Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for pumping a cryogenic fluid from a storage vessel. The cryogenic fluid is pumped from the storage vessel to a heat exchanger and then to a delivery conduit. A pressure sensor measures fluid pressure in the delivery conduit. An electronic controller is programmed to monitor a signal from the pressure sensor, process the signal to determine from the measured process fluid pressure when cryogenic pump performance is degraded, and to send a signal to an operator of the apparatus indicating when the electronic controller determines that cryogenic pump performance has degraded below a predetermined threshold volumetric efficiency.

Abstract: A method and a system control fluid flow from a storage tank through a supply line to an end user. The system includes a valve that in its open position allows fluid flow from the storage tank to the end user and closes when the pressure in the fluid supply line drops below a predetermined set point. The storage tank is thereby isolated because the valve prevents fluid from flowing from the storage tank to the supply line when the pressure in the supply line is lower than a predetermined upper limit of the storage pressure operating range. An application that is particularly suited to the present system and method is a fuel storage and supply system for an end use that is a natural gas powered internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A storage tank defines a cryogen space for storing a cryogenic liquid. The storage tank comprises a combined fill and vent assembly, which comprises a conduit having a first end with an opening disposed within an upper part of the cryogen space, and a second end outside of the cryogen space that is connected to a receptacle, to which a re-filling nozzle can be attached. A check valve disposed in the conduit allows flow only in the direction of filling the cryogen space with cryogenic liquid from the receptacle. A by-pass line is provided around the check valve with a valve disposed in the by-pass line that is operable to open or close to control flow through the by-pass line. The method comprises attaching a re-filling nozzle to the receptacle and opening the by-pass valve to vent vapor from the cryogen space to reduce vapor pressure therein and to cool the conduit, receptacle, re-filling nozzle, and fill line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for pumping a cryogenic fluid from a storage vessel. The cryogenic fluid is pumped from the storage vessel to a heat exchanger and then to a delivery conduit. A pressure sensor measures fluid pressure in the delivery conduit. An electronic controller is programmed to monitor a signal from the pressure sensor, process the signal to determine from the measured process fluid pressure when cryogenic pump performance is degraded, and to send a signal to an operator of the apparatus indicating when the electronic controller determines that cryogenic pump performance has degraded below a predetermined threshold volumetric efficiency.

Abstract: A storage tank defines a cryogen space for storing a cryogenic liquid. The storage tank comprises a combined fill and vent assembly, which comprises a conduit having a first end with an opening disposed within an upper part of the cryogen space, and a second end outside of the cryogen space that is connected to a receptacle, to which a re-filling nozzle can be attached. A check valve disposed in the conduit allows flow only in the direction of filling the cryogen space with cryogenic liquid from the receptacle. A by-pass line is provided around the check valve with a valve disposed in the by-pass line that is operable to open or close to control flow through the by-pass line. The method comprises attaching a re-filling nozzle to the receptacle and opening the by-pass valve to vent vapor from the cryogen space to reduce vapor pressure therein and to cool the conduit, receptacle, re-filling nozzle, and fill line.

Abstract: A product sampling and recommendation system uses information from a point-of-sale system to select media content to store in the recommendation system.

Abstract: A product sampling and recommendation system uses customer profile data and/or real-time information from a point-of-sale system to tailor specific product recommendations to a customer using a sampling station.

Abstract: A user-personalized product sampling, recommendation and purchasing system uses customer identification numbers and associated customer profile data to tailor specific product recommendations to a customer at a content sampling station of a retail location. The customer also can use her customer profile to receive the same information from an Internet website of the merchant. In-store sampling stations also may have the capability of checking store inventory and central warehouse inventory and providing recommendations to the customer in accordance with product availability, and optionally may provide the customer with the ability to place product orders directly through the sampling station. The recommendation system also can be used to tailor product recommendations in accordance with a rule-based model and real-time inventory data from a POS database.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a double walled vacuum insulated vessel defining a cryogen space for holding a cryogenic fluid, a pump assembly comprising a pump with a suction inlet disposed within the cryogen space, and at least one elongated member extending from the pump to a drive unit disposed outside the cryogen space. The elongated member comprises an elongated non-metallic section that has a thermal conductivity that is less than that of a structurally equivalent elongated stainless steel member of the same length. In preferred embodiments, the elongated member can be one or both of a drive shaft or a rigid structural member for supporting the pump and holding it in a fixed relationship to the drive unit. The method employs the apparatus to increase hold times for holding cryogenic fluids by reducing heat leak into the cryogen space.

Abstract: A double-walled vacuum insulated container for holding a cryogenic fluid comprises a support system for the inner vessel that comprises at least one elongated metallic conduit that penetrates the walls of the outer vessel and the inner vessel. The conduit itself provides support in an axial direction parallel to a horizontal axis and at least two non-metallic members provide support in a radial direction from the horizontal axis. By requiring the conduit to support only axial loads, its wall thickness can be reduced, thereby reducing heat transfer through the conduit. The non-metallic members that provide support in the radial direction can be made from composite materials selected for structural strength as well as low thermal conductivity, resulting in a container with improved overall thermal insulation to reduce heat leak and allow longer holding times.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable a user to acquire an item (e.g., a digital song, digital video, etc.) using one device (e.g., a portable device) and to easily move a copy of the acquired item from the one device to another device so that a user of the other device can play the item.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to storing a token file on a portable device, wherein the token file may store information pertaining to user preferences and/or account information.

Abstract: A double-walled vacuum-insulated container for holding a cryogenic fluid comprises a support structure for supporting an inner vessel within an outer vessel. The container has an elongated horizontal axis. A conduit extending between the inner and outer vessels has a wall thickness that allows the conduit to carry a substantial portion of axial loads acting on the inner vessel in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis. The support structure further comprises a non-metallic support spanning between the inner and outer vessels, with the non-metallic support capable of transferring substantially all radial loads transverse to said horizontal axis. The non-metallic support is also fixedly attached to the inner and outer vessels so that it is capable of supporting a substantial portion of the axial loads so that the non-metallic support and the conduit cooperate to provide support in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for enabling a customer to sample content and select content for purchasing while the customer is in a retail store. Advantageously, the customer may be given one or more options for the delivery of the content.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide for producing a digital photography book. An interface receives book information corresponding to a digital photography book. A book document generating module selects a transform file for use in transforming the book information into a press-ready document, and creates the press-ready document from the book information using the selected transform file. The book information is treated as a single object during the creating. A verification module at a printing site attempts to verify the press-ready document. A press thereafter prints the press-ready document based on a determination that the press-ready document passed verification.

Abstract: The present invention is a cryogenic tank assembly that includes a vessel with a cryogen space capable of storing a cryogenic fluid at an initial pressure. The assembly further includes a pump that has an intake opening so that it can receive a quantity of the cryogenic fluid, pressurize it to a pressure above its storage pressure and deliver it to an accumulator within the cryogen space. The accumulator includes a storage volume to hold the pressurized fluid so that it is available depending on the demands of the end user.

Abstract: The storage tank for cryogenic liquids incorporates an ullage vessel that provides for an ullage space. The ullage vessel is in communication through an ullage line to a fill line that provides cryogen to a cryogen space. The junction where the ullage line and fill line meet is of a certain cross-sectional area. Downstream of the junction within the fill line, measured in reference to the direction of cryogen flow during a coruse of filling the cryogen space, is of a greater cross-sectional area than is the case at the junction. This creates a pressure reduction at the junction during a course of filling that causes a net flow of material from the ullage space over the course of filling. Once the cryogen tank is liquid full causing cryogen to be redirected down the ullage line, the smaller cross-sectional area of the ullage line compared to the fill line causes a reduction in flow of cryogen which is detected by the fill pump causing filling to stop providing the ullage space.