Michigan Consolidated Gas Company

Fuel Concepts, Inc.

John W Turko

Kenneth S Czerwinski

Larry J Engel

Shanti S Sharma

Eugene Gabany

Sherwood G Talbert

Larry E Schluer

Howard B Pritz

Linda M Deschere

Maurice N Day

Earl L White

Henry F Seidel

The disclosed gaseous fuel torch apparatus is adapted for use in cutting, welding, heating or other such operations involving the heating, cutting, or fusing of either metallic or non-metallic materials. The apparatus includes a fueling module for supplying gaseous fuel to a torch at an elevated pressure from a relatively low pressure gaseous fuel source, such as a natural gas supply system for example. The fueling module also preferably includes a selectively-operable alternate system for supplying such compressed gaseous fuel for other applications, including the recharging of one or more storage vessels for example. The fueling module includes features by which its gaseous fuel discharge pressure can be infinitely varied and preselectively adjusted within the capabilities of the fueling module's compressor device.

Gaseous fueled torch apparatus and fueling module therefor

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for sorptively storing a multiconstituent gas in, and for selectively releasing the multiconstituent gas from, a vessel having a predetermined sorbent material therein, while substantially preserving minimum quantities or concentrations of certain constituents of the gas. In such a method and apparatus, a first of the constituents of the multiconstituent gas which is preferentially sorbed by the sorbent material, is present in the multiconstituent gas in a predetermined minimum concentration level substantially less than that of the second constituent. First, the sorbent material in the vessel is sorptively saturated with a pre-storage quantity of the first constituent at a first predetermined pressure. Then the multiconstituent gas to be stored is introduced under pressure into the vessel, with the vessel being pressurized to a second predetermined pressure above the first predetermined pressure. Thus both of the first and second constituents are sorptively stored in the vessel on the sorbent material therein. When the stored multiconstituent gas is selectively released from the vessel, the sorbent material desorptively release the multiconstituent gas with the first constituent being present in at least the above-mentioned predetermined concentration as the pressure in the vessel decreases.

Method and apparatus for sorptively storing a multiconstituent gas

An apparatus for releasing gaseous material into the atmosphere employs a sorbent material that is sorptively saturated with a predetermined quantity of the gaseous material at a predetermined pressure, preferably approximately equal to atmospheric pressure. The gaseous material to be released preferably has a vapor pressure lower than the predetermined pressure at which the sorbent material is sorptively saturated. The apparatus also includes capability of selectively exposing the sorbent material to the atmosphere in order to allow the gaseous material to be desorptively released.

Method for releasing a gas into the atmosphere

The disclosed gaseous fuel torch apparatus is adapted for use in cutting, welding, heating or other such operations involving the heating, cutting, or fusing of either metallic or non-metallic materials. The apparatus includes a fueling module for supplying gaseous fuel to a torch at an elevated pressure from a relatively low pressure gaseous fuel source, such as a natural gas supply system for example. The fueling module also preferably includes a selectively-operable alternate system for supplying such compressed gaseous fuel for other applications, including the recharging of one or more storage vessels for example. The fuelilng module includes features by which its gaseous fuel discharge pressure can be infinitely varied and preselectively adjusted within the capabilities of the fueling modules's compressor device.

An improved heating system is disclosed for providing heated air to a heated space, preferably using a gaseous fuel as the energy source. The system preferably includes an air heating sub-system, a compact combustion chamber, a separate cold air supply sub-system for conveying cold air from the heated space to the air heating sub-system, a combustion chamber heat exchanger in fluid with the cold air supply sub-system for transferring heat thereto, and a separate air circulating sub-system for withdrawing cold circulating air from the heated space. A mixing chamber is provided for mixing heated air from the air heating sub-system with the cold circulating air to provide heated air to the space. The system also preferably includes separate sub-systems for supplying pressurized combustion air and pressurized gaseous fuel to the air heating sub-system and for forcibly conveying exhaust gases therefrom without the need for a draft-type chimney or stack. In another preferred embodiment, a vortex-type air separator separates higher temperature and lower temperature combustion air, with the higher temperature air being used for combustion and the lower temperature air being heated in an exhaust gas heat exchanger before being conveyed to the heated space. A novel control sub-system is also provided for controlling the system, preferably in response to both indoor and outdoor temperatures, and for minimizing the number of energy wasting on/off cycles in operating the system.

Heating system

An apparatus for supplying fuel to a gaseous fuel consuming device, such as a gaseous fueled vehicle or the like, generally includes one or more gas compressors for compressing the gaseous fuel to a predetermined pressure, preferably less than 500 psig (3450 kPa). The apparatus preferably also includes apparatus for cooling the compressed gaseous fuel at least to ambient temperatures. Sorbent filtering and storage means are also preferably provided for maximizing the amount of fuel to be stored in the apparatus in order to supply a quick initial charge of the gaseous fuel to the vehicle or other gaseous fuel consuming device.

Gaseous fuel refueling apparatus

A low pressure gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant is described, which generally comprises means for storing a self-contained supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, a prime mover, means for conveying the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to and from the storing means, and means for controlling the flow of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the prime mover. The storing means, which may include one or more vessels or cylinders, contains a predetermined sorbent material for reducing the pressure at which a given amount of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is stored. The prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine, has means for combining the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel with air to produce the mechanical energy therefrom necessary to move the vehicle. The conveying means is adapted to convey the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to the storing means from a stationary source of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, and also to convey the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the combining means of the prime mover during the operation of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the maximum pressure at which the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is stored in the storing means is in the range of approximately 100 psig (689 kPa) to approximately 400 psig (2760 kPa).

Gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant for vehicles

A low pressure gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant is described which generally comprises on-board means for storing a self-contained supply of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, a prime mover, means for conveying the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to and from the storing means, and means for controlling the flow of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the prime mover. The on-board storing means, which may include one or more vessels or cylinders, contains a predetermined sorbent material for reducing the pressure at which the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is stored. The conveying means is adapted to convey the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to the on-board storing means from a stationary source of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, and also to convey the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel from the storing means to the combining means of the prime mover during the operation of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the maximum pressure at which the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is stored in the on-board storing means is in the range of approximately 100 psig (689 kPa) to approximately 400 psig (2760kPa). The apparatus generally includes one or more gas compressors for compressing the gaseous fuel to a predetermined pressure, preferably approximately 400 psig (2760 kPa). Sorbent filtering and storage means are also preferably provided for maximizing the amount of fuel to be stored in the apparatus in order to supply a quick initial charge of the gaseous fuel to the vehicle or other gaseous fuel consuming device.

Gaseous hydrocarbon fuel storage system and power plant for vehicles and

A flue restrictor for installation in the flue piping of a heating system to reduce its effective cross sectional area comprises sheet metal inlet and outlet sections having flanges secured together in a joint that has a guideway in it for a sheet metal gate valve that may be transversely positioned to produce the desired cross-sectional area and riveted in place to provide a substantially tamper-proof assembly.

Growing community of inventors

River Rouge, MI, United States of America

John W Turko