Recent Patents on Mechanical Engineering
ISSN: 1874-477X - Volume 1, 2008
Recent Patents on Mechanical
Engineering
Volume 1, Number 3, November 2008
Contents
Research and Applications of MR Elastomers Pp.
161-166
Weihua Li and Xianzhou Zhangs
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Some Applications of Controlled Drop
Deposition on Solid Surfaces Pp. 167-174
Volfango Bertola
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Burner Development for the Reduction
of NOx Emissions from Coal
Fired Electric Utilities Pp. 175-189
Bireswar Paul and Amitava Datta
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Recent Patents on Nanofluids (Nanoparticles
in Liquids) Heat Transfer Pp. 190-197
Emmanuel C. Nsofor
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
New Plates for Different Types of Plate
Heat Exchangers Pp. 198-205
Carla S. Fernandes, Ricardo P. Dias and
João M. Maia
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Recent Innovations in Vehicle Suspension
Systems Pp. 206-210
Yucheng Liu
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Analysis of Viscous Fluids Pp.
211-216
Hai-Ping Hu and Rong-Hua Yeh
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Review on Patents about the Key Technologies
of Next Generation Super Large Radio Telescope Pp.
217-224
Duan Baoyan and Du Jingli
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Metallurgical Temperature Sensors
Pp. 225-232
Kin-Ho Lo, Chan-Hung Shek and Joseph
K.-L. Lai
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Patent
Selections
Pp. 233-236
Abstracts
[Back to top] [Full
Text Article]
Research and Applications of MR Elastomers
Weihua Li and Xianzhou Zhangs
Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) is a new branch of
MR materials, which are smart materials whose rheological
properties can be controlled by the application of an external
magnetic field. MREs are solid, rubber-like materials whose
modulus can be adjusted by applying magnetic field. In this
article, the current research and patents on the material
fabrication, modeling and testing, and applications will be
reviewed and discussed. As the articles review, recent interesting
in applications focused on three main areas. The first one
is on the sound and vibration control, especially on the vehicle
applications, including dynamic vibration absorber and isolator.
The second one is on the controllable stiffness change and
deformation, such as roll in papermaking machine and releasable
fastener system. The third one is on the sensors and actuators.
In summary, MREs have made significant advances and will have
promising applications.
[Back to top] [Full
Text Article]
Some Applications of Controlled Drop Deposition on Solid Surfaces
Volfango Bertola
This paper reviews some industrial applications where
a central role is played by the interaction between a surface
and an impacting drop or spray. In particular, attention is
focused on patents describing methods to optimize the application
by controlling the drop deposition. This can be achieved,
for instance, by using additives that change the fluid rheology,
or by modifying artificially the state of the surface. The
industrial applications considered here span across the whole
range of engineering disciplines, from the distribution of
agrochemicals to the fabrication of microlenses, and should
be intended as examples of the potential as well as of the
multidisciplinarity of this topic.
[Back to top] [Full
Text Article]
Burner Development for the Reduction of NOx
Emissions from Coal Fired Electric Utilities
Bireswar Paul and Amitava Datta
Pulverized coal combustion is widely used for electricity
generation around the world. The oxides of nitrogen are among
the important polluting species, emitted from coal combustion,
having large scale adverse impacts on the environment and
life. There can be different routes of the formation of NOx
from coal combustion and their emission from electric utilities
depends on several boiler operating parameters as well. Among
the different options of reducing the NOx
formation and emission from power station boilers, the introduction
of low NOx burner is one
of the less expensive alternatives, which can also be readily
retrofitted in the existing plants. The present review has
focused on the different design decisions in the burner technology
for reducing the formation of NOx.
Important patents in the field as well as several commercial
designs of the burners have been analyzed. A discussion has
also been incorporated on some of the current innovations
for further reduction of NOx
in order to achieve stringent regulations in the near future.
[Back to top] [Full
Text Article]
Recent Patents on Nanofluids (Nanoparticles in Liquids) Heat
Transfer
Emmanuel C. Nsofor
Advances in high power technology are demanding size
reduction of thermal systems resulting in constrained spaces
for increased heat transfer. This has led to thermal management
problems in emerging systems which have defied solution by
conventional cooling methods. Due to recent developments in
nanotechnology, a new class of heat transfer fluids called
nanofluids was discovered. A nanofluid is a solid-liquid mixture
produced by dispersing metallic nanoparticles in a liquid
to enhance the heat transfer performance. Experiments have
shown that nanofluids have substantial higher thermal conductivities
compared to the base fluids. This application of nanometer-sized
particles in liquids holds huge prospects for confronting
cooling problems in thermal systems. This paper summarizes
the explanations that have been presented for the enhanced
thermal conductivity of nanofluids, the methods of preparation
as well as recent and important patents on nanofluids heat
transfer. It also identifies areas for further research. This
review indicates that exploitation of nanofluids could lead
to development of coolants that can be applied in thermal
systems leading to remarkable impact in many sectors especially
energy and transportation. Also, the principles of nanoparticles
in biofluids can be applied to drug delivery in body tissues
thus providing new medical treatment methods.
[Back to top]
[Full Text Article]
New Plates for Different Types of Plate Heat Exchangers
Carla S. Fernandes, Ricardo P. Dias and
João M. Maia
The first patent for a plate heat exchanger was granted
in 1878 to Albretch Dracke, a German inventor. The commercial
embodiment of these equipments has become available in 1923.
However, the plate heat exchanger development race began in
the 1930’s and these gasketed plate and frame heat exchangers
were mainly used as pasteurizers (e.g. for milk and beer).
Industrial plate heat exchangers were introduced in the 1950’s
and initially they were converted dairy models. Brazed plate
heat exchangers were developed in the late 1970’s. However,
copper brazed units did not start selling until the early
80’s. Nickel brazing came to market around ten years
later, since copper presents compatibility problems with some
streams (e.g. ammonia). All-welded and semi-welded (laser
weld) plate heat exchangers were developed during the 1980’s
and early 90’s. Shell and plate heat exchangers were
recently introduced in the market and can withstand relatively
high pressures and temperatures, as the shell and tube does.
The fusion bonded plate heat exchangers (100% stainless steel)
are a technology from the 21st
century, these equipments being more durable than brazed plate
heat exchangers. The plates are the most important elements
from the different plate heat exchangers mentioned above.
This paper initially introduces the gasketed plate and frame
heat exchanger and common chevron-type plates. Resorting to
computer fluid dynamics techniques, the complex 3D flow in
cross-corrugated chevron-type plate heat exchanger passages
is visualized. Recent patents related with the plates from
different plate heat exchangers are then outlined.
[Back to top] [Full
Text Article]
Recent Innovations in Vehicle Suspension Systems
Yucheng Liu
Suspension system is one of the most important systems
in a modern vehicle. It significantly contributes to the vehicle’s
availability and safety, keeps vehicle occupants comfortable
and also protects the vehicle from damage and wear. Due to
its importance in the vehicle structure, a massive amount
of effort has been spent on enhancing the performances of
suspension system, such as stability, controllability, and
other capabilities. This paper briefly reviews recent innovations
and some representative patents (since 2000) in this area
and outlines the features and advantages of these inventions.
The future trends of research in the suspension system design
are also discussed.
[Back to top] [Full
Text Article]
Analysis of Viscous Fluids
Hai-Ping Hu and Rong-Hua Yeh
This work investigates a fully-developed laminar flow of a
complex channel with a period of 2d. Because of the character
of symmetry, the study will focus on an L-shaped region. The
governing equations are the Poisson equations. The analysis
is solved by an eigenfunction expansion and the point-match
method. The local velocity, the maximum velocity, the average
velocity and the f. Re of the channel are discussed
in the present paper. Furthermore, the results of present
research are compared and discussed with the relevant references
and it shows that the results will be helpful toward the proposals
in the channel flow systems of recent patents.
[Back to top] [Full
Text Article]
Review on Patents about the Key Technologies of Next Generation
Super Large Radio Telescope
Duan Baoyan and Du Jingli
Based on the state-of-the-art of Arecibo 305m diameter telescope,
an innovative design was proposed by the author ten years
ago to build the next generation large radio telescope. In
the design, a cable supporting system with 6 long reach cables
is utilized to move the feed in space, which works in the
same way as parallel cable-driven robots. In order to achieve
the desired position precision of the feed, a fine-tuning
Stewart platform is added to the cable supporting system.
Due to the long reach of the cable and high feed position
precision, cable curve needs to be carefully accounted for.
Because of the low stiffness of the cable supporting system,
the interaction between the cable supporting system and the
Stewart platform is also a problem to solve. A series of key
technology researches have been done, and both 5m and 50m
demonstrate models are built to validate the proposed design.
At the same time, several relevant patents have been issued.
This paper intends to make an introduction and discussion
about this.
[Back to top] [Full
Text Article]
Metallurgical Temperature Sensors
Kin-Ho Lo, Chan-Hung Shek and Joseph
K.-L. Lai
This short review article gives an overview of the use
of several novel, metallurgical temperature sensors. These
include the Feroplug, the Sigmaplug, the Templug and PETIT.
Metallographic methods that utilise carbide segregation and
the thickness of metal oxide scales that accumulate on steam
boiler pipes are also introduced. Besides reviewing the various
metallurgical sensors, emphasis has been placed on the Sigmaplug,
which is a new, potentially patentable technique. A new application
i.e. monitoring of temperature fluctuation and overheating/underheating,
for an ‘old’ patented technique, the Feroplug,
is also discussed in this article. New results on the Sigmaplug,
some of which have not been published before, on this potentially
patentable technique are presented in this article. Additionally,
the latest results by the present group of authors on the
use of metallurgy-related phenomena in stainless steels for
temperature measurement are introduced. The Feroplug is an
‘old’ patented technique that was originally designed
for the measurement of long-term average temperatures. Recently,
attempts have been made to assess the possibility of using
this technique for temperature fluctuation and overheating/underheating
monitoring. Results on this topic are introduced.
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