Patents Examined by Brian King
  • Patent number: 10006674
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a magnet assembly which creates a magnetic field, and a regenerator housing which includes a body defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers extending along a transverse direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The heat pump further includes a plurality of stages, each of the plurality of stages including a magnetocaloric material disposed within one of the plurality of chambers and extending along the transverse direction between a first end and a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers, Brian Michael Schork, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10006420
    Abstract: A storage tank 10A has a heat insulating material layer 14 formed on the outer side of a partition wall 12 that has a container shape. The inside of the storage tank 10A is divided into two storage spaces V1, V2. The first storage space V1 stores liquefied hydrogen LH2 and the second storage space V2 storing slush hydrogen SH2. A plurality of fins 18 are disposed on the partition plate 16 so as to promote heat transfer between the liquefied hydrogen LH2 and the slush hydrogen SH2 and to reduce the amount of evaporation gas from the liquefied hydrogen LH2. An escape pipe 20 is connected to the storage space V1, and the fuel supply pipes 24a, 24b are connected to the storage spaces V1, V2, respectively. The fuel supply pipes 24a, 24b are connected to a combustor 26 via the main fuel pipe 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Toyotaka Yoshida, Kenji Nakamichi
  • Patent number: 10006588
    Abstract: An apparatus for condensing argon can include cold box, which is preferably sealed and largely maintenance free, where all instruments and valves requiring routine maintenance are to be located outside, a nitrogen separator disposed within the cold box, a heat exchanger disposed within the cold box, the heat exchanger is configured to condense a gaseous argon stream against a pressurized liquid nitrogen stream. The cold box is elevated as compared to an argon storage vessel, such that the condensed argon stream can flow to the argon storage vessel without the need for a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
    Inventors: Sylvain Madé, Yves Hardy, Gilles Poulin
  • Patent number: 10006695
    Abstract: A method for producing liquid natural gas (LNG) includes the following steps. Compressor stations forming part of existing natural-gas distribution network are identified. Compressor stations that are geographically suited for localized distribution of LNG are selected. Natural gas flowing through the selected compressor stations is diverted to provide a high pressure first natural gas stream and a high pressure second natural gas stream. A pressure of the first natural gas stream is lowered to produce cold temperatures through pressure let-down gas expansion and then the first natural gas stream is consumed as a fuel gas for an engine driving a compressor at the compressor station. The second natural gas stream is first cooled with the cold temperatures generated by the first natural gas stream, and then expanded to a lower pressure, thus producing LNG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignees: 1304338 Alberta Ltd., 1304342 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventors: Mackenzie Millar, Jose Lourenco
  • Patent number: 10006699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for denitrogenation of natural gas by distillation, in which natural gas cooled in an exchange line is separated in a system of columns including at least one column, a nitrogen-enriched gas is drawn from one column of the system of columns and is heated in the exchange line, a methane-enriched liquid is drawn from one column of the system of columns, pressurized and vaporized in the exchange line at at least one vaporization pressure, and at least one portion of the cooled natural gas expands in gaseous form in a turbine and is sent to one column of the system of columns in gaseous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
    Inventors: Alain Briglia, Selim Chouik
  • Patent number: 10006696
    Abstract: This invention is about a natural gas isobaric liquefaction apparatus, which is based on the Rankine cycle system of similar thermal energy power circulation apparatus at cryogenic side, a cryogenic liquid pump is used to input power and the refrigerant makes up cold to the natural gas liquefying apparatus, so as to realize the isobaric liquefaction of natural gas. The natural gas liquefying apparatus of this invention can save energy by over 30% as compared with the traditional advanced apparatus with the identical refrigerating capacity, therefore it constitutes a breakthrough to the traditional natural gas liquefaction technology, with substantial economic, social and environmental protection benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: NANJING RECLAIMER ENVIRONMENTAL TEKNIK CO., LTD
    Inventor: Haibo Wang
  • Patent number: 9995530
    Abstract: A cryogenic method for capturing carbon dioxide in the gaseous emissions produced from the fossil-energy combustion of solid, liquid, or gaseous fossil fuels in a power generation installation employing an OxyFuel mode of combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Charles Bliss, Mason Charles Moseley
  • Patent number: 9982844
    Abstract: A method for storage and transport of LPG on LPG carriers, in particular two cargoes of different LPG types on same shipment, having reliquefaction units (300, 400) in which vaporized gases are condensed and then returned into at least one cargo tank (100) for the respective LPG cargo type. The method is further comprising: using the reliquefaction units (300, 400), at a minimum one running, as to condense vapor from the first cargo type; passing the condensed vapor through a heat exchanger (500); simultaneously flowing vapor from the second cargo type through the heat exchanger (500) as to condense vapor by means of heat exchanging with the condensed vapor; and returning the condensed vapors leaving the heat exchanger back into the respective cargo types. The present invention is also disclosing a system for storage and transport of LPG on LPG carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: WÄRTSILÄ OIL & GAS SYSTEMS AS
    Inventor: Carl Jørgen Rummelhoff
  • Patent number: 9933196
    Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a low cost and effective system and method for simultaneous cooling and heating of a sample matrix during solid and liquid phase extraction methods. A cooling device is attached to atop of a sample vial and a heater is placed below the sample to simultaneous cooling and heating of the sample. The cooling device comprises two concentric metallic cylinders capped with welding. Two stainless steel capillary tubes are inserted respectively into two ends of the capped space for passing in and exiting out liquid carbon dioxide from the cooling device to cool the extracted analytes. The dimensions of the cylinders in the cooling device are suitably adjusted so that the cooling device is suited for use in liquid phase as well as solid phase micro-extraction processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Ali Reza Ghiasvand, Nahid Heidari, Shahriar Shadabi, Masoumeh Pirdadeh Beiranvand
  • Patent number: 9927067
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the temperature and pressure of a cryogenic liquid methane storage unit are provided. The disclosed systems and methods generate methane gas from a reservoir of liquid methane stored within the methane storage unit, vent the methane gas through one or more outlet valves connected to the methane storage unit, and generate electric power using the vented methane gas. The generated electric power can then be used to initiating a cooling cycle, which reduces the temperature of said reservoir of liquid methane and reduces the pressure in said methane storage unit. Micro anaerobic digesters and methane storage units may be configured in a networked environment with a central controller that monitors remote units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: BENNAMANN SERVICES LTD
    Inventors: Christopher Mann, Michael Bennett
  • Patent number: 9926934
    Abstract: An arrangement for liquefying natural gas is provided. The arrangement includes a gas turbine unit that includes a gas turbine compressor, a steam turbine unit, a first compressor unit, a shiftable clutch, a heated steam generator for supplying steam to the steam turbine unit, and a second compressor unit. The steam turbine unit and the first compressor unit have a common, rigidly connected first shaft assembly, while the gas turbine unit and the second compressor unit have a common, rigidly connected second shaft assembly. In order to increase economic efficiency, the first shaft assembly and the second shaft assembly are operable to be connected to and disconnected from each other using the clutch. A suitable method for starting said arrangement is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Kölscheid, Klaus Peters
  • Patent number: 9927152
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a first dewar configured to house a first optical imaging device, a second dewar configured to house a second optical imaging device, and a Stirling cycle refrigerator. The Stirling cycle refrigerator can include a compressor, a first expander in fluid communication with the compressor and in thermal communication with the first dewar, and a second expander in fluid communication with the compressor and in thermal communication with the second dewar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph W. Landry, John A. Tejada
  • Patent number: 9919774
    Abstract: Systems and methods for gas-up and cool down of LNG cargo tanks are described herein. A system includes a supply vessel located at a waterway location, a receiving vessel moored to the supply vessel, and a manifold conduit. The supply vessel is configured to transfer natural gas to the receiving vessel using the manifold conduit for gas-up and cool down of one or more LNG cargo tanks onboard the receiving vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Cook, Mark K. Lane
  • Patent number: 9909804
    Abstract: A method of cooling using an extended binary refrigerant system containing methane and a C3 hydrocarbon such as propylene and/or propane is disclosed. The extended binary refrigerant from a compressor final discharge is separated into a methane-rich vapor fraction and at least one C3 rich liquid fraction so as to provide various temperatures and levels of refrigeration in various heat exchange stages. The method and corresponding refrigeration system can be utilized in plants utilizing low pressure or high pressure demethanizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Sumner
  • Patent number: 9903645
    Abstract: The process for liquefying a gaseous stream received from a pipeline that is comprised predominantly of ethane and a relatively small amount of other components by using a mixed refrigerant loop incorporating heavy hydrocarbons (butane, and/or pentane), as well as a distillation column to remove constituents lighter than ethane. Prior to cooling in a main heat exchanger, the gaseous stream is split into two fractions. The first fraction is cooled in the main heat exchanger and introduced to the distillation column. The second fraction is expanded to produce a two phase fluid, with the liquid fraction being introduced to the distillation column below the first fraction, and the gas fraction being cooled and then introduced to the distillation column at a point above the first fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
    Inventors: Michael A. Turney, Paul Terrien, Yasser Jebbari
  • Patent number: 9903646
    Abstract: The apparatus for liquefying a gaseous stream received from a pipeline that is comprised predominantly of ethane and a relatively small amount of other components by using a mixed refrigerant refrigeration cycle loop incorporating heavy hydrocarbons, as well as a distillation column to remove constituents lighter than ethane. Prior to cooling in a main heat exchanger, the gaseous stream is split into two fractions. The main heat exchanger is configured to cool the first fraction before heading to the distillation column for separation therein. An expansion device expands the second fraction to produce a two phase fluid, which is separated in a gas/liquid separator, with the liquid fraction being introduced to the distillation column below the first fraction, and the gas fraction being cooled and then introduced to the distillation column at a point above the first fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
    Inventors: Michael A. Turney, Paul Terrien, Yasser Jebbari
  • Patent number: 9889269
    Abstract: A system for generating liquid oxygen (LOX) for portable use by a patient includes a patient portable unit configured to store LOX and deliver gaseous oxygen (GOX) to the patient, and a mobile base unit configured to generate LOX by cryogenic separation of air and deliver the generated LOX to the patient portable unit. The mobile base unit includes a compressor that receives and pressurizes air, a purifier that removes impurities from the pressurized air, a heat exchanger that cools the purified air, a cryocooler that further cools the air to cryogenic temperatures, and a distillation unit that separates the cryogenic air into multiple products, including LOX and one or more cold byproducts. The separated LOX is communicated toward storage, and at least one of the cold byproducts is passed through the heat exchanger to facilitate heat transfer from incoming purified air to the at least one cold byproduct in order to cool the purified air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caire Inc.
    Inventor: Ravikumar V. Kudaravalli
  • Patent number: 9879906
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling and liquefying a hydrocarbon stream using a liquefaction process wherein a hydrocarbon stream is cooled and at least partially liquefied to obtain a liquefied hydrocarbon stream. In the method, one or more compressors are driven with one or more electric drivers, that are powered with one or more dual-fuel diesel-electric generators. These dual-fuel diesel-electric generations are operated by passing one or more hydrocarbon fuel streams to the one or more dual-fuel diesel-electric generators, wherein at least one of the one or more hydrocarbon fuel streams comprises a stream that is generated in the liquefaction process. The apparatus may be provided on a floating structure, a caisson, or off-shore platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Michiel Gijsbert van Aken
  • Patent number: 9879904
    Abstract: A variable speed liquid LNG expander (X1) and a variable speed two-phase LNG expander (X2) in line, downstream from X1. The rotational speed of both expanders can be controlled and changed independent from each other. The speed of expander X1 and expander X2 is determined in such way that the amount of liquid LNG downstream from the PHS compared to the feed gas supply is maximized and the amount of vapor and boil-off downstream of X2 is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: EBARA International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans E. Kimmel
  • Patent number: 9879905
    Abstract: This invention is about a natural gas isobaric liquefaction apparatus, which is based on the Rankine cycle system of similar thermal energy power circulation apparatus at cryogenic side, a cryogenic liquid pump is used to input power and the refrigerating media makes up cold to the natural gas liquefying apparatus, so as to realize the isobaric liquefaction of natural gas. The natural gas liquefying apparatus of this invention can save energy by over 30% as compared with the traditional advanced apparatus with the identical refrigerating capacity, therefore it constitutes a breakthrough to the traditional natural gas liquefaction technology, with substantial economic, social and environmental protection benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: NANJING RECLAIMER ENVIRONMENTAL TEKNIK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Haibo Wang