Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100041159 | HYDROPHOBIC COMPOUND CAPTURE-APPARATUS MADE FROM BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS AND METHODS BASED THEREON - An apparatus and methods for concentrating or removing hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) are provided. A biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer is provided and the HOC (or a material containing a HOC) is contacted with the PHA. PHA polymers can be used to easily concentrate or remove microcontaminant levels as low as 0.01 ppm of hydrophobic organic compounds without using large solvent volumes. Methods for synthesizing the PHAs are also provided. Methods are further provided for degrading HOCs that have been sequestered from a HOC-contaminated material using isolated bacterial strains or microbes such as | 02-18-2010 |
20120135480 | METHODS FOR PRODUCING POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES FROM BIODIESEL-GLYCEROL - Methods are provided for producing biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) with desired geometry, molecular mass, mechanical and/or physical-chemical properties from glycerol, an inexpensive carbon source and byproduct of the biodiesel industry. Microorganisms capable of converting carbon to PHA can be used to convert biodiesel-glycerol to poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) or other monomer or copolymer PHAs via fermentation. The microorganisms are cultured in a medium comprising glycerol as a primary carbon source and one or more low molecular mass organic acids as a secondary carbon source. Biomass can be harvested from the culture medium and crude PHA extracted and purified, thereby recovering purified PHA with the desired property. After PHA isolation, a nucleating agent can be added to improve certain physical-chemical properties of the PHA; e.g., crystallization temperature, to enhance performance of the PHA during injection molding. | 05-31-2012 |
20140148380 | MOLECULAR ROADBLOCKS FOR RpoN BINDING SITES - The present invention relates to, inter alia, a method for repressing transcription and/or gene expression from RpoN binding sites (or promoters) or cryptic promoters upstream of RpoN binding sites. The method comprises providing an agent that specifically and selectively binds to RpoN promoter sequences to inhibit or repress the expression of genes downstream of that promoter; and contacting the RpoN promoter with the agent. Agents for repressing transcription and/or gene expression from RpoN promoters are also provided. The agent can be a composition that binds specifically to the −24, −12, or −24/−12 site(s) for RpoN promoter interference. Synthetic peptides, vectors, and host cells are also provided. | 05-29-2014 |
20140349353 | ENGINEERED STRAIN OF ESCHERICHIA COLI FOR PRODUCTION OF POLY-R-3-HYDROXYALKANOATE POLYMERS WITH DEFINED MONOMER UNIT COMPOSITION AND METHODS BASED THEREON - Methods and systems for producing prescribed unit size poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) polymers and copolymers are provided. The methods and systems can employ recombinant bacteria that are not native producers of PHA or lack enzymes to degrade PHA once synthesized, metabolize short to long chain fatty acids without induction, and express an (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and a PHA synthase, the (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase and PHA synthase having wide substrate specificities. The recombinant bacteria are fed at least one fatty acid substrate that is equal in carbon length to the prescribed or desired unit size of the PHA polymer to be produced. The prescribed unit size PHA that is produced is then isolated and/or purified. | 11-27-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100223017 | COMPUTATIONAL METHOD OF MATERIAL CONSTANT OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND VOLUME FRACTION OF MATERIAL COMPONENT IN COMPOSITE MATERIAL, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - In computing the overall material constant of a composite material, a virtual composite material is defined as the one that predetermined material components are dispersed in a form of spherical particles in a matrix phase at known volume fractions, and a nonlinear equation having the overall material constant of the virtual composite material as an unknown is prepared. Next, the overall material constant of the composite material is computed by solving the nonlinear equation. The nonlinear equation is a recursive nonlinear equation which is obtained by defining the material constant in the surrounding areas of the spherical particles as the overall material constant of the composite material to be computed. The volume fraction of a material component dispersed in the composite material is computed using the recursive nonlinear equation. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223313 | COMPUTATIONAL METHOD OF MATERIAL CONSTANT OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND VOLUME FRACTION OF MATERIAL COMPONENT IN COMPOSITE MATERIAL, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - The overall material constant of a composite material is computed where the composite material includes multiple kinds of material components in a matrix phase, each of the material constants of the material components and the matrix phase being known. First, for the composite material, an equation, having the material constant of a virtual composite material as an unknown, is prepared by defining the virtual composite material in which each of the material components is dispersed in a form of spherical particles in the matrix phase at a known volume fractions. Next, the overall material constant of the virtual composite material is found as the overall material constant of the composite material by solving the equation. In this case, the equation is a recursive equation which is obtained using the self-consistent method. The volume fraction of a material component in the composite material is computed using the equation. | 09-02-2010 |
20100262407 | COMPUTATION METHOD OF MECHANICAL MATERIAL CONSTANT OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND VOLUME FRACTION OF MATERIAL COMPONENT IN COMPOSITE MATERIAL, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - In a method of computing the overall material constant of a composite material, a virtual composite material is defined as the one that a first material component is dispersed in a form of inner spherical particles in a matrix phase and each of the inner spherical particles is enveloped by the second material component, in a form of outer shell layers, as a coating layer. Based on this, a nonlinear equation is prepared, which has the material constant of the virtual composite material as an unknown. Next, the material constant of the virtual composite material is computed by solving the equation. In the equation, the material constant in each of the surrounding areas of the outer shell layers coating the inner spherical particles is defined as the overall material constant of the virtual composite material to be computed. The volume fractions of the material components in the composite material are computed using the equation. | 10-14-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100126479 | OIL SEPARATOR - An oil separating device for separating micron and sub-micron particles of oil from crankcase gases is provided. The oil separating device includes a housing having a first chamber in communication with a second chamber, and a narrow wave-shaped passage disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The narrow wave-shaped passage is defined by a first inner wall having a first undulating surface opposite and spaced apart from a second inner wall having a second undulating surface mirroring the first undulating surface. The narrow wave-shaped passage is disposed downstream of the first chamber and above the oil drain so as to allow oil particles in crankcase gases passing from the inlet to the outlet to accumulate on the first and second inner walls and assist gravity in forcing the accumulated oil through the narrow wave-shaped passage into the oil drain. | 05-27-2010 |
20120173119 | Systems and Methods For Determining Blow-By Gas Species Concentrations - In one embodiment, a method for determining a blow-by gas species concentration may include calculating one-dimensional engine performance data with a one-dimensional engine performance model. The one-dimensional engine performance data may be based at least in part upon an engine operating condition. The one-dimensional engine performance data may be transformed, automatically with a processor executing a two-dimensional ring dynamics model, into piston ring motion data. The two-dimensional ring dynamics model simulates geometrical changes to a piston-ring pack flow path. The blow-by gas species concentration may be determined with a network model including the one-dimensional engine performance model and a two-dimensional ring pack model. The two-dimensional ring pack model simulates species concentration change in the piston-ring pack flow path. The blow-by gas species concentration may be determined using the engine operating condition and the piston ring motion data. | 07-05-2012 |
20120189436 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL RING FOR VEHICLE AIR PUMP - An annular device for the temperature control of a pump is provided. That device is in fluid communication with the radiator coolant system of a vehicle, and the engine-warmed coolant flows through the annular device to warm the pump and thaw ice buildup. The device is removable and can be added on to an existing pump without any redesign of the existing pump housing. | 07-26-2012 |
20130187079 | PROCESS FOR DESIGNING AND PRODUCING COOLING FLUIDS - The present invention provides a process for designing and producing a cooling fluid for use in a cooling system. The process uses molecular dynamics to calculate the thermal properties of one or more fluid-nanoparticle solutions, and thereby aids in the study, selection and/or production of desired cooling fluids based on first principle simulations. | 07-25-2013 |
20130218535 | PROCESS FOR REDUCING LUBRICATION OIL CONSUMPTION FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES - A process for selecting a piston ring for a piston containing internal combustion engine such that the engine experiences a reduction in lubrication oil consumption (LOC) used therein. The process can include providing engine specifications for an engine for which the piston ring is to be selected and simulating engine temperatures for the engine as a function of the engine specifications. The process can also include simulating bore distortion for the engine as a function of the simulated engine temperatures and simulating piston ring dynamics for the engine as a function of the simulated bore distortion. Once the simulated piston ring dynamics have been obtained, the process can include calculating a plurality of LOC values and selecting a piston ring as a function of the calculated LOC values. | 08-22-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130148301 | MAGNETIC FLUID COOLING DEVICES AND POWER ELECTRONICS ASSEMBLIES - Magnetic fluid cooling devices and power electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic fluid cooling device includes a magnetic field generating device, a magnetic fluid chamber assembly, and a heat sink device. The magnetic field generating device includes a plurality of magnetic regions having alternating magnetic directions such that magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generating device is enhanced on a first side of the magnetic field generating device and inhibited on a second side of the magnetic field generating device. The magnetic fluid chamber assembly defines a magnetic fluid chamber configured to receive magnetic fluid. The heat sink device includes a plurality of extending fins, and is thermally coupled to the magnetic fluid chamber assembly. Power electronic devices are also disclosed, wherein the magnetic fluid chamber may be configured as opened or closed. | 06-13-2013 |
20140085031 | PLANAR LITZ WIRE COIL AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - Several embodiments of a circuit device using principles of planar Litz wire construction are disclosed using flexible printed circuit boards on which a given set of conductors is located on one surface only. The FPCBs are folded at strategic locations to effectively cause conductors in adjacent parallel planes to effectively cross one another to realize the advantages of braided Litz wire conductors, but without the use of vias or circuit interconnections between opposite sides of any given FPCB or between different sections of a continuous FPCB wherein each section defines its own coil or coil set. | 03-27-2014 |
20140159479 | WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER USING AIR GAP AND METAMATERIAL - Examples of the invention include methods and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting power to a vehicle using electromagnetic radiation. An example apparatus includes a transmitter coil associated with a first metamaterial lens, and a receiver coil associated with a second metamaterial lens, the receiver coil being located within the vehicle. The metamaterial lenses each have a negative magnetic permeability, and are separated by a lens spacing including an air gap. The first and second metamaterial lenses (and the lens spacing) act cooperatively to focus the electromagnetic radiation from the transmitter coil on the receiver coil. | 06-12-2014 |
20140207428 | Methods for Orienting Material Physical Properties Using Constraint Transformation and Isoparametric Shape Functions - Constraint-based methods for determining orientations of material physical properties using an isoparametric shape function are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of defining an orientation of an material physical property includes defining nonlinear and/or discontinuous design constraints of design values in a geometric domain associated with one or more physical attributes of the material physical property, and translating the nonlinear and/or discontinuous design constraints into continuous, first order design constraints of the design values by applying an isoparametric shape function. The method further includes performing a topology optimization using the continuous, first order design constraints of the design values, and reverse-translating results of the topology optimization back into the geometric domain using the isoparametric shape function. The results of the topology optimization in the geometric domain are indicative of the orientation of the material physical property. | 07-24-2014 |
20140284039 | THERMAL ENERGY GUIDING SYSTEMS INCLUDING ANISOTROPIC THERMAL GUIDING COATINGS AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME - Thermal energy guiding systems and methods for fabricating thermal energy guiding systems are provided. A thermal energy guiding system includes a thermal energy source and an anisotropic thermal guiding coating in thermal communication with a surface of the thermal energy source. The anisotropic thermal guiding coating includes a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a first thermal conductivity and the second layer has a second thermal conductivity. The plurality of layers are non-uniformly arranged on the surface of the thermal energy source in order to guide thermal energy from the thermal energy source according to a thermal energy management objective. | 09-25-2014 |
20140291696 | POWER ELECTRONICS MODULES WITH SOLDER LAYERS HAVING REDUCED THERMAL STRESS - Power electronics modules having solder layers with reduced thermal-stress are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power electronics module includes a power electronics device having a first surface, a second surface, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge. The power electronics device has a device length measured from the first edge to the second edge. A first solder layer is adjacent to the first surface of the power electronics device, and a second solder layer is adjacent to the second surface. The first solder layer and the second solder layer have a maximum thickness T along a length that is less than the device length of the power electronics device. A first thermally conductive layer is adjacent to the first solder layer, and a second thermally conductive layer is adjacent to the second solder layer. In some embodiments, the first and second solder layers have tapered portions. | 10-02-2014 |
20140318758 | COMPOSITE LAMINAE HAVING THERMAL MANAGEMENT FEATURES AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT APPARATUSES COMPRISING THE SAME - Heat transfer management apparatuses according to the present disclosure includes a composite lamina having an insulator substrate and a thermal conductor at least partially embedded in the insulator substrate, a temperature-sensitive component coupled to the composite lamina, and a temperature-insensitive component coupled to the composite lamina and positioned distally from the temperature-sensitive component. The temperature-insensitive component produces heat during operation. The thermal conductor and the insulator substrate are arranged into a targeted heat transfer region proximate to the temperature-sensitive component and a bulk region proximate to the temperature-insensitive component. The targeted heat transfer region and the bulk region are in thermal continuity with one another. | 10-30-2014 |
20140318829 | PRINTED WIRING BOARDS HAVING THERMAL MANAGEMENT FEATURES AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT APPARATUSES COMPRISING THE SAME - A printed wiring board includes an insulator substrate, an electrical conductor at least partially embedded in the insulator substrate, and a thermal conductor at least partially embedded in the insulator substrate. The printed wiring board also includes a temperature-insensitive component mounting region and a temperature-sensitive component mounting region. The insulator substrate and the thermal conductor are arranged into a targeted heat transfer region proximate to the temperature-sensitive component mounting region and a bulk region at positions spaced apart from the temperature-sensitive component mounting region. | 10-30-2014 |
20140346660 | POWER ELECTRONICS DEVICES HAVING THERMAL STRESS REDUCTION ELEMENTS - Power electronics devices having thermal stress reduction elements are disclosed. A power electronics device includes a heat source having a heat source perimeter, a first conduction member coupled to the heat source, and a substrate coupled to the first conduction member. The first conduction member includes a support portion that extends to at least the heat source perimeter and a plurality of finger portions extending from the support portion and separated from one another by web regions, where the plurality of finger portions have a finger thickness that is greater than a web thickness of the web regions. | 11-27-2014 |
20140347155 | MULTI-TURN HIGH DENSITY COIL AND FABRICATION METHOD - A multi-turn electrical coil and fabrication method uses a plurality of identically constructed flat electrical conductors, alternating ones of which carry an electrically insulating material layer on one major surface. The bare conductors and the insulated conductors are alternatingly stacked about mounting posts in partially overlapped and partially laterally offset pairs of conductors, with each conductor in each conductor pair reoriented relative to the other conductor in the respective conductive pair, and alternating conductor pairs reoriented relative to adjacent conductor pairs, to form a spiral winding turn for the coil. | 11-27-2014 |