F04B25/00

LIQUEFIED GAS UNLOADING AND DEEP EVACUATION SYSTEM
20220252072 · 2022-08-11 ·

A liquefied gas unloading and deep evacuation system may more quickly, more efficiently and more completely unload liquefied gases from transport tanks, such as rail cars, into stationary storage tanks or into truck tanks. The system may utilize a two stage compressor, an electric motor, a variable frequency drive, a four way valve, a three way valve, a two way valve, a programmable logic controller based control system and pressure and temperature transmitters. The valving enables deep evacuation of the transport or supply tank to more completely empty the transport tank. The programmable logic controller and variable speed drive may be used to variably control the speed of the two stage compressor so that the system may be running as fast as possible during changes in ambient temperature and/or different stages of offloading the liquefied gases without exceeding the compressor's horsepower limit.

ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER ACTUATOR FOR MULTI-STAGE PUMP
20220268268 · 2022-08-25 ·

A two-stage pump system is provided using electrostatic actuators. The system includes a pair of hydraulically-amplified, self-healing, electrostatic (HASEL) actuators in fluid communication with one another. Each actuator includes a deformable shell defining a working fluid compartment storing a dielectric fluid. Two electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the deformable shell. A pair of fluid transfer bladders are disposed adjacent the respective pair of HASEL actuators, each including a fluid-impermeable membrane defining a transfer fluid chamber, and a biasing member disposed in the transfer fluid chamber. When individually actuated in an alternating two-stage pattern, the two electrodes of each respective HASEL actuator move from a neutral position to an attracted position, displacing dielectric fluid through the first transfer conduit and between working fluid compartments, thereby pumping the transfer fluid from an inlet to an outlet.

ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER ACTUATOR FOR MULTI-STAGE PUMP
20220268268 · 2022-08-25 ·

A two-stage pump system is provided using electrostatic actuators. The system includes a pair of hydraulically-amplified, self-healing, electrostatic (HASEL) actuators in fluid communication with one another. Each actuator includes a deformable shell defining a working fluid compartment storing a dielectric fluid. Two electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the deformable shell. A pair of fluid transfer bladders are disposed adjacent the respective pair of HASEL actuators, each including a fluid-impermeable membrane defining a transfer fluid chamber, and a biasing member disposed in the transfer fluid chamber. When individually actuated in an alternating two-stage pattern, the two electrodes of each respective HASEL actuator move from a neutral position to an attracted position, displacing dielectric fluid through the first transfer conduit and between working fluid compartments, thereby pumping the transfer fluid from an inlet to an outlet.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF AIR-DRIVEN GENERATORS USING SOLAR THERMAL HEATING
20220316483 · 2022-10-06 ·

An air-driven generator system for generating electric power from movement of a working liquid. The system includes an air-driven generator that includes a liquid turbine system fluidically interposed between the lower end of an elongate gravitational distribution conduit and the lower ends of plural elongate buoyancy conduits. A heavy working liquid flows from the upper ends of the buoyancy conduits and is fed into the upper end of the elongate gravitational distribution conduit. Working liquid flows down the elongate gravitational distribution conduit to actuate the liquid turbine system. An injection of air into the working liquid in the plural elongate buoyancy conduits induces upward flow of the working liquid. The system includes a solar thermal heating system fluidically coupled to heat exchangers that transfer heat collected by the solar thermal heating system to the working fluid through a thermal transfer fluid circuit.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF AIR-DRIVEN GENERATORS USING SOLAR THERMAL HEATING
20220316483 · 2022-10-06 ·

An air-driven generator system for generating electric power from movement of a working liquid. The system includes an air-driven generator that includes a liquid turbine system fluidically interposed between the lower end of an elongate gravitational distribution conduit and the lower ends of plural elongate buoyancy conduits. A heavy working liquid flows from the upper ends of the buoyancy conduits and is fed into the upper end of the elongate gravitational distribution conduit. Working liquid flows down the elongate gravitational distribution conduit to actuate the liquid turbine system. An injection of air into the working liquid in the plural elongate buoyancy conduits induces upward flow of the working liquid. The system includes a solar thermal heating system fluidically coupled to heat exchangers that transfer heat collected by the solar thermal heating system to the working fluid through a thermal transfer fluid circuit.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING HYDROGEN GAS IN A CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR

A process for producing compressed hydrogen gas including: electrolysing water to produce hydrogen gas, and compressing the hydrogen gas in a multistage compression system including: a centrifugal compression stage and a recycle system for recycling a portion of the hydrogen gas from a product end to a feed end of the centrifugal compression stage; wherein hydrogen gas feed is fed to the feed end at a pre-determined feed temperature and pressure and mole fraction of water; wherein a portion of the hydrogen gas is removed from the product end, reduced in pressure in the recycle system to the pre-determined feed pressure and is then recycled to form at least part of the hydrogen gas feed to the centrifugal compression stage; and further including cooling hydrogen gas comprising the reduced pressure hydrogen gas such that the water mole fraction in the hydrogen gas feed is at the pre-determined water mole fraction.

Air supply system with electronic converter

An air supply system having a compressor driven by a motor for producing compressed air, an air drier system for extracting moisture from the compressed air produced, an electronic converter for demand-dependent control of the compressor and analog and/or digital sensors for producing electrical signals, the electrical signals being useful for controlling the electronic converter and for monitoring and controlling the compressor. The electrical signals produced by the sensors are converted in the electronic converter to bus signals that can be provided for evaluation at a bus interface.

Air supply system with electronic converter

An air supply system having a compressor driven by a motor for producing compressed air, an air drier system for extracting moisture from the compressed air produced, an electronic converter for demand-dependent control of the compressor and analog and/or digital sensors for producing electrical signals, the electrical signals being useful for controlling the electronic converter and for monitoring and controlling the compressor. The electrical signals produced by the sensors are converted in the electronic converter to bus signals that can be provided for evaluation at a bus interface.

PUMPING DEVICE, PLANT AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID HYDROGEN

Device for pumping liquid hydrogen including, arranged in series between an inlet for fluid to be compressed and an outlet for compressed fluid, a first compression member with a piston forming a first compression stage and a second compression member with a piston forming a second compression stage. The first compression member compresses the liquid hydrogen to a supercritical state. The second compression member compresses the supercritical hydrogen from the first compression member to an increased pressure, in particular, between 200 and 1000 bar.

PUMPING DEVICE, PLANT AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID HYDROGEN

Device for pumping liquid hydrogen including, arranged in series between an inlet for fluid to be compressed and an outlet for compressed fluid, a first compression member with a piston forming a first compression stage and a second compression member with a piston forming a second compression stage. The first compression member compresses the liquid hydrogen to a supercritical state. The second compression member compresses the supercritical hydrogen from the first compression member to an increased pressure, in particular, between 200 and 1000 bar.