Patents Represented by Attorney Christopher J. Cronin
  • Patent number: 8091593
    Abstract: Method for filling a tank with a pressurized gas, in particular a vehicle tank with hydrogen, including the step of compressing the gas from a first gas source in order to fill said tank directly or via at least one buffer vessel, wherein the compression step is carried out using the energy from a working fluid, said method being characterized in that it comprises a step of heat exchange between said compressed gas and said working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Laurent Allidieres
  • Patent number: 8076038
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a housing partially above and below the ground containing a fuel cell beneath ground level and a fuel tank disposed above the fuel cell. The fuel cell may be accessed by raising it to above ground level with a fuel cell vertical displacement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventor: Pascal Tessier
  • Patent number: 8061682
    Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a pressurized fluid, in particular a medical or industrial gas, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a internal fluid passage that connects them. A valve for controlling the fluid flow can prevent the circulation of a fluid in this passage, and an actuator utilizing a pivoting lever can be manually actuated by an operator. This lever pivots around a pivot point and can move between at least three stable, angularly staggered positions including a rest position where there is zero fluid flow in the internal fluid passage a intermediary released position where the fluid flow remains zero and an active position with fluid flowing thorough the internal fluid passage at a non-zero rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Daniel Lang, Alain Taillandier
  • Patent number: 8056580
    Abstract: A valve to control the flow of pressurized fluids, such as medical or industrial gases, consists of a body with an internal fluid distribution circuit, comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a internal fluid passage connecting them. Fluid flow can be controlled by an operator manually actuating a lever. This lever can move between at least three stable positions that are angularly staggered in relation to each other. In the rest position, the lever is fixed and solidly connected to the body of the valve, and there is zero fluid flow in the internal fluid passage. In the intermediary released position, the lever is disconnected from the body, but the fluid flow remains zero. In the active position, the lever is disconnected from the body, and fluid flows thorough the internal fluid passage at a non-zero rate. Application also to gas cylinders equipped with such valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes George Claude
    Inventors: Daniel Lang, Alain Taillandier
  • Patent number: 8047395
    Abstract: The main opposite surfaces (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) of the inner (1) and outer (2) coverings are directly linked to each other by rigid coaxial linking elements (9;10), flexible linking elements (15) joining a main surface (5a) of the outer covering to an opposite surface (4b) of the inner covering (1) and vice-versa. The invention can be used for the storage of cryogenic fuel used as a power source for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Laurent Allidieres, Florent Janin, Eric Faure
  • Patent number: 8003143
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process respectively an apparatus for filling a container with articles such as food, in particular meat, and a process respectively an apparatus for cooling articles and is characterised by repeating the following steps: (A) a first portion of the articles is conveyed with a conveying means, in particular a conveyor belt, having a conveyor outlet and is discharged into a container at a lower conveying speed such that a first portion accumulates in the container at the first location closer to the conveyor outlet; and (B) thereafter, a second portion of the articles is conveyed by the conveying means and is discharged into a container at a higher conveying speed, such that the second portion accumulates in the container at the second location further away from the conveyor outlet; as well as a process respectively an apparatus for cooling articles using said process and said apparatus for filling; as well as the articles processed by said processes respectively said apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Robert Taylor
  • Patent number: 7968040
    Abstract: Method for fabricating a fluid connector for fuel cell system: (a) a thermoplastic parison (19) is extruded, (b) the parison is placed in a mould (10a, 10b), (c) an intermediate zone is created, in which the two walls of the parison are joined in a gastight manner, (d) a gas is blown inside the parison into each cavity of the mould, and (e) the mould is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Xavier Roussin-Bouchard, Denis Sirac, Nancy Clary
  • Patent number: 7955526
    Abstract: A composite material (M) comprising: at least 75% by volume of a mixed electronic conductor compound oxygen anions O<2->(C1) selected from doped ceramic compounds which, at the temperature of use, are present in the form of a crystalline network having ion oxide lattice vacancies and, more particularly, in the form of a cubic phase, a fluorite phase, a perovskite phase, of the aurivillius variety, a Brown-Millerite phase or a pyrochlore phase; and 0.01%-25% by volume of a compound (C2) which is different from compound (C1), selected from oxide-type ceramic materials, non-oxide type ceramic materials, metals, metal alloys or mixtures of said different types of material; and 0%-2.5% by volume of a compound (C3) produced from at least one chemical reaction represented by the equation: xFC1+yFC2 - - - >zFC3, wherein FC1, FC2 and FC3 represent the raw formulae of compounds (C1), (C2) and (C3) and x, y and z represent rational numbers above or equal to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l 'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pascal Del Gallo, Thierry Chartier, Gregory Etchegoyen
  • Patent number: 7951325
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for use in metal melting, refining and/or other processing, such as, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace (EAF), and more particularly, to improved burner panels and related methods for the introduction of various energy sources, such as, for example, chemical energy and particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Christopher K. Higgins, Serban Cantacuzene, Yury Eyfa
  • Patent number: 7950217
    Abstract: Systems and methods for exhaust gas recirculation in which at least a desired effective oxygen concentration is maintained for stable combustion at increased recirculation rates. Oxygen-enriched gas is injected into the recirculated exhaust gas to achieve the desired effective oxygen concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tailai Hu, Pavol Pranda
  • Patent number: 7950529
    Abstract: A membrane for fluid separation made of a blend of at least a polyimide polymer and a polyimidazole polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Sudhir S. Kulkarni, Dean W. Kratzer
  • Patent number: 7951228
    Abstract: The invention concerns a self-propelled vehicle, in particular an aircraft, comprising an onboard equipment such as an inerting system, means for vapour pollutant filtering (1) arranged between an air intake (8) connected to a compressed air source and an air outlet (9) connected to the equipment. The invention is characterized in that the vapour pollutant filtering means (1) comprise adsorption filtering means such as molecular sieve and/or activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Isabel Lemaitre, Olivier Vandroux, Stéphane Lessi
  • Patent number: 7914279
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improved combustion of oxygen and a mixture of a non-gaseous fuel, which includes providing: 1) a source of a mixture of non-gaseous fuel and conveying gas; 2) a source of oxygen; 3) a burner operatively associated with a combustion chamber; 4) a fuel duct in fluid communication with the source of mixed non-gaseous fuel and conveying gas; 5) a tubular oxygen lance fluidly communicating with the source of oxygen; and 6) at least two injection elements in fluid communication with the source of oxygen. The fuel duct includes a portion that extends along an axis towards the burner. The lance is disposed along the axis and has a diameter D. The injection elements are configured to inject oxygen into, and mix therewith, a flow of the mixture upstream of, or at, the burner. At least one of the injection elements receives oxygen from the lance. The injection elements are spaced apart by a distance X, which is greater than the length of diameter D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Usman Ghani, Florian Gautier, Fabienne Chatel-Pelage, Frederick W. Giacobbe, Pavol Pranda, Nicolas Perrin
  • Patent number: 7891197
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the uninterrupted supply of liquid subcooled carbon dioxide. The liquid is supplied at a nearly constant pressure greater than about 40 bar. Liquid carbon dioxide is supplied at a low pressure and is sent into a low pressure tank where it is stored temporarily. The carbon dioxide is then pumped, with a pump, from the low pressure tank to a high pressure tank. During the pumping, the pressure of the carbon dioxide is increased. The carbon dioxide is stored in the high pressure tank until its removal. When the carbon dioxide is removed, it is in a thermodynamic disequilibrium between the liquid and gas phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Harald Winter
  • Patent number: 7846236
    Abstract: An oxygen generator is controlled to producing oxygen during a period t at a pressure P2 higher than P1, or during a period t? with a flow rate D2 higher than D1, optionally with a pressure P2 higher than P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pascal Del-Gallo, Guylaine Gouriou
  • Patent number: 7834207
    Abstract: Method and system for forming an anhydrous sterilant. In one embodiment, anhydrous peracetic acid is combined with carbon dioxide, wherein the carbon dioxide is in one of a liquid, solid, and supercritical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7776208
    Abstract: This disclosure discusses integrating syngas streams with refinery hydrotreators, synthetic hydrocarbon gas to liquid (GTL) processes, and power generation units (such as combined cycle units) to efficiently use hydrogen contained in the syngas produced from heavy hydrocarbons (pet coke, residues, oil, etc.). Membrane separation and pressure swing adsorption is used to separate components of syngas and feed them to refineries, GTL units, and power/steam generation units. Hydrogen-rich refinery purge is used to raise the H2/CO ratio of syngas. A hydrogen-enriched syngas is produced with an H2/CO ratio favorable for the production on synthetic hydrocarbons (greater than about 1.5 to about 2.0 or higher). Pure hydrogen is also produced in a PSA unit, to further raise the H2/CO ratio of the syngas and provide hydrogen feed for refinery hydrotreators and synthetic hydrocarbon units (such as methanol units).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: C.J. Guo
  • Patent number: 7758336
    Abstract: The invention relates to processes for the combustion of liquid fuels, including a means of using an oxygenated gas in a combustion zone, applicable to steam boilers, which produces a longer, more uniform and cooler oxygen flame than a conventional oxygen flame. According to the invention, the liquid fuel is injected into the combustion zone in atomized form, the fuel being atomized by bringing a stream of fuel into contact with a stream of atomizing fluid, and: prior to its atomization, the liquid fuel has a viscosity of at least 30×10?6 m2/s, the stream of fuel is brought into contact with the stream of atomizing fluid only in the combustion zone, and oxygenated gas is injected into the combustion zone in stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pascal Tromeur, Remi Tsiava, Bertrand Leroux, Patrick Jean-Marie Recourt
  • Patent number: 7739878
    Abstract: A method is provided for cooling a powder in a tunnel with a vibrating support with at least two independently controllable cryogenic liquid inflows into the tunnel. It includes the following steps. A thermal mass of powder entering the tunnel is determined. The arrival of the powder at the tunnel inlet is detected. The thermal mass measurement previously obtained is synchronized with the detection of the arrival of the powder at the tunnel inlet, according to a known or predefined response time of the means for controlling the said cryogenic liquid inflows into the tunnel. The synchronization data is transmitted to a data acquisition and processing unit, which is able to retroact, if necessary, on the basis of this data, on all or part of the parameters governing the operation of the tunnel. The method is especially applicable to the cooling or deep-freezing treatments of food products or chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Beny Bruggeman, Robert Taylor
  • Patent number: D649566
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP
    Inventors: Stephen Bilger, David C. Braithwaite