University of Houston System

University of Alaska

Cameron International Corporation

Mithun Singla

Gangbing Song

Zhaohui Yang

Christiana Chang

Ting Yang

Devendra Patil

Chris Kocurek

Yi-Lung Mo

Luyu Li

He Ma

Huigang Xiao

A system and method for heating structures to either prevent the build-up of freezing precipitation or eliminate freezing precipitation on an exposed outer surface of the structures. The system includes a heating assembly integrally formed with a structure to apply thermal energy to the exposed outer surface of the structure. Optionally, the heating assembly includes heating elements formed of carbon fiber. The system optionally includes a control assembly operatively coupled to the heating assembly. The control assembly selectively powers the heating assembly and can be configured for remote operation. In use, the control assembly can be selectively activated from a remote location to power the heating assembly and heat the structure. Optionally, the structure is a concrete structure.

Heating panels and systems and methods of using same

A system and method for heating concrete structures to either prevent the build-up of freezing precipitation or eliminate freezing precipitation on a top surface of the concrete structures. The system includes a heating assembly integrally formed with a concrete structure to apply thermal energy to the top surface of the concrete structure. Optionally, the heating assembly includes heating elements formed of carbon fiber tape. Following formation of the concrete structure, the heating assembly is configured for unified movement with the concrete structure. The system optionally includes a control assembly operatively coupled to the heating assembly. The control assembly selectively powers the heating assembly and can be configured for remote operation. In use, the control assembly can be selectively activated from a remote location to power the heating assembly and heat the concrete structure.

Systems and methods for heating concrete structures

A vibration dampener, including, a first beam comprising a first mounting end portion and a first peripheral end portion, wherein the first peripheral end portion comprises a tunable mass, and the first beam is configured to vibrate in tune with a vibrational frequency of a structure supporting the first beam at the first mounting end portion, a second beam comprising a second mounting end portion and a second peripheral end portion, wherein the second peripheral end portion comprises a ring disposed about the first beam, and a viscoelastic material disposed between the first beam and the ring, wherein the viscoelastic material is configured to dampen vibrational energy as the first beam vibrates toward the ring until the viscoelastic material becomes compressed between the first beam and the ring during the course of the impact.

Pounding tune mass damper with viscoelastic material

A system, in certain embodiments, includes a multi-layer composite strip of pipe dampening materials, comprising a first layer of a first material, a second layer of a second material disposed adjacent to the first layer of material, and a third layer of a third material disposed adjacent to the second layer of material, wherein the second material comprises a viscoelastic material, and wherein the multi-layer composite strip of pipe dampening materials is configured to be affixed to an outer surface of a section of pipe. In certain embodiments, the first layer and the third layer may have stiffness values that are substantially different from each other. The difference in stiffness values may enable relative motion in the first layer and the third layer to be generated during vibration of the section of pipe, and the energy may be dissipated by the viscoelastic material, thereby dampening vibration of the section of pipe. In certain embodiments, multiple strips of pipe dampening materials may be used.

Viscoelastic damped jumpers

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Mithun Singla