Patents by Inventor Alan T. Ziegler

Alan T. Ziegler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20080230634
    Abstract: A injector nozzle for a cryogenic fluid wherein both the kinetic energy of the discharge stream, and the residual volume of cryogenic fluid contained within the nozzle is reduced, the dispensing nozzle of a generally showerhead type configuration, with discharge ports disposed at the periphery of the showerhead discharge face, and a filler member disposed internal to the showerhead assembly, to reduce the volume of the conical chamber immediately upstream of said discharge faceplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Alan T. Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20080169037
    Abstract: An improved system is provided for connecting thermally insulated cryogenic delivery piping including a bayonet coupler comprising a thermally insulated section of dual walled piping, said dual walled piping having an annular space between the walls of said piping, the annular space maintained at high vacuum, said bayonet coupler sized to be securely received by internal sleeves disposed at the to-be-joined ends of said cryogenic delivery piping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: Alan T. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7281550
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the efficient and controllable delivery of cryogen liquid droplets into thin walled containers. Discharge of the droplets is facilitated using a horizontal displacement assembly to transport metered droplets from a liquid dosing unit to the point of injection above the container. The horizontal displacement assembly may be provided with internal heaters to prevent freeze up, and a sensor to confirm droplet discharge. It may also be provided with a separate source of heated nitrogen gas, which can be used to back purge the dispensing unit should it become clogged, to melt any frozen liquid occlusions which may have formed in the cryogen supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Cryotech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan T. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6196280
    Abstract: A combination of a nozzle and a fuel tank fitting for delivering liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a dispenser to a fuel tank. The fuel tank fitting comprises first and second valve assemblies coupled to the fuel tank in close proximity to each other. Each valve assembly has a flow passage extending therethrough in communication with the interior of the tank. The nozzle comprises a housing forming a handle portion and a nozzle portion for mating with the valve assemblies of the fuel tank fitting to form a liquid-tight seal therebetween. First and second flow passages extend through the nozzle and provide respectively a fuel supply line and a vent return line. First and second valve assemblies are disposed in the first and second flow passages in the nozzle. A releasable cooperative clamp is carried by the fuel tank fitting and the nozzle for securing the nozzle to the tank fitting when the nozzle has been mated to the fuel tank fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Liberty Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Tate, Jr., Harold M. Lee, Alan T. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6182715
    Abstract: A liquid-nitrogen injection system comprises a vacuum-insulated reservoir that is held aloft and to one side of a flexible dosing arm. Such reservoir is completely sealed and capped on its top and sides, the vent, feed, return, and supply conduits enter only from the bottom. The feed and return conduits connect to the dosing arm through a long flexible, stainless steel, vacuum-insulating jacket. Such allows an injection nozzle at the end of the dosing arm to be adjusted up and down, in and out, and even tilted relative to both the assembly line and the reservoir. This also means the hydraulic pressure head at the control nozzle can be adjusted in the field. A metering orifice is positioned within the dosing arm such that it is behind the control nozzle valve. A nitrogen gas purging system is connected to provide a freeze-up shielding gas flow from a liquid nitrogen tap in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventors: Alex R. Ziegler, Alan T. Ziegler