For Cryogenic Content (e.g., Liquefied Gas) Patents (Class 220/560.04)
  • Patent number: 8534489
    Abstract: A demisable fuel supply system for a satellite includes a pressurized aluminum alloy tank with an aluminum alloy propellant management device therein. The propellant management device (PMD) can have any capillary action surface tension fluid transport features known in the art. Selected inner surfaces of the tank and the PMD are covered with a plasma powder sprayed titanium based coating to guarantee propellant wettability and corrosion resistance of the fuel supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne H. Tuttle, David Adams, Marcial Alexander Anaya, Jeffry K. Pearson
  • Patent number: 8517206
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite pressure vessel with a liner having a polar boss and a blind boss a shell is formed around the liner via one or more filament wrappings continuously disposed around at least a substantial portion of the liner assembly combined the liner and filament wrapping have a support profile. To reduce susceptible to rupture a locally disposed filament fiber is added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc.
    Inventor: Qiang Liu
  • Publication number: 20130213972
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fixing an item of equipment to the inner surface of a wall of a cryogenic fluid line or a tank and in particular a tank intended to contain liquid oxygen, the method being characterized in that a layer of porous material is interposed between the wall and the item of equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: James Butterworth
  • Patent number: 8511504
    Abstract: A demisable fuel supply system for a satellite includes a pressurized aluminum alloy tank with an aluminum alloy propellant management device therein. The propellant management device (PMD) can have any capillary action surface tension fluid transport features known in the art. Selected inner surfaces of the tank and the PMD are covered with a titanium based coating to guarantee propellant wettability and corrosion resistance of the fuel supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne H. Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20130174949
    Abstract: Inexpensive stainless steel and inexpensive and high strength stainless steel which has excellent hydrogen environment embrittlement resistance even if used in a hydrogen resistant environment in over 40 MPa high pressure hydrogen gas or a hydrogen resistant environment in liquid hydrogen, characterized by containing, by mass %, C: 0.1% or less, Si: 0.4 to 1.5%, Mn: 8 to 11%, Cr: 15 to 17%, Ni: 5 to 8%, Cu: 1 to 4%, and N: 0.01 to less than 0.15% and having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, having a volume rate of ?-ferrite of 10% or less, and having a long axis of ?-ferrite before annealing of 0.04 to 0.1 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMIKIN STAINLESS STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaharu Hatano, Shigeo Fukumoto, Hideki Fujii, Shinichi Ohmiya
  • Publication number: 20130105235
    Abstract: A tank system for a motor vehicle, tank system including at least one first compressed gas vessel defining a first vessel space configured to receive natural gas, and at least one second compressed gas vessel defining a second vessel space configured to receive at least one of natural gas and liquefied gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & CO. KG
  • Patent number: 8389087
    Abstract: A barrier layer arrangement for tank systems includes at least one layer made of a material that has anisotropic properties. The anisotropic properties can be specifically adjusted by way of the design of the layer and/or the material parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: KAEFER Schiffsausbau GmbH
    Inventors: Nikolai Sendker, Sebastian Holtz
  • Patent number: 8387334
    Abstract: An LNG system generally comprises a primary container, and a secondary container positioned around the primary container. The secondary container generally comprises a first end wall, a second end wall, and at least two side walls. At least one of the walls is fabricated from a plurality of prefabricated wall panels. Each of the wall panels is fabricated from a combination of concrete and steel. The wall panels are preferably prefabricated offsite, and then transported to the construction site where they are adjoined together in end-to-end fashion to form walls. A method for constructing a full containment LNG system is also provided. In one embodiment, walls and a roof for a secondary container are assembled, but leaving an end open. At least one primary tank is brought into the secondary container. A second end wall is then erected to form the enclosure for the secondary container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Kailash C. Gulati, Thomas A. Ballard, Alexander V. Krimotat
  • Patent number: 8387818
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container for transporting and/or storing products, and particularly a cryostat type container, having an external packaging structure having a plurality of walls defining an internal volume within which an insulating bulb is suspended, the insulating bulb having a body formed by an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining an internal volume and the body having an opening leading into the internal volume of the insulating bulb and a cover formed from one of the plurality of walls of the external packaging structure, the cover having a tubular element capable of contacting the insulating bulb to suspend the insulating bulb within the internal volume that receives the insulating bulb, the cover also allowing passage of materials through the opening when the insulating bulb is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: ST Reproductive Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Cognard
  • Publication number: 20130048513
    Abstract: A storage tank containment system including a cubic-shaped tank having an outer shell having cylindrical walls for the efficient storage and transportation of large quantities of fluid, for example, liquid and compressed natural gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ALTAIR ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Altair Engineering, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8381938
    Abstract: In a propellant tank, which especially stores cryogenic propellants, for example a fuel or an oxidizer for a spacecraft, and which operates with a driving gas to drive or convey the propellant, the propellant is separated from the driving gas in a propellant extraction apparatus using sieves with hydrostatic forces and capillary forces. The extraction apparatus includes a refillable reservoir, which is mounted near the tank floor outside of the tank shell, and which is connected via plural holes with the interior of the propellant tank. The extraction apparatus includes a double-walled housing that is thermally insulated. Capillary plates and struts are inserted in an L-shape into the reservoir. To substantially prevent the penetration of gas out of the propellant line, a cylinder-shaped pleated sieve is mounted at the end of the propellant line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Kei Philipp Behruzi, Mark Michaelis, Gaston Netter, Andreas Rittweger
  • Patent number: 8181813
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for transporting and/or storing products, particularly of cryostat type, having an external packaging structure (14) comprising walls defining an internal volume (16) within which is a double-walled insulating bulb (12) whose body (32) is formed by an outer wall (34) and an inner wall (36) defining an internal volume (38), bulb (12) comprising an upper neck (40) defining an upper filling opening (42), and the device (10) comprising bulb (12) supporting means (46) that comprise attachment means (48) capable of engaging with the inner wall (36) only of bulb (12) in order to suspend the bulb (12) vertically by its neck (40) in such a way that the bulb (12) hangs freely in the empty space inside the internal volume (16) defined by the packaging structure (14, 18, 22), with no contact between the outer wall (34) of the bulb (12) and the walls (24, 22) of the packaging structure (14), said device being characterized in that the means (46) for the suspended support of the bulb
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: ST Reproductive Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Eric Cognard
  • Patent number: 8162167
    Abstract: A storage tank having an inner vessel disposed within an outer vessel. A common-access tube or conduit is used to route the various fluid flow lines into the interior of the inner vessel. The common-access tube facilitates modular construction and assembly of the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Jader Matos Da Silva, Rainer Immel
  • Publication number: 20120091144
    Abstract: Provided is a flexible cryostat for use in applications including surrounding high temperature superconductor cabling. The flexible cryostat disclosed here in an embodiment includes a polymer pipe as the outer surface of the cryostat. In an embodiment, both the inner and outer pipes of a cryostat are replaced with polymer pipes which have the same or different thickness and composition. One or both of the polymer pipes can be used in combination with a permeation barrier, which is, in separate embodiments, ethylene vinyl alcohol, or a metallic layer such as aluminum or stainless steel. The flexible polymer pipe can surround the permeation barrier, or the permeation barrier can be positioned at the inner or outer surface of one or both flexible polymer pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Rolf Gerald Baumgartner, Ryan Andrew Sievers
  • Publication number: 20120061397
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safe hydrogen-storing tank that is easy to manufacture and enables the quick kinetic absorption of hydrogen, which reduces the variations in volume and has a low cost in terms of material and energy. The invention has the aim of providing a tank for storing hydrogen, including a hydrogen inlet (21) and a hydrogen outlet (22) in fluid communication with at least one solid body (10-11) capable of the exothermal absorption and endothermal desorption of hydrogen, wherein said at least one solid body (10-11) is made of a compacted material containing light metal hydride and a heat-conducting matrix, and wherein said at least one solid body (10-11) is in heat-transfer relation with at least one heat recovery material (42) free from salt or molten-salt compounds and capable of absorbing the heat generated by the hydrogen absorption and of releasing said absorbed heat so as to provide heat for hydrogen desorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Fruchart, Michel Jehan, Patricia De Rango, Salvatore Miraglia, Philippe Marty, Albin Chaise, Sylvain Garrier, Gérard Bienvenu
  • Publication number: 20120036888
    Abstract: A system for the production of LNG from low-pressure feed gas sources, at small production scales and at lower energy input costs. A system for the small-scale production of cold compressed natural gas (CCNG). A method of dispensing natural gas from stored CCNG, comprising: dispensing CCNG from a CCNG storage tank; pumping the CCNG by a cryogenic liquid pump to a pressure suitable for compressed natural gas dispensing and storage in on-vehicle compressed natural gas storage tanks; recovering cold from the CCNG by heat exchange with natural gas feeding the natural gas production plant to replace dispensed product. A system for the storage, transport, and dispensing of natural gas, comprising: means for handling natural gas in a CCNG state where the natural gas is a non-liquid, but is dense-enough to allow for pumping to pressure by a cryogenic liquid pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 8091203
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of a high pressure tank and a method thereof includes providing a liner of the high pressure tank. A liner having at least one open end with a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter. The method also including providing a cap having a second outer diameter which is greater than the first inner diameter. The method further includes providing a collar having a second inner diameter which is less than the first outer diameter. The liner is brought to a first temperature, the cap is brought to a second temperature which is less than the first temperature, and the collar is brought to a third temperature which is greater than the first temperature. At least a portion of the cap is placed inside the open end and at least a portion of the collar is placed over the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Kleber, Hamid G. Kia, John E. Carsley
  • Publication number: 20110284552
    Abstract: A cryogenic storage tank having a housing which defines an interior chamber open at its top. A lid overlies the housing and storage chamber and an access opening is formed in the lid. An access door selectively closes the access opening while a carousel is rotatably mounted about an axis within the storage chamber. An actuator is accessible exteriorly of the lid and housing for rotating the carousel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Custom Biogenic Systems
    Inventor: John G. Brothers
  • Patent number: 8047395
    Abstract: The main opposite surfaces (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) of the inner (1) and outer (2) coverings are directly linked to each other by rigid coaxial linking elements (9;10), flexible linking elements (15) joining a main surface (5a) of the outer covering to an opposite surface (4b) of the inner covering (1) and vice-versa. The invention can be used for the storage of cryogenic fuel used as a power source for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Laurent Allidieres, Florent Janin, Eric Faure
  • Publication number: 20110031253
    Abstract: A cryostat (110) for use in a biomagnetic measurement system is proposed. The cryostat (110) comprises at least one inner vessel (112) and at least one outer vessel (114), and at least one cavity (126) arranged between the inner vessel (112) and the outer vessel (114). Negative pressure can be applied to the cavity (126). The outer vessel (114) has a base part (130). The base part (130) has a region of varying thickness (166) with a concentrically varying base thickness, with the base thickness assuming a smaller value toward the center of the base part (130) than in an outer region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Hannes Nowak, Sergio Nicola Ernè
  • Patent number: 7867589
    Abstract: A lightweight, high-pressure cryogenic tank construction includes an inner layer comprising a matrix of fiber and resin suitable for cryogenic use. An outer layer in intimate contact with the inner layer provides support of the inner layer, and is made of resin composite. The tank is made by placing a fiber preform on a mandrel and infusing the preform with the resin. The infused preform is then encapsulated within the outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Thomas K. DeLay
  • Patent number: 7850034
    Abstract: Reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides can be achieved if engines are fuelled with mixtures of gaseous fuels such as hydrogen and natural gas. Storing the gaseous fuels separately is desirable so that the fuel mixture ratio can be changed responsive to engine operating conditions. The present apparatus increases the storage density of gaseous fuels such as hydrogen by storing them in gaseous form at high pressures and at sub-ambient temperatures. A first thermally insulated space for holding a first gaseous fuel in a liquefied form is separated from a second thermally insulated space for holding a second gaseous fuel by a thermally conductive fluid barrier. The second gaseous fuel liquefies at a lower temperature than the first gaseous fuel such that the second gaseous fuel can be stored within the second thermally insulated space in a gaseous form at a sub-ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventors: Sandeep Munshi, Anker Gram
  • Publication number: 20100307192
    Abstract: A condenser and a containment vessel adapted to efficiently condense a gas out of a mixture of condensing and non-condensing gases. In condensers, the fraction of gas within a condenser made up of non-condensing gases can be significantly reduced by withdrawing gas from localised regions of relatively low temperature where the mass fraction of non-condensing gases will be relatively high. In containment vessels, pressures can be reduced by providing a large surface area of the liquid into which the condensing gas condenses in a relatively cool region of the containment vessel. Both these effects result from an appreciation of the manner in which non-condensing gases tend to accumulate in regions which are relatively cold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: James Andrew ROBINSON
  • Patent number: 7841288
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas composition. The composition contains methane, ethane and propane and butane. The composition contains a substantial amount of butane while being substantially free of hydrocarbon molecules larger than butane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Young Sik Moon, Dong Kyu Choi, Young Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20100288774
    Abstract: An automatic filling termination device and a cryogenic vessel are provided including a body with a chamber, defined in the cryogenic vessel and provided with an inlet, communicated with the inlet for filling cryogenic medium into the chamber, and an outlet, arranged on the top wall of the body for discharging the cryogenic medium in the chamber into the cryogenic vessel; a flow termination member blocking the outlet, defined in the chamber of the body and has a predetermined weight to not be floated in the cryogenic medium; a floater, located outside the body and moving up and down when the liquid level of the cryogenic medium as filled into the cryogenic vessel is changed; and a connection, penetrated through the outlet to connect the flow termination member with the floater, wherein the outlet internal diameter is greater than the connection outer diameter by a predetermined dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Guoquan Lv, Minghua Deng, Pingan Jiang, Kun Wang
  • Patent number: 7775391
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory C. Harper
  • Publication number: 20100187237
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage tank for a hydrogen fueled aircraft. The tank has a wall made of layers of aerogel sections around a hard shell layer, sealed within a flexible outer layer, and having the air removed to form a vacuum. The periphery of each layer section abuts other sections of that layer, but only overlies the periphery of the sections of other layers at individual points. The wall is characterized by a thermal conductivity that is lower near its gravitational top than its gravitational bottom. The tank has two exit passageways, one being direct, and the other passing through a vapor shield that extends through the wall between two layers of aerogel. A control system controls the relative flow through the two passages to regulate the boil-off rate of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Alec Nelson Brooks, Bart Dean Hibbs, David Robert Thompson
  • Publication number: 20100170268
    Abstract: A system for delivering vapor phase fluid at an elevated pressure from a transport vessel containing liquefied or two-phase fluid is provided. The system includes: (a) a transport vessel positioned in a substantially horizontal position; (b) one or more energy delivery elements disposed on the lower portion of the transport vessel wherein the energy delivery devices include a heating means and a first insulation means, wherein the energy delivery devices are configured to the contour of the transport vessel; (c) one or more substantially rigid support devices disposed on the outer periphery of the energy delivery devices, wherein the support devices hold the energy delivery devices in thermal contact with a lower portion of the transport vessel; and (d) one or more attaching devices secure the rigid support devices onto the transport vessel and hold the energy delivery devices between the substantially rigid support device and a wall of the transport vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: MARTIN LEE TIMM, Thomas John Bergman, JR., Justin Cole Germond, Keith Randall Pace, Kenneth Leroy Burgers, Michael Clinton Johnson
  • Patent number: 7717287
    Abstract: A storage tank having an inner vessel suspended within the outer vessel. One or more stiffening members support portions of the outer vessel. The use of the stiffening members limits deformation of the outer vessel due to the suspension of the inner vessel therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Rainer Immel
  • Publication number: 20100025406
    Abstract: A vessel for containing liquefied petroleum gas and a method for loading a semitrailer with a plurality of vessels is disclosed. The vessel may include a tank with an outside diameter that is greater than thirty inches and less than thirty-four inches. The tank may be configured to contain at least 119 water gallons, and may be further configured to contain liquefied petroleum gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Greg E. McRae
  • Patent number: 7644676
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas composition. The composition contains methane, ethane and propane and butane. The composition contains a substantial amount of butane while being substantially free of hydrocarbon molecules larger than butane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Young Sik Moon, Dong Kyu Choi, Young Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20090321451
    Abstract: A containment apparatus (10) having a floor wall (12) with four side walls (16) extending therefrom and an opening (13) at the top. Each of the side walls (16) and the floor wall (12) include apertures (20) defined within to allow air to flow freely throughout the containment apparatus. A lid (18) may be provided to place on the containment apparatus to cover the opening (13). A divider (21) made of interlocking wall strips (23) that connect to define a plurality of separate compartments (25). Each interlocking wall strip (23) having multiple apertures (20) defined within to allow for free airflow around, through and between each compartment (25). An alternative embodiment of the divider (31) is comprised of a molded material such as plastic for holding thermosensitive product vials. The alternative divider (31) having a plurality of aligned wells (39). Each well (39) being adapted to support one thermosensitive product vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Kathleen Byrne
  • Publication number: 20090293729
    Abstract: A gas supply and extraction device is arranged preferably on a tank lid or a tank wall in a tank for storing a pressurized driving gas and a liquid such as fuel or oxidizer for operation of a spacecraft. A device housing defines an interior reservoir space. Upper trumpet-shaped passage bodies and a lower trumpet-shaped passage body communicate from the interior reservoir space into the interior space of the tank. By capillary effects, baffle plates, deflector plates, capillary plates, a separation chamber and other components separate liquid from gas entering the device, so that the gas can be extracted while the liquid is stored in the reservoir space of the device until it is drained back into the tank during an accelerated operation phase of the spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Kei Philipp Behruzi, Gaston Netter
  • Patent number: 7581407
    Abstract: A dry cryogenic shipping container having a removable absorbent assembly is provided. The dry cryogenic shipping container is structured to be a Dewar's flask having a first, outer shell assembly, and second, inner shell assembly disposed within and spaced from the first, outer shell assembly, and a cap. Within the shipping container is an absorbent assembly having a body with a central cavity. The absorbent assembly body is formed by a plurality of removable absorbent assembly elements. That is the absorbent assembly elements are sized to pass through the passage into the space within the shipping container. As such, after use, the absorbent assembly body elements may be removed and the remaining components may be sterilized. After sterilization, new absorbent assembly body elements are inserted into the inner space and the dry cryogenic shipping container is used again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: TW Cryogenics LLC
    Inventors: John Lawrence Romanos, Norman Braxton Breighner
  • Publication number: 20090199574
    Abstract: When hydrogen is taken out, para-hydrogen having a low energy is converted into ortho-hydrogen having a high energy, and a cooling effect of endothermy of the para-ortho conversion is utilized for maintaining the temperature within a hydrogen storage device low. For accomplishing such a system, there is provided a hydrogen storage device for storing a liquid hydrogen, wherein a porous magnetic body serving as a para-ortho conversion catalyst is arranged in a hydrogen circulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Hirose, Daigoro Mori
  • Publication number: 20090165887
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a hydrogen rich gas stream at a high pressure for use by hydrogen vehicles or other devices requiring hydrogen rich feed streams are disclosed in the present invention. As the pressure of gaseous hydrogen is increased, the temperature of the gaseous hydrogen also increases due to the heat of compression. The apparatus and method of the present invention utilize localized cooling via a vortex tube to cool the gaseous hydrogen caused by the increase in pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Glenn Casey, Bhaskar Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 7541078
    Abstract: A structure has an inner, load bearing member and a surrounding, concentric over-wrap. The inner member is composed of a carbon composite and the over-wrap is composed of a non-carbon composite. The inner member has a negative coefficient of thermal expansion and the over-wrap has a positive coefficient of thermal expansion that is an order of magnitude greater than that of the inner member. When subjected to cryogenic temperatures, the over-wrap will shrink and apply a compressive force against the inner member, to resist the creation of microcracks in the inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Brandon J. Arritt, Christopher Paul
  • Publication number: 20090065507
    Abstract: It is demanded that packages for cryopreservation containers which can prevent the conventional cryopreservation containers stored at very low temperatures, namely ?80 to ?196° C., from being damaged and are excellent in heat sealability be developed. The present invention provides a package for a cryopreservation container comprising at least an adhesive fluoropolymer film. The package for a cryopreservation container according to the invention makes it possible to store blood, rare cells and vital tissues in a very low temperature environment without any damage to the container. Further, the sealing strength resulting from heat sealing after placing a cryopreservation container in the packages is very good and, therefore, liquid nitrogen can be inhibited from entering the inside and thus contamination with bacteria, viruses or the like contained in liquid nitrogen can be avoided and the package can be prevented from being broken by expansion of intruder liquid nitrogen on the occasion of thawing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicants: NIPRO CORPORTION, DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuki Ishihara, Hideaki Murahashi, Naomi Nakatani, Yoshihiro Yoshikawa, Aldo Shirasu, Hidenori Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20090020536
    Abstract: A lightweight, high-pressure cryogenic tank construction includes an inner layer comprising a matrix of fiber and resin suitable for cryogenic use. An outer layer in intimate contact with the inner layer provides support of the inner layer, and is made of resin composite. The tank is made by placing a fiber preform on a mandrel and infusing the preform with the resin. The infused preform is then encapsulated within the outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas K. DeLay
  • Publication number: 20080277399
    Abstract: A liquefied gas storage/delivery system and method that includes a liquefied gas storage system. The liquefied gas storage system includes a housing containing a storage vessel suited to contain a supply of liquefied gas, such as liquid oxygen (LOX). A rotatable turntable is provided on an exterior surface of the housing. An interface shaped to match the shape of at least a portion of a portable liquid storage/delivery device is provide in or on the turntable. A connector is disposed in the interface that couples to a corresponding connector on the portable liquid storage/delivery device. The two connectors are coupled by placing the portable liquid storage/delivery device in the interface and rotating the turntable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Ricky Dean Burns, Tory D. Werne, Michele Marut, Paul McGroary, Mark Hoeveler, Aashi Vel
  • Publication number: 20080277398
    Abstract: Welded 36% Ni—Fe alloy steel and a method of making such welded steel for use in storage tanks, pipelines, and other equipment associated with cryogenic substances is disclosed. The welded steel has a similar coefficient of thermal expansion in both the weld and base steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Stuart L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7448511
    Abstract: A double-wall tank for storing and shipping cryogenic media, which consists of an inner tank that contains the medium, an outer casing spaced some distance from the inner tank, and an evacuated space located between the inner tank and the outer casing, such that at least one permanent magnet is installed in the evacuated space and is arranged opposite a high-temperature superconductor, so that the inner tank is supported in the casing without contact, has the following features: the high-temperature superconductor (8) is located in the evacuated space (5), both the inner tank (1) and the casing (2) have a neck (3, 4), and the necks (3, 4) are arranged concentrically to each other, the neck (3) of the inner tank (1) is a spirally corrugated metal tube (3), whose outer end is attached to the neck (4) of the casing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventor: Klaus Schippl
  • Publication number: 20080209917
    Abstract: A storage tank, in particular a storage tank for cryogenic media, preferably for liquid hydrogen, including at least one condensation pipe, which is used for delivering a gaseous cryogenic medium, is disclosed. In addition, a method for filling a storage tank with a gaseous cryogenic medium is disclosed. The condensation pipe is equipped with at least one heat exchanger via which the delivered cryogenic medium is cooled by exchanging heat with the stored cryogenic medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Robert Adler
  • Publication number: 20080190117
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas storage apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat insulated tank and liquefied natural gas contained in the tank. The tank has heat insulation sufficient to maintain liquefied natural gas therein such that most of the liquefied natural gas stays in liquid. The contained liquefied natural gas has a vapor pressure from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar. The apparatus further includes a safety valve configured to release a part of liquefied natural gas contained in the tank when a vapor pressure of liquefied natural gas within the tank becomes higher than a cut-off pressure. The cut-off pressure is from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JUNG HAN LEE, JUNG HO CHOI, SUNG KON HAN, DONG KYU CHOI, YOUNG SIK MOON
  • Publication number: 20080067178
    Abstract: A tank container for transporting and storing liquefied gas, including a tank that includes a cylinder body and two heads arranged oppositely and welded with both ends of the cylinder body; and a frame assembly for fixing and supporting said tank, which includes a front frame and a rear frame fixed at both ends of said tank respectively. The cylinder body has a shell thickness ? substantially equal to: Pc×Di/(2?b/Ks?Pc), wherein, Pc is the calculated pressure of the tank, required by the transported liquefied gas, Di is the inner diameter of the cylinder body, ?b is the maximum tensile strength of material of the cylinder body at a normal temperature, and Ks is a safety factor no larger than 2.6. The tank container is designed through stress analysis methods, the safeness of which has been verified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Hongli Sun, Yongxin Luo, Xiaohu Yang
  • Patent number: 7168744
    Abstract: A first flange and a second flange are superposed and fastened with a bolt and a nut in a fastening operation, to implement a fastening structure used at temperature lower than atmospheric temperature for the fastening operation. Assuming that the first flange has a thickness L1 and a coefficient of linear expansion ?1, the second flange has a thickness L2 and a coefficient of linear expansion ?2, superposed first flange and second flange have a thickness L, and the bolt has a coefficient of linear expansion ?, a relation of L·??L1·?1+L2·?2 is satisfied, i.e. heat shrinkage of the bolt is not smaller than the total heat shrinkage of the first and second flanges. Thus, impairment of sealing property due to heat shrinkage is avoided at a flange junction used at low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Tokyo Electric Power Company
    Inventors: Yuuichi Ashibe, Takato Masuda, Yoshihisa Takahashi, Shoichi Honjo, Masato Shimodate, Keisuke Etoh
  • Patent number: 7111750
    Abstract: Substantially rectangular-shaped tanks are provided for storing liquefied gas, which tanks are especially adapted for use on land or in combination with bottom-supported offshore structure such as gravity-based structures (GBS). A tank according to this invention is capable of storing fluids at substantially atmospheric pressure and has a plate cover adapted to contain fluids and to transfer local loads caused by contact of said plate cover with said contained fluids to an internal frame structure comprised of a plate girder ring frame structure and/or an internal truss frame structure. Optionally, a grillage of stiffeners and stringers may be disposed on the plate cover and additional sifters disposed on the plate girder ring frame structure and/or an internal truss frame structure. Methods of constructing these tanks are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Kailash C. Gulati, Raymond Moon
  • Patent number: 7100261
    Abstract: Substantially rectangular-shaped tanks are provided for storing liquefied gas, which tanks are especially adapted for use on land or in combination with bottom-supported offshore structure such as gravity-based structures (GBS). A tank according to this invention is capable of storing fluids at substantially atmospheric pressure and has a plate cover adapted to contain fluids and to transfer local loads caused by contact of said plate cover with said contained fluids to a grillage of stiffeners and stringers, which in turn is adapted to transfer the local loads to an internal truss frame structure. Methods of constructing these tanks are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Exxon Mobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Kailash C. Gulati
  • Patent number: 7036322
    Abstract: A 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, the fill line is of a greater cross-sectional area than at the junction. This creates a pressure reduction at the junction during filling, which causes a net flow of material from the ullage space over the course of filling. Once the 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Westport Research Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Noble, Gregory C. Harper
  • Patent number: 7024868
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for transportation of liquefiable petroleum gas (LPG) is cylindrical with a circular cross-sectional profile. The wall thickness of the vessel (in meters) multiplied by a design strength of the material from which the vessel is made (in megapascals) is less than 0.8 times the internal diameter of the vessel (in meters). The design strength is the yield strength divided by 1.5 or the tensile strength divided by 2.5. The wall thickness is between 3 mm and 11 mm. The diameter is between 1 and 2.6 m. The vessel have have an external insulating and fire resistant cladding. It may also have a cooling plant for cooling the LPG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: African Oxygen Limited
    Inventors: Graham Christopher Pye, Donegal Harold Victor Carroll