Patents Examined by Ronald C. Capossela
  • Patent number: 5752386
    Abstract: A method of draining a tank that has been containing liquid gas, and a plant for use in such draining. After draining of the major part of the tank contents, but while residual contents of gas are present in vapourized state in the tank, the residual contents are conveyed for exchanging heat directly or indirectly with cold nitrogen. Nitrogen is vapourized and heated and conveyed to the tank, while the residual gas is cooled and condensed and conveyed to a collector tank. The plant comprises a heat exchange system connected to the supply of nitrogen, and residual gas is forced from the tank to be drained and through the heat exchange system in order to cause vapourization and heating of nitrogen to be conveyed to the tank, in such a manner that the residual gas from the tank condenses, whereby a collector container is connected for receiving condensed residual gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventors: B.ang.rd Norberg, J.o slashed.rn M. Jonas, Einar Brendeng
  • Patent number: 5749245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for separating a mixture containing at least two components, each component having a different volatility. The separation is achieved through the use of a fractional distillation column and upper and lower storage vessels in conjunction with a chilling unit for forming a liquid phase of the mixture and a generator for forming a gas phase of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Climate Supply (Atlantic) Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Thomas, Devin James Thomas, Kenneth Garfield Ross
  • Patent number: 5749233
    Abstract: In a method and a device for cooling and carbonating a liquid (20), carbon dioxide intended for carbonating is also used for cooling, the carbon dioxide being brought to expand in a room (4; 7) which is separate from the liquid (20) but which is thermally connected to the liquid. By the invention it is achieved that an ice bank is formed in the liquid in the area which is adjacent to said expansion room (4; 7) whereby is achieved i.a. better cooling control than in previously known devices where the carbon dioxide also is used for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Post-Mix Equipment AB
    Inventor: Bengt Adolfsson
  • Patent number: 5749232
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a sterile cryogenic liquid (for example into a container of food) is provided, as well as a method of use of same using a just-in-time approach to production. The apparatus includes at least one cryogenic liquid filter, the filter including filter media having the capability to effectively sterilize cryogenic liquids, the filter media positioned within a housing to accept non-sterile cryogenic liquid and produce sterile cryogenic liquid. The apparatus further includes at least one sterile cryogenic liquid receptor tube, the sterile cryogenic liquid receptor tube having a sterile cryogenic liquid outlet for outflowing sterile cryogenic liquid. The receptor tube is surrounded by a manifold which collects and drains spent condensed steam after a periodic filter sterilization cycle. The receptor tube also collects raw cryogenic fluid, which helps insulate sterile cryogen in the receptor tube. The cryogenic liquid filter is provided within a vacuum jacketed tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Air Liquide America Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Sauer
  • Patent number: 5749231
    Abstract: A design of a non-freezing vortex tube to operate with non-dried even wet inlet gas flow in a broad range of a vortex tube's cold fraction value, the non-freezing vortex tube includes a heat exchanger and a vortex tube comprising a slender tube, a diaphragm having a hole in the center thereof and closing one end of the slender tube, one or more tangential nozzles piercing the slender tube just inside the diaphragm and a throttle valve on the other end of the slender tube, the design comprising ways of connecting the non-freezing vortex tube to keep all diaphragm's surfaces above the point of freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Universal Vortex, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Tunkel, Boris Krasovitski, Rorbert L. Foster
  • Patent number: 5746066
    Abstract: The present invention is a plurality of stages for partial condensation and phase separation a process gas stream, preferably containing substantial amounts of light olefins, methane, and hydrogen, but containing initially at least substantial amounts of methane and ethylene. Each condensation and separation stage is refrigerated with a subcooled and flashed high pressure liquid of a mixed refrigerant refrigeration loop, wherein throughout the loop the relative component ratios of the mixed refrigerant components are constant, contrasted with the several mixed refrigerant processes of the prior art where for all the streams of each closed refrigeration loop. In addition, rectification and/or stripping sections of an ethylene separation train have a common support construction taking advantage of relatively similar column diameters to reduce the total number of columns in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: David B. Manley
  • Patent number: 5743112
    Abstract: A unit capable of simultaneously producing liquid nitrogen of ultra high purity and liquid oxygen of ultra high purity, is provided. The inside of a first rectification column 6 is demarcated to an upper rectifying part 12, a middle rectifying part 13 and a lower rectifying part 14. To the upper part 11 above the upper rectifying part 12 is connected a nitrogen condenser 8. A second rectification column 7 has a reboiler 24 provided under its rectifying part 22. Ultra high purity liquid nitrogen is recovered from between the upper rectifying part 12 and middle rectifying part 22 of the second rectification column 7, where it is brought in countercurrent contact with gas evaporated by the reboiler 24 provided below the rectifying part 22 so that lower boiling point components are separated therefrom. Thus, ultra high purity liquid oxygen is recovered from below the rectifying part 22 of the second rectification column 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Teisan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Yamamoto, Shinji Tomita, Ryo Den
  • Patent number: 5743096
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for delivering controlled doses of a liquid cryogen. Controlling a restriction in a return conduit and other system geometry maintains proper circulation through a delivery and return conduit, enabling reliable control over the temperature and pressure of the liquid cryogen at the site of dosing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Vacuum Barrier Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Blanton, John W. Ross, Thorton Stearns
  • Patent number: 5743729
    Abstract: Cooling device with panels for arc electric furnaces, which is used in an electric melting furnace in cooperation with the vertical sidewall placed above the lower shell (11) of the furnace, the furnace comprising in its lower part one lower shell (11) to contain a bath (12) of melting metal and an upper shell defined by a plurality of panels (16) comprising a plurality of cooling tubes (17), the lower shell (11) including at its outer part a metallic containing element (15), the inner refractory having an upper edge (19) located substantially at the level of the upper edge of the layer of slag (14) contained above the bath (12) of melting metal, at least part of the outer panel (16) consisting of a horizontal row (18) of cooling tubes (17) arranged slightly above a substantial part of the upper refractory edge (19) of the lower shell (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Milorad Pavlicevic, Gianni Gensini, Alfredo Poloni, Romano Sellan
  • Patent number: 5740678
    Abstract: An impingement freezer having a zoned freezing chamber in which the temperature of each zone is independently controllable so that the temperature profile within the impingement freezer is coldest at a zone adjacent the outlet and warmest at a zone adjacent the inlet for maximum thermodynamic usage of the refrigerant. Additionally, the velocity of each of the impingement jets is independently adjustable from zone to zone so that in the zone adjacent the entrance of the freezing chamber, the impingement jets can be adjusted to have maximum velocity to produce maximum heat transfer coefficients and thereby an acceptable rate of cooling within the impingement jet freezer. Impingement jets are formed within nozzles that are tapered in two orthogonal directions to prevent frost build-up. Circulation within the impingement jet freezer is produced by venturi-like devices driven by vaporization of incoming refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron C. Lee, Michael K. Sahm
  • Patent number: 5740683
    Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system for producing nitrogen, especially at low production flowrates, wherein incoming feed air is cooled by a regenerator without need for cold end imbalance and wherein exogenous cryogenic liquid is added to the rectification column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Fredric Billingham, Thomas John Bergman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5737941
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing trace levels of impurities from gases stored cryogenically in a storage vessel in liquid form by passing a vaporized portion of liquified gas from the storage vessel through a bed of adsorbent while using the liquified gas to cool the adsorbent. Vaporized gas resulting from cooling of the adsorbent with the stored liquified gas can be combined with the vapor withdrawn from the storage vessel prior to being passed through the bed of adsorbent. Liquified gas can be withdrawn from the storage vessel, vaporized and the vaporized gas combined with the vaporized gas from the storage vessel prior to being passed through the bed of adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hsiao-Ling Hsiung, Jose Rui Souto Machado, Alexander Schwarz
  • Patent number: 5737926
    Abstract: A system for producing cryogenic sterile nitrogen wherein liquid nitrogen is first vaporized and subsequently heated prior to undergoing sterilization, the warm sterilized nitrogen vapor is cooled to effect the vaporization of the liquid nitrogen, and the resulting cooled sterilized nitrogen is condensed to produce the product cryogenic sterile nitrogen. The system may be used to produce other cryogenic sterile cryogens also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Tat Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 5737927
    Abstract: A cryogenic cooling apparatus is provided, wherein the degree of freedom of installation and use is increased without deteriorating the reliability or stability and the range of uses of the apparatus is also increased. A coil unit and a refrigeration unit are positioned such that a second heat conductive member disposed on an extendible wall of a vacuum container and a fourth heat conductive member disposed on an extendible wall of another vacuum container face each other coaxially. In this state, the coil unit and refrigeration unit are relatively moved to approach each other, and thus the second heat conductive member and fourth heat conductive member come in contact. If the coil unit and refrigeration unit are further moved, the extendible wall extends and consequently the second heat conductive member comes in contact with a first heat conductive member. In addition, the extendible wall contracts and consequently the fourth heat conductive member comes in contact with a third heat conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masahiko Takahashi, Yasumi Ohtani, Rohana Chandratilleke, Hideo Hatakeyama, Hideki Nakagome, Toru Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 5737938
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system comprising a portable air-conditioning unit (100, FIG. 1) for cooling and dehumidifying a zone and a refrigerating unit (10, FIG. 1) which is separated from the portable air-conditioning unit (100, FIG. 1). The portable air-conditioning unit (100, FIG. 1) comprises a housing (20, FIG. 1), an air-moving device (12, FIG. 1) and one or a plurality of coolant carriers (16, FIG. 1) which can be manually transported between the portable air-conditioning unit (100, FIG. 1) and the refrigerating unit (10, FIG. 1). The coolant carriers (16, FIG. 1) also function as cooling coils of a surface type heat-exchanger for the portable air-conditioning unit (100, FIG. 1). The coolant carriers (16, FIG. 1) are closed and sealed so that the contained coolant can be reused among cooling and refrigerating cycles. The coolant can be water or a solution of water and inorganic salt to make use of the combination of sensible heat, heat of fusion and heat of solution for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: ContinOcean Tech Inc.
    Inventor: Chunyan Liu
  • Patent number: 5735142
    Abstract: A process and a plant in which gaseous oxygen is produced directly at the desired high pressure by pumping liquid oxygen drawn off in the vessel of the low-pressure column (11). The air to be distilled is split into three flows: a flow at the medium pressure of the double distillation column (1), a flow at a high pressure, higher than approximately 60 bars, and a flow at an intermediate pressure which, after partial cooling, is expanded to the medium pressure in a turbine (8). The intermediate pressure is chosen so that the air treated in the turbine is near its dew point at the entry of the turbine wheel. Liquid product is simultaneously drawn off (at 24) from the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Maurice Grenier
  • Patent number: 5735140
    Abstract: A pneumatic apparatus produces high density dry ice pellets without external electric or hydraulic energy. The apparatus operates solely on compressed air for reduced capital and maintenance costs and for portability to harsh or remote locations. An air-over-oil booster is connected to a pelletizing cylinder which is in turn connected to a source of liquid CO.sub.2 through an electronic controller. The controller sequences a set of fluid valves for operation of both the booster and pelletizing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Waste Minimization and Containment, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Becker, Russell Furmanek
  • Patent number: 5735127
    Abstract: A cryogenic cooling apparatus (cryocooler) with voltage isolation includes a cold end structure, which may be placed in thermally and electrically conductive contact with an electrically charged structured to be cooled, a warm end, and an electrically insulating structure between the warm end and the cold end structure of the apparatus so as to electrically isolate the cold end structure from the warm end. Two cold fingers, each comprising a cold end structure, a warm end, and the insulating structure, may be conveniently combined into a single cooling apparatus for the cooling of two electrically charged structures at different voltage levels, e.g., conductive electrical leads to a cryogenic superconductive energy storage device. The electrically insulating structure is selected so as to provide both electrical isolation and to contain a cryogenic working fluid within the cold finger of the cryocooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: John M. Pfotenhauer, Orrin D. Lokken
  • Patent number: 5735062
    Abstract: A method for transporting, drying and unloading lightweight particulate material involves taking a wheeled compartment having forward and rearward ends, a bottom, and opposite sides, forming a false bottom over the bottom to create an air duct therebetween, forming air ports in the false bottom which will deflect forced air passing therethrough from the air duct in a direction generally towards the rearward end, placing a quantity of peanut hulls in the compartment, forcing warm air into the air duct through the air ports and into the compartment to dry the peanut hulls, and moving the rearward end of the compartment to permit the air from the air ports to blow the dried hulls from the compartment out of the rearward end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Sukup Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Eugene G. Sukup
  • Patent number: 5732571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to reduce flue gas in incineration processes that are carried out with an oxidizing incineration gas consisting of a flue gas that is returned to the circulation system and of a technically produced oxygen. A stoichiometrically-related proportion of the flue gas that is not added to the incineration gas has a CO.sub.2 fraction greater than 70%. In order to reduce the flue gas, the fraction of flue gas that is returned and not used as incineration gas in the incineration process is removed from the circulation system and liquefied in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignees: Messer Griesheim GmbH, SBW Soderabfallentsorgung
    Inventors: Herbert Maerz, Rasi Hatami, Dieter Traeger