Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090192389 | INNOVATIVE COMPONENTS FOR AN ULTRASONIC ARC SCANNING APPARATUS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various aspects of imaging systems, including permeable and impermeable barriers separating liquid compartments, one of which contains the object to be imaged and the other an ultrasonic transducer, a fluidic bearing between a transducer carriage and guide supporting the carriage, a linear motor for the carriage, and a location sensing device for the carriage. | 07-30-2009 |
20100004538 | COMPOUND SCANNING HEAD FOR AN ULTRASONIC SCANNING APPARATUS - In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an ultrasound transducer whose holding device moves along a guide track while transducer on the end of the holing device oscillates about a known position during ultrasound transmission and receiving. In this embodiment, most refractive eye components including zonules and their connection points can be imaged. | 01-07-2010 |
20100021284 | REGENERATIVE BRAKING FOR GAS TURBINE SYSTEMS - The present invention is directed to an energy storage system comprised of a heat block having a relatively high specific energy capacity. The heat block can be used, for example, with a regenerative braking system for gas turbine powered vehicles to improve fuel efficiency. | 01-28-2010 |
20100050925 | COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS BARGE - The present invention is directed to a maritime vessel that uses a solid or semi-solid material to enclose substantially natural gas storage vessels in the hold of the vessel. | 03-04-2010 |
20100224370 | METHOD OF HEATING HYDROCARBONS - The present invention relates generally to a method and means of injecting hot fluids into a hydrocarbon formation using a combustion and steam generating device installed at or near the well-head of an injector well. The various embodiments are directed generally to substantially increasing energy efficiency of thermal recovery operations by efficiently utilizing the energy of the combustion products and waste heat from the generator. The generator apparatuses can be installed at the well-head which, in turn, can be located close to the producing formation. The combustion products may be injected into a well along with steam or sequestered at another location. | 09-09-2010 |
20100288571 | GAS TURBINE ENERGY STORAGE AND CONVERSION SYSTEM - The present invention combines the principles of a gas turbine engine with an electric transmission system. A method and apparatus are disclosed for utilizing metallic and ceramic elements to store heat energy derived from a regenerative braking system. The subject invention uses this regenerated electrical energy to provide additional energy storage over conventional electrical storage methods suitable for a gas turbine engine. The subject invention provides engine braking for a gas turbine engine as well as reducing fuel consumption. | 11-18-2010 |
20120000204 | MULTI-SPOOL INTERCOOLED RECUPERATED GAS TURBINE - A method and apparatus are disclosed for a multi-spool gas turbine power plant which utilizes motor/generator devices on two or more spools for starting the gas turbine and for power extraction after starting. Methods are disclosed for controlling engine responsiveness under changing load and/or ambient air conditions; providing a momentary power boost when required; providing some engine braking when needed; providing over-speed protection for the free power turbine when load is rapidly lowered or disconnected; charging an energy storage system; and restoring the compressors and/or turbines toward their operating lines when surge or choking limits are approached. | 01-05-2012 |
20120042656 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE WITH EXHAUST RANKINE CYCLE - A closed-loop organic Rankine cycle apparatus to extract waste heat from the exhaust gas from a gas turbine engine is disclosed wherein the closed loop includes at least one additional heat exchanger. An additional heat exchanger for heating fuel may be in one of three locations relative to the ORC turbine and condensing heat exchanger. One location is a preferred location for adding heat to all fuels (liquid, gaseous and/or cryogenic). Another location is a practical location for adding heat to very cold or cryogenic fuels such as CNG or LNG. The closed-loop organic Rankine cycle apparatus, besides extracting waste heat from the exhaust gases, may also include an additional heat exchanger to recover heat from a compressor on a gas turbine engine prior to entering an intercooler on a gas turbine engine. | 02-23-2012 |
20120096869 | UTILIZING HEAT DISCARDED FROM A GAS TURBINE ENGINE - Various embodiments are disclosed to utilize various fuels, including liquid natural gas fuels, to improve engine efficiency in gas turbine engines. In one configuration, a fuel is heated by a heat exchanger utilizing waste exhaust heat of a gas turbine engine. In another configuration, LNG fuel is heated using a pre-cooler for the inlet air stream of a gas turbine engine. In another configuration, fuel is injected into the pressurized air, downstream of the air-to-air intercooler. In yet another configuration, fuel is pumped through the engine's intercooler or a secondary heat exchanger exchanging heat with the compressed air stream between the low-pressure compressor and high-pressure compressor. In another configuration, the fuel is first heated by the intercooler and then further heated by a heat exchanger utilizing waste exhaust heat of the gas turbine engine. | 04-26-2012 |
20120102911 | ENGINE-LOAD CONNECTION STRATEGY - A method is disclosed for connecting gas turbine engine gasifier components to a transmission, generator or other load. The interface of an engine gasifier module and a load module is made between one of the gasifier turbo-compressor spools and the free power turbine. This connection is between ducting components. This reduces the precision required to mate an engine module with a load module. In the case of a large vehicle, it is possible to mount an engine skid between the structural frame members of the truck cab, in the traditional engine compartment of the cab or vertically behind the cab of the truck since the engine module can be connected to the truck's transmission module via ducting between a gasifier module components and the free power turbine and ducting between the free power turbine and exhaust or recuperator. | 05-03-2012 |
20120279231 | REGENERATIVE BRAKING FOR GAS TURBINE SYSTEMS - The present invention is directed to an energy storage system comprised of a heat block having a relatively high specific energy capacity. The heat block can be used, for example, with a regenerative braking system for gas turbine powered vehicles to improve fuel efficiency. | 11-08-2012 |
20120324903 | HIGH EFFICIENCY COMPACT GAS TURBINE ENGINE - This disclosure relates to a highly efficient gas turbine engine architecture utilizing multiple stages of intercooling and reheat, ceramic technology, turbocharger technology and high pressure combustion. The approach includes utilizing a conventional dry low NOx combustor for the main combustor and thermal reactors for the reheat apparatuses. In a first configuration, there are three separate turbo-compressor spools and a free power turbine spool. In a second configuration, there are three separate turbo-compressor spools but no free power spool. In a third configuration, all the compressors and turbines are on a single shaft. Each of these configurations can include two stages of intercooling, two stages of reheat and a recuperator to preheat the working fluid before it enters the main combustor. | 12-27-2012 |
20130111923 | GAS TURBINE ENGINE COMPONENT AXIS CONFIGURATIONS - A method is disclosed to enable the efficient physical packaging of gas turbine engine components to optimize power density, more readily integrate with other equipment and facilitate maintenance. The method illustrates dense packaging of turbomachinery by close-coupling of components, and rotation of various engine components with respect to engines and/or other engine components, and reversal of spool shaft rotational direction to suit the application. Engines can be dense-packed because of a number of features of the basic engine including the use of compact centrifugal compressors and radial inlet turbine assemblies, the close coupling of turbomachinery, the ability to rotate key components to facilitate ducting and preferred placement of other components, the ability to control spool shaft rotational direction and full power operation at high overall pressure ratios. | 05-09-2013 |
20130112313 | MULTI-FUEL SERVICE STATION - A method and system(s) are disclosed for integrating a new fuel into an operating transportation system in a continuous, seamless manner, such as diesel fuel being gradually replaced by compressed natural gas (“CNG”) in long haul trucks. Integration can be implemented using two enabling technologies. The first is an engine system capable of operating seamlessly on two or more fuels without regard to the ignition characteristics of the fuels. The second is a communications and computing system for implementing a fueling strategy that optimizes fuel consumption, guides the selection of fuel based upon location, cost and emissions and allows the transition from one fuel to another to appear substantially seamless to the truck driver. | 05-09-2013 |
20130139519 | MULTI-SPOOL INTERCOOLED RECUPERATED GAS TURBINE - A method and apparatus are disclosed for a multi-spool gas turbine engine with a variable area turbine nozzle and a motor/alternator device on the highest pressure turbo-compressor spool for starting the gas turbine and power extraction during engine operation. During power down of the engine, the variable area turbine nozzle may be used in conjunction with power extraction to maintain a near constant combustor outlet temperature while controlling turbine inlet temperatures on the turbines downstream of the highest pressure turbine and controlling spool speed on the highest pressure turbine. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144171 | ALIGNMENT AND IMAGING OF AN EYE WITH AN ULTRASONIC SCANNER - A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating accurate and precise ultrasonic images of biological materials or animate objects, such as the cornea and lens of the eye, and, in particular, to an ultrasonic scanning apparatus that can position its virtual center of curvature such that its ultrasonic transducer will emit pulses that reflect substantially perpendicularly from a curved specular surface of interest within the eye. This invention can allow real time imaging of a lens as it accommodates and can better enable researchers and ophthalmic surgeons to develop, fit, implant and diagnose performance of artificial lenses including accommodative lenses. | 06-06-2013 |
20130294892 | GAS TURBINE ENERGY STORAGE AND CONVERSION SYSTEM - The present invention combines the principles of a gas turbine engine with an electric transmission system. A method and apparatus are disclosed for utilizing metallic and ceramic elements to store heat energy derived from a regenerative braking system. The subject invention uses this regenerated electrical energy to provide additional energy storage over conventional electrical storage methods suitable for a gas turbine engine. The subject invention provides engine braking for a gas turbine engine as well as reducing fuel consumption. | 11-07-2013 |
20130310692 | CORRECTING FOR UNINTENDED MOTION FOR ULTRASONIC EYE SCANS - A device and method are disclosed for detecting and correcting unintended eye movements that may occur during an ultrasound scan by monitoring multiple position tracking sensors, examples being but not limited to ultrasound or optical position sensors. These position tracking sensors are in addition to the ultrasound imaging transducer and are in a fixed position on the scan head so as not to move during the scanning operation. These position tracking sensors can continuously monitor the distance to the cornea or other clearly defined anatomical features of the eye such as the posterior pigment layer of the iris during the movement of the scan head assembly and can provide continuous multi-dimensional correction for any unwanted motion of the eye relative to the scan head that may occur during the ultrasound scan. | 11-21-2013 |
20140009741 | COMBINATION OPTICAL AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING OF AN EYE - A method and apparatus are disclosed for integrating optical coherence tomography (OCT) and very high frequency ultrasound (VHFU) imaging systems. An OCT probe and reference arm are mounted along with an ultrasound probe on a carriage capable of rotational, linear, and/or arcuate motion. The probe carriage may be immersed in water or other suitable medium. The OCT and VHFU probes move about the cornea surface such that the probe axes are substantially perpendicular relative to the cornea surface throughout a scan. The probes are able to be scanned in an arcuate path across the entire cornea surface. The method and apparatus disclosed are also directed towards providing a positioning mechanism and scan head comprising an arcuate guide track wherein only an OCT probe is mounted on the probe carriage. This embodiment allows the OCT probe beam to remain substantially perpendicular to the cornea and lens surfaces. | 01-09-2014 |
20140193761 | RAIL CARS FOR TRANSPORTING HEAVY HYDROCARBONS - A method and system of temperature control of heavy hydrocarbons in a consist of rail cars is disclosed wherein waste heat from one or more of the locomotives propelling the train is utilized to heat the heavy hydrocarbons in a consist or ambient air is used to cool the heavy hydrocarbon cargo. The train is typically comprised of tanker cars that can be filled with raw heavy hydrocarbon, not dilbit thus allowing about 20% to about 30% additional heavy hydrocarbon to be transported in each tanker car. The system can keep the heavy hydrocarbon at a first, lower temperature en route and increase temperature to a second higher temperature as the train nears its terminus so that the tanker cars can be quickly emptied of their contents at the receiving terminal without the need to heat the tanker cars at the unloading terminal. The method disclosed herein for heating tanker cars in transit is to utilize waste heat from the locomotive diesel or gas turbine engines which is otherwise exhausted to the atmosphere. | 07-10-2014 |
20140249422 | INNOVATIVE COMPONENTS FOR AN ULTRASONIC ARC SCANNING APPARATUS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various aspects of imaging systems, including permeable and impermeable barriers separating liquid compartments, one of which contains the object to be imaged and the other an ultrasonic transducer, a fluidic bearing between a transducer carriage and guide supporting the carriage, a linear motor for the carriage, and a location sensing device for the carriage. | 09-04-2014 |