Refrigeration – Cryogenic treatment of gas or gas mixture – Liquefaction
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-17
2001-04-24
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Cryogenic treatment of gas or gas mixture
Liquefaction
C062S051200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220052
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for liquefying natural gas for vehicular use.
A method and apparatus for liquefying natural gas for a fuel for vehicles and a fuel tank for use therewith is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,730 issued on Jul. 12, 1994. In connection with the method and apparatus therein disclosed, difficulties have been encountered in reducing the pressure of natural gas being supplied through a fixed orifice because of changes in temperature of the natural gas. Additional difficulties have been encountered because of freezing of carbon dioxide in the natural gas. There is therefore a need for a new and improved apparatus and method for liquefying natural gas, particularly for vehicular use.
In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for liquefying natural gas for vehicular use which substantially increases the proportion of natural gas becoming a liquid during each cycle.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the above character in which carbon dioxide in the natural gas is removed before liquefaction of the natural gas.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the above character in which an adjustable orifice is provided in the Joule-Thompson valve to accommodate different temperatures of the incoming natural gas by maintaining a constant inlet pressure.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the above character which by controlling the pressure of the compressed gas makes it possible to operate at very high liquefaction efficiencies.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the above character in which the Joule-Thompson valve utilized is mounted in an assembly directly mounted on the dewar which can accommodate expansion and contraction in the dewar on which it is mounted.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the above character in which all of the piping for the dewar is provided through the Joule-Thompson valve assembly for reducing the cost of the dewar.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the above character which does not require the use of a cryogenic pump to transfer liquefied natural gas from the dispenser.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the above character which does not require the use of a cryogenic pump to transfer liquefied natural gas from the dispenser.
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patent: 5009073 (1991-04-01), Missimer et al.
patent: 5327730 (1994-07-01), Myers et al.
patent: 5386699 (1995-02-01), Myers et al.
patent: 2069119 (1981-08-01), None
Lee Harold M.
Tate, Jr. Raymond E.
Doerrler William
Flehr Hohbach Test Albritton & Herbert LLP
Liberty Fuels, Inc.
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