Patents by Inventor Jeffrey R. Ervin

Jeffrey R. Ervin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220341548
    Abstract: A vaporizer for vaporizing a liquefied gas includes a first heat exchanger block having first and second linear conduits extending therethrough, a second heat exchanger block having first and second linear conduits extending therethrough, one or more heaters located between the first and second heat exchanger blocks, and an inlet capacity control valve. The heat exchanger blocks may be fabricated by extruding aluminum. The heaters may be independently powered. At least a portion of the inlet capacity control valve may be located within one of the conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: ALGAS-SDI INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: George M. Zimmer, Jeffrey R. Ervin, Djordje Nikolic
  • Publication number: 20170241639
    Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: George M. Zimmer, Jeffrey R. Ervin, Michael J. Kirby
  • Patent number: 9523498
    Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Algas-SDI International LLC
    Inventors: George M. Zimmer, Jeffrey R. Ervin, Michael J. Kirby
  • Publication number: 20150260394
    Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: George M. Zimmer, Jeffrey R. Ervin, Michael J. Kirby
  • Patent number: 8951041
    Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Algas-SDI International LLC
    Inventors: George M. Zimmer, Jeffrey R. Ervin, Michael J. Kirby
  • Publication number: 20110311928
    Abstract: A catalytic tank heater includes a catalytic heating element supported on an LPG tank by a support structure that holds the element in a position facing the tank. Vapor from the tank is provided as fuel to the heating element, and is regulated to increase heat output as tank pressure drops. The heating element is internally separated into a pilot heater and a main heater, with respective separate fuel inlets. The pilot heater remains in continual operation, but the main heater is operated only while tank pressure is below a threshold. Operation of the pilot heater keeps a portion of the catalyst hot, so that, when tank pressure drops below the threshold, and fuel is supplied to the main heater, catalytic combustion quickly expands from the area surrounding the pilot heater to the remainder of the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: ALGAS-SDI INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: George M. Zimmer, Jeffrey R. Ervin, Michael J. Kirby