The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 12, 2013
Filed:
Jan. 07, 2010
John D. Penton, Pasadena, TX (US);
Ronald W. Hill, Katy, TX (US);
John D. Penton, Pasadena, TX (US);
Ronald W. Hill, Katy, TX (US);
Chevron U.S.A. Inc., San Ramon, CA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for purging gases released from a heat exchanger are provided. The apparatus includes an enclosure that defines an interior space and is configured to receive at least a portion of the heat exchanger. A gas source is configured to deliver an inert gas to the interior space of the enclosure at a pressure higher than an ambient pressure outside the gas source and the enclosure. The enclosure is adapted to maintain a positive pressure difference between the interior space and the ambient pressure. A detector is configured to detect a leak of a gas from the heat exchanger into the interior space of the enclosure. A pressure relief device configured to release gas from the interior space of the enclosure if the pressure in the interior space exceeds a predetermined level.