Patents by Inventor Steven W. Hoffman

Steven W. Hoffman 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: 20240353066
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for dispensing a cryogenic fluid can include an apparatus and process configured for dispensing the cryogenic fluid into a fuel tank. Embodiments can be configured for dispensing of liquid hydrogen into fuel tanks of vehicles, for example. Embodiments can be provided so no pump usage is necessary for filing the fuel tank or substantially filling the fuel tank (e.g., filling the fuel tank to a level of 90% filled or a level of 95% filled, etc.) during the dispensing. This can permit embodiments to avoid cryogenic boil off and fugitive emission losses as well as reducing power consumption, reducing maintenance costs, and permitting dispensing start-up to occur more quickly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: ANUP VASANT SANE, JOSEPH P. COHEN, ROBERT KEVIN WAGNER, STEVEN W. HOFFMAN, PRASAD PRABHAKAR JOSHI, DAVID JONATHAN CHALK, ARIE VAN DEN AKKER
  • Patent number: 12092093
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for cooling down a liquid hydrogen or other cryogenic fluid pump can be configured to allow for a quick startup that also helps minimize hydrogen losses. Some embodiments can utilize a blow-by circuit configured and arranged to support the cryogenic cooldown operation for the pump that can minimize hydrogen loss while allowing substantially improved pump startup times. Some embodiments can utilize at least one temperature sensor to monitor temperature and an adjustable control valve that can facilitate the flow of the fluid utilized to perform the cooldown of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Hoffman, David Jonathan Chalk, Joseph P. Cohen
  • Publication number: 20230287875
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for cooling down a liquid hydrogen or other cryogenic fluid pump can be configured to allow for a quick startup that also helps minimize hydrogen losses. Some embodiments can utilize a blow-by circuit configured and arranged to support the cryogenic cooldown operation for the pump that can minimize hydrogen loss while allowing substantially improved pump startup times. Some embodiments can utilize at least one temperature sensor to monitor temperature and an adjustable control valve that can facilitate the flow of the fluid utilized to perform the cooldown of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Hoffman, David Jonathan Chalk, Joseph P. Cohen
  • Patent number: 6901941
    Abstract: A vessel for the storage and transportation of bulk volumes of a fluid is described herein and a method for using same. The vessel contains a plurality of dividers that apportion the internal volume into a number of sections. The dividers within the vessel aid in minimizing sloshing of the fluid contained therein during transport. In addition, the dividers optimize the fluid flow pattern thereby allowing for the continuous purge of the vessel without the need for the application of a partial or full vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Pingping Ma, Steven W. Hoffman, Christopher R. Butler, John Frederick Cirucci
  • Publication number: 20040007272
    Abstract: A vessel for the storage and transportation of bulk volumes of a fluid is described herein and a method for using same. The vessel contains a plurality of dividers that apportion the internal volume into a number of sections. The dividers within the vessel aid in minimizing sloshing of the fluid contained therein during transport. In addition, the dividers optimize the fluid flow pattern thereby allowing for the continuous purge of the vessel without the need for the application of a partial or full vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Pingping Ma, Steven W. Hoffman, Christopher R. Butler, John Frederick Cirucci
  • Patent number: 6637469
    Abstract: A container for holding a solid, liquid and/or gaseous phase product therein and for use within a transportable or stationary support structure. The container maximizes the compressed product volume contained therein and prevents liquid and/or contaminant entrainment during gaseous product delivery from liquid phase product. The system allows for product withdraw when the level is above the delivery valves using, at a minimum, two delivery legs linked by a compartment or housing that connects the delivery point and a container head space via a removable manway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Hoffman, Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Alexandre De Almeida Botelho, Robert William Ford, Paul David Kottler
  • Publication number: 20030178091
    Abstract: A container for holding a solid, liquid and/or gaseous phase product therein and for use within a transportable or stationary support structure. The container maximizes the compressed product volume contained therein and prevents liquid and/or contaminant entrainment during gaseous product delivery from liquid phase product. The system allows for product withdraw when the level is above the delivery valves using, at a minimum, two delivery legs linked by a compartment or housing that connects the delivery point and a container head space via a removable manway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Steven W. Hoffman, Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Alexandre De Almeida Botelho, Robert William Ford, Paul David Kottler