Patents Assigned to L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes
  • Device for freezing biological products contained in straws
    Patent number: 4580409
    Abstract: The invention relates to the freezing of biological products contained in straws and more particularly to the initiation of the crystallization phase. A series of straws is disposed in such manner that the straws are arranged in parallel side-by-side relation and a crystallization bar (10) is mounted by springs (20) on two arms (11 and 12) connected to a rotary shaft (13). The arms shift the bar between a waiting position in a receiver-cradle (16) which is deeply cooled by a pipe (17-18) and an operative position in which is bears against the straws. Application in the freezing of blood cells, human and animal sperm, fragments of biological tissues and embryos, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Nicole Angelier, Francois Colomb
  • Hydrogen-concentrating process and apparatus
    Patent number: 4578952
    Abstract: The starting gas is partly condensed in an exchanger 1. The refrigerating power is supplied, on one hand, by the free expansion of the liquid fraction and, on the other hand, by expansion in a gas-bearing turbine of the vapor fraction rich in hydrogen. A small part of this vapor fraction is used to feed auxiliary gases to the turbine, then is cooled in the exchanger 1, expanded and injected into the expanded liquid fraction so as to obtain a sufficiently low bubble point. The invention is useful in recovering hydrogen from purge gases of apparatus for ammonia synthesis, the purge gases being composed of hydrogen and less volatile components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Pierre Gauthier
  • Process and apparatus for producing a gas of high purity by vaporization of a cryogenic liquid
    Patent number: 4579566
    Abstract: The reservoir 1 contains in its lower part a purifying vessel 2 which contains a plate 9 having a bell means communicating with the reservoir and provided with an overflow pipe 12 through which liquid overflows into a bath having a constant level. When gas is drawn off from the top of the purifying vessel, liquid taken from the lower bath is vaporized in an exterior vaporizer 3 and the gas produced passes through the two baths in succession. In this way it is possible to obtain the gases having high purity devoid of particles of dust which are required for certain applications and in particular in the electronic component industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Renaud Brugerolle
  • Method for manufacturing a sleeve, in particular for a container for storing a cryogenic fluid
    Patent number: 4577386
    Abstract: The method comprises winding on a mandrel M a tube 1 having a flattened cross-sectional shape so as to form a helical structure, mounting on the mandrel and the tube a sheet metal cylinder 2, injecting in the tube a fluid under pressure so as to cause the tube to assume, by expansion, the shape of a coiled tube having a circular cross-sectional shape and thereby locally deform the wall of the cylinder in the shape of a helical impression, and fixing the coiled tube to the cylinder so as to produce the sleeve. The invention applies in particular to containers for cryogenic fluids provided with coiled heating tubes in an interwall space containing a vacuum between the sleeve and the internal tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Faudou, Pierre Pelloux-Gervais
  • Method of polishing the surface of glass articles
    Patent number: 4576571
    Abstract: A method of polishing the surface of a glass article consists in exposing the surface of the said article to a flame produced by oxygen and by a fuel. In order to obtain a perfect surface quality, whatever the thickness and configuration of the article processed, while preventing any premature collapse of the article in question, use is made of a flame such that the thermal energy originating from the transfer of heat by convection exceeds the thermal energy originating from the transfer of heat by radiation, and preferably of a flame of the oxygen-hydrogen type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Luc Moufflet, Michel Roux, Jean Valadier
  • Container having a high degree of thermal insulation
    Patent number: 4572402
    Abstract: First, one end of a neck tube is adhesive bonded in an outwardly diverging frustoconical orifice of an inner vessel. The other end of the neck tube is then adhesive bonded in the outwardly converging frustoconical orifice of the upper part of the outer vessel. Thereafter the lower part of the outer vessel is welded or bonded to said upper part. The resulting container is useful for storing very high or very low temperature liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre P. Gervais, Bernard Simon
  • Arc-striking method for a welding or cutting torch and a torch adapted to carry out said method
    Patent number: 4567346
    Abstract: The invention relates in particular to plasma cutting. The nozzle (5) is freely slidably mounted in the torch body so as to come into contact with the electrode if the torch is applied against the work piece (16). By disengaging the torch, an arc is struck between the electrode and the nozzle and then transferred to the work piece. Application in particular to low-power plasma torches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Gerard Marhic
  • Casting process and installation for a non-ferrous metal in the molten state
    Patent number: 4565234
    Abstract: The invention relates to casting non-ferrous metal from a storage vessel of the said molten metal into a receiving vessel of the said metal in the form of a gravity-free jet. According to the process, an isolating zone from the ambient air, covering the said receiving vessel and the said zone is rendered inert by introducing a liquified inert gas prior to and during casting. The process applies in particular to the continuous casting of zinc into ingots molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean F. Rimbert
  • Burner for pulverized coal
    Patent number: 4556384
    Abstract: This burner is so designed as to be capable of operating in a stable manner with no risk of explosion with pure oxygen or air highly enriched with oxygen as the reactant. In one embodiment, a stream of oxygen is delivered through a central tube 4A which terminates in a divergent annular diffuser 30. A mixture of air and pulverized coal is delivered in an intermediate ring 15 around this diffuser and an annular stream of whirling oxygen is delivered in an outer ring 16. Application in indirect heating furnaces, furnaces in which slag exists and cement-making furnaces and in cases where special atmospheres (for example reducing atmospheres) are desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Serge Laurenceau, Luc Moufflet, Bernerd Genies
  • Arc working torches
    Patent number: 4555609
    Abstract: This invention relates to arc working torches.To prevent the operator from touching the live electrode, the free end of the torch is provided with a cowling formed by a protective skirt on the one hand and on the other hand by a tilting stirrup hinged on this skirt which engages on the torch body while closing an electrical circuit forming part of the safety circuit of the torch. The invention is applied to manual plasma cutting torches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Gerard Marhic, Didier Schaff, Francis Remy
  • Gas mixers
    Patent number: 4549563
    Abstract: A mixer for delivering a mixture of two gases G.sub.1 and G.sub.2 in proportions respectively and by volume of X/100 and (100-X)/100; X/100 not being allowed to be smaller than a particular value. Each gas circuit comprises a pipe provided with a cock for adjustment of the rate of flow and with a calibrated orifice selected in such manner that for an identical pressure P, the rates of flow of the gases through these orifices are in the ratio X/(100-X), with devices for limiting the pressure of the gas G.sub.2 to that of the gas G.sub.1, as well as for limiting the pressure in both circuits. The invention is applicable to an oxygen-nitrous oxide mixer for anaesthetic purposes, in which the proportion of oxygen in the mixture supplied cannot drop below 25% and the flow rate of nitrous oxide cannot exceed a predetermined maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Monnier
  • Apparatus for providing a continuous stream of a cryogenic liquid and in particular liquid nitrogen
    Patent number: 4546609
    Abstract: In order to stop the continuous stream of liquid nitrogen supplied through the outlet conduit 4 of the device 2 for regulating the pressure, this conduit is provided with a stop electrovalve 5A combined with a degassing device 27 so that the flow of plain liquid in normal operation is not disturbed. Application to the pressurization of preserving boxes or cans by vaporization of liquid nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Alain Roullet, Andre Lermuzeaux
  • Reactor and apparatus for purifying by adsorption
    Patent number: 4541851
    Abstract: The case 2 of the container 1 having a vertical axis X-X contains two adsorbent beds 3,4 in the form of sleeves retained by three cylindrical grates 5, 6, 7. The intermediate grate 6 is axially rigid and radially flexible while the innermost and outermost grates 5,7 are axially flexible and radially rigid. This enables the container and the adsorbent beds to support without damage the successive heating and cooling stages in the course of the adsorbent regeneration stages. Application to the purification of large amounts of air intended to be distilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Maurice Bosquain, Maurice Grenier, Leon Hay, Paul Lapeyre, Jean-Yves Lehman, Pierre Petit, Pierre Sauty
  • Method for freezing the neck of an inverted champagne bottle
    Patent number: 4541251
    Abstract: Bottles 1 are disposed in an inverted position in small groups on a tray which is placed in position on a lower frame 25 of a programmed raising and lowering portal 6. Upon each lowering of the portal, the necks of the bottles are dipped into a bath of liquid nitrogen which is maintained at a constant level. The dippings, for example three in number, are separated by stages in which the necks of the bottles are maintained out of the bath. The last dipping terminates when the necks are partly frozen, and the bottles are then conveyed to a disgorging station where the mass of ice formed is expelled so as to eliminate the sediment coming from the fermentation of the champagne.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre Louradour, Alain Roullet
  • Cooling apparatus and cooling trap including such an apparatus
    Patent number: 4538423
    Abstract: The region 1 to be cooled contains the evaporator of a heat pipe 2 which contains a diphase fluid adapted to the desired temperature between about 0.degree. and -100.degree. C. The condenser 7 of the heat pipe is cooled to a set temperature by a copper ring 8 which is cooled by a regulated liquid nitrogen current. Applications in the freeze trapping of solvents contained in a gaseous current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Raymond Le Diouron
  • Process for effecting an accelerated neutralization of cellulose textile substrates impregnated with alkaline hydroxide
    Patent number: 4536907
    Abstract: There is effected an accelerated direct neutralization in-situ of the substrates which are impregnated with alkaline hydroxide which is free or fixed on the cellulose, by contact with a neutralizing fluid containing carbon dioxide in a gaseous, aqueous or combined phase, this fluid being introduced in accordance with requirements related to the quantity of alkali to be neutralized. The process may be used in the textile industry in continuous and discontinuous treatments and is adaptable to all types of textile machines employing an aqueous method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Zumbrunn, Jean Levielle, Andre Thomas, Francoise Grangette
  • Process and device for the regeneration of a group of solid particles having a coating of a biological material
    Patent number: 4534864
    Abstract: The solid particles 33' coated with a biological material are developed at the upper end of a bed 32 which is fluidized by a supply of water 3. The particles 33' are removed at 12 and decanted at 11 and then introduced through a pipe 20 at the upper end 22 of an auxiliary anaerobic fermentation column which converts the biological coating into a gaseous mixture which escapes at 27. The regenerated particles are withdrawn at 28 and conveyed at 30 to the purifying bed. Application in the biological purification of waste waters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Alain Rigouard
  • Device for measuring the flow of a fluid
    Patent number: 4534227
    Abstract: The device measures the flow of a fluid and comprises a rotor 16 having vanes which is driven in rotation by a stream of fluid in a sealed housing 11 having a circular cross-section and provided with a supply nozzle and a discharge nozzle for the fluid which are in alignment and disposed tangentially to the rotor so that the fluid stream issuing from the supply nozzle encounters the vanes 1 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation 17 of the rotor. The rotor 16 has two lateral flanges 16a, the vanes, the flanges and the housing defining, apart from a clearance for permitting the rotation of the rotor, a series of compartments which communicate by way of that clearance with two lateral chambers 12a of the housing. The invention is in particular applicable to the measurement of small flows of gas under high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Roland Petit
  • Surface hardening process for metal parts
    Patent number: 4531984
    Abstract: In a surface hardening process for metal parts by nitriding or carbonitriding, the parts to be treated are placed in a furnace and maintained at a temperature of between 490.degree. C. and 750.degree. C., in a nitrogen bearing atmosphere, such atmosphere formed by introducing into the furnace a gaseous mixture comprising in particular ammonia and an oxidizing gas for accelerating the catalytic dissociation of ammonia in contact with said parts. The oxidizing gas is nitrous oxide and the gaseous mixture contains about 0.1% to 10% by volume of nitrous oxide. The invention is well suited for the surface hardening of steel parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Michel Madsac, Thierry Hiron
  • Glassmaking process and equipment
    Patent number: 4531960
    Abstract: According to the process, a mixture of powdered mineral substances is introduced at one end of a furnace and this mixture is heated, and the molten glass thus obtained is continuously discharged at the other end of the furnace. The mixture is heated by means of at least one air-fuel flame and at least one oxygen-fuel flame. A current of auxiliary gas which is concentric to and surrounds the oxygen-fuel flame is injected into the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Marc Desprez