Gas delivery system

• US 6,953,045 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Marlin Gas Services, LLC (Chesapeake Utilities Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Neil Enerson
• Inventors: Enerson, Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US10/119,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20030192609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 137/487.5, 137/488, 137/334, 137/340, 137/14, 62/532
• US Class Current: 137/14
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/025 having the pressure as the parameter
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0326 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0338 Pressure regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0341 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0364 flexible or articulated, e.g. a hose
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/01 Intermediate tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0439 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0443 Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0626 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0636 Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0171 Trucks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 5/06 for filling with compressed gases
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 7/00 Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6416 With heating or cooling of the system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6579 Circulating fluid in heat exchange relationship
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6855 : Vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 : Electrically actuated valve

Abstract

The present invention includes apparatus for linking a high-pressure gas source to equipment, so that the pressure can be reduced while maximum flow can be maintained. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a motor valve, a control valve, a buffer tank, and an outlet regulator along a gas flow path. Controlling devices are associated with the motor valve and the control valve, and such devices respond pneumatically to pressure in the gas flow path to open or close those valves. The buffer tank operates provides sufficient volume associated with the flow path for stable sensing of pressure in the flow path, and to provide a medium for heat exchange resulting from the reduction in pressure. The apparatus may be mounted in a mobile carrier. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a motor valve, a control valve, a line heater and an outlet regulator along a gas flow path. Controlling devices are associated with the motor valve and the control valve, and such devices respond pneumatically to pressure in the gas flow path to open or close those valves. The line heater provides a medium for heat exchange resulting from the reduction in pressure and to provide a lengthened gas flow path for stable sensing of pressure in the flow path. The apparatus may be mounted in a mobile carrier.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a gas flow line including a motor valve, a control valve, and an outlet regulator, said gas flow line having sufficient volume for stable pressure sensing;

a controller for controlling operation of said control valve;

an inlet regulator;

a first pilot line connecting said inlet regulator to said motor valve;

a second pilot line connecting said inlet regulator to said controller;

a relief valve connected to said gas flow line at a point downstream of said motor valve and said control valve;

said controller being connected via a third line to said gas flow line, and said motor valve being connected via a fourth line to said gas flow line, wherein said third and fourth lines hold gas under pressure in order to sense the pressure in said gas flow line,

whereby said controller and said motor valve make adjustments in response to pressure fluctuations via said third and fourth lines to maintain the pressure in said gas flow line at or below a predetermined maximum.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said volume of said gas flow line is provided by extending said gas flow line through a tank, said tank including an amount of heat exchanging fluid.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a conveyance holding said apparatus from the group consisting of land vehicles and water vehicles.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet connected to said gas flow line.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said inlet is adapted to connect to a high-pressure source of gas.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising at least one flexible hose, said hose connected to either one of said at least one inlet or one of said at least one outlet.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a meter connected to said gas flow line.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a buffer tank connected between said inlet regulator and said first and second pilot lines.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet regulator, said motor valve, said control valve, said outlet regulator and said controller do not require electricity to function.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said volume of said gas flow line is provided in part by a buffer tank connected to said gas flow line.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a conveyance holding said apparatus from the group consisting of land vehicles and water vehicles.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet connected to said gas flow line.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said inlet is adapted to connect to a high-pressure source of gas.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising at least one flexible hose, said hose connected to either one of said at least one inlet or one of said at least one outlet.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a meter connected to said gas flow line.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a buffer tank connected between said inlet regulator and said first and second pilot lines.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said inlet regulator, said motor valve, said control valve, said second regulator and said controller do not require electricity to function.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a gas flow line including a motor valve, a control valve, a means for heat exchange, and a outlet regulator;

a controller for controlling operation of said control valve;

an inlet regulator;

a first pilot line connecting said inlet regulator to said motor valve;

a second pilot line connecting said inlet regulator to said controller;

a relief valve connected to said gas flow line at a point downstream of said motor valve and said control valve;

said controller being connected via a third line to said gas flow line, and said motor valve being connected via a fourth line to said gas flow line, wherein said third and fourth lines hold gas under pressure in order to sense the pressure in said gas flow line,

whereby said controller and said motor valve make adjustments in response to pressure fluctuations via said third and fourth lines to maintain the pressure in said gas flow line at or below a predetermined maximum.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said means for heat exchange includes a buffer tank connected to said gas flow line such that said buffer tank contains an amount of the same type of gas as is within said gas flow line.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said means for heat exchange includes a tank external to said gas flow line, said tank containing a heat exchange medium.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising means for heating said heat exchange medium.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said gas flow line contains natural gas, and said means for heating includes a burner connected to said gas flow line which bums a portion of said natural gas.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a gas flow line including a motor valve, a control valve, a buffer tank, and an outlet regulator;

a controller for controlling operation of said control valve;

an inlet regulator;

a first pilot line connecting said inlet regulator to said motor valve;

a second pilot line connecting said inlet regulator to said controller;

a relief valve connected to said gas flow line at a point downstream of said motor valve and said control valve;

said controller being connected via a third line to said gas flow line, and said motor valve being connected via a fourth line to said gas flow line, wherein said third and fourth lines hold gas under pressure in order to sense the pressure in said gas flow line,

whereby said controller and said motor valve make adjustments in response to pressure fluctuations via said third and fourth lines to maintain the pressure in said gas flow line at or below a predetermined maximum.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said apparatus is mounted to a portable cart.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said cart includes at least one of wheels, rollers, casters and skids whereby said cart can be moved.

26. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a second buffer tank connected between said inlet regulator and said first and second pilot lines.

27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said inlet regulator, said motor valve, said control valve, said second regulator and said controller do not require electricity to function.

28. A method comprising:

connecting a motor valve, a control valve with a controller, a buffer tank, a relief valve and a regulator to a flow line, said relief valve connected to said flow line at a point downstream of said motor valve and said control valve, said controller being connected via a first line to said flow line, and said motor valve being connected via a second line to said flow line, wherein said third and fourth lines hold gas under pressure in order to sense the pressure in said flow line;

connecting a first portion of said flow line to a source of gas;

connecting a second portion of said flow line to an apparatus adapted to receive gas; and

allowing gas to flow from said source of gas through said flow line to said apparatus adapted to receive gas, wherein said controller and said motor valve make adjustments in response to pressure fluctuations via said first and second lines to maintain the pressure in said flow line at or below a predetermined maximum.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein during said allowing step gas passes said motor valve, said control valve, said buffer tank, and said regulator.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising the steps of:

sensing the pressure in said flow line; and

adjusting at least one of said motor valve and said control valve in response to said sensing step.