Diverse Fluids Patents (Class 62/502)
  • Patent number: 5778681
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved modular cooling device for cooling gas chromatography analyte sample injectors. The invention is embodied in a series of tubes connected in fluid communication from a coolant supply valve to the injector heating block. A flexible supply tube capable of carrying coolant while maintaining structural integrity at temperatures up to about 150.degree. C., and having a low thermal conductivity is connected in fluid connection with a coolant supply at one end, and a transition tube at the other. A transition tube, in fluid communication with the supply tube at one end and with the cooling tube at the other, is selected to maintain structural integrity at temperatures up to 450.degree. C. and to have a low thermal conductivity. The cooling tube is in fluid communication with the transition tube at a receiving end and with an exhaust at an exhaust end, and has an outer surface that is physically engageable with a surface of the heating block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Varian Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Li, John Robinson
  • Patent number: 5775110
    Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature in an enclosure comprising providing means for dispersing a vaporized cryogenic life-supporting gas within the enclosure to supplement and/or replace a mechanical refrigeration system normally provided therein. The chilling capacity of such a cryogenic system is significantly greater than that available in any presently known mechanical system and hence enhanced overall operation may be achieved. Additionally, the fact that the cryogenic gas is breathable permits an operator to enter the enclosure without presenting any hazard thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Stephen N. Waldron
  • Patent number: 5771946
    Abstract: Apparatus for, and a method of, withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel stored in a primary insulated storage tank at a relatively low pressure and temperature; increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition; and feeding the warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to an insulated tank on a vehicle at a refueling facility, said vehicle using liquefied cryogenic fuel as its fuel and the insulated vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form, at an approximate saturated condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company
    Inventors: Richard John Kooy, Mervyn Ladd Conrad, David John Forgash, Raymond Korzonas, Bryan Patrick Neuhalfen, George D. Rhoades, Jack Wayne Sudduth
  • Patent number: 5761911
    Abstract: Provided is a novel system and method for delivery of a gas from a liquified state. The system includes: (a) a compressed liquified gas cylinder having a gas line connected thereto through which the gas is withdrawn; (b) a gas cylinder cabinet in which the gas cylinder is housed; and (c) means for increasing the heat transfer rate between ambient and the gas cylinder without increasing the gas cylinder temperature above ambient temperature. The apparatus and method allow for the controlled delivery of liquified gases from gas cabinets at high flowrates. Particular applicability is found in the delivery of gases to semiconductor process tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: American Air Liquide Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Jurcik, Richard Udischas, Hwa-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: 5762119
    Abstract: A cryogenic gas transportation and delivery system for transporting the gas in a liquefied state and delivering it to a storage vessel in a vaporized or gaseous state. The system includes a mobile chassis, a vacuum-jacketed delivery vessel for storing the gas in the liquefied state, a vaporizer for vaporizing the liquefied gas into a vaporized state, and a compressor or pump to transfer the gas through the system so that it is delivered to the storage vessel as a compressed gas. When a compressor is used, the compressor is disposed between the vaporizer and the storage vessel. When a liquid pump is used, the pump is installed between the delivery vessel and the vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Golden Spread Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Platz, O. Kendall Kelley
  • Patent number: 5752392
    Abstract: An air conditioner is made to follow up a change in load in an efficient manner by utilizing the fact that the components of a three-component mixed medium serving as a substitute for Freon have different boiling points. The mixed medium, which consists of R-32, R-125 and R-134a, is sealed within the circuit of the air conditioner, and a supercooled heat exchanger and liquid-gas tank are interposed between an outdoor heat exchanger and an expansion valve. The liquid-gas tank is connected to an accumulator via a liquid injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimi Kushiro, Hiroki Aoshima
  • Patent number: 5749233
    Abstract: In a method and a device for cooling and carbonating a liquid (20), carbon dioxide intended for carbonating is also used for cooling, the carbon dioxide being brought to expand in a room (4; 7) which is separate from the liquid (20) but which is thermally connected to the liquid. By the invention it is achieved that an ice bank is formed in the liquid in the area which is adjacent to said expansion room (4; 7) whereby is achieved i.a. better cooling control than in previously known devices where the carbon dioxide also is used for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Post-Mix Equipment AB
    Inventor: Bengt Adolfsson
  • Patent number: 5737941
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing trace levels of impurities from gases stored cryogenically in a storage vessel in liquid form by passing a vaporized portion of liquified gas from the storage vessel through a bed of adsorbent while using the liquified gas to cool the adsorbent. Vaporized gas resulting from cooling of the adsorbent with the stored liquified gas can be combined with the vapor withdrawn from the storage vessel prior to being passed through the bed of adsorbent. Liquified gas can be withdrawn from the storage vessel, vaporized and the vaporized gas combined with the vaporized gas from the storage vessel prior to being passed through the bed of adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hsiao-Ling Hsiung, Jose Rui Souto Machado, Alexander Schwarz
  • Patent number: 5737926
    Abstract: A system for producing cryogenic sterile nitrogen wherein liquid nitrogen is first vaporized and subsequently heated prior to undergoing sterilization, the warm sterilized nitrogen vapor is cooled to effect the vaporization of the liquid nitrogen, and the resulting cooled sterilized nitrogen is condensed to produce the product cryogenic sterile nitrogen. The system may be used to produce other cryogenic sterile cryogens also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Tat Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 5737931
    Abstract: A refrigerant circulating system using non-azeothropic mixture as refrigerant, which comprises: a main refrigerant circuit connected by a compressor, a fore-way valve, an outdoor heat-exchanger, a first throttling device, a plurality of indoor heat-exchangers, and a low-pressure receiver; a bypass circuit diverging from the discharge portion of the compressor, and extending through a composition detecting heat-exchanger and a second throttling device to a low-pressure portion; an outdoor fun attendant of the outdoor heat-exchanger; first temperature detector to detect a refrigerant temperature at the upstream of the second throttling device; second temperature detector to detect a refrigerant temperature at the downstream of the second throttling device; first pressure detector to detect a pressure at the downstream of the second throttling device; third temperature detector to detect temperature in the main circuit between the first throttling device and the indoor heat-exchanger; forth temperature detector
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshio Ueno, Osamu Morimoto, Tomohiko Kasai, Yoshihiro Sumida
  • Patent number: 5735132
    Abstract: A control-information detecting apparatus for a refrigeration air-conditioner using a non-azeotrope refrigerant is equipped with a temperature detector and a pressure detector at the refrigerating cycle of the air-conditioner, which cycle is formed by connecting a compressor, a condenser, a decompressing device, and an evaporator, to detect the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant circulating the cycle for obtaining the circulation composition of the refrigerant with the composition computing unit thereof. The usual optimum operation of the cycle is thereby enabled even if the circulation composition of the refrigerant has changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sumida, Takashi Okazaki, Osamu Morimoto, Tomohiko Kasai
  • Patent number: 5729984
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an evaporative transpiration pump having an inlet for liquids, an outlet for gases, a porous body disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A heating means is disposed at the outlet side of the porous body. The thermal conductivity of the porous body is no greater than 5 Wm.sup.-1 K.sup.-1 and is preferably no greater than 1 Wm.sup.-1 K.sup.-1. The pump is particularly suitable for use in multi-column cryodistillation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)
    Inventors: Johann Ludwig Hemmerrich, Paul Milverton
  • Patent number: 5730216
    Abstract: Air conditioning and refrigeration apparatus for controlling the temperature of a conditioned space to a predetermined temperature band adjacent to a predetermined set point temperature via cooling and heating cycles utilizing a supply of pressurized cryogen. A cryogen driven motor drives a fan and an alternator. The alternator provides control voltage for operating electrical control devices which select a heating cycle, or a cooling cycle, as required, and which control the flow of cryogen during the selected cycle. Electrical load on the alternator, and thus a load on the vapor driven motor, is minimized to maintain air delivered by the fan to the conditioned space at a level which provides a substantially uniform air flow and temperature throughout the conditioned space. A cryogen flow control valve is motor controlled and only requires electrical energy when a change in the cryogen flow rate is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Herman H. Viegas, Bradley G. Ellingson
  • Patent number: 5722256
    Abstract: Ternary mixtures of pentafluoroethane, difluoromethane and tetrafluoroethane are useful as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethanes, and as power cycle working fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Mark Brandon Shiflett
  • Patent number: 5715694
    Abstract: A refrigerator controller employs a non-azeotropic mixture refrigerant and a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor hear exchanger, a fractionator, an overhead condenser provided on the top of the fractionator, a first flow control valve, a throttle, and an indoor heat exchanger which are connected in the form of a ring. The controller further employs a circuit at a lower part of the fractionator returning to the bottom of the fractionator through a second flow control valve and a reheater, and a circuit returning from the overhead condenser to the top of the fractionator, thereby controlling the openings of the first and second flow control valves by the output signal of indoor and outdoor heat exchanger temperature detectors, an indoor temperature detector, and an indoor temperature setting device through a flow controller. In this manner, a wider control range of refrigerating capability can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Yakumaru, Shinji Watanabe, Akira Fujitaka, Yoshinori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5711158
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for charging a three-component mixed refrigerant substitutable for R22 or R502 and a method for charging the three-component mixed refrigerant. A high-boiling point refrigerant container and a metering device for the high-boiling point refrigerant and a container for an azeotrope-like mixed refrigerant lower in boiling point than said high-boiling point refrigerant and a metering device for the azeotrope-like mixed refrigerant are connected to one pipe line having a refrigerant charging port, and a given amount of the high-boiling point refrigerant and a given amount of the lower boiling point azeotrope-like mixed refrigerant are metered and charged in this order in a heat pump apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshida, Masami Funakura, Mitsuharu Matsuo, Minoru Tagashira
  • Patent number: 5709090
    Abstract: A refrigerating system having a refrigerating cycle constructed by connecting an accumulator, a refrigerant compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor unit heat exchanger, an outdoor unit expander, a receiver, an indoor unit expander and an indoor unit heat exchanger sequentially by pipes. Normally, excessive refrigerant is stored in the receiver and when it becomes necessary to raise a ratio of lower boiling point refrigerants, a flow amount of the refrigerant is decreased by restricting the outdoor unit expander during the cooling operation or by restricting the indoor unit expander during the heating operation to move the excessive refrigerant within the receiver to the accumulator. Thereby, the composition of the refrigerant circulating within the refrigerating system using non-azeotrophic refrigerant mixtures may be changed without using a complicated system structure or control method thereof and the capacity of the refrigerating cycle may be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Endo, Hirokiyo Terada, Naoto Katsumata, Kensaku Oguni, Kazumoto Urata, Masatoshi Muramatsu, Michiko Endo
  • Patent number: 5709094
    Abstract: An air conditioner control apparatus measures coolant temperatures and pressures at both inlet side and outlet side of a compressor, or detects a electric capacity of the coolant and the like in order to determine the kind of coolant. For example, when a CPU 31 detects that the coolant R22 is used, the apparatus selects a data item of a fluorocarbone-based coolant R22 stored in a data selection means 35 storing pressure-temperature data items, and calculates a super-heated rate or a super-cooled rate according to the ability of a compressor 1 so that the room temperature reaches the predetermined one set by the operator and setting a calculation result. Next, a vapor temperature is calculated by each indoor air conditioner side, and during a cooling operation, electronic expansion valves 9, 11 are controlled so that target super-heated temperature are reached to the temperatures in temperature sensors 17 and 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasunori Ooyabu, Hideaki Motohashi, Megumi Komazaki, Kokichi Furuhama
  • Patent number: 5705086
    Abstract: Improved refrigeration lubricants useful in compression refrigeration units are esters, exhibit an excellent balance of performance characteristics, notably in the combination of good miscibility, hydrolytic stablity, wear resistance coupled with a viscosity within the range required in many commercial refrigeration units. These esters are of a hindered dihydric or trihydric alcohol such as trimethylolpentanediol and a fatty acid, where at least 80 number percent of the acyl groups are straight chain groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Susan C. Ardito, Henry Ashjian, G. James Johnston
  • Patent number: 5694784
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioning system CO.sub.2 as the refrigerant is compred by an internally controlled swash plate compressor (1) and circulates in a main circuit (2) having at least two heat exchangers (3, 5). An expansion valve (4) subdivides the main circuit (2) into a high and a low pressure part. The capacity control of the swash plate compressor (1) and therefore the air conditioning system takes place by means of a valve (23), which is located in a partial circuit (22) branched from the main circuit (2) by means of a constant choke (21) and which includes the drive chamber (18) of the swash plate compressor (1), so that in the latter it is possible to modify the pressure for adjusting the stroke length of the compressor piston (7). The branching point for the partial circuit (22) is located on an oil separator (20), which is located in the flow direction behind a first heat exchanger (5), so that the swash plate compressor (1) is cooled and is supplied with returned, cooled oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Tes Wankel Technische Forschungs-Und Entwicklungsstelle Lindau GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Frey, Frank Obrist
  • Patent number: 5687776
    Abstract: Apparatus for, and a method of, withdrawing liquefied cryogenic fuel stored in a primary insulated storage tank at a low pressure and at a temperature close to its boiling point; increasing the pressure of the withdrawn liquefied cryogenic fuel and then feeding the pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel through a heat exchanger to warm the liquefied cryogenic fuel to a subcooled or near saturated liquid condition; and feeding the said warmed and pressurized liquefied cryogenic fuel to an insulated tank on a vehicle at a refueling facility, the vehicle using liquefied cryogenic fuel as its fuel and the insulated vehicle fuel tank being adapted to safely contain and store the said liquefied cryogenic fuel in liquid form, at an approximate saturated condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company
    Inventors: David John Forgash, Raymond Korzonas, Bryan Patrick Neuhalfen, George D. Rhoades, Jack Wayne Sudduth, Mervyn Ladd Conrad, Richard John Kooy
  • Patent number: 5682750
    Abstract: A portable self-contained delivery station for liquid natural gas (LNG) is provided on a movable skid frame and equipped with an instant -on delivery system which may initiate LNG delivery immediately to a use vehicle. The skid is equipped with a spill containment feature such that the LNG may be contained in the event of spillage. A variable speed pump both controls LNG dispensing and saturation levels of the stored LNG. The pump is submerged in a sump tank which is separate from the bulk storage tank. The sump tank is flooded with an amount of LNG such that the pump is submerged. Delivery of LNG may thus occur instantly, without pre-cooling of the pump or associated meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: MVE Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Preston, Michael Lutgen, Tom Drube, Paul Drube, Tom Chrisfield
  • Patent number: 5674053
    Abstract: A high pressure gas compressor in one embodiment having an internal two staged compression with a compression chamber formed in part by a positive displacement, stepped piston and cylinder configuration, providing a first stage compression by an enlarged diameter segment of the piston and a second stage compression provided by a smaller diameter segment of the piston, and in another embodiment having an internal, single stage compression with a high compression ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventors: Marius A. Paul, Ana Paul
  • Patent number: 5669235
    Abstract: Two heat exchangers are hooked up together in order to generate a flow of cold gas. A deep-frozen liquefied medium is evaporated in the first heat exchanger (1) by means of heat exchange with a heat transfer medium. The evaporated medium is re-cooled in the second heat exchanger. The deep-frozen liquefied cryogenic medium used for this purpose is likewise evaporated in this process. The two flows of gas thus generated are conveyed to a mixing site and then combined to form a flow of cold gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Messer Griesheim GmbH
    Inventor: Friedel Michel
  • Patent number: 5651257
    Abstract: The present invention provides a working fluid composition for a refrigerating machine obtained by mixing an ammonia refrigerant with a lubricating oil which is extremely excellent in solubility with the ammonia refrigerant. The working fluid composition comprises a mixture of ammonia and one or more kinds of polyether compounds; the refrigerating machine is characterized by constituting a refrigerating cycle or a heat pump cycle through which the working fluid composition is circulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Japan Energy Corporation & Mayekawa Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kasahara, Kuniaki Kawamura, Takashi Kaimai, Hisashi Yano
  • Patent number: 5651263
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle comprises a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, a liquid receiver; and a pressure reducer connected in series to form a closed loop. The liquid receiver and the pressure reducer connected in series are connected between the indoor heat exchanger and said outdoor heat exchanger. A non-azeotropic mixture refrigerant comprising at least two kinds of refrigerant of different boiling temperatures mixed together is charged in and circulated through the refrigeration cycle. The mixing ratio of the azeotropic mixture refrigerant circulated thorough the refrigeration cycle is controlled substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Nonaka, Hiroaki Matsushima, Kazuhiro Endoh, Kensaku Oguni, Kazumoto Urata, Kyuhei Ishibane, Takeshi Endoh
  • Patent number: 5649427
    Abstract: The present invention provides a white smoke generating apparatus for generating white smoke of a stable density unaffected by air temperature or humidity conditions. The apparatus comprises an apparatus main body 11 being provided with a white smoke discharge opening 11a; a cryogenic liquefied gas supply mechanism 12 for supplying a cryogenic liquefied gas into the apparatus main body 11; and a humidifying mechanism 13 for humidifying the atmosphere inside the apparatus main body. The cryogenic liquefied gas supply mechanism 12 is provided with a first pipeline 18 which communicates a cryogenic liquefied gas reservoir 16 and a cryogenic liquefied gas emission nozzle 17 placed inside the apparatus main body 11, preferably at the white smoke discharge opening 11a side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sawada, Hisayuki Usui, Ryutaro Takahashi, Masahiro Hirano, Masahiro Yonekura
  • Patent number: 5647224
    Abstract: An air conditioner is made to follow up a change in load in an efficient manner by utilizing the fact that the components of a three-component mixed medium serving as a substitute for Freon have different boiling points. The mixed medium, which consists of R-32, R-125 and R-134a, is sealed within the circuit of the air conditioner, and a supercooled heat exchanger and liquid-gas tank are interposed between an outdoor heat exchanger and an expansion valve. The liquid-gas tank is connected to an accumulator via a liquid injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimi Kushiro, Hiroki Aoshima
  • Patent number: 5644921
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing ultra high purity non-cryogenic liquefied compressed gases, such as ammonia (NH.sub.3), and delivering a vaporized gaseous product from those liquefied gases for semiconductor processing applications. The delivery method includes withdrawing and heating gaseous product from a storage vessel containing the liquefied compressed gas, and then piping the heated gas through the liquid contained in the storage vessel in a heat exchange fashion. The heat exchange with the liquid inside the vessel induces boiling to maintain a vaporized gaseous product under a minimum positive pressure in said vessel. After liberating its heat, the gaseous product is delivered to a semiconductor manufacturing point of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Naser Mahmud Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 5636519
    Abstract: An improved commingling chamber for the distribution and pressure equalization of a thermodynamic working fluid used in a recirculating liquid type heat transfer processing system. The improved commingling chamber includes a volumetric chamber generally defined by a vessel wall, a top portion of the chamber, a lower portion of the chamber having a side wall. The lower portion terminates into a base preferably having an outlet port located therein. At least one inlet port and outlet port are located in the vessel wall. A conduit having a first end attached to at least one inlet port and being of sufficient length and configuration to vector incoming fluid toward the base outlet port, and a flow through region between a terminating end of the conduit means is provided to form a flow path between fluid exiting the conduit and the volumetric chamber. Alternative embodiments for accommodating multiple inlet ports and outlet ports are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Heilman
  • Patent number: 5626026
    Abstract: A control-information detecting apparatus for a refrigeration air-conditioner using a non-azeotrope refrigerant is equipped with a temperature detector and a pressure detector at the refrigerating cycle of the air-conditioner, which cycle is formed by connecting a compressor, a condenser, a decompressing device, and an evaporator, to detect the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant circulating the cycle for obtaining the circulation composition of the refrigerant with the composition computing unit thereof. The usual optimum operation of the cycle is thereby enabled even if the circulation composition of the refrigerant has changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sumida, Takashi Okazaki, Osamu Morimoto, Tomohiko Kasai
  • Patent number: 5626031
    Abstract: In an air conditioner having at least an indoor unit 9 and an outdoor unit 11 through which a coolant flows, a saturation temperature of the coolant at 50.degree. C. is not less than 2500 kPa, and the indoor heat exchanger in the indoor unit satisfies a relationship of Hi.times.Li/(Di.sup.3 .times.Ni.sup.2).gtoreq.150 and the outdoor heat exchanger in the outdoor unit satisfies a relationship of Ho.times.Lo/(Do.sup.3 .times.No.sup.2).gtoreq. 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideaki Motohashi, Kokichi Furuhama, Megumi Komazaki, Tetsuo Sano
  • Patent number: 5623832
    Abstract: Extraction of a fluent material from a pressurized system containing same such as CFC for reclamation is effected into a container by reducing the temperature of the container to a sufficiently cold temperature to generate a vacuum within the container sufficient to extract the CFC from the system to be extracted. The container is cooled by placing the container into an insulated drum containing a glycol bath within which is provided an evaporator duct shaped with a plurality of separate duct portions lying in horizontal planes and spaced vertically with each portion interconnected to the next by a vertical section of the duct. Into the duct is injected carbon dioxide from a compressed liquid supply which is passed through a metering orifice tuned to the length and shape of the duct so that evaporation takes place by the end of the duct. Any liquid remaining at the end of the duct as the temperature cools is returned by a diverter valve into the gylcol bath for additional cooling effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventors: Dennis J. Bokitch, William E. Hastings
  • Patent number: 5598717
    Abstract: An air conditioner using a non-azeotropic mixture refrigerant formed of a high boiling-point refrigerant and a low boiling-point refrigerant is provided with a first temperature sensor for detecting a temperature at an inlet of an outdoor heat exchanger when the outdoor heat exchanger serves as an evaporator in heating cycle, a second temperature sensor for detecting an outside air temperature, and a controller for controlling an opening degree of an expansion valve on the basis of a temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the inlet temperature of said evaporator. For example, the opening degree of the expansion valve is controlled so that the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the inlet temperature is equal to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohito Sakamoto, Ichiro Kamimura, Yukiharu Inoue, Kazuhiro Shimura
  • Patent number: 5598709
    Abstract: Both an apparatus and method are provided for vaporizing a liquid cryogen and super heating the resulting vapor into a heated gas. The apparatus includes a combustion-type heat source which may burn a fuel such as propane that generates water-containing combustion gases, and a vaporizer coil having an inlet conduit for receiving a flow of a liquid cryogen, such as liquid carbon dioxide, and an outlet conduit for expelling vaporized cryogen. An annular casing surrounds but is spaced apart from the vaporizer coil. The casing isolates the vaporizer coil from contact with water-containing combustion gases generated by the heat source, thereby preventing the formation of unwanted water and ice on the coil, while at the same time transferring heat from these gases to the coil by thermal radiation. A superheating coil is serially connected to the vaporizer coil to further heat the vaporized cryogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Herman H. Viegas, Bradley G. Ellingson, Michael A. Aronov, Roger D. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 5590535
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning cryogenic fuel includes providing a primary storage tank for liquefied cryogenic fuel, a vapor storage tank communicating with the primary storage tank for storing vapor withdrawn from the primary storage tank at a higher pressure than the pressure in the primary storage tank, and a conditioning system wherein heat is transferred to the colder, lower equilibrium pressure liquefied cryogenic fuel withdrawn from the primary storage tank. The conditioning system includes a heat exchanger system for transferring heat to the liquefied cryogenic fuel from vapor withdrawn from the vapor storage tank. The vapor is cooled to near saturation temperature in the heat exchanger and is then sparged into liquefied cryogenic fuel flowing through a sparger or mixer chamber disposed downstream of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Chicago Bridge & Iron Technical Services Company
    Inventor: George D. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 5582016
    Abstract: A conditioning and loading apparatus and method are disclosed for gas storage at cryogenic temperature and supercritical pressure. The apparatus is self-contained and portable and includes first and second precooling stages utilizing heat exchange with vented system fluids to cool the gas received by the apparatus at supercritical pressure. A third cooling stage includes heat exchange in a liquid nitrogen bath before loading of the gas into a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Aerospace Design & Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold L. Gier, Richard L. Jetley
  • Patent number: 5582015
    Abstract: A liquid nitrogen capillary tube heat exchanger comprises a vertical array of alternating vaporization chambers and pressure control chambers connected together in series. The vaporization chambers each have a plurality of capillary tubes mounted in exterior loops along the exterior of the chamber in communication with liquid nitrogen in the chamber. The capillary tubes provide a contolled rate of vaporization of the liquid nitrogen and increased exterior surface area to facilitate refrigeration. The pressure control chambers are filled with copper filings and a dessicant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Ecometrics Corp.
    Inventor: James G. Davidson
  • Patent number: 5579646
    Abstract: A cryogen delivery apparatus for delivering cryogen in a saturated state includes a vessel to contain the cryogen in liquid and vapor phases. The vessel has a headspace region and a heat exchanger located within the headspace region for indirectly exchanging heat between the vapor located within the headspace region and a liquid stream composed of the liquid phase of the cryogen. In case the cryogen is introduced into the vessel as a subcooled liquid, the vapor will condense into the liquid phase and the subcooled liquid will be converted into a saturated liquid. The saturated liquid will then be discharged from a liquid outlet connected to the heat exchanger. In the event the liquid enters the vessel as two-phase flow, the vessel will act as a phase separator. A branched supply line is provided having a liquid inlet branch connected to a bottom liquid inlet of the vessel so that a supply stream composed of the cryogen flows into the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ron C. Lee
  • Patent number: 5572880
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a conditioned airflow inside a microenvironment using a portion of the breathing gas supply diverted to an ejector from a breathing respirator gas stream, is described. The respirator, such as a liquified-gas type respirator, includes an endothermic heat exchanger, and the microenvironment air or ambient air or both is flowed over and contacted with the heat exchanger to condition the air by cooling and dehumidifying it. The conditioned airflow is set up by the ejector which expels a portion of the breathing gas stream into a venturi to create a low pressure zone for entraining the microenvironment air or ambient air. The conditioned airflow is then directed to the user's body to reduce user heat stress. Broadly, the air conditioning apparatus is useful with any housing for a controlled physical environment in which a person or group of people can endure surrounding inhospitable conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Figgie International Inc.
    Inventors: Dominick J. Frustaci, James P. Dominiak
  • Patent number: 5561983
    Abstract: A cryogenic liquid delivery system includes a storage tank holding a quantity of a cryogenic liquid such as liquid oxygen and a vapor space. A compound, two-part dip tube includes an inner liquid delivery tube and an outer tube which is sealed to allow liquid cryogen to be delivered to a vaporizer only via the liquid delivery tube. The vaporizer communicates with the vapor space in the tank via an aperture in the outer tube, above the level of the liquid cryogen and the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Caire, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Remes, Jeffrey S. Dresow
  • Patent number: 5551255
    Abstract: An accumulator distillation insert is provided for allowing the composition f a zeotropic refrigerant to be adjusted based upon a building heat load. The accumulator distillation insert comprises an accumulator, the accumulator having a two-phase input and a vapor output, the accumulator having a refrigerant mixture, in liquid form, disposed at a bottom of the accumulator; an immersion heater is provided in communication with the refrigerant mixture, in liquid form; and a distillation column is disposed in the accumulator, the distillation column is maintained above the refrigerant mixture in liquid form, the distillation column is provided for changing the chemical composition of the refrigerant mixture by decreasing the amount of volatile components in the refrigerant mixture, stored in the accumulator and thereby increasing the capacity of the heat pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventor: Peter I. Rothfleisch
  • Patent number: 5546753
    Abstract: An evaporated gas supply method in which the liquid seal of an evaporated gas can be effectively avoided, is provided. According to the present invention, there is provided an evaporated gas supply method in which an evaporated gas having a primary pressure filled in a cylinder is reduced in pressure to a secondary pressure through adiabatic expansion, and the evaporated gas having the secondary pressure is supplied to a predetermined consuming installation, and which comprises a step of cooling down an evaporated gas in a cylinder, whereby the enthalpy of the evaporated gas (2) filled in the said cylinder is increased over an enthalpy of the secondary pressure on the saturated vapor line in a pressure-enthalpy diagram of the same evaporated gas, and a step of adiabatically expanding the evaporated gas filled in the cylinder so that its pressure is reduced, and supplying the evaporated gas having the reduced pressure to said consuming installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Teisan K.K.
    Inventor: Kazuo Yokogi
  • Patent number: 5542271
    Abstract: An air-conditioner of a heat pump type includes a refrigeration cycle including an interior heat exchanger, an exterior heat exchanger, a compressor, a four-way valve, and an expansion mechanism, and a non-azeotrope refrigerant composed of not less than two kinds of refrigerants is used as a working medium. A refrigerant path in each of the interior and exterior heat exchangers is divided into a group of first refrigerant passages located at a region where a proportion of the liquid-phase refrigerant is large and a group of second refrigerant passages located at a region where a proportion of the liquid-phase refrigerant is small. At least part of the group of first refrigerant passages of each of the interior and exterior heat exchangers is located at the windward side. Heat transfer tubes of the group of first refrigerant passages of each of the interior and exterior heat exchangers are smaller in flow-passage cross-sectional area than those of the corresponding group of second refrigerant passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mituo Kudoh, Toshihiko Fukushima, Masaaki Itoh, Mari Uchida, Hiroaki Matsushima, Hiroshi Kogure, Syoji Takaku
  • Patent number: 5542459
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for completely filling a fuel receiving tank with compressed natural gas under fast-fill conditions are provided. To achieve this, the methods and apparatus provide for supplying cool compressed natural gas to a fuel tank and methods and apparatus for drying the compressed natural gas to prevent the risk of water condensation, corrosion and icing up of equipment. Further, the delivery of dried compressed natural gas to the receiving fuel tank is carried out under conditions that expand the gas into the receiving tank thereby enabling complete filling of the tank. In another aspect, the methods and apparatus utilize a second independent compressor of lower horsepower, or an evacuator cylinder of a primary compressor, for circulating and cooling compressed natural gas into the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Price Compressor Company Inc.
    Inventors: Billy F. Price, H. Joseph Thywissen, Nash Campisse
  • Patent number: 5540059
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying a gaseous raw material to plural users. A liquid raw material is evaporated by a single evaporation means and supplied to a gaseous raw material takeout portion provided with a plurality of takeout ports. The gas pressure is varied according to amounts of the gaseous raw material taken out of the takeout ports. The pressure variations are regulated by a main pressure-adjusting means mounted downstream of the gaseous raw material takeout portion. Extra gaseous raw material is sent to a gaseous raw material-condensing means, where the material is liquified. Then, the liquified material is fed back to the evaporation means. Thus, a closed circulatory loop circuit is formed. The gas pressure in the gaseous raw material takeout portion is regulated. The gaseous raw material is distributed to plural users at any desired time at their respective flow rates such that supply of the raw material to each individual user is carried out independent of supply to other users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Quartz Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yokokawa
  • Patent number: 5537828
    Abstract: A system for initiating the operation of a cryogenic pump wherein the suction line to the cryogenic pump and the cryogenic pump itself are brought to the proper cooldown temperature sequentially using separate temperature-based control schemes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Borcuch, Francis W. DeMarco, Norman H. White
  • Patent number: 5537824
    Abstract: The fueling station consists of a vacuum insulated storage vessel for storing a large quantity of LNG at low pressure. The LNG is delivered to one of two relatively small volume fuel conditioning tanks where the pressure and temperature of the LNG can be raised or lowered as dictated by the needs of the system. The pressure and temperature in the fuel conditioning tanks are raised by delivering high pressure natural gas vapor thereto from a high pressure bank. The temperature and pressure can be lowered by venting natural gas from the fuel conditioning tanks and/or delivering LNG thereto. The fuel conditioning tanks are connectable to a vehicle's fuel tank via a fill line to deliver natural gas and LNG to the vehicle and to vent natural gas from the vehicle to the fueling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Valley Engineering
    Inventors: Keith W. Gustafson, George W. Kalet
  • Patent number: 5520001
    Abstract: A vapor controller capable of reducing a thermal influence upon a liquid material to be vaporized as far as possible and always stably controlling a vaporized gas in flow rate in high-speed response and a vapor controller having a vaporizer capable of improving a purge efficiency are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Stec, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki Miyamoto, Kohichi Ishikawa, Takeshi Kawano
  • Patent number: 5511542
    Abstract: Life support apparatus composed of: a garment (2): for completely enclosing a wearer and constructed for preventing passage of gas from the environment surrounding the garment (2); a portable receptacle (6) holding a quantity of an oxygen-containing fluid in liquid state, the fluid being in a breathable gaseous; state when at standard temperature and pressure; a fluid flow member (16) secured within the garment (2) and coupled to the receptacle (6) for conducting the fluid in liquid state from the receptacle (6) to the interior of the garment (2); and a fluid flow control device (14) connected for causing fluid to flow from the receptacle (6) to the fluid flow member (16) at a rate determined by the breathable air requirement of the wearer, wherein fluid in liquid state is conducted into the interior of the garment (2) at a rate to be vaporized and heated to a breathable temperature by body heat produced by the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Mark N. Hall