Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Brook

Thomas C. Brook 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).

  • Patent number: 7607898
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for pressurizing a fluid and delivering a gas comprising a pump, an accumulator and a heater such that the pump pressurizes a quantity fluid received from a fluid store and delivers that pressurized fluid to an accumulator. The accumulator then delivers a quantity of the pressurized fluid to a heater that, in turn, warms the fluid to a gas within a specified temperature and pressure range to be delivered to the end user as required. The invention further relates to a method of delivering a gas at a desired pressure and temperature wherein a quantity of fluid is received, pressurized and stored as a fluid in an accumulator storage vessel at a desired pressure. The fluid is then delivered from the accumulator to a heater where it is warmed and delivered to the end user as a gas at specified temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Noble, Thomas C. Brook, Daniel J. H. Brennan, Valerie Nadia LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7308889
    Abstract: A high-pressure fuel system supplies gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine. Gaseous fuel pressure within the system is at least 17 MPa during normal operation. The system comprises a number of components and conduits and at least one resilient member for sealing at an interface between two components. The resilient member consists essentially of thermoplastic polyurethane. A corresponding method provides sealing between components containing gaseous fluids at pressures that can be above 17 MPa, in which the gaseous fluids routinely undergo rapid reductions in pressure. The method comprises disposing a resilient member, which consists essentially of thermoplastic polyurethane, at an interface between the components. Gas pressure fluctuations can occur during operation of the components or when the high-pressure gas is vented from the components upon shut down of the high-pressure system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian J. Post, Thomas C. Brook
  • Patent number: 7293418
    Abstract: A cryogenic tank assembly has a pump which discharges into an accumulator which is located in the cryogenic storage area. This reduces the space required for the device as well as the functioning of the device. The high pressure fluid in the accumulator remains at a cryogenic temperature. The system may also include a heater to deliver high pressure gas form the liquid storage volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Noble, Thomas C. Brook, Lance G. Follett, Gregory C. Harper
  • Patent number: 6467274
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for magnetically cooling and liquefying a process stream include a plurality of active magnetic regenerative refrigerators (AMRRs) configured in parallel or in series and parallel. Active magnetic regenerative liquefiers (AMRLs) include such AMRRs and are configured to liquefy, for example, natural gas or hydrogen. In specific embodiments, a magnetic field is produced by hexagonally arrayed solenoids and magnetic refrigerants are selected to provide a thermal mass that is dependent on an applied magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: University of Victoria Innovations & Development Corp.
    Inventors: John A. Barclay, Thomas C. Brook
  • Publication number: 20020040583
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for magnetically cooling and liquefying a process stream include a plurality of active magnetic regenerative refrigerators (AMRRs) configured in parallel or in series and parallel. Active magnetic regenerative liquefiers (AMRLs) include such AMRRs and are configured to liquefy, for example, natural gas or hydrogen. In specific embodiments, a magnetic field is produced by hexagonally arrayed solenoids and magnetic refrigerants are selected to provide a thermal mass that is dependent on an applied magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: John A. Barclay, Thomas C. Brook
  • Patent number: 6082133
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating CO.sub.2 from a mixture of gases includes CO.sub.2 and a second gas, the apparatus includes an active heat exchanger and a regenerating heat exchanger. The active heat exchanger includes a heat exchange surface in contact with the mixture of gases. The mixture of gases is present in the active heat exchanger at a predetermined pressure which is chosen such that CO.sub.2 freezes on the heat exchange surface when the surface is cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below that at which CO.sub.2 freezes at the predetermined pressure. The regenerating heat exchanger includes a heat exchange surface in contact with the refrigerant and also in contact with a layer of frozen CO.sub.2. The refrigerant enters the regenerating heat exchanger at a temperature above that at which the CO.sub.2 in the frozen layer of CO.sub.2 sublimates. The sublimation of the solid CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Cryo Fuel Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Michael A. Barclay, Thomas C. Brook, John A. Barclay, Raymond R. Tison