Patents Examined by Brian M King
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Patent number: 11650010Abstract: The present invention relates to an adsorption process for xenon recovery from a cryogenic liquid or gas stream wherein a bed of adsorbent is contacted with a xenon-containing liquid or gas stream selectively adsorbing the xenon from said stream. The adsorption bed is operated to at least near full breakthrough with xenon to enable a deep rejection of other stream components, prior to regeneration using the temperature swing method. After the stripping step, the xenon adsorbent bed is drained to clear out the liquid residue left in the nonselective void space and the xenon molecules in those void spaces is recycled upstream to the ASU distillation column for increasing xenon recovery. The xenon adsorbent bed is optionally purged with oxygen, followed by purging with gaseous argon at cryogenic temperature (?160 K) to displace the oxygen co-adsorbed on the AgX adsorbent due to higher selectivity of argon over oxygen on the AgX adsorbent.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Hai Du, Michael J. Dray, James P. Meagher, Steven R. Falta
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Patent number: 11643604Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of components from a hydrocarbon gas stream containing significant quantities of components more volatile than methane (hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.). The gas stream is partially condensed, then the remaining vapor is expanded to lower pressure and supplied to a fractionation tower at a mid-column feed position. The condensed liquid is cooled and divided into two portions. The first portion is expanded to tower pressure, heated by cooling the liquid, and supplied to the tower at a lower column feed position. The second portion is further cooled, expanded to tower pressure, and supplied to the tower at a top feed position. The tower overhead vapor is heated by cooling the second portion. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the tower maintain the overhead temperature of the tower whereby the major portion of the desired components is recovered.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: J. Ascencion Anguiano, John D. Wilkinson, Scott A. Miller, Stephen N. Peterson, Daryl R. Jensen, Michael C. Pierce, Hank M. Hudson
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Patent number: 11644225Abstract: A method of monitoring a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for refrigerant leak. The method includes monitoring, by a controller, operation of the HVAC system and determining, using a plurality of leak detectors, whether refrigerant within the HVAC system is leaking. Responsive to a positive determination in the determining step, receiving, by the controller, a refrigerant leak warning signal and modifying, by the controller, operation of the HVAC system to prevent the refrigerant from entering an enclosed space.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventor: Payam Delgoshaei
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Patent number: 11639816Abstract: A heating and cooling device is disclosed comprising at least one integral low voltage heating and cooling source and an efficient flexible heat distribution means having a thermal conductivity of from 375 to 4000 W/mK for distributing the heat and cool across a surface. Further aspects include thermal interface compounds to provide full thermal contact as well as the use of a phase change material to provide a long lasting heating and/or cooling effect without the use of external electrical input. Preferred applications include automotive and furniture seating heating and cooling, along with outdoor garments having distributed heating and cooling effects. Additional aspects include a thermal pad wrap and a thermally conductive liquid system for heat/cool distribution.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATEDInventor: Charles J. Cauchy
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Patent number: 11635252Abstract: A method is disclosed for start-up of a system for liquefying a feed gas stream comprising natural gas. The system has a feed gas compression and expansion loop, and a refrigerant system comprising a primary cooling loop and a sub-cooling loop. The feed gas compression and expansion loop is started up. The refrigerant system is pressurized. Circulation in the primary cooling loop is started and established. Circulation in the sub-cooling loop is started and established. A flow rate of the feed gas stream and circulation rates of the primary cooling loop and the sub-cooling loop are ramped up.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering CompanyInventors: Yijun Liu, Fritz Pierre, Jr., Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Xiaoli Y. Wright
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Patent number: 11629893Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space, a cryogenic freezing compartment provided in the storage space, and a thermoelectric module assembly disposed at one side of the cryogenic freezing compartment so that the cryogenic freezing compartment is cooled to a temperature less than that of the storage space. The cryogenic freezing compartment includes a cryogenic case into which an insulation material is filled to be thermally insulated from the storage space and in which a cryogenic freezing space is defined, a case door opening and closing the cryogenic case, and a rail assembly connecting the cryogenic case to the case door and extending and contracted in multi-stages to allow the case door to be slid to be inserted and withdrawn. The rail assembly is mounted on the cryogenic case outside the cryogenic freezing space.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yoomin Park, Jinho Son, Hozin Song
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Patent number: 11629898Abstract: In one instance, an isolator for a heating, ventilating, and cooling (HVAC) system is provided that is a formed plastic member that is disposed between dissimilar metals of the bottom of the condenser and a base pan that supports the condenser or between two dissimilar metals of another HVAC heat exchanger. The isolator separates the two dissimilar metals involved from each of those components and also provides gaps or apertures to drain any water that otherwise might become standing water that potentially causes oxidation or increased oxidation. Other aspects are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Miguel Montemayor, William Toombs, Jr., Aylan A. Him, Tate Joseph Byers
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Patent number: 11628387Abstract: An improved filter apparatus for a cryogenic fluid includes a filter and a support. The filter includes a mesh having an internal space and an open end. The support is associated with the mesh for maintaining a volume of the internal space above a predetermined value. In operation cryogenic fluid enters the internal space through the mesh and exits the open end thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: WESTPORT FUEL SYSTEMS CANADA INC.Inventors: Gage D. Garner, Timothy S. Coleman, Ashish Singh, Brendan J. Elder, Gavin G. Hartnett, Robbi L. McDonald, David Sauve, Cameron G. D. Scott
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Patent number: 11629912Abstract: A main heat exchanger receives and partially condenses an effluent fluid stream so that a mixed phase effluent stream is formed. A primary separation device receives and separates the mixed phase effluent stream into a primary vapor stream including hydrogen and a primary liquid stream including an olefinic hydrocarbon. The main heat exchanger receives and warms at least a portion of the primary vapor stream to provide refrigeration for partially condensing the effluent fluid stream. The main heat exchanger also receives, warms and partially vaporizes the primary liquid stream. A mixed refrigerant compression system also provides refrigeration in the main heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2022Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Douglas A. Ducote, Jr., Brent A. Heyrman, Timothy P. Gushanas, Richard Hopewell
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Patent number: 11624534Abstract: A multi-step method is disclosed for exchanging heat in a vapor compression heat transfer system having a working fluid circulating therethrough. The method includes the step of circulating a working fluid comprising a fluoroolefin to an inlet of a first tube of an internal heat exchanger, through the internal heat exchanger and to an outlet thereof. Also disclosed are vapor compression heat transfer systems for exchanging heat. The systems include an evaporator, a compressor, a dual-row condenser and an intermediate heat exchanger having a first tube and a second tube. A disclosed system involves a dual-row condenser connected to the first and second intermediate heat exchanger tubes. Another disclosed system involves a dual-row evaporator connected to the first and second intermediate heat exchanger tubes.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLCInventors: Denis Clodic, Youssef Riachi, Mary E. Koban
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Patent number: 11619691Abstract: The present disclosure relates to using an integrated cooling circuit to provide both forced-flow pre-cooling functionality and closed-loop thermosiphon cooling for persistent mode operation of a superconducting magnet. In one embodiment, the integrated cooling circuit shares a single set of cooling tubes for use with both the forced-flow pre-cooling circuit as well as the closed-loop operating-state cooling circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anbo Wu, Minfeng Xu, Paul St. Mark Shadforth Thompson
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Patent number: 11604025Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for processing liquefied natural gas (LNG). In one implementation, a dry feed gas is received. The dry feed gas is chilled with clean vapor from a heavies removal column to form a chilled feed gas. The chilled feed gas is partially condensed into a vapor phase and a liquid phase. The liquid phase retains freezing components. The freezing components are extracted using a reflux stream in the heavies removal column. The freezing components are removed as a condensate. The vapor phase is compressed into a clean feed gas. The clean feed gas is free of the freezing components for downstream liquefaction.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Jinghua Chan, Qi Ma, Dale L. Embry, Attilio J. Praderio
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Patent number: 11603496Abstract: The invention relates to a process (100) for producing liquefied natural gas using a feedstock mixture that contains at least methane, one or more components boiling at a temperature lower than methane and one or more hydrocarbons boiling at a temperature higher than methane, wherein the hydrocarbon(s) boiling at a temperature higher than methane comprise one or more hydrocarbons freezing at a higher temperature, with a freezing point higher than ?50° C.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Linde GmbHInventors: Helmut Fritz, Werner Leitmayr, Tobias Keller, Christian Voss
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Patent number: 11602713Abstract: A method for cryogenic separation of air uses an air separation plant, wherein, in a mass transfer column, a liquid first fluid and a gaseous second fluid are subjected to mass transfer with one another. A gaseous third fluid is removed from the column and is at least partly discharged from the air separation plant. A liquid fourth fluid is removed from the column and is at least partly fed into a low-pressure column. The first fluid is formed using at least a part of an oxygen-rich liquid removed from the low-pressure column. The second fluid is formed using an oxygen-enriched liquid removed from a high-pressure column. The oxygen-enriched liquid removed from the high-pressure column and bottom liquid of the mass transfer column are mixed and partly evaporated in a condenser-evaporator. A liquid fifth fluid is removed from the mass transfer column between a feed point for the first fluid and a feed point for the oxygen-enriched liquid, and is at least partly fed into the low-pressure column.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventor: Dimitri Golubev
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Patent number: 11596148Abstract: A dry vapor cryogenic storage container includes an absorbent core made from a porous material that absorbs a liquid cryogen and releases the cryogen in vapor form as the absorbed liquid evaporates. Fluid channels are formed in the absorbent core to increase the available surface area through which the liquid cryogen can be absorbed. The core can absorb the cryogenic liquid much faster with inclusion of the fluid channels. The absorbent core can be made by cutting a cavity and drilling holes in a stack of calcium silicate panels. The cavity holds a contents container or an inner core. The inner core can be part of an extractor and made from porous material including fluid channels for absorbing liquid cryogen. Contents containers can be housed in the inner core.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: SAVSU TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Bruce McCormick
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Patent number: 11598476Abstract: A vacuum adiabatic body includes a heat exchange pipeline and a sealing plug. The heat exchange pipeline includes at least two pipelines which pass through a first plate and a second plate to allow a refrigerant to move between inner and outer spaces. The sealing plug allows the heat exchange pipeline to pass through a first point of the first plate and a second point of the second plate without contacting a third space.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Wonyeong Jung, Deokhyun Youn, Jangseok Lee
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Patent number: 11592143Abstract: A method for transferring cryogenic fluid from a storage tank (2; 12; 16) to a receiver (6; 8; 10; 14; 16; 18) like a receiving tank or to an application device, according to the invention comprises the steps of: a—pumping cryogenic liquid from the storage tank (2; 12; 16), b—vaporising at least partially the pumped cryogenic liquid, c—pressurising the storage tank (2; 12; 16) with the vaporised cryogenic liquid, and d—transferring cryogenic fluid to the receiver (6; 8; 10; 14; 16; 18) with cryogenic fluid from the storage tank (2; 12; 16) through a feed line (4) between the storage tank (2; 12; 16) and the receiver (6; 8; 10; 14; 16; 18).Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Cryostar SASInventor: Philippe Heisch
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Patent number: 11592234Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a hydrocarbons fluid liquefaction system, having a first heat-exchange module having a pre-cooling exchanger having a pre-cooling circuit and a plurality of pre-cooling refrigerant circuits for pre-cooling the feed stream through the circulation of an expanded first mixed-refrigerant stream, and a second heat-exchange module having a liquefaction exchanger having a liquefaction circuit and a liquefaction refrigerant circuit for liquefying the feed stream through the circulation of an expanded second mixed-refrigerant stream, wherein each heat-exchange module has thermally insulating walls and a framework that allows the module to be transported and secured, and allows the first heat-exchange module to be stacked on top of the second heat-exchange module.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventors: Christophe Szamlewski, Catherine Cassellari, Michael Wakim, Thomas Morel
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Patent number: 11585597Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for increasing the efficiency of liquefied natural gas production and heavy hydrocarbon distillation. Air within an LNG production facility can be utilized as a heat source to provide heat to HHC liquid for distillation in a HHC distillation system. The mechanism of heat transfer from the air can be natural convection. Heat provided by natural gas, or compressed natural gas, can be also used for HHC distillation. Various other liquids can further be used to transfer heat to HHC liquid for distillation.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Baker Hughes, A GE Company, LLCInventor: John Michael Repasky
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Patent number: 11585583Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice tray, a motor, an ejector including a rotary shaft and a protrusion pin, and a heater for selectively supplying heat to the ice tray. A control method of the refrigerator includes a first step of sensing whether the ejector is rotated to reach a first setup position; a second step of driving the heater and stopping driving of an ice making compartment fan if the first step is satisfied; a third step of determining whether the ejector is rotated to reach a second setup position; and a fourth step of stopping driving of the heater if the third step is satisfied, and wherein the ejector continues to be rotated while the second to fourth steps are implemented.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Donghoon Lee, Seungseob Yeom, Donghoon Lee, Wookyong Lee