Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110061741 | Compressor and/or Expander Device - Systems and methods for operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for the compression and/or expansion of gas can include at least one pressure vessel defining an interior region for retaining at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas and an actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a first mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved to compress and move gas out of the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a second mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved by an expanding gas entering the pressure vessel. The system can further include a heat transfer device configured to transfer heat to or from the at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas retained by the pressure vessel. | 03-17-2011 |
20110062166 | Compressor and/or Expander Device - Systems and methods for operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for the compression and/or expansion of gas can include at least one pressure vessel defining an interior region for retaining at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas and an actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a first mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved to compress and move gas out of the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a second mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved by an expanding gas entering the pressure vessel. The system can further include a heat transfer device configured to transfer heat to or from the at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas retained by the pressure vessel. | 03-17-2011 |
20110258996 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING EFFICIENCY OF A HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED SYSTEM - Systems and methods for efficiently operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for efficiently operating a gas compression and expansion energy storage system are disclosed herein. Systems and methods are provided for controlling and operating the hydraulic actuators used within a hydraulically actuated device/system, such as, for example, a gas compression and/or expansion energy system, within a desired efficiency range of the hydraulic pump(s)/motor(s) used to supply or receive pressurized hydraulic fluid to or from the hydraulic actuators. In such a system, a variety of different operating regimes can be used depending on the desired output gas pressure and the desired stored pressure of the compressed gas. Hydraulic cylinders used to drive working pistons within the system can be selectively actuated to achieve varying force outputs to incrementally increase the gas pressure within the system for a given cycle. | 10-27-2011 |
20110258999 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR OPTIMIZING HEAT TRANSFER WITHIN A COMPRESSION AND/OR EXPANSION DEVICE - Systems, methods and devices for optimizing heat transfer within a device or system used to compress and/or expand a gas, such as air, are described herein. For example, systems, methods and devices for optimizing the heat transfer within an air compression and expansion energy storage system are described herein. A compressor and/or expander device can include one or more of various embodiments of a heat transfer element that can be disposed within an interior of a cylinder or pressure vessel used in the compression and/or expansion of a gas, such as air. Such devices can include hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuators to move a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) within the cylinder or pressure vessel. The heat transfer element can be used to remove heat energy generated during a compression and/or expansion process. | 10-27-2011 |
20120057998 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR OPTIMIZING EFFICIENCY OF A HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED SYSTEM - Systems and methods for efficiently operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for efficiently operating a gas compression and expansion energy storage system are disclosed herein. Systems and methods are provided for controlling and operating the hydraulic actuators used within a hydraulically actuated device/system, such as, for example, a gas compression and/or expansion energy system, within a desired efficiency range of the hydraulic pump(s)/motor(s) used to supply or receive pressurized hydraulic fluid to or from the hydraulic actuators. In such a system, a variety of different operating regimes can be used depending on the desired output gas pressure and the desired stored pressure of the compressed gas. Hydraulic cylinders used to drive working pistons within the system can be selectively actuated to achieve varying force outputs to incrementally increase the gas pressure within the system for a given cycle. | 03-08-2012 |
20120073432 | COMPRESSOR AND/OR EXPANDER DEVICE WITH ROLLING PISTON SEAL - An apparatus can include a piston movably disposed within a pressure vessel and defines a first interior region and a second interior region. The piston has a first position in which the first interior contains a gas having a first pressure and has a volume greater than the second interior region, and a second position in which the second interior region contains a gas having a second pressure and has a volume greater than the first interior region. A seal member is attached to the piston and to the pressure vessel. The seal member has a first configuration in which at least a portion of the seal member is disposed at a first position when the piston is in its first position, and a second configuration in which the portion of the seal member is disposed at a second position when the piston is in its second position. | 03-29-2012 |
20120096845 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPRESSING AND/OR EXPANDING A GAS UTILIZING A BI-DIRECTIONAL PISTON AND HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR - Systems, methods and devices for optimizing bi-directional piston movement within a device or system used to compress and/or expand a gas, such as air, are described herein. In some embodiments, a compressed air device and/or system can include a first pneumatic cylinder, a second pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic actuator, and a hydraulic controller. The first pneumatic cylinder has a first working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the first pneumatic cylinder and the hydraulic actuator is coupled to the first working piston. The second pneumatic cylinder has a second working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the second pneumatic cylinder. The hydraulic controller is fluidically coupleable to the hydraulic actuator and is operable in a compression mode. | 04-26-2012 |
20120102935 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HEAT REMOVAL WITHIN A COMPRESSION AND/OR EXPANSION DEVICE OR SYSTEM - Systems, methods and devices for optimizing heat transfer within a device or system used to compress and/or expand a gas, such as air, are described herein. In some embodiments, a compressed air device and/or system can include an actuator such as a hydraulic actuator that can be used to compress a gas within a pressure vessel. An actuator can be actuated to move a liquid into a pressure vessel such that the liquid compresses gas within the pressure vessel. In such a compressor/expander device or system, during the compression and/or expansion process, heat can be transferred to the liquid used to compress the air. The compressor/expander device or system can include a liquid purge system that can be used to remove at least a portion of the liquid to which the heat energy has been transferred such that the liquid can be cooled and then recycled within the system. | 05-03-2012 |
20120102954 | COMPRESSION/EXPANSION PROCESS THAT ALLOWS TEMPERATURE TO VARY INDEPENDENT OF PRESSURE - Systems and methods are described herein to operate an air compression and/or expansion system in its most efficient regime, at a desired efficiency, and/or achieve a desired pressure ratio independent of discharge temperature, with little to no impact on thermal efficiency. For example, systems and methods are provided for controlling and operating hydraulic pumps/motors used within a hydraulically actuated device/system, such as, for example, a gas compression and/or expansion energy system, in its most efficient regime, continuously, substantially continuously, intermittently, or varied throughout an operating cycle or stroke of the system to achieve any desired pressure and temperature profile. Such systems and methods can achieve any desired pressure ratio independent of input or discharge temperature, and can also achieve any desired discharge temperature independent of pressure ratio, without altering any of the structural components of the device or system. | 05-03-2012 |
20120174569 | COMPENSATED COMPRESSED GAS STORAGE SYSTEMS - Systems, devices and methods for the compression, expansion, and/or storage of a gas are described herein. An apparatus suitable for use in a compressed gas-based energy storage and recovery system includes a pneumatic cylinder having a working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic actuator coupled to the working piston, and a hydraulic controller fluidically coupleable to the hydraulic actuator. The apparatus is fluidically coupleable to a compressed gas storage chamber which includes a first storage chamber fluidically coupleable to the pneumatic chamber, and a second storage chamber is fluidically coupleable to the first storage chamber. The first storage chamber is disposed at a first elevation and is configured to contain a liquid and a gas. The second storage chamber is disposed at a second elevation greater than the first elevation, and is configured to contain a volume of liquid. | 07-12-2012 |
20120222424 | COMPRESSOR AND/OR EXPANDER DEVICE - An apparatus can include a pressure vessel that defines an interior region that can contain a liquid and/or a gas. A piston is movably disposed within the interior region of the pressure vessel. A divider is fixedly disposed within the interior region of the pressure vessel and divides the interior region into a first interior region on a first side of the divider and a second interior region on a second, opposite side of the divider. The piston is movable between a first position in which fluid having a first pressure is disposed within the first interior region and the first interior region has a volume less than a volume of the second interior region, and a second position in which fluid having a second pressure is disposed within the second interior region and the second interior region has a volume less than a volume of the first interior region. | 09-06-2012 |
20130305704 | COMPRESSOR AND/OR EXPANDER DEVICE - Systems and methods for operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for the compression and/or expansion of gas can include at least one pressure vessel defining an interior region for retaining at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas and an actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a first mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved to compress and move gas out of the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a second mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved by an expanding gas entering the pressure vessel. The system can further include a heat transfer device configured to transfer heat to or from the at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas retained by the pressure vessel. | 11-21-2013 |
20140109566 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR OPTIMIZING HEAT TRANSFER WITHIN A COMPRESSION AND/OR EXPANSION DEVICE - Systems, methods and devices for optimizing heat transfer within a device or system used to compress and/or expand a gas, such as air, are described herein. For example, systems, methods and devices for optimizing the heat transfer within an air compression and expansion energy storage system are described herein. A compressor and/or expander device can include one or more of various embodiments of a heat transfer element that can be disposed within an interior of a cylinder or pressure vessel used in the compression and/or expansion of a gas, such as air. Such devices can include hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuators to move a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) within the cylinder or pressure vessel. The heat transfer element can be used to remove heat energy generated during a compression and/or expansion process. | 04-24-2014 |
20140190152 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPRESSING AND/OR EXPANDING A GAS UTILIZING A BI-DIRECTIONAL PISTON AND HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR - Systems, methods and devices for optimizing bi-directional piston movement within a device or system used to compress and/or expand a gas, such as air, are described herein. In some embodiments, a compressed air device and/or system can include a first pneumatic cylinder, a second pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic actuator, and a hydraulic controller. The first pneumatic cylinder has a first working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the first pneumatic cylinder and the hydraulic actuator is coupled to the first working piston. The second pneumatic cylinder has a second working piston disposed therein for reciprocating movement in the second pneumatic cylinder. The hydraulic controller is fluidically coupleable to the hydraulic actuator and is operable in a compression mode and an expansion mode. | 07-10-2014 |
20140238500 | COMPRESSOR AND/OR EXPANDER DEVICE WITH ROLLING PISTON SEAL - An apparatus can include a piston movably disposed within a pressure vessel and defines a first interior region and a second interior region. The piston has a first position in which the first interior contains a gas having a first pressure and has a volume greater than the second interior region, and a second position in which the second interior region contains a gas having a second pressure and has a volume greater than the first interior region. A seal member is attached to the piston and to the pressure vessel. The seal member has a first configuration in which at least a portion of the seal member is disposed at a first position when the piston is in its first position, and a second configuration in which the portion of the seal member is disposed at a second position when the piston is in its second position. | 08-28-2014 |
20140250880 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HEAT REMOVAL WITHIN A COMPRESSION AND/OR EXPANSION DEVICE OR SYSTEM - Systems, methods and devices for optimizing heat transfer within a device or system used to compress and/or expand a gas, such as air, are described herein. In some embodiments, a compressed air device and/or system can include an actuator such as a hydraulic actuator that can be used to compress a gas within a pressure vessel. An actuator can be actuated to move a liquid into a pressure vessel such that the liquid compresses gas within the pressure vessel. In such a compressor/expander device or system, during the compression and/or expansion process, heat can be transferred to the liquid used to compress the air. The compressor/expander device or system can include a liquid purge system that can be used to remove at least a portion of the liquid to which the heat energy has been transferred such that the liquid can be cooled and then recycled within the system. | 09-11-2014 |
20140369857 | DEVICE FOR IMPROVED HEAT TRANSFER WITHIN A COMPRESSION AND/OR EXPANSION SYSTEM - A compression and expansion system includes a pressure vessel having a variable volume working chamber therein. The pressure vessel has a conduit through which at least one fluid can be introduced into and discharged from the working chamber. The system further includes a heat transfer element disposed within the working chamber and including a layer and at least one of a fin and a spacing element. The pressure vessel is operable to compress fluid introduced into the working chamber such that heat energy is transferred from the compressed fluid to the heat transfer element, and is further operable to expand fluid introduced into the working chamber such that heat energy is transferred from the heat transfer element to the expanded fluid. | 12-18-2014 |
20150089948 | COMPRESSOR AND/OR EXPANDER DEVICE - Systems and methods for operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for the compression and/or expansion of gas can include at least one pressure vessel defining an interior region for retaining at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas and an actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a first mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved to compress and move gas out of the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a second mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved by an expanding gas entering the pressure vessel. The system can further include a heat transfer device configured to transfer heat to or from the at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas retained by the pressure vessel. | 04-02-2015 |
20150125210 | EXCAVATED UNDERGROUND CAVERNS FOR FLUID STORAGE - An underground fluid storage structures formed by mechanical excavation of a subsurface formation in a controlled fashion. The structure comprises vertical holes ( | 05-07-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140150768 | DOMESTIC COOKING APPLIANCE HAVING SIDE WALL TRIM MOUNTING - A domestic cooking appliance having a side trim panel system. The appliance includes a mounting bracket attached to the appliance, the mounting bracket being of a universal configuration such that it can be attached to either the left or right side of the appliance outside of a zone adjacent to a cooking space; and a side trim panel that attaches to the mounting bracket and the appliance, the side trim panel being of a universal configuration such that it can be attached to the mounting bracket and the appliance when the first mounting bracket is attached to either the left or right side of the appliance. The side trim panel attaches to the mounting bracket by a friction fit, and where the side trim panel attaches directly to the appliance, it only attaches to the appliance outside of the zone. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150771 | COOKTOP VENTILATION AND COOLING SYSTEM - A domestic cooking appliance is provided. The appliance includes an oven having an oven exhaust duct located above the oven, and an exhaust fan for moving cooling air though the oven exhaust duct and out of an exhaust opening located at an upper rear location of the oven; and a cooktop located above the oven, the cooktop having a main unit configured to be positioned above the oven and having a container support for supporting cooking containers to be heated by the cooktop; and a ventilation system for routing cooling air through the main unit, the ventilation system having a cooling air inlet located at a bottom front of the main unit and above the oven, and a cooktop duct that channels the cooling air from the cooling air inlet to the container support or channels the cooling air from the container support to the oven air exhaust duct. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150773 | DOMESTIC COOKING APPLIANCE WITH ADJUSTABLE GAS SWITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM - A domestic cooking appliance having a gas burner and a control panel assembly is provided. The assembly includes a control panel cover; a gas switch for regulating an amount of gas delivered to the gas burner; and a mounting bracket having a front section that contacts a back side of the control panel cover, a set back section that contacts the front side of the gas switch, a top section that contacts the top of the gas switch, a bottom section that contacts the bottom of the gas switch, and a tab that extends from the top section of the mounting bracket and is attached to the top section of the mounting bracket such that it is bendable from an installation position to a switch-retaining position. The tab presses against the back side of the gas switch when the tab is in the switch-retaining position. | 06-05-2014 |
20150260413 | HOME COOKING APPLIANCE HAVING AN AIR CHANNEL - A home cooking appliance includes a housing, a cooking compartment in the housing and accessible through a door in the housing, a cooling air system conveying air through the housing, and an air channel in fluid communication with the cooling air system, the air channel having an outlet exhausting a portion of the air from the cooling air system along a rear wall of the housing. | 09-17-2015 |
20150260416 | HOME COOKING APPLIANCE HAVING A LOW-PROFILE REAR VENT TRIM - A home cooking appliance includes a housing, a cooking surface on a top of the housing, the cooking surface having an upper surface, and a rear vent trim on the top of the housing and at a rear side of the top of the housing. The rear vent trim has an upper surface that is substantially flush with the upper surface of the cooking surface. The rear vent trim includes an opening permitting air to exit from within the rear vent trim, and the rear vent trim directs the air away from a 90° angle with respect to the upper surface of the cooking surface. | 09-17-2015 |
20150292747 | HOME COOKING APPLIANCE HAVING A GAS RAIL SYSTEM - A home cooking appliance includes a housing and a gas cooktop on the housing. The gas cooktop includes a lower cooktop floor and an upper cooktop surface, the gas cooktop including a cooktop burner on the upper cooktop surface. The gas cooktop includes a gas rail system on the housing and disposed between the lower cooktop floor and the upper cooktop surface. The gas rail system supports functional components of the gas cooktop needed for gas leak testing the gas cooktop. The gas rail system supports the functional components in a spaced manner from the lower cooktop floor. | 10-15-2015 |