Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090191073 | MAGNETIC PUMPING MACHINES - Magnetic pumping systems and methods of pumping using such systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for pumping fluid comprises: a substantially cylinder-shaped pump housing ( | 07-30-2009 |
20090250644 | ELECTRIC VALVE ACTUATION SYSTEM - A machine includes a piston disposed in a housing and configured to reciprocate in the housing. At least one valve is coupled to the housing. A magnetically-geared valve actuation system is coupled to the at least one valve. A plurality of sensors is configured to detect a plurality of parameters related to the machine. A control system is coupled to the plurality of sensors and the magnetically-geared valve actuation system. The magnetically-geared valve actuation system is configured to actuate the at least one valve in response to reciprocation of the piston in the housing, signals originating from the sensors or control system, or combinations thereof. | 10-08-2009 |
20090282805 | SYSTEMS INVOLVING FIBER OPTIC IGNITERS - A gas turbine engine system comprising, a gas turbine engine including a combustion area, a laser, a fuel nozzle including a cavity operative to transmit a fuel into the combustion area, and an optical fiber engaging the cavity, operative to transmit light emitted from the laser to the combustion area, wherein the light is operative to ignite the fuel in the combustion area. | 11-19-2009 |
20100034684 | METHOD FOR LUBRICATING SCREW EXPANDERS AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING LUBRICATION - A method for lubricating a screw expander includes condensing a mixture of working fluid and lubricant fed from the screw expander, through a condenser. At least a portion of the mixture of working fluid and lubricant fed from the condenser is pressurized from a first pressure to a second pressure through a pump. The method also includes separating the lubricant from the condensed working fluid of the at least portion of the mixture via a separator and feeding the lubricant to the screw expander; or separating the lubricant from the working fluid of the at least portion of the mixture via an evaporator and feeding the lubricant to the screw expander; or feeding the at least portion of the mixture of condensed working fluid and lubricant to the screw expander; or combinations thereof. | 02-11-2010 |
20100122534 | TWO-PHASE EXPANSION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENERGY RECOVERY - A closed loop expansion system for energy recovery includes a heat exchanger for using heat from a heat source to heat a working fluid of the closed loop expansion system to a temperature below the vaporization point of the working fluid; a radial inflow expander for receiving the working fluid from the heat exchanger and for expanding and partially vaporizing the working fluid; a screw expander for receiving the working fluid from the radial inflow turbine and for further expanding and vaporizing the working fluid; and a condenser for receiving the working fluid from the screw expander and for liquefying the working fluid. | 05-20-2010 |
20100122688 | SYSTEM FOR CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL OF COMBUSTION IN ENGINES - A combustion control system includes a magnetic torque sensor disposed between an engine and a load. The magnetic torque sensor is configured to directly measure engine torque and output a torque signal indicative of the engine torque. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the magnetic torque sensor. The control unit is configured to receive the torque signal and determine one or more combustion parameters based on the torque signal. The control unit is also configured to control one or more manipulating parameters of the engine based on the one or more combustion parameters so as to control combustion in the engine. | 05-20-2010 |
20100140519 | ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATORS - A valve includes a valve plate coupled to the movable device disposed partially within a housing. An electromagnetic actuator includes a first set of permanent magnets provided to the movable device. At least one stator core is disposed proximate to the movable device with a gap between the stator core and the movable device. At least one stator coil is wound to each stator core. A power source is coupled to the at least one stator coil and configured to supply electric current to the at least one stator coil. The opening and closing of the valve plate is controlled by changing direction of electric current flow through the at least one stator coil. | 06-10-2010 |
20100242476 | COMBINED HEAT AND POWER CYCLE SYSTEM - A combined heat and power cycle system includes a heat generation system having at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The combined heat and power cycle system includes a first rankine cycle system coupled to a first heat source among the at least two separate heat sources and configured to circulate a first working fluid. A second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source among the at least two separate heat sources and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The first and second working fluids are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascaded heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system. At least one heat exchanger is disposed at one or more locations in the first rankine cycle system, second rankine cycle system, or combinations thereof. | 09-30-2010 |
20100242479 | TRI-GENERATION SYSTEM USING CASCADING ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE - A tri-generation system comprises a heat generation system, a first rankine cycle system, a second rankine cycle system, a cascaded heat exchange unit, at least one first heat exchanger coupled to the second rankine cycle system for heating a third fluid, at least one second heat exchanger disposed at one or more locations in the first rankine cycle system for heating a fourth fluid, and an absorption chiller coupled to the at least one first heat exchanger and the at least one second heat exchanger for receiving the heated third fluid and the heated fourth fluid. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid to remove heat from the first heat source. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid to remove heat from the at least one second heat source. The first and second working fluids are circulated in heat exchange relationship through the cascaded heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system. | 09-30-2010 |
20100319346 | SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING WASTE HEAT - A waste heat recovery system includes at least two integrated rankine cycle systems coupled to at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The first and second working fluid are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascading heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system. At least one recuperator having a hot side and a cold side is disposed in the first rankine cycle system, second rankine cycle system, or combinations thereof. The at least one recuperator is configured to desuperheat and preheat the first working fluid, second working fluid, or combinations thereof. | 12-23-2010 |
20100319643 | LASER IGNITION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A laser beam ignition system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The laser beam ignition system comprises a laser configured to generate a laser beam, and a beam steering unit comprising a lens and a prism both configured to cooperatively transmit the laser beam to focus on an oxygenated fuel mixture supplied into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A beam steering unit and a method for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine are also presented. | 12-23-2010 |
20100326076 | OPTIMIZED SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING WASTE HEAT - A waste heat recovery system includes at least two integrated rankine cycle systems coupled to at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The first and second working fluid are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascading heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system. At least one bypass unit is configured to divert at least a portion of the first working fluid to bypass the first evaporator, the first expander, the cascaded heat exchange unit, or combinations thereof; at least a portion of the second working fluid to bypass the second expander, the cascaded heat exchange unit, or combinations thereof. | 12-30-2010 |
20110083437 | RANKINE CYCLE SYSTEM - The rankine cycle system includes an evaporator coupled to a heat source and configured to circulate a working fluid in heat exchange relationship with a hot fluid from the heat source so as to heat the working fluid and vaporize the working fluid. An expander is coupled to the evaporator and configured to expand the vaporized working fluid from the evaporator. The exemplary expander is operable at variable speed. A condenser is coupled to the expander and configured to condense the vaporized working fluid from the expander. A pump is coupled to the condenser and configured to feed the condensed working fluid from the condenser to the evaporator. | 04-14-2011 |
20110094227 | Waste Heat Recovery System - In one embodiment, a waste heat recovery system includes a Rankine cycle system that circulates a working fluid that absorbs heat from exhaust gas. The Rankine cycle system includes an evaporator that may transfer sensible heat from the exhaust gas to the working fluid to produce cooled exhaust gas. The Rankine cycle system also includes an economizer that may transfer latent heat from the exhaust gas to the working fluid. The economizer is a carbon steel heat exchanger with a corrosion resistant coating. | 04-28-2011 |
20110146277 | FLUID FEEDBACK PUMP TO IMPROVE COLD START PERFORMANCE OF ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE PLANTS - A system and method improves cold start performance of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) plant. The system includes one or more pumps configured to pump condensed fluid from points of natural accumulation of the condensed fluid within an ORC loop back into a corresponding low pressure liquid storage vessel shortly after shutting down the ORC plant to ensure the start-up routine works properly for the next ORC plant start event. One or more of the pumps can also be configured to pump fluid away from the ORC expansion machine(s) at any time prior to starting the ORC if the fluid is in a liquid phase. | 06-23-2011 |
20110203278 | AUTO OPTIMIZING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE PLANTS - A waste heat recovery plant control system includes a programmable controller configured to generate expander speed control signals, expander inlet guide vane pitch control signals, fan speed control signals, pump speed control signals, and valve position control signals in response to an algorithmic optimization software to substantially maximize power output or efficiency of a waste heat recovery plant based on organic Rankine cycles, during mismatching temperature levels of external heat source(s), during changing heat loads coming from the heat sources, and during changing ambient conditions and working fluid properties. The waste heat recovery plant control system substantially maximizes power output or efficiency of the waste heat recovery plant during changing/mismatching heat loads coming from the external heat source(s) such as the changing amount of heat coming along with engine jacket water and its corresponding exhaust in response to changing engine power. | 08-25-2011 |
20110308252 | TURBINE INLET CONDITION CONTROLLED ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE - A pressure sensor measures an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) working fluid pressure in front of a radial inflow turbine, while a temperature sensor measures an ORC working fluid temperature in front of the radial inflow turbine. A controller responsive to algorithmic software determines a superheated temperature of the working fluid in front of the radial inflow turbine based on the measured working fluid pressure and the measured working fluid temperature. The controller then manipulates the speed of a working fluid pump, the pitch of turbine variable inlet guide vanes when present, and combinations thereof, in response to the determined superheated temperature to maintain the superheated temperature of the ORC working fluid in front of the radial inflow turbine close to a predefined set point. The superheated temperature can thus be maintained in the absence of sensors other than pressure and temperature sensors. | 12-22-2011 |
20120000178 | SYSTEMS INVOLVING FIBER OPTIC IGNITERS - A gas turbine engine system comprising, a gas turbine engine including a combustion area, a laser, a fuel nozzle including a cavity operative to transmit a fuel into the combustion area, and an optical fiber engaging the cavity, operative to transmit light emitted from the laser to the combustion area, wherein the light is operative to ignite the fuel in the combustion area. | 01-05-2012 |
20120000200 | INERT GAS PURGING SYSTEM FOR AN ORC HEAT RECOVERY BOILER - In one embodiment, a system includes a valve system switchable between a waste heat recovery position configured to direct incoming exhaust gas through an interior volume of an exhaust section of an engine and a bypass position configured to direct the incoming exhaust gas through a bypass duct to bypass a heat recovery boiler disposed within the interior volume. The system also includes an inert gas purging system configured to inject an inert gas into the interior volume to displace residual exhaust gas from the interior volume. | 01-05-2012 |
20120000201 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AND STORING TRANSIENT INTEGRATED ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE ENERGY - A system and method are provided for using the thermal mass of an ORC, the working fluid, the oil loop, the cooling fluid loop and all components, to provide additional transient power to an electrical grid. A pre-heater transfers heat from the cooling fluid to a low temperature (LT) ORC loop working fluid. A LT ORC loop expander generates transient power to support stabilization of the electrical grid. A heat exchanger transfers heat from the thermal oil to a high temperature (HT) ORC loop working fluid. A HT ORC loop expander generates transient power to support stabilization of the electrical grid. | 01-05-2012 |
20120073289 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COOLING AN EXPANDER - A Rankine cycle system includes: an evaporator configured to receive heat from a heat source and circulate a working fluid to remove heat from the heat source; an expander in flow communication with the evaporator and configured to expand the working fluid fed from the evaporator; a condenser in flow communication with the expander and configured to condense the working fluid fed from the expander; a pump in flow communication with the condenser and configured to pump the working fluid fed from the condenser; a first conduit for feeding a first portion of the working fluid from the pump to the evaporator; and a second conduit for feeding a second portion of the working fluid from the pump to the expander. | 03-29-2012 |