Solidified Gas Patents (Class 62/165)
  • Patent number: 11352262
    Abstract: A method for automatically dispensing and vending carbon dioxide (CO2) snow block is disclosed. The automatic dispensing system contains multiple containers of different volumes. A user can input the volume of CO2 snow block into a controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller uses the inputted volume and process information to determine which container to utilize for the automated filling process. The controller can configure the selected container into a filling orientation into which liquid CO2 can flow to generate CO2 snow block. Upon detection of the completion of the fill, the container is configured into a dispensing orientation from which the CO2 snow block is released into an access region from which the user can retrieve the CO2 snow block. The control methodology may also be used to auto charge a single container located within a charging station as disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Zhou, Ranko Bursac, Robert Sever
  • Patent number: 11204288
    Abstract: A triple point immersion cell article determines a triple point of a non-metallic analyte and includes: a first cryochamber including a first cryo-zone; a second cryochamber including a second cryo-zone that is: nested and disposed in the first cryochamber; and thermally isolated by the first cryochamber; a third cryochamber including a third cryo-zone, the third cryochamber being: nested and disposed in the second cryochamber; thermally isolated from the exterior environment by the first cryochamber and the second cryochamber; and thermally isolated from the first cryochamber by the second cryochamber; and a fourth cryochamber including a fourth cryo-zone disposed in the third cryochamber; a triple-point pressure vessel disposed in the fourth cryochamber; and a thermowell disposed in the triple-point pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Weston Leo Tew, Jr., Jay Robert Nanninga
  • Patent number: 11130618
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a pressurising device for a beverage container, wherein a gas container is provided having a filling opening, into which gas container an amount of dry ice is inserted through the filling opening, where after the filling opening is closed and the dry ice is allowed to sublimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.
    Inventor: Bernardus Cornelis Johannes Landman
  • Patent number: 11002493
    Abstract: Methods and system for operating a thermal storage device of a vehicle system are provided. In one example, a method comprises determining a state of charge of the thermal battery based on an accurate estimation of a melting temperature of one or more phase change materials (PCMs) at a specific aggregate pressure inside the thermal storage device. Variation in melting temperature of the PCM may be minimized by reducing pressure variation inside the thermal storage device by regulating a position of one or more pressure relief valves of the thermal storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Michael Levin, Phillip Bonkoski, W. Cary Cole
  • Patent number: 10705517
    Abstract: An equipment monitoring system preferably includes an electronic control device, a controller area network bus wiring harness (CAN BUS) and a plurality of sensors. The electronic control device preferably includes a software program for receiving input from the plurality of sensors. The CAN BUS wiring harness provides an interface between the electronic control device and the plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors include at least one oil temperature sensor, at least one fluid pressure sensor, at least one vibration sensor, at least one speed sensor, a moisture sensor vacuum sensor and an exhaust air temperature sensor. The software program monitors the plurality of sensors. If the operating limit of one of the plurality of sensors is exceeded, the electronic control device sets off some type of alarm. The electronic control device preferably wirelessly transmits the data received from the sensor to a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: UEMSI/HTV, INC.
    Inventors: Richard D. Dresang, Roger W. Schreiber, Daniel M. Olson, Christopher J. Brimmer, Bernard M. Hengels
  • Patent number: 10569614
    Abstract: A method for transporting heat-sensitive products in a refrigerated truck that includes at least one product storage chamber, a cryogenic fluid reserve, and a main heat exchanger system for circulation of the cryogenic fluid therethrough. The main heat exchange system includes walls across which heat may be exchanged, one or more cold-producing blowers for bringing air inside the chamber into contact with the walls, and a heating system for heating air inside at least one of the chambers. Upon the occurrence of one or more events, heated air is blown into an intake side of the cold-producing blower(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jonathan Macron, Celso Zerbinatti, Dominique Jouvaud
  • Patent number: 10429121
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a body having an inner casing and an outer casing, a storage compartment provided in the body to allow a front surface thereof to be open, a door including a first door and a second door pivotably coupled with both sides of the body and configured to open and close the open front surface of the storage compartment, a pivoting bar pivotably coupled with the first door, a guide device coupled with the body to induce the pivoting bar to pivot, a heat transfer pipe installed between the inner casing and the outer casing and configured to extend along a front edge of the storage compartment to allow a refrigerant to be movable therein, and a heat transfer member in contact with the heat transfer pipe and the guide device, and which is formed of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the inner casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Jun Yoon, Seung Yong Yang, Su Cheol Yoo, Ha-Jin Jeong
  • Patent number: 9546810
    Abstract: A galley cart system employs a dry ice compartment and a refrigeration compartment in a galley cart in flow communication with the dry ice compartment. A ventilation system is in interruptible flow communication with at least the refrigeration compartment and is for receiving gas discharged from at least the refrigeration compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bryce A. Vandyke, Marcus K. Richardson, Chao-Hsin Lin
  • Patent number: 9475607
    Abstract: A plastic beer keg includes an outer container and an inner liner. A removable lid is secured over an opening to the container to enclose the liner. In use, the lid can be removed and ice placed in the container directly on the liner, ice flows into gaps between the liner and the container to provide rapid cooling of the content of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 9302636
    Abstract: An electrical system for an aircraft is provided. The system comprises an inverter for transforming a first alternating current from an on-board network having a variable frequency into a second alternating current, and at least a first electrical load and at least a second electrical load, which are configured to be operated simultaneously by the second alternating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Schult, Henning Everth, Fabian Kraus
  • Patent number: 6589011
    Abstract: Described is a cooling device for a shroud of a gas turbine blade, having a cooling channel system provided in the shroud, which is provided radially to the gas turbine blade with cooling channels that are open on one side, and which is closed off with a cover plate. The invention is characterized in that, between the cover plate and the cooling channels that are open on one side, an impact cooling plate is provided in such a way that the impact cooling plate rests on the cooling channels that are open on one side, is pressed against them by force, and encloses a space with the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Alexander Beeck, Reinhard Fried, Markus Oehl
  • Patent number: 6516630
    Abstract: When the start button is pushed after the door of the supply chamber is closed, carbon dioxide gas is ejected from the nozzle placed at the upper part of the horn. The carbon dioxide gas is converted to powdered dry ice by adiabatic expansion in the horn, and the dry ice falls on fresh food or other items to be cooled in a box or plastic bag placed under the horn. In order to obtain a desired amount of dry ice constantly, the ambient temperature, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas, the interval time since the last ejection are counted in determining the carbon dioxide ejecting time length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kakubayashi Shoji Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Ishida
  • Publication number: 20010047663
    Abstract: When the start button is pushed after the door of the supply chamber is closed, carbon dioxide gas is ejected from the nozzle placed at the upper part of the horn. The carbon dioxide gas is converted to powdered dry ice by adiabatic expansion in the horn, and the dry ice falls on fresh food or other items to be cooled in a box or plastic bag placed under the horn. In order to obtain a desired amount of dry ice constantly, the ambient temperature, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas, the interval time since the last ejection are counted in determining the carbon dioxide ejecting time length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Kakubayashi Shoji Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Ishida
  • Patent number: 5566553
    Abstract: An insulated chamber (1) for preservation and transportation comprises a container (2) of carbon dioxide snow provided with a lateral opening (5) permitting the injection, within the container, of liquid CO.sub.2 under pressure by a distribution device (10) connected to a source of liquid CO.sub.2 (6). The distribution device is provided with an electrovalve (18) controlled by a control block (19) comprising a timer permitting selecting the duration of injection of liquid CO.sub.2 into the container (2) to form there a controlled volume of carbon dioxide snow. The installation is useful for the preservation and transportation of fresh food products as well as frozen food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Carboxyque Francaise
    Inventors: Claude Gibot, Philippe Bouguet
  • Patent number: 5548974
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing solid carbon dioxide snow blocks comprising a mold having a plurality of separate mold cavities, and a liquid CO.sub.2 manifold providing one or more injection nozzles in each of the mold cavities. A vent/vapor heat exchange with incoming liquid may be employed to improve liquid-to-snow conversion rate. The manifold may take a pressure drop turn at each branch to assure that each nozzle receives an adequate supply of liquid CO.sub.2. Each nozzle may have multiple orifices to assure that the snow is dispersed relatively evenly in each mold cavity. Each of the orifices may be located on a relative high point relative to the manifold to facilitate clearance of dry ice blockages in the manifold. A timer may be used to regulate injection. As an alternative or as a backup, fullness of one or more mold cavities may be detected by a sensor, and means may be provided to discontinue injection when one or more mold cavities have been filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Liquid Carbonic Corporation
    Inventor: George D. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 4498306
    Abstract: A refrigerated transport having an insulated enclosure and including a cryogen reservoir, e.g., high-pressure liquid cryogen or solid CO.sub.2. A plurality of thermosyphons associated with the walls and floor of the enclosure adjacent the interior skin intercept heat attempting to enter the enclosure. An intermediate heat sink draws the intercepted heat from the upper portions of the thermosyphons. The temperature of the heat sink is thermostatically controlled in a manner that the rate at which heat from the heat sink is absorbed by the cryogen is regulated to maintain the heat sink within a desired temperature range such that the thermosyphons will in turn maintain the enclosure and its product load at the desired subambient storage temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Inventor: Lewis Tyree, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4211085
    Abstract: A system for filling transportable tanks with a cryogen, such as low pressure liquid carbon dioxide. A holding chamber is supplied with liquid CO.sub.2 from a storage vessel system, and the pressure of liquid CO.sub.2 is reduced to the triple point to create CO.sub.2 snow and form a low-temperature coolant reservoir. CO.sub.2 vapor from the chamber is compressed and returned to the storage vessel system. Liquid CO.sub.2 can be supplied simultaneously to the tanks of several vehicles at below about 125 psig, and vapor from these tanks is promptly condensed by melting CO.sub.2 snow in the holding chamber. Standby cooling of vehicle cargo compartments can also be effected with recovery of the CO.sub.2 vapor using an auxiliary compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Inventor: Lewis Tyree, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4186562
    Abstract: A cargo compartment of a refrigerated vehicle is cooled by a cryogen, such as carbon dioxide. A storage tank carried by the vehicle is filled with CO.sub.2 slush. Liquid CO.sub.2 is separated from solid CO.sub.2 and supplied to a heat-exchanger where it is vaporized and the vapor is warmed by heat transfer from the cargo compartment atmosphere. A minimum vapor pressure of at least about 75 psia is maintained in the heat-exchanger, and a portion of the vapor is returned to the vehicle tank, melting solid CO.sub.2 therein. The major portion of the vapor stream is expanded through one or more gas motors, passed through one or more additional heat-exchangers to cool the cargo compartment and then vented. The pressure of the returning vapor is preferably increased by a compressor attached to a gas motor and injected into the vehicle tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Inventor: Lewis Tyree, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4127008
    Abstract: Apparatus for supplying a refrigeration system with a low-temperature liquid CO.sub.2. High pressure liquid CO.sub.2 is supplied from a storage vessel system to a holding chamber where the pressure is reduced to create vapor and CO.sub.2 snow, forming a low-temperature coolant reservoir. Vapor is removed from the chamber to maintain the pressure therein at about 75 p.s.i.a. or below by a compressor and returned to the storage vessel. The stored cooling power of the reservoir is then employed to meet refrigeration demand and is thereafter replenished over a period of hours. The storage principle can be incorporated into a variety of different systems. For example, additional liquid CO.sub.2 may be supplied from the storage vessel to a refrigeration system wherein vapor is created that is transferred to the holding chamber for condensation by melting the snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Inventor: Lewis Tyree, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4100759
    Abstract: A system for filling vehicle tanks with low pressure liquid carbon dioxide. A holding chamber is supplied with high pressure liquid CO.sub.2 from a storage vessel system, and the pressure of liquid CO.sub.2 is reduced to about 60 psig or below to create CO.sub.2 vapor and CO.sub.2 snow and form a low-temperature coolant reservoir in the holding chamber. CO.sub.2 vapor from the chamber is compressed and returned to the storage vessel system. Liquid CO.sub.2 from the storage vessel system can be supplied simultaneously to several vehicle tanks at below about 125 psig, and vapor created as a result thereof is condensed by melting CO.sub.2 snow in the holding chamber. Standby cooling of vehicle compartments is provided by vaporizing liquid CO.sub.2 from a vehicle tank in a heat exchanger for vaporization therein, expanding the vapor to cool it and then passing the expanded vapor through a second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Inventor: Lewis Tyree, Jr.