Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing LNG to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.

Abstract: A supplemental water heater tank and system features a supplemental tank with an inner vessel surrounded by an outer jacket. The space there between is generally evacuated of air so that the inner vessel is vacuum insulated. The supplemental tank includes water inlet and outlet ports. Water is heated in a water heater and transferred from the upper portion of the water heater tank to the lower portion of the vacuum-insulated supplemental tank through an insulated line and a dip tube that extends between the water inlet port and the bottom portion of the inner vessel. Hot water is withdrawn from the upper portion of the inner vessel of the supplemental tank for use in a home or the like.

Abstract: An on demand supplemental oxygen delivery system that is self-calibrating includes a tank containing a supply of oxygen and a nasal cannula through which the oxygen may be provided to a patient when the system solenoid valve is in the open condition. When the valve is in the closed condition, the cannula communicates with a pressure transducer via a transducer line. An orifice is formed in the line so that the pressure within the transducer line goes to atmospheric pressure when the valve is in the open condition. The pressure transducer reads the atmospheric pressure and directs it to a system controller where it is stored as a reference pressure.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide dry cleaning system features a pair of liquid carbon dioxide storage tanks in communication with a compressor. A sealed cleaning chamber contains the objects to be cleaned. By selectively pressurizing the storage tanks with the compressor, liquid carbon dioxide is made to flow to the cleaning chamber through cleaning nozzles so as to provide agitation of the objects being dry cleaned. Liquid carbon dioxide displaced from the cleaning chamber returns to the storage tanks. In an alternative embodiment, a single storage tank is pressurized via a compressor with gas from the cleaning chamber so that liquid solvent from the storage tank travels to the cleaning chamber through nozzles. The objects in the cleaning chamber are agitated by a rotating basket. After a prewash cycle, liquid solvent from the cleaning chamber is directed to a still. The liquid solvent in the still is boiled through a connection with the head space of the cleaning chamber.

Abstract: A high pressure cryogenic fluid dispensing system features a tank containing a cryogenic liquid with a liquid side and a head space there above. A pressure building coil featuring a section of parallel heat exchangers and a section of series heat exchangers receives liquid from the tank through a pressure building regulator valve and a pair of surge check valves. The liquid flashes to gas in the section of parallel heat exchangers and the resulting gas is forced to the section of series heat exchangers where it is pressurized and warmed. The gas may be directed to a warming coil for dispensing and to the head space of the tank to rapidly pressurize it. Gas traveling to the head space flows through an vapor space withdrawal control valve. The vapor space withdrawal control valve and pressure building regulator valve may be automated via a controller that provides pressure building when the tank pressure drops below the system operating pressure.

Abstract: A system that generates high pressure cryogenic gas includes a storage tank that contains a liquid cryogen and a feed line that supplies the liquid cryogen to a pressure pod. The pressure in the pressure pod gradually increases due to ambient heat to a first predetermined level. A regulator valve opens at the first predetermined level thereby directing the liquid cryogen to a heat exchanger where it is vaporized and directed back to the pressure pod to raise the pressure therein further. Once the pressure in the pressure pod reaches a second predetermined level, a dispense valve opens. The pressurized liquid cryogen is directed through the dispense valve to a vaporizer that vaporizes the high pressure liquid cryogen to a cryogenic gas that may be dispensed and stored in a tank.

Abstract: A load cell and system for detecting the quantity of liquid carbon dioxide in a tank includes load cells positioned between the legs of the tank and a surface. Each load cell includes a frame constructed from a folded metal plate so that a top panel, sides and ends are formed. A beam having proximal and distal ends is suspended from the top panel of the frame by its proximal end and a spacer. A platform support is positioned upon the distal end of the beam with a platform on top. The platform support passes through an opening formed in the top panel of the frame so that the platform is supported above the frame top panel. A leg of the tank is secured to the platform. A strain gauge circuit is mounted to the top surface of the beam and a summary board receives the signals from the strain gauge circuits of multiple load cells so that the quantity of liquid in the tank is determined. This quantity may be displayed and/or transmitted as telemetry to a centralized delivery truck dispatching facility.

Abstract: Substantially all the nitrogen is removed from natural gas during the production of LNG, without producing mixed nitrogen/methane streams needing recycle and further processing, or requiring compression for burning as fuel, by operating both the high pressure and the low pressure multistage distillation towers of a two column cryogenic nitrogen rejection unit to produce acceptable liquefied natural gas as tower bottom products, while the low pressure tower is further operated to produce as an overhead a gas steam containing no more than about 1% methane for safe venting to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing LNG to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.

Abstract: A space simulation chamber for simulating the temperature and pressure conditions of deep space comprises a vacuum chamber containing a thermal shroud and a coolant system for cooling the thermal shroud by heat exchange with helium gas.

Abstract: A natural gas fuel storage and supply system, particularly suited for use in vehicles powered by liquid natural gas (LNG), includes an insulated tank containing a supply of LNG with a headspace there above. A pump and a vaporizer are in circuit between the tank and the engine of the vehicle. When activated, the pump pressurizes LNG from the tank and directs it to the vaporizer where gaseous LNG is produced. The pressurized gaseous LNG is routed to the engine where it is consumed as fuel. An economizer circuit communicates with the headspace of the tank and includes a regulator, a control valve and a flow control device. The control valve opens when the vehicle engine is in operation and the regulator opens when the pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined level so that LNG vapor from the tank headspace flows to the vehicle engine air inlet where it is consumed.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid piping system is provided with two or more coupled pipe spools, each spool having an inner and outer pipe, the inner for carrying cryogenic fluid. The pipe spools are also configured with a bayonet connection to allow expansion and contraction of the system without failure. A leak control device and pressure relief device are included to protect the system from catastrophic failure in the event of a cryogenic fluid leak from the inner pipe.

Abstract: A breakaway device joins a portion of a dispensing hose that is connected to a fueling station with a portion of a dispensing hose that is joined to a coupling that connects to a vehicle during fueling. The breakaway device includes a pair of leg members that are joined by their proximal ends to the dispensing hose portions. The distal ends of the leg members are joined at an angle to a frangible member that includes a pair of inner segments that are joined in an abutting fashion by a surrounding frangible sleeve. When a driveaway occurs, the leg members are pulled apart and exert a bending moment on the frangible member. As a result, the frangible member breaks which prevents significant damage to the station. A pneumatic line that provides pressurized air to open the station dispensing valve is attached to each leg member so that when the frangible member breaks, the pneumatic line is ruptured so that pressurized air is no longer delivered to the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A system for supporting pipe within soil or fill material which minimizes positional disturbances of the pipe despite seasonal fluctuations in atmospheric temperature is provided. The system provides a length of double walled pipe, a support member placed in the soil or fill material and a wicking device which transfers energy between the inner pipe of the double walled pipe which is typically full of a cryogenic fluid and the support. The energy transfer stabilizes the soil or fill material, typically by freezing.

Abstract: A portable self-contained liquid natural gas (LNG) dispensing system is housed in a container featuring opposing side and end walls and a bottom panel. The container is divided into a ventilated portion and a covered portion. A roof is over the covered portion while the ventilated portion features an open top. A bulk tank positioned within the container contains a supply of LNG with a head space thereabove and a pump is submerged in LNG within a sump that is also positioned within the container and communicates with the bulk tank. The container is lined with stainless steel sheets to define a containment volume that is capable of holding the entire supply of LNG in the bulk tank. A vent valve communicates with the head space of the bulk tank and is positioned under the open top of the ventilated portion of the container. The electric controls are positioned on the lower portion of the end wall of the covered portion of the container so as to be located in accordance with the appropriate safety guidelines.

Abstract: A system for transferring and conditioning a cryogenic liquid includes a replenishing tank containing a supply of cryogenic liquid, a bulk tank and a pump positioned there between. The pump causes a stream of the cryogenic liquid to flow from the replenishing tank to the bulk storage tank. A heat exchanger and parallel by-pass line are positioned between the pump and bulk storage tank. A flow control valve diverts a portion of the stream to the heat exchanger so that it is warmed and rejoined with the remaining cryogenic liquid flowing through the flow control valve. The warmed stream then flows to the bulk storage tank. The flow control valve is adjusted based upon pressures within the bulk storage tank via a pressure line in communication with the head space of the bulk storage tank and a pneumatic controller or a pressure sensor in the bulk tank head space and a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A cryogenic system that off-loads cryogenic liquid from a delivery vehicle and pumps the cryogenic liquid to a storage tank includes an interlock that enables the pneumatic valves which control the flow of the cryogen. The interlock includes a pneumatic relay, a pneumatic line and a pressure sensing line. The pneumatic line transfers pressurized air to the pneumatic relay while the pressure sensing line pressurizes the pneumatic relay when hoses from a delivery truck are connected to the system. The pneumatic relay includes a housing that defines a chamber with a piston having an arcuate passage located therein. When a hose from the delivery truck is connected to the system, the pressure sensing line detects a change in pressure and pressurizes the pneumatic relay. The pressure displaces the piston of the pneumatic relay which aligns the arcuate passage of the relay with the pneumatic valve to allow pressurized air to travel to the pneumatic valve thereby opening the pneumatic valve.

Abstract: A dispensing system allows cryogenic liquid to be dispensed from either a primary bank manifold and associated cylinders or a secondary bank manifold and associated cylinders. Each manifold includes a gas header and a liquid header. The associated cylinders communicate with the gas header through flexible lines and excess flow check valves and the liquid header through flexible lines and spring-loaded check valves. An automatic control system selects between dispensing from the primary bank manifold or the secondary bank manifold. A pressure gauge detects the pressure of the cryogenic liquid from the dispensing manifold. The pressure gauge is in communication with a controller which opens and closes the appropriate valves to begin dispensing cryogenic liquid from the originally idle manifold if the detected pressure drops below a predetermined minimum. After the manifold is switched over, the controller checks the pressure in the non-selected manifold.

Abstract: A liquefaction system includes a source tank containing a supply of liquid nitrogen with a head space there above filled with nitrogen vapor. A pump transfers the liquid nitrogen to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger also receives natural gas that has been processed in a purifier. The natural gas is liquefied by free cold from the liquid nitrogen so that liquid natural gas (LNG) is produced. The LNG travels to an LNG destination tank for storage and/or transport. The liquid nitrogen is vaporized in the heat exchanger. The resulting nitrogen gas is directed to a process system that may include, for example, cylinders for welding or other applications. Between liquefaction cycles, the purifier is regenerated by a vacuum and nitrogen vapor from the head space of the source tank. Steel shot is mixed with absorbent in the purifier so that the absorbent is cooled for increased performance.

Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing liquid natural gas (LNG) to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.