Patents by Inventor Valeria-Nadia LeBlanc

Valeria-Nadia LeBlanc 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).

  • Apparatus and method for holding a cryogenic fluid and removing cryogenic fluid therefrom with reduced heat leak
    Patent number: 7356996
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Brook, Gregory C. Harper, Valeria-Nadia LeBlanc
  • Apparatus And Method For Holding A Cryogenic Fluid And Removing Cryogenic Fluid Therefrom With Reduced Heat Leak
    Publication number: 20070000259
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Brook, Gregory Harper, Valeria-Nadia LeBlanc