Patents by Inventor Claus D. Emmer
Claus D. Emmer 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).
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Patent number: 7069730Abstract: A system dispenses both liquid natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG). A bulk tank contains a supply of LNG which is pumped to a smaller storage tank. After the storage tank is refilled, LNG from the bulk tank is pumped to a vaporizer so that CNG is produced. The CNG may be routed to the LNG in the storage tank to condition it. It is also used to recharge a pressurizing cylinder that is placed in communication with the head space of the storage tank when it is desired to rapidly dispense LNG to a vehicle. A bank of cascaded storage cylinders alternatively may receive CNG from the vaporizer for later dispensing through the system CNG dispenser. The CNG from the vaporizer may also be dispensed directly via the system CNG dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Chart Inc.Inventors: Claus D. Emmer, Jesse Gamble, Craig Zelasko, Thomas K. Drube
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Patent number: 6955095Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing LNG to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Chart Inc.Inventors: Thomas K. Drube, Paul A. Drube, Claus D. Emmer, Gilbert J. Bily, Jesse Gamble
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Publication number: 20040231411Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing LNG to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Thomas K. Drube, Paul A. Drube, Claus D. Emmer, Gilbert J. Bily, Jesse Gamble
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Patent number: 6732594Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing LNG to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Chart Inc.Inventors: Thomas K. Drube, Paul A. Drube, Claus D. Emmer, Gilbert J. Bily, Jesse Gamble
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Patent number: 6640554Abstract: A portable self-contained liquid natural gas (LNG) dispensing system is housed in a container featuring opposing side and end walls and a bottom panel. The container is divided into a ventilated portion and a covered portion. A roof is over the covered portion while the ventilated portion features an open top. A bulk tank positioned within the container contains a supply of LNG with a head space thereabove and a pump is submerged in LNG within a sump that is also positioned within the container and communicates with the bulk tank. The container is lined with stainless steel sheets to define a containment volume that is capable of holding the entire supply of LNG in the bulk tank. A vent valve communicates with the head space of the bulk tank and is positioned under the open top of the ventilated portion of the container. The electric controls are positioned on the lower portion of the end wall of the covered portion of the container so as to be located in accordance with the appropriate safety guidelines.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Chart Inc.Inventors: Claus D. Emmer, Thomas Drube
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Publication number: 20030183017Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing LNG to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Thomas K. Drube, Paul A. Drube, Claus D. Emmer, Gilbert J. Bily, Jesse Gamble
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Patent number: 6595048Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing liquid natural gas (LNG) to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Chart Inc.Inventors: Thomas K. Drube, Paul A. Drube, Claus D. Emmer, Gilbert J. Bily, Jesse Gamble
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Publication number: 20030005709Abstract: A portable self-contained liquid natural gas (LNG) dispensing system is housed in a container featuring opposing side and end walls and a bottom panel. The container is divided into a ventilated portion and a covered portion. A roof is over the covered portion while the ventilated portion features an open top. A bulk tank positioned within the container contains a supply of LNG with a head space thereabove and a pump is submerged in LNG within a sump that is also positioned within the container and communicates with the bulk tank. The container is lined with stainless steel sheets to define a containment volume that is capable of holding the entire supply of LNG in the bulk tank. A vent valve communicates with the head space of the bulk tank and is positioned under the open top of the ventilated portion of the container. The electric controls are positioned on the lower portion of the end wall of the covered portion of the container so as to be located in accordance with the appropriate safety guidelines.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: Claus D. Emmer, Thomas Drube
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Patent number: 6257282Abstract: Prefabricated insulated pipe sections are constructed of an inner pipe surrounded by a concentrically-positioned outer pipe. End portions of the inner and outer pipes are joined with bellow members so that an annular space is defined. A portion of the inner pipe is wrapped with layers of insulation material with inert insulating granules positioned between the layers. The annular space is partially evacuated to below atmospheric pressure. Multiple pipe sections may be joined by their inner pipes through brazing or other known methods. The joints and neighboring bellow members on abutting pipe sections are covered by vacuum sleeves that are sealed and provide a vacuum tight joint.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: MVE, Inc.Inventors: Claus D. Emmer, Jon R. Turner
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Patent number: 6216745Abstract: Prefabricated insulated pipe sections are constructed of an inner pipe surrounded by a concentrically-positioned outer pipe. End portions of the inner and outer pipes are joined with bellow members so that an annular space is defined. A portion of the inner pipe is wrapped with layers of insulation material with inert insulating granules positioned between the layers. The annular space is partially evacuated to below atmospheric pressure. Multiple pipe sections may be joined by their inner pipes through brazing or other known methods. The joints and neighboring bellow members on abutting pipe sections are covered by clam shells that are sealed and filled with insulation.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: MVE, Inc.Inventors: Stanislaw D. Augustynowicz, Jon P. Wikstrom, Claus D. Emmer, Jon R. Turner, Timothy A. Neeser
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Patent number: 5954101Abstract: A delivery and storage system for cryogenic fluids features a vehicle mounted dispensing system including a bulk storage tank that feeds cryogenic liquid to a sump containing a pump to pre-cool the pump. The pump feeds cryogenic liquid to another sump containing a meter so as to cool the meter. A valve selectively routes the cryogenic liquid from the meter sump to the bulk storage tank as the meter cools down. When the meter reaches operating temperature, cryogenic liquid is directed through the meter to a dispensing hose. The cryogenic liquid is dispensed into a liquid cylinder. The liquid cylinder features an automatic shut-off device to reduce the flow of the cryogenic liquid into the cylinder when the cylinder is full. The inner shell is held to the outer shell at the top by a combination stainless steel hose and composite cylinder neck. The bottom of the inner shell features a pair of pins which are supported by a strap across the bottom portion of the outer shell interior.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: MVE, Inc.Inventors: Paul Arnold Drube, Audrey Duane Preston, Claus D. Emmer, Jon Robert Turner, Thomas Karl Drube