Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080296441 | System and method for broken rail and train detection - A rail break or rail vehicle detection system which includes a voltage source, capable of voltage source compensation, is coupled to each of a plurality of zones within a block of rail track devoid of insulated joints. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to a respective voltage source and configured to measure current flowing through the sensor in response to changing voltage patterns. Each current sensor is further configured in one embodiment to determine and compare signatures based on current measurements to a predetermined decision surface to detect the presence of a rail vehicle or rail break on a predetermined block of track. The voltage source or current sensor can be adapted to control voltage levels and polarity of each voltage source. A method of communicating the presence or absence of a rail break or rail vehicle employs an in-rail TDMA communication scheme to synchronize, test and communicate directly between the sensors without use of external controllers. | 12-04-2008 |
20100004804 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING OF INFRASTRUCTURE CONDITION - A system and method for vehicle-centric infrastructure monitoring system includes an inspection system mountable on a vehicle configured to travel over an expanse of rail track having a plurality of track blocks. The inspection system acquires track data for at least some track blocks along the expanse of rail track. The monitoring system also includes a positioning system to determine a location of the vehicle and generate location data indicative of an associated track block location, a communications device to transmit the track/location data to a remote location, and a centralized computing system positioned at the remote location to receive the transmitted track/location data. The centralized computing system is programmed to determine a current probability of a track condition for a track block and combine the current track condition probability with a previously determined cumulative track condition probability to provide an updated track condition probability for the track block. | 01-07-2010 |
20100281866 | EXHAUST GAS BYPASS VALVE CONTROL FOR THERMOELECTRIC GENERATOR - A method of controlling engine exhaust flow through at least one of an exhaust bypass and a thermoelectric device via a bypass valve is provided. The method includes: determining a mass flow of exhaust exiting an engine; determining a desired exhaust pressure based on the mass flow of exhaust; comparing the desired exhaust pressure to a determined exhaust pressure; and determining a bypass valve control value based on the comparing, wherein the bypass valve control value is used to control the bypass valve. | 11-11-2010 |
20110233128 | SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY - A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least two permeate exhaust conduits and not comprising a concentrate exhaust conduit. Each permeate exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the permeate exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said permeate exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least two permeate carrier layers, and at least two membrane layers. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element. | 09-29-2011 |
20110240546 | CENTRAL CORE ELEMENT FOR A SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY - The present invention provides a central core element for a separator assembly comprising at least two porous exhaust conduits; each porous exhaust conduit defining an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the porous exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said porous exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said porous exhaust conduits, said cavity being configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly. In another aspect, the present invention provides a central core element for a separator assembly comprising at least two identical core element components, each of said core element components comprising at least one porous exhaust conduit and at least one friction coupling, said friction couplings being configured to join said core element components to form a central core element defining a cavity configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly. | 10-06-2011 |
20110315257 | LINEAR HOLLOW SPOOL VALVE - A valve system for pressure exchanger tubes of an energy recovery system is provided. The valve system includes a valve housing, a flow distributor, a hollow spool and a sealing system. The valve housing may comprise a set of high-pressure ports and a set of low-pressure ports. The flow distributor allows the flow to and from the set of high-pressure ports and the set of low-pressure ports within the valve housing. The hollow spool may be configured to reciprocate axially in a radial clearance between the valve housing and the flow distributor. The hollow spool may connect the pressure exchanger tube in fluid communication with the high-pressure ports or the low-pressure ports. The sealing system may be provided within the valve housing for imparting substantial hydraulic balance to the hollow spool. | 12-29-2011 |
20120103891 | MULTI-LEAF REVERSE OSMOSIS ELEMENT - A reverse osmosis element is provided. The reverse osmosis element includes a plurality of permeate tubes arranged to form a core frame. The reverse osmosis element further includes a plurality of leaves wound over the core frame. Each leaf of the plurality of leaves is coupled to one permeate tube of the plurality of permeate tubes. A retentate channel is defined by the plurality of permeate tubes of the core frame, and sealed by the plurality of leaves wound over the core frame. The reverse osmosis element includes first and a second end caps coupled to the plurality of permeate tubes. At least one of the first and the second end caps includes a retentate discharge port, and at least one of the first and second end caps includes one or more permeate discharge ports. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103892 | SEPARATION MODULE - A separation module utilizing a feed spacer and a method for forming such a separation module are provided. A gasket comprising a flexible waterproof material is disposed on at least part of one or more edges of the feed spacer. A membrane layer is disposed on a first surface of the feed spacer. A permeate carrier is disposed on a surface of the membrane element opposite the feed spacer. | 05-03-2012 |
20120160758 | SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY - A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least one permeate exhaust conduit and at least one concentrate exhaust conduit. Each exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least one permeate carrier layer, and at least one membrane layer. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element. | 06-28-2012 |
20130105023 | CENTRAL CORE ELEMENT FOR A SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY | 05-02-2013 |
20130292034 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for fabricating a separator assembly. The method comprises: providing a central core element comprising at least one concentrate exhaust conduit and at least one permeate exhaust conduit; disposing a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising a permeate carrier layer, a membrane layer, and a feed carrier layer within the central core element such that the concentrate exhaust conduit and permeate exhaust conduit are separated by the first portion of the membrane stack assembly; radially winding a second portion of the membrane stack assembly around the central core element; and sealing the wound assembly comprising two opposing end surfaces made of the membrane stack assembly by applying an adhesive on both end surfaces of the wound assembly; and applying a negative pressure inside the central core element so that the adhesive penetrates into the membrane stack assembly. | 11-07-2013 |
20140076790 | CENTRAL CORE ELEMENT FOR A SEPARATOR ASSEMBLY - The present invention provides a central core element a reverse osmosis separator assembly useful in the purification of fluids. The central core element comprises an outer exhaust conduit defining an inner volume and a gap starting at a first end thereof the outer exhaust conduit and extending towards a second end of the outer exhaust conduit, and an inner porous exhaust conduit comprising a first section disposed within the inner volume defined by outer exhaust conduit and a second section configured to abut and seal the first end of the outer exhaust conduit. The outer exhaust conduit is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly within the inner volume and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly disposed as a multilayer membrane assembly on an outer surface of the outer exhaust conduit. The gap is configured to accommodate a transition section of the membrane stack assembly linking the first portion of the membrane stack assembly with the second portion of the membrane stack assembly. The first inner porous exhaust conduit section is configured to be disposed within the first portion of the membrane stack assembly. | 03-20-2014 |
20140154099 | PUMPING SYSTEM WITH ENERGY RECOVERY AND REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM - A liquid pumping system comprises a plurality of liquid pumps and a hydraulic drive unit. Each liquid pump is driven by a separate hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinders are powered by a shared hydraulic pump through a valve set. A valve set controller is configured to operate the valve set. A liquid pumping process comprises distributing an initial flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders move through a cycle in a phased relationship to provide a constant sum of flow rates from the liquid pumps. A membrane filtration system combines the liquid pumping system with a membrane unit. In a water treating process, feed water is pumped through the membrane unit. Brine from the membrane unit is returned to each liquid pump while that liquid pump is feeding water to the membrane unit. | 06-05-2014 |
20140161627 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOTION PROFILE OF PISTONS - A method includes driving a fluid pumping unit having a plurality of pumping cylinders via a plurality of hydraulic cylinders respectively of a hydraulic power unit. The method further includes controlling activation of the hydraulic power unit such that each stroke of the corresponding piston assembly between the top dead center and the bottom dead center follows a corresponding trapezoidal velocity profile with respect to a time duration. Controlling activation includes controlling flow of a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic power unit so as to control the corresponding trapezoidal velocity profile with respect to the time duration of the corresponding piston assembly to obtain a predefined flow rate of the fluid medium from the pumping unit. | 06-12-2014 |