powered system includes a cryogenically cooled chamber having a heat exchanger expelling an exhaust gas therefrom and a power generator coupled to the heat exchanger to use the exhaust gas to generate electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Boyd Bowdish
  • Publication number: 20110107774
    Abstract: A fan for refrigerant fluid, including at least one blade having an internal space through which a refrigerant fluid passes; at least one nozzle in fluid communication with the internal space of each blade, wherein the at least one nozzle discharges the refrigerant fluid at a velocity sufficient to rotate the blade(s); and an electrical generator operationally engaged with the blade(s). Also, a snow injection device for a CO2 refrigerant fluid including a disk having an internal space through which a CO2 refrigerant fluid passes; at least one nozzle in communication with the internal space which discharges the CO2 refrigerant fluid at a velocity sufficient to rotate the disk, the nozzle(s) being adapted to flash the CO2 refrigerant fluid into gas and solid phases; and an electrical generator operationally engaged with the disk. Also, refrigeration apparatus using the fan and/or snow injection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael D. Newman
  • Publication number: 20100205979
    Abstract: The described invention relates to an integrated LNG re-gasification apparatus suitable for broad use and effective utilization of LNG containers comprising: a) modular storage tank holding structures adapted for storing and accessing LNG containerized in one or more storage tanks; b) a heat exchange re-gasification chamber adapted for converting said LNG to natural gas using a working fluid of higher temperature than the LNG; c) fluid transfer means for transporting the LNG from said storage tanks to the at least one heat exchange re-gasification chamber; d) at least one working fluid holding tank; e) fluid transfer means for transporting the working fluid from said holding tank to the at least one heat exchange re-gasification chamber; f) fluid transfer means for transporting a cooled working fluid, to one or more ancillary refrigeration or air conditioning units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Mark C. Gentry, Mark A. Danaczko, Robert E. Sandstrom
  • Publication number: 20100126186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating gaseous hydrocarbon stream from a liquefied hydrocarbon stream (10) such as liquefied natural gas, the method at least comprising the steps of: a) feeding a liquefied hydrocarbon stream (10) at an inlet (21) of a storage tank (2) to provide a liquefied hydrocarbon in the storage tank (2); b) removing at least a part (40) from the liquefied hydrocarbon from the storage tank (2) to provide a removed liquefied hydrocarbon stream (40); c) passing at least a part of the removed liquefied hydrocarbon stream (40) to a line (10, 20) downstream of an expander (4) and upstream of the inlet (21) of the storage tank (2); d) generating and removing a gaseous hydrocarbon stream (50, 60) as fuel gas. The method according to the present invention is particularly suitable for starting up a liquefaction plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.
    Inventors: Bruce Michael Marriott, Chun Kit Poh
  • Publication number: 20100089072
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus of a liquefied gas carrier includes: a compressor for compressing gas fuel into a high pressure; a compressed gas storage tank being filled with the compressed high-pressure gas fuel, for storing the gas fuel; and a decompressor for decompressing the high-pressure gas fuel drawn from the compressed gas storage tank into a pressure suitable to be used in a propulsion system, to supply fuel to the propulsion system. The gas fuel is at least one of a natural boiled-off gas which is naturally evaporated in the cargo tank, a forced boiled-off gas which is artificially evaporated, and a gas additionally supplied for the use of fuel. Further, the compressor is a multistage high-pressure compressor and the decompressor is a multistage decompressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Heavy Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joong-nam Lee, Ki-hun Joh, Ho-byung Yoon, Mun-keun Ha, Kyu-dong Jung
  • Publication number: 20090282840
    Abstract: The present invention concerns systems for storing energy and using the stored energy to generate electrical energy or drive a propeller (505). In particular, the present invention provides a method of storing energy comprising: providing a gaseous input, producing a cryogen from the gaseous input; storing the cryogen; expanding the cryogen; using the expanded cryogen to drive a turbine (320) and recovering cold energy from the expansion of the cryogen. The present invention also provides a cryogenic energy storage system comprising: a source of cryogen; a cryogen storage facility (370); means for expanding the cryogen; a turbine (320) capable of being driven by the expanding cryogen; and means (340, 350) for recovering cold energy released during expansion of the cryogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: HIGHVIEW ENTERPRISES LIMITED
    Inventors: Haisheng Chen, Yulong Ding, Toby Peters, Ferdinand Berger
  • Publication number: 20090249799
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing efficiency of a gas turbine and a marine structure having the gas turbine are disclosed. The marine structure has a cargo tank for storing cryogenic liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a gas turbine for generating electric power. The marine structure further includes a heat exchanger to cool air for combustion supplied to the gas turbine using a cold source or cold heat of the LNG stored in the cargo tank, a heat transfer medium circuit to indirectly transfer the cold source of the LNG stored in the cargo tank to the heat exchanger, and a heater to heat a heat transfer medium having undergone heat exchange with the air for combustion while passing through the heat exchanger. The temperature of air supplied to the gas turbine is lowered using the cold source generated upon regasification of LNG in the marine structure, thereby increasing the efficiency of the gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Young Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7584623
    Abstract: A device for supplying fuel to an onboard energy production installation (5) on a liquefied gas transport ship (1) from at least one liquefied gas tank (2) of the ship includes a liquid ejector (12) arranged in the tank in order to suck liquefied gas at the level of the bottom of the tank, a circulating pump (20) arranged above the tank, a liquid circuit (21, 22, 23, 24) connecting an outlet of the circulating pump to an inlet of the liquid ejector and an outlet of the liquid ejector to an inlet of the circulating pump to permit the closed-loop circulation of a stream of liquefied gas through the liquid ejector, and a feed line (28) connecting the liquid circuit to the energy production installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Gaztransport et Technigaz
    Inventors: Laurent Spittael, Pascal Raynaud, Jacques Dhellemmes
  • Publication number: 20090199576
    Abstract: A process and plant for the vaporization of liquefied natural gas (LNG) consist in obtaining electric energy during the vaporization operation by means of thermal exchange by transformation means of an energy source for obtaining electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: ENI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Liberato Giampaolo Ciccarelli
  • Publication number: 20090199575
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and system for managing boil-off gas generated during ship-to-ship transfer of LNG at sea. The LNG is transferred from a storage tank onboard a delivery vessel to a storage tank onboard a receiving vessel. The process includes the steps of a) operating the receiving vessel storage tank at a pressure greater than the operating pressure of the delivery vessel storage tank; and, b) transferring a portion of the boil-off gas from the receiving vessel storage tank to the delivery vessel storage tank onboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: WOODSIDE ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Solomon Aladja Faka
  • Patent number: 7497180
    Abstract: A gas supply arrangement of a marine vessel being adapted to carry liquefied gas in its cargo tank having an ullage space section and a liquid phase section, which arrangement utilizes the gas as fuel to provide power for the vessel, the arrangement comprising a first gas supply line provided for processing the natural boil-off gas formed in the cargo tank, a second gas supply line which connects the cargo tank and the gas main supply line and which is provided with at least a pump for raising the pressure of the liquid gas and for pumping it forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Wartsila Finland Oy
    Inventors: Sören Karlsson, Timo Mahlanen
  • Publication number: 20080307789
    Abstract: Contemplated plants thermally integrate operation of a refinery component, and most preferably of a hydrocarbon splitter with LNG regasification to provide refrigeration duty and with a power cycle to provide the reboiler duty of the component. It should be noted that such configurations advantageously allow operation of the splitter at a reduced temperature and at reduced pressure, thereby increasing separation efficiency, while the power output is boosted using air intake chilling. Most notably, such process advantages are achieved by satisfying the heating duty of LNG regasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20080276627
    Abstract: A fuel gas supply system of a ship is provided for supplying fuel gas to a high-pressure gas injection engine of the ship, wherein the ship has an LNG fuel tank for storing LNG as fuel and LNG is extracted from an LNG fuel tank of the ship, compressed at a high pressure, gasified, and then supplied to the high-pressure gas injection engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Hyun Ki Park
  • Patent number: 7065974
    Abstract: A gas pressurization system comprising a gas inlet valve configured to receive an inlet gas stream. A clean-up system is coupled to the gas inlet valve. A recovery heat exchanger coupled to the clean-up system. The recovery heat exchanger is configured to remove thermal energy from the inlet gas stream and cool the inlet gas stream to one of a pre-cooled gas and liquid stream. An expander coupled to the recovery heat exchanger is configured to expand the pre-cooled liquid stream. A refrigeration unit coupled to the expander and configured to cool the expanded pre-cooled liquid stream to a liquid phase. A buffer storage unit is coupled to the refrigeration unit. A pump is coupled to the buffer storage unit at a pump suction and has a pump discharge coupled to the recovery heat exchanger. A high-pressure storage unit coupled to the pump discharge downstream of the recovery heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Conrad Q. Grenfell
  • Publication number: 20030014981
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering pressurized liquefied natural gas to an import terminal equipped with containers and vaporization facilities suitable for conventional LNG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: E. Lawrence Kimble, James R. Rigby, Ronald R. Bowen
  • Patent number: 6345508
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed having a first chamber, a second chamber positioned inside the first chamber, and a third chamber positioned inside the second chamber. The first, second, and third chambers are in coaxial alignment. A first portion of a first helical tube is positioned inside the second chamber and a second portion of the first helical tube is positioned inside the third chamber and a second helical tube is positioned inside the first chamber. The heat exchanger heats a cryogenic liquid to a gas phase using at least three different heat transfer fluids in one contained unit without mixing any of the fluids in the exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Vita International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Bodhaine, Hany E. Hassanein