Patents Assigned to Chart Inc.
  • Patent number: 10465669
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to a spin pump that includes a combination of a compressor and a vacuum pump on respective pistons extending from a common crankshaft in a rotating housing. Related methods, apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventor: John Corey
  • Patent number: 10451221
    Abstract: A doser for dispensing a cryogenic fluid includes a doser body configured to receive the cryogenic fluid. The dosing arm has a proximal end and a distal end and a central passage extending between the proximal and distal ends. Furthermore, the dosing arm is configured to receive cryogenic fluid from the doser body. A bayonet connection removably connects the proximal end of the dosing arm to the doser body. A dosing head is mounted to the distal end of the dosing arm and is configured to receive cryogenic fluid from the central passage of the dosing arm and to dispense the cryogenic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Daniell Gaddis, James Robert Hight, Jr., Bryson Tyler Jones, Peter Zhi Ng
  • Patent number: 10421607
    Abstract: A configurable cryogenic storage device has a freezer and a rack carrier positioned inside of the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to the rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor assembly. The rack carrier rests on the bearing in a manual rotation configuration and hangs from the drive shaft when the motor is connected. Coupling the drive shaft to the motor assembly lifts the rack carrier and decouples the bearing and enables automated rotation of the rack carrier by the motor. The rack carrier includes rack-mounting features holding a plurality of sample storage racks. The sample storage racks hang from the rack carrier and the rack-mounting features precisely position the end of each sample storage rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignees: Brooks Automation, Inc., Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Jeffrey S. Brooks
  • Patent number: 10288367
    Abstract: Cooling of a meter by liquid flowing in a flow that is reverse from dispensing flow is described. A plurality of tubes is configured to transport a plurality of fluids comprising a first fluid and a second fluid. Dispense valves attached to corresponding tubes are configured to open when the first fluid is dispensed from a pump to a first outlet. Recirculation valves attached to respective tubes are configured to open when the second fluid is transported from the pump to a second outlet. A meter attached to a tube of the plurality of tubes is configured to measure properties of a fluid when the fluid flows through the tube, wherein the fluid is one of the first fluid and the second fluid. The meter is configured to sense reverse flow when the second fluid flows from the outlet section to the inlet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Chart, Inc
    Inventor: Paul Drube
  • Patent number: 10125751
    Abstract: Disclosed is an liquid natural gas supply and delivery system with a multimode fuel gas delivery system and process. The tender is capable of supplying gaseous methane fuel to an cryogenic tank via direct pumping, pressure transfer, or any combination mode due to a configuration of pumps, heat exchangers, and piping and controls. There is redundancy in the tender and it can operate with saturated or unsaturated liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Chart, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Johnson, Tom Drube
  • Patent number: 9943661
    Abstract: A device combines a muffler and a filter such as for use with an air compressor. The device utilizes dual expansion chambers with an internal connecting tube to filter the air entering an air intake port of an air compressor or oxygen concentrator. The device attenuates sound that emanates from airflow through the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Sims
  • Patent number: 9939109
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing subcooled CO2 liquid includes a vacuum insulated bulk tank containing a supply of the liquid CO2. A pressure builder having an inlet in communication with a bottom portion of the bulk tank and an outlet in communication with a top portion of the bulk tank vaporizes liquid from the bulk tank and delivers the resulting gas to the top portion of the tank so as to pressurize it. A baffle is positioned within the bulk tank. Below the baffle, a refrigeration system is connected to the heat exchanger coil so that a refrigerant fluid is supplied to and received from the heat exchanger coil so that the liquid below the baffle is subcooled and the liquid above the baffle is stratified. A liquid fill line is in communication with the interior of the bulk tank via a fill line opening that is positioned above the baffle. A liquid feed line is in communication with a bottom portion of the interior of the bulk tank so that subcooled liquid may be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Drube, Timothy Neeser, Thomas Carey
  • Publication number: 20180073493
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to a spin pump that includes a combination of a compressor and a vacuum pump on respective pistons extending from a common crankshaft in a rotating housing. Related methods, apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Chart Inc.
    Inventor: John Corey
  • Patent number: 9903534
    Abstract: A cryogenic fluid delivery system includes a tank adapted to contain a supply of cryogenic liquid, with the tank including a head space adapted to contain a vapor above the cryogenic liquid stored in the tank. A liquid withdrawal line is adapted to communicate with cryogenic liquid stored in the tank. A vaporizer has an inlet that is in communication with the liquid withdrawal line and an outlet that is in communication with a vapor delivery line. A pressure building circuit is in communication with the vapor delivery line and the head space of the tank. The pressure building circuit includes a flow inducing device and a control system for activating the flow inducing device when a pressure within the head space of the tank drops below a predetermined minimum pressure and/or when other conditions exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Gustafson, Erik Gustafson
  • Patent number: 9885447
    Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic liquid includes a storage tank containing a supply of the cryogenic liquid and a metering chamber. A liquid inlet line is in communication with the storage tank and the metering chamber so that the metering chamber receives cryogenic liquid from the storage tank. A meter run is in communication with the metering chamber and includes a metering element, a dispensing line and a dispensing valve. A stabilizing column is positioned within the metering chamber and includes vertically spaced openings. Vertically spaced first and second pressure sensors are in communication with the interior of the stabilizing column. A controller is in communication with the metering element, the first and second pressure sensors and the dispensing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Drube, Thomas Drube
  • Publication number: 20170363254
    Abstract: A cryogenic fluid delivery manifold system includes a plurality of cryogenic supply tanks. A liquid flow manifold permits flow of liquid a use device. A vapor pressure manifold is coupled to the supply tanks and to a pusher tank for regulating and/or balancing pressure across the plurality of supply tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Chart Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Drube
  • Patent number: 9829156
    Abstract: An integrated cryogenic fluid delivery system includes a cryogenic liquid tank having an interior, a wall and a geometry. The interior of the cryogenic liquid tank contains a supply of cryogenic liquid. A fuel pickup line is positioned within the interior of the tank and is in fluid communication with a vaporizer so that the vaporizer receives and vaporizes cryogenic liquid from the tank. The vaporizer is positioned outside of the tank and is secured to the wall. The vaporizer also has a shape that conforms with the geometry of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Gustafson, Jeff Patelczyk, David Davis, Michael Sable, Luis Serentill, Peter Murray
  • Patent number: 9771931
    Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to a spin pump that includes a combination of a compressor and a vacuum pump on respective pistons extending from a common crankshaft in a rotating housing. Related methods, apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventor: John Corey
  • Patent number: 9752727
    Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic fluid includes a bulk tank containing a supply of cryogenic fluid. A heating circuit includes an intermediate tank and a heating device and has an inlet in fluid communication with the bulk tank and an outlet. A bypass junction is positioned between the bulk tank and the inlet of the heating circuit. A bypass circuit has an inlet in fluid communication with the bypass junction and an outlet so that a portion of cryogenic fluid from the bulk tank flows through the heating circuit and is warmed and a portion flows through the bypass circuit. A mixing junction is in fluid communication with the outlets of the bypass circuit and the heating circuit so that warmed cryogenic fluid from the heating circuit is mixed with cryogenic fluid from the bypass circuit so that the cryogenic fluid is conditioned. A dispensing line is in fluid communication with the mixing junction so that the conditioned cryogenic fluid may be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Drube, Petr Zaruba
  • Patent number: 9746132
    Abstract: Described herein are at least systems and methods for cryogenic fluid delivery which utilize pumpless delivery of cryogenic fluid. The systems and methods utilize hydraulic pressure, saturation pressure, or a combination of both hydraulic pressure and saturation pressure to deliver cryogen to a use device, such as an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Gustafson, Erik Gustafson
  • Publication number: 20170108170
    Abstract: A cryogenic fluid delivery system includes a main tank system with a main tank adapted to contain a first supply of cryogenic liquid, and reserve tank system with reserve tank adapted to contain a second supply of cryogenic liquid. A pressure building circuit is adapted to delivery vapor to the head space of the main tank to build pressure in the main tank and a fuel delivery line supplies cryogenic fuel from either the main tank or the reserve tank to a use device. The reserve tank stores saturated cryogenic fuel that is delivered to the use device via the fuel delivery line while the cryogenic liquid in the main tank is being saturated. The fluid delivery system automatically switches to delivering cryogenic fuel from the main tank to the use device via the fuel delivery line upon saturation of the cryogenic liquid in the main tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: Chart Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Gustafson
  • Patent number: 9581295
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for cryogenic fluid delivery. The systems may include a pressure vessel containing a cryogenic fluid formed of liquid and vapor that is connected to a use device via a withdrawal line. The withdrawal line connects to the cryogenic fluid in the pressure vessel via two routes, a liquid tube and a vapor line. The vapor line may include a back-pressure regulator that opens the vapor line depending on pressure in the system. The withdrawal line may include a pressure relief valve that exerts pressure on the liquid tube. A bypass line may connect the withdrawal line to the liquid tube. The bypass line has a check valve that permits free flow of cryogen from the withdrawal line to the liquid tube via the bypass line while prohibiting cryogen flow from the pressure vessel through the bypass line. The methods employ the systems described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Gustafson
  • Patent number: 9551330
    Abstract: A frangible closure coupling is used with or on pipe of a tank that contains a potentially dangerous fluid, such as liquid natural gas. The closure coupling mitigates the uncontrolled release of fluid from the tank in the event of a rupture of a pipe attached to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Drube
  • Patent number: 9441877
    Abstract: A system and method for cooling and liquefying a gas in a heat exchanger that includes compressing and cooling a mixed refrigerant using first and last compression and cooling cycles so that high pressure liquid and vapor streams are formed. The high pressure liquid and vapor streams are cooled in the heat exchanger and then expanded so that a primary refrigeration stream is provided in the heat exchanger. The mixed refrigerant is cooled and equilibrated between the first and last compression and cooling cycles so that a pre-cool liquid stream is formed and subcooled in the heat exchanger. The stream is then expanded and passed through the heat exchanger as a pre-cool refrigeration stream. A stream of gas is passed through the heat exchanger in countercurrent heat exchange with the primary refrigeration stream and the pre-cool refrigeration stream so that the gas is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Gushanas, Doug Douglas Ducote, Jr., James Podolski
  • Patent number: D851139
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Chart, Inc.
    Inventors: John Corey, Peter Mansfield