Abstract: A coiled tubing injector includes two chains mounted for continuous, opposing rotation and aligned to grip between the continuous tubing. Behind a portion of each chain is a straight skate that presses gripper elements on the chain against the tubing as it passes between the chains. The skate includes a beam. Rollers are mounted on carriers, and the carriers slide into slots formed on the beam. A resilient pad is placed between the carriers and the beam. The gripper elements roll over the rollers as they are being pressed against the continuous tubing. Dimensional variations in gripper elements, rollers, and the roller carriers that may otherwise cause grippers to be out of alignment are accommodated by compression of the pad. Furthermore, the last roller at each end of each skate is mounted for pivoting against a spring in order to deflect as gripper elements turn into, or out of, alignment with the skate.

Abstract: The gripping element of a coiled tubing injector has a carrier and a removable gripping shoe mounted to the carrier. The removable shoe slides onto slots formed on the carrier and is floated on the carrier by inserting an elastomeric pad sandwiched between the carrier and shoe. A manually depressible spring along ones side of the carrier prevents the shoe from sliding out of the slots during operation of the injector.

Abstract: A coiled tubing injector has a transmission with reduction gear trains having two rotary power outputs for driving each of the injector's two chains, and one or more rotary power inputs located on the same side of the transmission as the rotary drive outputs.

Abstract: An automated fueling facility allows untrained persons to safely dispense homogeneous phase liquid methane from a cryogenic storage tank into a motor vehicle. The fueling facility automatically maintains pressure on the liquid methane within a predetermined safe operating range using methane gas trapped in the cryogenic storage tank. The pressure on the liquid methane is at least set equal to a set pressure equal to the sum of the saturation pressure of the liquid methane plus an additional amount to help to ensure that it remains in a fully saturated condition after exposure to any pressure losses as the fluid enters the pump. A pump is cooled by placing it in the storage tank and circulating liquid methane through the pump and back into the storage tank. A dispenser, including nozzle for connecting to a motor vehicle, is cooled by circulating liquid through the nozzle and back to the storage tank through a receptacle on the dispenser to which the nozzle is connected.

Abstract: An automated fueling facility allows untrained persons to safely dispense homogenous phase liquid methane from a cryogenic storage tank into a motor vehicle. The fueling facility automatically maintains pressure on the liquid methane within a predetermined safe operating range using methane gas trapped in the cryogenic storage tank. The pressure on the liquid methane is at least set equal to a set pressure equal to the sum of the saturation pressure of the liquid methane plus an additional amount to help to ensure that it remains in a fully saturated condition after absorbing any heat during pumping from the storage tank. A pump is cooled by placing it in the storage tank and circulating liquid methane through the pump and back into the storage tank. A dispenser, including nozzle for connecting to a motor vehicle, is cooled by circulating liquid through the nozzle and back to the storage tank through a receptacle on the dispenser to which the nozzle is connected.

Abstract: An LNG refueling facility includes a nozzle for mating with the receptacle on a motor vehicle to deliver a flow of LNG to the vehicle's tank. The nozzle is supplied with a flow of dry gas to purge moisture-laden air from around surfaces which mate with the receptacle to prevent freezing of moisture on the mating surfaces when the nozzle turns very cold. The nozzle also includes a boot enclosing mechanical linkages for latching the nozzle to the receptacle. Dry gas is supplied to the interior of the boot to displace air from around the mechanical linkages and thereby prevent moisture from freezing onto the mechanical linkages.