Patents by Inventor Thomas Drube
Thomas Drube 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: 11435034Abstract: A storage tank system features a tank made of rigid material and an insulation assembly. The insulation assembly includes an inner membrane and an outer membrane wherein the inner membrane is located within the outer membrane and at least one of the inner membrane and outer membrane is made of a flexible material. An insulation medium is located in a space between the inner membrane and the outer membrane and a vacuum is applied to the space.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Chart Inc.Inventors: Thomas Drube, Lyle Holsinger
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Patent number: 11174991Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic fluid includes a bulk storage tank configured to contain a supply of the cryogenic fluid. A heat exchanger coil is positioned in the headspace of at least one intermediate fluid tank, which contains an intermediate fluid, and is configured to receive and warm a cryogenic fluid from the bulk storage tank via heat exchange with intermediate fluid vapor in the headspace. A buffer tank receives fluid from the heat exchanger coil. A chiller coil is positioned within the intermediate fluid tank and is submerged within intermediate fluid liquid contained within the at least one intermediate fluid tank. The chiller coil receives fluid from the buffer tank and cools it via heat exchange with intermediate fluid liquid within which the chiller coil is submerged for dispensing.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Chart Inc.Inventors: Eric Thor, Thomas Drube, Paul Drube
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Publication number: 20190331298Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic fluid includes a bulk storage tank configured to contain a supply of the cryogenic fluid. A heat exchanger coil is positioned in the headspace of at least one intermediate fluid tank, which contains an intermediate fluid, and is configured to receive and warm a cryogenic fluid from the bulk storage tank via heat exchange with intermediate fluid vapor in the headspace. A buffer tank receives fluid from the heat exchanger coil. A chiller coil is positioned within the intermediate fluid tank and is submerged within intermediate fluid liquid contained within the at least one intermediate fluid tank. The chiller coil receives fluid from the buffer tank and cools it via heat exchange with intermediate fluid liquid within which the chiller coil is submerged for dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Eric Thor, Thomas Drube, Paul Drube
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Patent number: 9885447Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic liquid includes a storage tank containing a supply of the cryogenic liquid and a metering chamber. A liquid inlet line is in communication with the storage tank and the metering chamber so that the metering chamber receives cryogenic liquid from the storage tank. A meter run is in communication with the metering chamber and includes a metering element, a dispensing line and a dispensing valve. A stabilizing column is positioned within the metering chamber and includes vertically spaced openings. Vertically spaced first and second pressure sensors are in communication with the interior of the stabilizing column. A controller is in communication with the metering element, the first and second pressure sensors and the dispensing valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Chart Inc.Inventors: Paul Drube, Thomas Drube
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Patent number: 9752727Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic fluid includes a bulk tank containing a supply of cryogenic fluid. A heating circuit includes an intermediate tank and a heating device and has an inlet in fluid communication with the bulk tank and an outlet. A bypass junction is positioned between the bulk tank and the inlet of the heating circuit. A bypass circuit has an inlet in fluid communication with the bypass junction and an outlet so that a portion of cryogenic fluid from the bulk tank flows through the heating circuit and is warmed and a portion flows through the bypass circuit. A mixing junction is in fluid communication with the outlets of the bypass circuit and the heating circuit so that warmed cryogenic fluid from the heating circuit is mixed with cryogenic fluid from the bypass circuit so that the cryogenic fluid is conditioned. A dispensing line is in fluid communication with the mixing junction so that the conditioned cryogenic fluid may be dispensed.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Chart Inc.Inventors: Thomas Drube, Petr Zaruba
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Publication number: 20140157796Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic fluid includes a bulk tank containing a supply of cryogenic fluid. A heating circuit includes an intermediate tank and a heating device and has an inlet in fluid communication with the bulk tank and an outlet. A bypass junction is positioned between the bulk tank and the inlet of the heating circuit. A bypass circuit has an inlet in fluid communication with the bypass junction and an outlet so that a portion of cryogenic fluid from the bulk tank flows through the heating circuit and is warmed and a portion flows through the bypass circuit. A mixing junction is in fluid communication with the outlets of the bypass circuit and the heating circuit so that warmed cryogenic fluid from the heating circuit is mixed with cryogenic fluid from the bypass circuit so that the cryogenic fluid is conditioned. A dispensing line is in fluid communication with the mixing junction so that the conditioned cryogenic fluid may be dispensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: Chart Inc.Inventors: Thomas Drube, Petr Zaruba
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Publication number: 20140150469Abstract: A system for dispensing a cryogenic liquid includes a storage tank containing a supply of the cryogenic liquid and a metering chamber. A liquid inlet line is in communication with the storage tank and the metering chamber so that the metering chamber receives cryogenic liquid from the storage tank. A meter run is in communication with the metering chamber and includes a metering element, a dispensing line and a dispensing valve. A stabilizing column is positioned within the metering chamber and includes vertically spaced openings. Vertically spaced first and second pressure sensors are in communication with the interior of the stabilizing column. A controller is in communication with the metering element, the first and second pressure sensors and the dispensing valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: CHART INC.Inventors: Paul Drube, Thomas Drube
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Publication number: 20050016185Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2003Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventors: Claus Emmer, Jesse Gamble, Craig Zelasko, Thomas Drube
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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: 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: 5787942Abstract: A snap-action flow interrupt device for terminating flow into a cryogenic storage container utilizes the momentum of the incoming liquid spray as a means of maintaining a float in a submerged position until the proper liquid level is attained. The incoming spray of liquid exerts a downward impact force on a surface of the float. The rising liquid level exerts an upward and increasing buoyant force on the float. When the rising liquid in the tank disrupts the spray, the buoyant force snaps the float upwards to interrupt the flow of liquid. The abrupt motion of the float generates a pressure spike and flow reduction, either of which may be easily detected by automatic fill termination devices or by a human operator.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: MVE, Inc.Inventors: Duane Preston, Paul Drube, Thomas Drube