Abstract:
This disclosure includes subsea pumping apparatuses and related methods. Some apparatuses include one or more subsea pumps, each having an inlet and an outlet, and one or more motors, each configured to actuate at least one pump to communicate a hydraulic fluid from the inlet to the outlet, where the subsea pumping apparatus is configured to be in fluid communication with a hydraulically actuated device of a blowout preventer. Some subsea pumping apparatuses include one or more of: a desalination system configured to produce at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid; one or more valves, each configured to selectively route hydraulic fluid from an outlet of a pump to, for example, a subsea environment, a reservoir, and/or the inlet of the pump; and a reservoir configured to store at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid. Some apparatuses are configured to be directly coupled to the hydraulically actuated device.
Abstract:
A system for hydraulic hybridization of a motor vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention includes a planetary gear mechanism including a first, second, and third planetary member and planet gears, wherein one of the first, second, and third planetary members is a sun gear, one is a ring gear, and one is a carrier; an engine, the engine including a crank shaft; a transmission, the transmission including a transmission input shaft; and a hydraulic pump/motor, the pump/motor including a pump shaft; and wherein the first planetary member is mechanically coupled to the pump shaft, wherein the second planetary member is mechanically coupled to the crank shaft, wherein the third planetary member is mechanically coupled to the transmission input shaft, and wherein the hydraulic pump/motor is not part of a hydrostatic transmission system.
Abstract:
This disclosure includes systems and methods for actuation of subsea hydraulically actuated devices. Some systems use or include one or more subsea reservoirs, each having a body defining an interior volume configured to contain a sub-ambient internal pressure, the body defining an outlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, and a hydraulic power delivery system including one or more subsea valves configured to selectively allow fluid communication between the outlet of at least one of the reservoir(s) and a first port of the hydraulically actuated device. In some systems, the hydraulic power delivery system includes a rigid sliding member configured to unseal a selectively sealed outlet of at least one of the reservoir(s). In some systems, the subsea valve(s) are configured to alternatively allow fluid communication between the outlet of the at least one of the reservoir(s) and the first or a second port of the hydraulically actuated device.
Abstract:
This disclosure includes subsea pumping apparatuses and related methods. Some apparatuses include one or more subsea pumps, each having an inlet and an outlet, and one or more motors, each configured to actuate at least one pump to communicate a hydraulic fluid from the inlet to the outlet, where the subsea pumping apparatus is configured to be in fluid communication with a hydraulically actuated device of a blowout preventer. Some subsea pumping apparatuses include one or more of: a desalination system configured to produce at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid; one or more valves, each configured to selectively route hydraulic fluid from an outlet of a pump to, for example, a subsea environment, a reservoir, and/or the inlet of the pump; and a reservoir configured to store at least a portion of the hydraulic fluid. Some apparatuses are configured to be directly coupled to the hydraulically actuated device.
Abstract:
Hydraulic engine valve actuation methods for internal combustion engines having improved energy efficiency. In hydraulic engine valve operating systems using spring returns (22) for valve closure (20), the spring force is a minimum when the valve is closed and a maximum at the maximum lift. The present invention takes advantage of this difference by using a valve opening hydraulic force which is greater than the spring force when the valve is closed and less than the spring force when the valve is open at its maximum lift. The valve actuator is controlled to allow the valve, when opening, to overshoot the equilibrium condition. During the overshoot, the hydraulic actuator backfills with actuating fluid at it normal actuating pressure. When the valve velocity decays to zero or near zero, the flow of hydraulic fluid to (and from) the valve actuator may be cut off, capturing the valve substantially at the overshoot position.
Abstract:
Hydraulic engine valve actuation systems and methods for internal combustion engines. The systems utilize a proportional valve to regulate the flow of a working fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator controlling the engine valve position. The position of the proportional valve is controlled by high speed valves to control various engine valve parameters, including engine valve takeoff and landing velocities. Returning all valves to a known starting position between engine valve events avoids accumulation of errors in proportional valve positioning. Embodiments using spool valves for the high speed valves and the proportional valve, and spring return and hydraulic return for the engine valve, are disclosed. A specially shaped spool in the proportional valve provides enhanced control over the engine valve operation. Various further alternate embodiments are disclosed.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a valve and an actuator. The valve has a portion movably disposed within a valve pocket defined by a cylinder head of an engine. The valve is configured to move relative to the cylinder head a distance between a closed position and an opened position. The portion of the valve defines a flow opening that is in fluid communication with a cylinder of an engine when the valve is in the opened position. The actuator is configured to selectively vary the distance between the closed position and the opened position.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention include model-based controls to control photobioreactor operation and the growth of algae for use as a biofuels feedstock. In some embodiments, the model-based control can accounts for future conditions such as weather, product pricing, customer demands and/or other variables to operate the reactors in a manner that optimizes product revenues, minimizes costs or energy, maximizes photosynthetic or energy balance efficiency, and/or any combination of the aforementioned factors.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention include photobioreactors with membranes to introduce carbon dioxide into media contained within film photobioreactors. Such membranes can also be used to remove dissolved oxygen from the media. In some embodiments, one or more membrane tubes are welded into a plastic film photobioreactor to make a one-piece reactor. According to some embodiments of the present invention, algae is grown in a photobioreactor using pressure, gas composition, and surface area along with sparging to control the pH in the photobioreactor.
Abstract:
Methods of controlling a camless engine to prevent interference between engine valves and engine valves and pistons. The methods utilize one or more safe trajectories for the valves versus engine crankshaft angle. In normal operation, an engine valve control system monitors crankshaft angle and controls the engine valve so as to stay on the safe side trajectory. In the event the actual valve motion deviates excessively from the intended trajectory so as to reach or cross the safe trajectory, preventive action is taken, typically to command the engine valve to close. Safe trajectories may be stored in lookup tables, in equation form or both. In some cases a single safe trajectory for a valve may be sufficient, through in other cases, safe trajectories as a function of some engine operating conditions and environmental conditions, and in some cases may include crankshaft acceleration. Various embodiments are disclosed.