Gaseous Mixture (e.g., Solid-gas, Liquid-gas, Gas-gas) Patents (Class 702/24)
  • Patent number: 7897399
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nitric oxide sensors and systems. In some embodiments one or more devices are provided that include one or more nitric oxide sensors; one or more transmitters; and one or more controllers configured to transmit using the one or more transmitters one or more signals that are associated with controlling one or more nitric oxide generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Leif T. Stordal, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110046896
    Abstract: The invention is related to the instrumental analytical chemistry, further more to the stable isotope determination in food products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Ivan Smajlovic
  • Publication number: 20110040493
    Abstract: A greenhouse gas monitoring system collects information about greenhouse gas and analyzes a greenhouse gas emissions distribution using the collected information about greenhouse gas. Thereafter, the greenhouse gas monitoring system generates a greenhouse gas distribution map by mapping the greenhouse gas emissions distribution to a three-dimensional digital map and provides the greenhouse gas distribution map to the user according to a user's request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jong-woo CHOI, Sung Woong Shin
  • Patent number: 7885771
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the acquisition and interpretation of expirograms comprising: a gas measuring probe that is designed to determine the gas concentration ƒmess of a gas in exhaled respiratory air; a reading device that is connected to the gas measuring probe via signal and is designed to read for a plurality of values x1, . . . , xN of an exhaled volume of the exhaled respiratory air the respective determined gas concentrations ƒmess(x1), . . . , ƒmess(xN) from the gas measuring probe; a storage device that is designed to store the values x1, . . . , xN assigned to the gas concentrations ƒmess(x1), . . . , ƒmess(xN); a function fitting unit that is connected to the storage device via signal and that is designed to determine a non-linear fit function ƒ(x)=g(x)·h(x)+OffsetGas ?for the stored gas concentrations ƒmess(x1), . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Universitaetslinkum Freiburg
    Inventors: Kai Roecker, Stephan Prettin
  • Publication number: 20110016849
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for determining a deterioration of a NOx sensor response rate in an internal combustion engine system includes an engine control module configured to stop fueling to an internal combustion engine during motoring of the internal combustion engine. The apparatus also includes a signal monitoring module configured to monitor a NOx sensor signal after the engine control module stops fueling to the internal combustion engine during motoring of the engine and store NOx sensor signal data corresponding to the monitored NOx sensor signal. Additionally, the apparatus includes a time constant module that is configured to determine a time constant of the NOx sensor response after the engine control module stops fueling. The apparatus further includes a response rate deterioration module configured to determine a response rate deterioration value of the NOx sensor based at least partially on the determined time constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS IP, INC
    Inventors: Jeff Runde, Xiao Lin, Daniel D. Wilhelm, David Everard, Carlos A. Lana
  • Patent number: 7875165
    Abstract: A method of correcting an output of a NOx sensor including: a first step of obtaining a sensor-variation relational expression based on a relationship between an Ip2/Ip0 value and an output change percentage for a calibration sensor; a second step of obtaining, from the relational expression, an output change percentage ? that corresponds to an Ip2/Ip0 value of a subject NOx sensor; a third step of calculating a pressure correction coefficient ? based on the obtained ?; and a fourth step of performing output correction on the subject NOx sensor by calculating the pumping current Ip2(p0) under a reference pressure based on the pumping current Ip2(p) and a pressure p of the measurement gas which are detected upon measurement of the NOx concentration in the measurement gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Nakasone, Yuichi Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20110015875
    Abstract: The concept underlying the invention is the development of a generic method for the detection and identification of gases in airplane interior spaces and an associated device, which is small and manageable, has a simple design, and allows the immediate and simultaneous detection and identification of the gases to be examined. This is achieved in that the supply air of the airplane interior space (20) is fed to a measuring device (1) and the measurement results of the measuring device (1) are analyzed by means of mathematical methods. Such methods and the associated devices for the detection and identification of gases in airplane interior spaces are used in order to spot and verify gases, particularly odors and explosive gases and/or gases harmful to people's health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: AIRSENSE ANALYTICS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Walte, Wolf Münchmeyer, Mario Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110015874
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting components of a mixed gas which increases the detection efficiency using a sensor array in which various types of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNT), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and tin dioxide (SnO2) which are sensitive to environment, so as to detect various components of a mixed gas using the characteristics that the effective refractive index change of the sensors induced by the gas adsorption depends on the apecies of nanomaterials and a concentration change in detected materials, thus effectively detecting the components of a mixed gas by the single detection without an inefficient education process required for conventional pattern recognition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Yong-Won SONG
  • Publication number: 20110015873
    Abstract: An improvement in monitoring alcohol levels through transdermal testing is provided by detecting if environmental gasses, referred to as interferents, have been introduced into a transdermal vapor sample. An insensible skin perspiration sample may not be completely controlled and can contain interferents from an environmental source rather than the subject. Before testing a skin perspiration sample, the alcohol sensor is sampled and averaged to establish a baseline value. A sample is drawn and presented to the alcohol sensor. The output of the alcohol sensor is monitored to determine the amount of alcohol in the sample. A maximum alcohol sensor value for the transdermal alcohol monitor is set by determining the baseline value when no alcohol is present in the sample. Subsequent baseline values during a reading above the maximum alcohol sensor value indicate that an environmental interferent is present in the alcohol sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Leonard Iiams, Ben Franklin Houston, Royce Alan McDonald, Jeffrey Scott Hawthorne, Mark Henry Wojcik, Gordon William Murray, Charles Thomas Champion
  • Patent number: 7871237
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a gas turbine engine (20) to predict maintenance requirements. Particles suspended in a gas flow (24, 32) of the engine (20) are monitored and quantified to predict a particle accumulation rate. Monitoring may be done using particle flow sensors (61-63) in a diverted portion (33) of the working gas flow (24), such as in the cooling gas flow (32). Particle sampling (S1-S3) may be done to determine particle size and composition distributions. Particle mass flow rates may then be continuously monitored per engine operating condition, and compared to predetermined values such as a normal upper limit per engine operating condition. An integrated particle mass flow may be used in conjunction with an instantaneous mass flow rate to predict a maintenance requirement. Multiple locations (L1-L3) may be monitored to recognize a maintenance requirement by flow section or component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Bunce, Francisco Dovali-Solis
  • Patent number: 7871822
    Abstract: A method for selecting at least one catalyst from a catalyst library on the basis of the reactivity thereof in a chemical conversion process includes: (a) testing the catalytic activity of a first catalyst from said catalyst library with respect to a reaction medium containing, as the compounds to be converted, at least one reactivity probe having a labeling system and including at least one reaction unit capable of reacting in said chemical conversion; (b) analyzing the reaction medium after said catalytic test for the purpose of qualitatively and/or qualitatively characterizing the resulting compounds; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for at least one other catalyst in said library; and (d) comparing the analysis results for each catalyst in order to characterize at least one catalyst having the required reactivity in said chemical conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Novalyst Discovery
    Inventors: Alain Wagner, Cédric Catala
  • Publication number: 20100332147
    Abstract: A system for estimating gas concentrations in a mixed atmosphere includes (a) a plurality of sensors for providing a set of measurements, at least one of the sensors sensitive to an internal concentration of hydrogen; and (b) a processor for receiving the set of measurements and for executing a sequential estimation filter that includes a plurality of states having a corresponding set of values. The processor responsively adjusts at least a portion of the set of values in response to the set of measurements. The plurality of sensors can include a resistive sensor and a capacitive gas sensor, both of which are sensitive to hydrogen concentration. The plurality of states can include states representative of hydrogen pressure in the mixed atmosphere, hydrogen concentration in a bulk material of at least one of the sensors, and hydrogen concentration in an interface layer of at least one of the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Scott Stephens
  • Publication number: 20100312490
    Abstract: A method for determining carbon emissions from a steam generation system is disclosed. It includes measuring a first energy of feedwater entering into a steam generation system and measuring a second energy of steam exiting the steam generation system. The first energy is subtracted from the second energy to determine a total energy absorbed by the steam generation system. The total energy absorbed by the steam generation system is divided by the total energy to determine a heat input to the steam generation system. The heat input is used to determine the carbon emissions from the steam generation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY, LTD
    Inventor: Matthew Joseph Dooley
  • Publication number: 20100312453
    Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 1, an internal combustion engine (10) having a fuel injector which comprises a sprung piston (55) or a resilient diaphragm piston (8155) and an electrical coil (57, 8158) for displacing the piston (55, 8155). The piston draws fuel into and expels fuel from a pumping chamber (52, 8152). The number of operations of the injector per engine cycle is controlled by an electronic controller (23, 8159) to control the quality of fuel delivered per cycle to a combustion chamber. A voltage measured in the coil (52, 8158) by movement of the piston under action of the spring or due to its own resilience is used to give an indication of vapour pressure of the fuel. A device akin to the injector can be used to draw fuel from a pipeline to measure the vapour pressure of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Scion-Sprays Limited
    Inventor: Benjamin David Smither
  • Publication number: 20100312483
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments that relate to algorithms and methods for calibrating an analyte sensor, and more particularly, to algorithms for calibrating an optical glucose sensor comprising an equilibrium fluorescent chemical indicator system. In particular, a method of detecting an analyte concentration is disclosed where a modified Michaelis-Menten equation comprising Michaelis-Menten parameters is used to characterize the signal generated by the analyte sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: GLUMETRICS, INC.
    Inventors: THOMAS A. PEYSER, SOYA GAMSEY, MATTHEW A. ROMEY, DAVID R. MARKLE
  • Patent number: 7846400
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to substrates associated with nitric oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Leif T. Stordal, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100305870
    Abstract: A gas detection system for the detection of gas voids in piping systems. The gas detection system includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a computer. The transmitter is positioned at a designated point on a piping circuit and is adapted to transmit guided waves into the piping circuit. The receiver is positioned at a designated point distant from the transmitter and is adapted to receive the guided waves transmitted through the piping circuit by the transmitter. The computer analyzes and monitors the guided waves received by the receiver and determines the amount of gas in the piping circuit being analyzed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Camilli, Steve Kenefick, Michael J. Avioli, Joseph L. Rose, Roger L. Royer
  • Publication number: 20100305871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for determining particle transmittance Tx of a filter for use with a particle detection system to provide a filter warning for aspirated particle detection systems by detecting a level of first particles having a size indicative of smoke particles and which pass through the detection system; determining an integrated smoke hours value by integrating the detected level of first particles over time; estimating the smoke particle transmittance Tx of the filter by applying a predetermined weighting operation to the integrated smoke hours value. An empirical measure of a filter's particle transmittance Tx, due to at least first particles having a size indicative of smoke particles may be achieved by way of integrating a level of such first particles passing through a particle detection system over time to determine the proportion of smoke particles arrested by a filter, “integrated smoke hours”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: VISION FIRE & SAFETY PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Ron Knox, Karl Boettger
  • Publication number: 20100299078
    Abstract: A configurable scanner (1), adapted for contactless measurement of the depth and perimeter of a wound on a target body part (9), has a scan head (4), and a processor (3) for controlling a scanning procedure and analyzing the results. The scan head is translated along a substantially semicircular path (7) having a configurable radial distance from an imaginary axis, such that the imaginary axis is approximately coincident with an axis of the target (9). The scan head (4) projects a contour line having a calibrated length onto the target surface, and the processor (3) stores an image of the projected contour line captured by an image capturing device (11). The processor (3) analyzes a series of captured images to determine the coordinates in three axes of the projected contour line, creates therefrom a 3D model of the region of interest, and determines a depth and perimeter of the wound from the 3D model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Guieze
  • Patent number: 7838297
    Abstract: A method of optimizing operation of a fossil fuel fired boiler includes, in an exemplary embodiment, providing a plurality of sensors positioned in different spatial positions within the fossil fuel fired boiler. The method also includes recording sensor outputs, identifying spatial combustion anomalies indicated by sensor outputs, identifying burners responsible for the spatial combustion anomalies, and adjusting air flow of responsible burners to alleviate the spatial combustion anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Neil Colin Widmer, Roy Payne, William Randall Seeker, Philippe Jean Gauthier
  • Publication number: 20100292934
    Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing emissions includes an emissions analyzer for estimating a concentration of a selected emission of the emission; a flow rate analyzer for estimating a volumetric flow rate of the emission; and a processor in data communication with the emissions analyzer and the flow rate analyzer, the processor including instructions for estimating a mass per time unit value for the selected emission based on the estimated concentration and the estimated volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph L. Stark, Huzeifa Ismail, Koral B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100293241
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that uses the Internet protocol, TCP/IP, for a home control network. The invention also provides embedded servers, email clients at the electrical boxes. The invention integrates the Internet to the electrical outlet, switch, or appliance boxes using a low cost embedded web server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Anthony Bishel
  • Publication number: 20100286929
    Abstract: A sensor system for detecting and estimating concentrations of various gas or liquid analytes. In an embodiment, the resistances of a set of sensors are measured to provide a set of responses over time where the resistances are indicative of gas or liquid sorption, depending upon the sensors. A concentration vector for the analytes is estimated by satisfying a criterion of goodness using the set of responses. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Margie L. Homer, Darrell L. Jan, April D. Jewell, Adam Kisor, Kenneth S. Manatt, Allison M. Manfreda, Margaret A. Ryan, Abhijit V. Shevade, Charles Taylor, Tuan A. Tran, Shiao-Pin S. Yen, Hanying Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100286930
    Abstract: A soot discharge amount is calculated by multiplying a “steady discharge amount” by a “transient correction value.” The steady discharge amount is a soot discharge amount in a steady operation state, and is acquired through table search. For each of a plurality of factors which affect the soot discharge amount, a steady value (value obtained through table search) of the factor and a transient value (current value) of the factor are substituted for a characteristic equation which represents a change in the soot discharge amount with the value of the factor, whereby a steady characteristic value and a transient characteristic value are acquired. The “ratio between the steady characteristic value and the transient characteristic value” is then calculated for each factor. The transient correction value is obtained by multiplying together all values of the “ratio between the steady characteristic value and the transient characteristic value” obtained for the factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomomi Onishi, Shigeki Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20100287012
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for managing energy data. The system includes a energy transformation device, a central energy data management system and a database containing carbon dioxide credit information. Managing the energy data includes measuring an amount of power produced or consumed by an energy transformation device, measuring an amount of carbon dioxide emitted, converted or sequestered by the energy transformation device, creating a dataset of the power produced or consumed and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted or sequestered, and transmitting the dataset and characteristic data to a central energy data management system. The method also includes, receiving energy measurements and characteristic data from an energy transformation device, obtaining carbon dioxide credit information and comparing the received energy measurements and the characteristic data with the received carbon dioxide credit information to obtain a carbon dioxide credit for the energy transformation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, Ian Russell, Scott Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20100275778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for absorbing methane gas or other carbonaceous volatile gasses. The method comprises loading of solid carbonaceous matter into a vessel and loading the gas to be absorbed into the vessel. The gas is preferably formed from excrements of livestock, mainly being formed from a liquid or slurry phase of excrements of livestock. The solid carbonaceous matter is preferably formed by heating of plant material in a pyrolytic process thereby forming carbonaceous matter having a solid structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: BLACKCARBON A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Alexander North Harttung
  • Publication number: 20100280765
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods capable of detecting and discriminating and/or classifying hazardous biological agents or other hazardous agents. In one aspect, a system measures electromagnetic energy scattered by a material at the different polarizations states and wavelengths. The system then combines the measured electromagnetic wavelengths at the different polarization states and wavelengths into different combinations to produce input parameters for a classifier. The input parameters include both depolarization and wavelength-dependent back scattering measurements of the material illuminated by transmitted electromagnetic energy. The depolarization measurement provides information on the shape and absorption features of the material and the wavelength-dependent information provides information on the shape and index of refraction of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN COHERENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John H. MARQUARDT, Tahllee Baynard
  • Patent number: 7819946
    Abstract: A differential absorption spectrum for a reactive gas in a gas mixture can be generated for sample absorption data by subtracting background absorption data set from the sample absorption data. The background absorption data can be characteristic of absorption characteristics of the background composition in a laser light scan range that includes a target wavelength. The differential absorption spectrum can be converted to a measured concentration of the reactive gas using calibration data. A determination can be made whether the background composition has substantially changed relative to the background absorption data, and new background absorption data can be used if the background composition has substantially changed. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: SpectraSensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Xiang Liu, Alfred Feitisch, Gregory M. Sanger
  • Publication number: 20100268480
    Abstract: A system and method for quantifying an emission source is provided. The system and method obtain a plurality of emission concentration measurements at one or more sampling points and wind data over the time the emission concentrations are measured. For each sampling point, a virtual sampling arc can be constructed using the emission concentration measurements taken at the sampling point, the wind data for when the emission concentration measurement were taken and an approximate distance to the emission source. The virtual sampling arcs can then be used to construct one or more virtual sampling grids and the amount of emissions emanating from the emissions source approximated from the virtual sampling grids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: DENNIS SCOTT PRINCE
  • Publication number: 20100262382
    Abstract: A method for continuous measurement of differences in gas concentrations, comprises providing at least first and second gas analyzers, connecting a stream of incurrent fluid to a chamber containing an animal, withdrawing air from the chamber to form a stream of excurrent fluid, taking first subsamples of the excurrent fluid in a first subsampler, taking a subsample of the incurrent fluid in a second subsampler, alternately providing excurrent fluid from the first subsampler to the first gas analyzer and to the second gas analyzer to measure the gas concentrations in the excurrent fluid, and alternately providing incurrent air from the second subsampler to the first gas analyzer and to the second gas analyzer to measure the gas concentrations in the incurrent fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: John R.B. Lighton
  • Publication number: 20100250146
    Abstract: A portable multi-dimensional gas chromatograph, the gas chromatograph including a carrier gas container, a regulator fluidly connected to the carrier gas container, a dopant chamber containing a reference chemical, at least one pre-concentrator which is fluidly connected to the regulator and the dopant chamber, a first separation column fluidly connected to the at least one pre-concentrator, a second separation column fluidly connected to the at least one pre-concentrator, a first detector fluidly connected to the first separation column, and a second detector fluidly connected to the second separation column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Sheena Alm, James Bentley, John Blankevoort, Mark Kaspersen, Collin Lewis, Derek Maxwell, Ken Wunner
  • Patent number: 7805256
    Abstract: A method of processing time-discrete measured values, which can be described in their time characteristic by a first exponential function which has a first time constant, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a first measured value and storing the first measured value, detecting a second measured value and storing the second measured value according to a defined time interval with respect to the detection of the first measured value, filtering the first measured value and second measured value by calculating a sum of the first measured value and a weighted difference between the second measured value and the first measured value, thereby generating time-discrete output values which can be described in their time characteristic by a second exponential function having a second time constant different from the first time constant, and outputting the output values is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Vincotech (Germany) GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Frodl
  • Publication number: 20100241361
    Abstract: A method of absorption spectroscopy including obtaining absorption data at multiple wavelengths along more than one line-of-sight path through a quantity of gas of interest. The method further includes identifying more than one temperature and gas species concentration bin along the multiple line-of-sight paths and creating a map of temperature and gas species concentration. The map thus created will have at least two-dimensional information derived from select temperature and gas species concentration bins identified along more than one line-of-sight path. Apparatus for implementing the above method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: ZOLO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Henrik Hofvander, Andrew D. Sappey, James Howell, Qingchun Zhao
  • Publication number: 20100241362
    Abstract: A fuel property determining apparatus may comprise a first sensor and second sensor. The first sensor may detect a concentration of an alcohol contained in fuel. The second sensor may detect a vapor pressure of the target fuel. The fuel property determining apparatus may further comprise a memory and a processor. The memory may store first data for determining a “heavy/light gravity—vapor pressure” relationship based on the concentration of the alcohol. The processor may determine the fuel property of the target fuel based on the first data stored in the memory, the alcohol concentration detected by the first sensor, and the vapor pressure detected by the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Yoshikawa, Hisashi Kino, Naoaki Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20100241364
    Abstract: A device and a method for determining material moisture by thermogravimetry. Included in the device are: a test chamber (2) delimited by a chamber cover (8); a microwave field that can be generated by a magnetron (5) and supplied to the test chamber by a waveguide (4); a tuning rod (22) arranged in the test chamber; a sample carrier (3) which is operatively connected to a weighing module (6) mounted upstream of the test chamber; and at least one sensor (24) arranged in the test chamber. The tuning rod is arranged centrally on the chamber cover, above the sample carrier, and the at least one sensor is arranged on the free end of the tuning rod, opposing the chamber cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SARTORIUS AG
    Inventors: Wilfried SPANNAGEL, Sven Hollstein
  • Publication number: 20100241363
    Abstract: Data representative of a measured carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and of a measured oxygen (O2) concentration at a measurement location can be used to determine whether the measured carbon dioxide concentration at the measurement location is elevated relative to a baseline carbon dioxide concentration due to escape of carbon dioxide from a source associated with a carbon capture and storage process. Optionally, the data can be used to quantify a carbon dioxide concentration increase at the first location that is attributable to escape of carbon dioxide from the source and to calculate a rate of escape of carbon dioxide from the source by executing a model of gas-phase transport using at least the first carbon dioxide concentration increase. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Ralph F. Keeling, Manvendra K. Dubey
  • Patent number: 7801687
    Abstract: Methods for using modified single wall carbon nanotubes (“SWCNTs”) to detect presence and/or concentration of a gas component, such as a halogen (e.g., Cl2), hydrogen halides (e.g., HCl), a hydrocarbon (e.g., CnH2n+2), an alcohol, an aldehyde or a ketone, to which an unmodified SWCNT is substantially non-reactive. In a first embodiment, a connected network of SWCNTs is coated with a selected polymer, such as chlorosulfonated polyethylene, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polystyrene and/or polyvinylalcohol, and change in an electrical parameter or response value (e.g., conductance, current, voltage difference or resistance) of the coated versus uncoated SWCNT networks is analyzed. In a second embodiment, the network is doped with a transition element, such as Pd, Pt, Rh, Ir, Ru, Os and/or Au, and change in an electrical parameter value is again analyzed. The parameter change value depends monotonically, not necessarily linearly, upon concentration of the gas component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Inventors: Jing Li, Meyya Meyyappan
  • Publication number: 20100235107
    Abstract: A concentration sensor device includes a sensor unit, a substrate, and a sedimentation limit unit. The sensor unit detects a concentration of a specific component contained in liquid. The substrate has a face to which the sensor unit is arranged. The sedimentation limit unit is integrally arranged with the sensor unit or arranged at an upstream side of the sensor unit in a flowing direction of the liquid. The sedimentation limit unit is configured to prevent sedimentation of a foreign object on the sensor unit. The sedimentation limit unit includes a piezoelectric element to vibrate when electricity is supplied so as to promote the foreign object to be separated from the sensor unit. The substrate has a recess recessed in a thickness direction of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Fukumura, Tetsuo Yoshioka, Tetsuo Fujii, Takaaki Kawai, Hirofumi Higuchi, Teruo Oda, Yasuyuki Okuda
  • Publication number: 20100224834
    Abstract: A method for determining a carbon content value of a hydrocarbon-containing mixture. At least one composition-dependent bulk property of the hydrocarbon-containing mixture is measured and optionally at least one non-hydrocarbon component concentration is measured with the resulting measurements used in a carbon content correlation for calculating the carbon content of the hydrocarbon-containing mixture. The carbon content may be used in a hydrogen and/or synthesis gas production process for calculating a target flow rate of steam to be combined with the hydrocarbon-containing mixture to form a mixed feed having a target steam-to-carbon ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, Blaine Edward Herb, Matthew H. MacConnell, Winfried Stephen Hoglen
  • Publication number: 20100223014
    Abstract: A flame temperature estimator includes an adiabatic flame temperature module that estimates an adiabatic flame temperature. A temperature reduction module estimates a temperature reduction for the adiabatic flame temperature based on an air-to-fuel ratio of an engine. A combustion temperature trend module generates a combustion temperature trend based on the temperature reduction and the adiabatic flame temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhiping Liu, Daniele Ceccarini, Anupam Gangopadhyay, Andrea Baccile, Peter Fussey
  • Publication number: 20100223015
    Abstract: A method for monitoring of siloxane compounds in a biogas includes the step of generating a first absorption spectrum based on a ratio of a first spectral measurement and a second spectral measurement. The first spectral measurement is from a non-absorptive gas having substantially no infrared absorptions in a specified wavelength range of interest and the second spectral measurement is from a sample gas comprising the biogas. The method also includes the step of calculating a concentration of at least one siloxane compound in the biogas using a second absorption spectrum based on, at least, a first individual absorption spectrum for a known concentration of the at least one siloxane compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Mark Phillips, Barbara Marshik-Geurts, Leonard I. Kamlet, Martin L. Spartz, Vidi Saptari
  • Publication number: 20100217535
    Abstract: A method of offsetting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions includes the steps of capturing CO2 emissions data from a vehicle, transmitting the emissions data to a data collection unit, which then stores collected CO2 data and prepares a CO2 emission report. The CO2 emission report is used in preparing a customized CO2 offsetting package, which is selected by a vehicle owner. The selected CO2 offsetting package offsets the CO2 emissions through purchased credits, which neutralize the CO2 released from the vehicle. The owner of the package is given a visual indicator exhibiting that the vehicle is currently carbon neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Markus Seidel
  • Publication number: 20100205082
    Abstract: An information processing system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of measuring instruments; and a summary server connected to the plurality of measuring instruments via a network. Each of the measuring instruments comprises a detector measuring the amount of energy usage, and an instrument controller generating an individual data piece including information on the amount of energy usage or information on carbon dioxide emission. The summary server comprises a storage storing a reference amount of usage on each of individual data pieces, and a controller which, when the individual data piece is received from the measuring instrument, calculates the amount of carbon dioxide that has been reduced as a surplus value on the basis of both the amount of carbon dioxide emission or the amounts of emission of the received individual data pieces and the reference amounts of usage of the plurality of individual data pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Kunihiko YAMAZAKI, Masao Izumoto
  • Publication number: 20100198408
    Abstract: An in-line loss-on-ignition measurement system featuring an extractor configured to collect fuel or a combustion by-product from a hydrocarbon fuel burning plant, an on-site analyzer configured to receive the collected matter and determine loss-on-ignition data for the plant, a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the collected matter from the extractor to the analyzer, and a controller for displaying the loss-on-ignition data and/or for automatically adjusting one or more parameters associated with the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Harjes, John Williams, James A. Bickford, Daniel Traviglia, David G. D'Amore, James D. Derouin
  • Patent number: 7769549
    Abstract: A method for on-line acoustic detection of the quality of foams and aerated fluids whereby at least one emitter/receiver pair is placed in a close vicinity to the foam flow. At least one acoustic pulse is emitted and the time within which the acoustic pulse travels from the emitter to the receiver is recorded. Sound speed in the foam is determined by analyzing an acoustic response of the receiver and a pressure in the foam is also measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Arkady Yurevich Segal, Marc Jean Thiercelin
  • Publication number: 20100191478
    Abstract: A method for estimating a level of ethanol in a fuel injected into an internal combustion engine over a number (n) of cycles (n being an integer greater than or equal to 1). The method includes: determining start of combustion of an injected fuel for each of the cycles; calculating the average combustion start angle from combustion start angles recorded for all of the n cycles; determining the end of combustion of an injected fuel for each of the cycles; calculating the average combustion end angle from the combustion end angles recorded for all of the n cycles; calculating the combustion time between the combustion start time and the combustion end time; and deducting the level of ethanol from the combustion time on the basis of a pre-determined model or a list of combustion times and associated ethanol levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Pascal Emery, Marcos Navarro
  • Publication number: 20100179769
    Abstract: In a method and device for monitoring an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine, an actual value (AV_EGR) of an exhaust gas recirculation rate is determined depending on a load degree (LD) of a soot particle filter (21) for filtering particles out of an exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine and/or depending on a soot content of the exhaust gas. The actual value (AV_EGR) of the exhaust gas recirculation rate so obtained is compared with a predetermined setpoint value (SP_EGR) of the exhaust gas recirculation rate. The exhaust gas recirculation system is monitored depending on the comparison of the actual value (AV_EGR) of the exhaust gas recirculation rate and the predetermined setpoint value (SP_EGR) of the exhaust gas recirculation rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Tahar Zrilli
  • Patent number: 7751999
    Abstract: The present invention can be generally described as a vapor detection instrument testing system and testing process. This testing system integrates a computing system loaded with testing software, and a test-substance generating device. The present device is portable and provides a user with the ability to perform vapor detection instrument testing at the field side of the vapor detection instrument. The portability of the vapor detection instrument testing system results in more frequent instrument testing and less detection instrument down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert F. McAtee, Michael A. Eagan, Eric Wallis, Norman Popkie, Jr., Matthew Todd Griffin
  • Publication number: 20100169027
    Abstract: Thermally controlled enclosures that can be used with gas analyzers are described. The enclosures incorporate one or more phase changing materials that buffer ambient and internal heat loads to reduce the power consumption demand of mechanical or electronic heating apparatus. Maintenance of gas analyzer equipment at a consistent temperature can be important to achieving stable and reproducible results. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Xuejiao Hu, Alfred Feitisch
  • Publication number: 20100161242
    Abstract: An exhaust gas sensing system and a method for determining concentrations of exhaust gas constituents are provided. The exhaust gas sensing system includes a NH3 sensing cell, a NO2 sensing cell, a NOx pumping cell, and a current sensor that detects an electrical current flowing through the NOx pumping cell. A computer determines a NO2 concentration value, a NH3 concentration value, a NO concentration value, and a NOx concentration value based on signals from the NH3 sensing cell, the NO2 sensing cell, and the current sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Da Yu Wang, Sheng Yao, David D. Cabush, Walter T. Symons, Robert J. Farhat