Patents Assigned to Columbia Gas System Service Corporation
-
Patent number: 5339654Abstract: A refrigeration and heating system has been made in which improved efficiencies are obtained by placing helical concentric coils of at least two generators (80 and 81) and recuperators (86 and 95) on a common axis (232) with a heating unit (84) at the center and allowing the hot combustion gases (245) to circulate in serpentine fashion through separate concentric chambers containing the coils. Further efficiencies are obtained by placing an absorber (97), condenser (100) and recuperator (107) in a single module (270) and by using tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes. A general purpose, divided-flow, tube-in-cylinder, heat-transfer device (400) is used to reduce the pressure drop in the circulating fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1991Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: F. Bert Cook, Stephen E. Petty, Howard C. Meacham, Jr., Richard N. Christensen, Kevin R. McGahey
-
Patent number: 5126654Abstract: Electrical current distribution in the soil surrounding a buried pipeline is detected by applying an AC electrical potential between the pipe and a buried electrode spaced from the pipe. The magnetic field at spaced localities along the pipe arising from currents transverse to the pipe is detected. Additionally, a potential containing a plurality of alternating frequencies is similarly applied to the pipe and the magnetic field induced by the resulting electrical current both along the pipe and transversely of the pipe is detected. The magnetic field is detected by correlation discrimination at spaced locations along the pipe and across the spectrum of the impressed frequencies. The detected data is used to determine the capacitance and resistance of the soil/pipe interface at localities along the pipe and to generate impedance plots which indicate characteristics of that interface.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1990Date of Patent: June 30, 1992Assignees: New York Gas Group, Southern California Gas Company,, Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: John C. Murphy, Glenn S. Hartong, Ralph F. Cohn, Patrick J. Moran
-
Patent number: 5087873Abstract: Electrical current distribution in the soil surrounding a buried pipeline is detected by applying an AC electrical potential between the pipe and a buried electrode spaced from the pipe. The magnetic field at spaced localities along the pipe arising from currents transverse to the pipe is detected. Additionally, a potential containing a plurality of alternating frequencies is similarly applied to the pipe and the magnetic field induced by the resulting electrical current both along the pipe and transversely of the pipe is detected. The magnetic field is detected by correlation discrimination at spaced locations along the pipe and across the spectrum of the impressed frequencies. The detected data is used to determine the capacitance and resistance of the soil/pipe interface at localities along the pipe and to generate impedance plots which indicate characteristics of that interface.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1991Date of Patent: February 11, 1992Assignees: New York Gas Group, Southern California Gas Company, Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: John C. Murphy, Glenn S. Hartong, Ralph F. Cohn, Patrick J. Moran
-
Patent number: 5067330Abstract: A refrigeration and heating system has been made in which improved efficiencies are obtained by placing helical concentric coils of at least two generators and recuperators on a common axis with a heating unit at the center and allowing the hot combustion gases to circulate in serpentine fashion through separate concentric chambers containing the coils. Further efficiencies are obtained by placing an absorber, condenser and recuperator with a single module and by using tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1990Date of Patent: November 26, 1991Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: F. Bert Cook, Stephen E. Petty, Howard C. Meacham, Jr., Richard N. Christensen, Kevin R. McGahey
-
Patent number: 4805450Abstract: A cylinder is mounted to descend a borehole for purposes of measuring the mass flow rate of gas flowing upward in the borehole. Within the cylinder is a source of tracer gas which is ejected at a constant mass flow rate [05] from near the lower end of the cylinder. A tracer gas concentration measuring means near the top of the cylinder will measure the degree of concentration of the tracer gas and thereby provide a measurement of the mass flow rate of other gases flowing upwardly around the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1988Date of Patent: February 21, 1989Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: Richmond Bennett, Paul D. Schettler, Todd D. Gustafson
-
Patent number: 4783990Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the throughput and average suction and discharge pressures of a compressor comprises pressure sensors for measuring the suction and discharge pressures of the compressor and in one embodiment a device for measuring gas temperature. The apparatus further comprises a data processor for receiving signals representative of the suction and discharge pressures of the compressor and generating a signal representative of the throughput of the compressor during a predetermined time interval.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1987Date of Patent: November 15, 1988Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: Arthur C. Eberle, David M. Thomson
-
Patent number: 4773255Abstract: The invention provides a method for tagging methane by adding thereto one or more of the tracer compounds sulfur hexafluoride and chloropentafluoroethane. The methane being tagged is normally being stored in underground storage fields to provide identity and proof of ownership of the gas. The two tracer compounds are readily detectable at very low concentrations by electron capture gas chromatography apparatus which can be made portable and thus suitable for use in the field.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1987Date of Patent: September 27, 1988Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: Norman D. Malcosky, Gregory Koziar
-
Patent number: 4742687Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling and heating system which operates on the absorption and phase change heat exchange principle. More particularly it relates to a continuous heat actuated, air cooled, double effect generator cycle, absorption system. In further aspects, this invention relates to a system constructed for use with an absorption refrigeration solution pair consisting of a nonvolatile absorbent and a highly volatile refrigerant which is highly soluble in the absorbent. A disclosed refrigerant pair are ammonia as the refrigerant and sodium thiocyanate as the absorbent. An absorption cycle is disclosed using the thermo physical properties of sodium thiocyanate/ammonia, absorption/refrigerant pair.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1986Date of Patent: May 10, 1988Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: Edward A. Reid, F. Bert Cook, Edgar M. Purvis, Jr., Horatio H. Krause, Jr.
-
Patent number: 4646541Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling and heating system which operates on the absorption and phase change heat exchange principle. More particularly it relates to a continuous heat actuated, air cooled, double effect generator cycle, absorption system. In further aspects, this invention relates to a system constructed for use with an absorption refrigeration solution pair consisting of a nonvolatile absorbent and a highly volatile refrigerant which is highly soluble in the absorbent. A disclosed refrigerant pair are ammonia as the refrigerant and sodium thiocyanate as the absorbent. An absorption cycle is disclosed using the thermo physical properties of sodium thiocyanate/ammonia, absorption/refrigerant pair.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1984Date of Patent: March 3, 1987Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: Edward A. Reid, Jr., F. Bert Cook, Edward M. Winter, Edgar M. Purvis, Jr., Horatio H. Krause, Jr.
-
Patent number: 4641631Abstract: An apparatus functioning as a high-efficiency water heater. This apparatus passes a combustible mixture of gas and air from an impeller into the hollow interior of a cylindrical gas burner. The combustible mixture flows out through apertures in the cylindrical walls of the gas burner and is burned on a cylindrical flame holder as it emerges; the size of the apertures prevents flash-back of the flames of the combustible mixture into the gas burner. Heat is transferred from the flame to the walls of a cylindrical combustion chamber surrounding the gas burner and the combustion products generated pass to a heat exchanger comprising a vertical riser and a downwardly extending helical section which ensures maximum heat transfer to water in a tank surrounding the combustion chamber and heat exchanger. Hot water is discharged from the tank as needed for domestic uses and to another heat exchanger in an air heating duct.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1985Date of Patent: February 10, 1987Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventor: Subhash C. Jatana
-
Patent number: 4623435Abstract: A backfill composition for use with sacrificial magnesium anodes used in the cathodic protection of ferrous metal structures comprises an anion-releasing material capable of releasing fluoride, phosphate or zincate ions in water-soluble form and a magnesium-transporting adjuvant capable of transporting magnesium ion by ion exchange conduction. Suitable anion-releasing materials include calcium fluoride, cryolite, magnesium silicate and sodium silicofluoride, while suitable magnesium transporting adjuvants include bentonite clay, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide and magnesium silicate.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1983Date of Patent: November 18, 1986Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: John W. Nebgen, Gary D. Hinshaw
-
Patent number: 4551154Abstract: The invention provides a method for tagging methane by adding thereto one or more of the tracer compounds sulfur hexafluoride and chloropentafluoroethane. The methane being tagged is noramlly being stored in underground storage fields to provide identity and proof of ownership of the gas. The two tracer compounds are readily detectable at very low concentrations by electron capture gas chromatography apparatus which can be made portable and thus suitable for use in the field.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1983Date of Patent: November 5, 1985Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: Norman D. Malcosky, Greg Koziar
-
Patent number: 4541410Abstract: An apparatus is described capable of functioning as a high-efficiency water heater. This apparatus passes a combustible mixture of gas and air from an impeller into the hollow interior of a cylindrical gas burner. The combustible mixture flows out through apertures in the cylindrical walls of the gas burner and is burned on a cylindrical flame as it emerges from the gas burner; the size of the apertures prevents flash-back of the flames of the combustible mixture into the gas burner. Heat is transferred from the flame to the walls of a cylindrical combustion chamber surrounding the gas burner and the combustion products generated pass to a heat exchanger comprising a vertical riser and a downwardly extending helical section which ensures maximum heat transfer to liquid in the tank surround the combustion chamber and heat exchanger. The apparatus may be used solely as a water heater or may serve as a combined gas furnace and water heating system.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1983Date of Patent: September 17, 1985Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventor: Subhash C. Jatana
-
Patent number: 4538460Abstract: The permeability of samples, especially rock samples, is determined by immersing the sample in a dye solution to permit dye to diffuse into the sample, rinsing remaining dye solution from the surface and then either placing the rinsed sample in a leachback solution to permit dye to diffuse out into the leachback liquid or else simply allowing the dye to diffuse out onto the surface of the sample, thereby causing a coloration indicative of the permeability of the sample. The method can be practiced on slab samples or drill cuttings.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1984Date of Patent: September 3, 1985Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventor: Paul D. Schettler, Jr.
-
Patent number: 4458721Abstract: An apparatus and process for restricting fluid flow in a pipeline. An improved inflatable sleeve flow restricting apparatus is disclosed which in one embodiment has restrictor arms extending from one or both ends of the flow restrictor cartridge for engagement with the pipeline side wall at their other ends restricting the inflation of the inflatable sleeve thereby allowing inflation to greater inflation fluid pressures providing pipeline fluid flow restriction in pipelines having pressures of up to about 125 psig. A combination boring-insertion tool is described which utilizes fluid pressure to provide force for the hole cutter.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1981Date of Patent: July 10, 1984Assignees: Brooklyn Union Gas Company, Columbia Gas Systems Service CorporationInventors: Gene G. Yie, Thomas M. Bevan
-
Patent number: 4331129Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for vaporizing a normally gaseous fluid which is in liquefied state which apparatus employs solar energy for heating a second fluid which preferably is water, which solar heated second fluid is passed into heat exchange relationship with said liquefied gaseous fluid for its vaporization. The preferred liquefied gaseous fluid is liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the second fluid preferably is water which optionally contains an anti-freeze additive for prevention of freezing of the water during the operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1979Date of Patent: May 25, 1982Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: Charles C. Hong, David E. Price, William F. Morse
-
Patent number: 4238206Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for removing carbon dioxide containing acidic gas from a normally gaseous mixture wherein the gaseous mixture is contacted with a liquid anhydrous solvent which physically absorbs said acidic gas but which is chemically unreactive with said acidic gas, said solvent being the reaction product of an alkylating agent and a solvent which is chemically reactive with said acidic gas for its removal from said mixture. The preferred solvent is selected from the group consisting of N,N-dialkylaminoalkanol, N,N-dialkoxyalkylaminoalkanol, N-alkyl-N-alkoxyalkylaminoalkanol, N,N-dialkylaminoalkylether, N,N-dialkoxyalkylaminoalkylether, N-alkyl-N-alkoxyalkylaminoalkylether, dialkyl carbonate, di(alkoxyalkyl) carbonate, mono-alkyl-monoalkoxyalkyl carbonate, and mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1979Date of Patent: December 9, 1980Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventor: Charles C. Hong
-
Patent number: 4067681Abstract: A gas cooking range of the smooth top type has four burners positioned under a single plate of heat-resistant glass/ceramic material; and a single igniter and safety control assembly is centrally positioned between the burners. The supply of gas to each of the burners flows through an ignition chamber where it is ignited, and it then flows through a combustion tube to a combustion chamber, where combustion is completed. Some air is mixed with the gas at the fuel supply control valve, and additional air is supplied through the ignition chamber. The burning gas mixture then flows through the combustion tube to the combustion chamber at the entrance of which an additional quantity of air is added to provide the remainder of air necessary for complete combustion.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1976Date of Patent: January 10, 1978Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: Edward A. Reid, Jr., George W. Myler, James E. Payne
-
Patent number: 4024839Abstract: A gas cooking range of the smooth top type has four burners positioned under a single plate of heat-resistant glass/ceramic material; and a single igniter and safety control assembly is centrally positioned between the burners. The supply of gas to each of the burners flows through an ignition chamber where it is ignited, and it then flows through a combustion tube to a combustion chamber, where combustion is completed. Some air is mixed with the gas at the fuel supply control valve, and additional air is supplied through the ignition chamber. The burning gas mixture then flows through the combustion tube to the combustion chamber at the entrance of which an additional quantity of air is added to provide the remainder of air necessary for complete combustion.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1975Date of Patent: May 24, 1977Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: Edward A. Reid, Jr., George W. Myler, James E. Payne
-
Patent number: 4020821Abstract: A gas cooking range of the smooth top type has four burners positioned under a single plate of heat-resistant glass/ceramic material; and a single igniter and safety control assembly is centrally positioned between the burners. The supply of gas to each of the burners flows through an ignition chamber where it is ignited, and it then flows through a combustion tube to a combustion chamber, where combustion is completed. Some air is mixed with the gas at the fuel supply control valve, and additional air is supplied through the ignition chamber. The burning gas mixture then flows through the combustion tube to the combustion chamber at the entrance of which an additional quantity of air is added to provide the remainder of air necessary for complete combustion.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1976Date of Patent: May 3, 1977Assignee: Columbia Gas System Service CorporationInventors: Edward A. Reid, Jr., George W. Myler, James E. Payne