Patent US3713273A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3713273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for storing gases and fueling internal combustion engines
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-05-03
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An impure stream of fuel gas is purified by passing the stream through a sorbent body which absorbs the impurities. The purified stream is then absorbed under pressure in a tank containing a suitable absorbent. The fuel gas is subsequently released to an internal combustion machine or other consumer of fuel gas for burning. The heated exhaust gases are flowed through the first purifying sorbent body to heat it and vaporize the unwanted impurities thus regenerating the sorbent body for a new cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 R Coffee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:13
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/02; B01D53/04; B01D53/0407; B01D53/0438; C; C07; C07C; C07C7/00; C07C7/12; C07C7/13; B01D2253/00; B01D2253/10; B01D2253/102; B01D2253/106; B01D2256/00; B01D2256/24; B01D2259/00; B01D2259/40; B01D2259/40083; B01D2259/40088; B01D2259/40098; B01D2259/45; B01D2259/4525; B01D53/0446
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for fueling an internal combustion engine from a low pressure impure methane source consisting of: a. providing a storage tank containing adsorbent capable of adsorbing methane from said low pressure methane source, b. providing an adsorption column capable of adsorbing impurities from said low pressure methane source, c. compressing methane flowing from said low pressure gas source to a higher pressure, d. flowing said compressed methane through said adsorption column (b) thereby removing impurities, e. flowing the resulting purified methane of step (d) into said tank of (a), f. adsorbing said purified methane of step (d) on said adsorbent in said tank (a), g. connecting said storage tank to the fuel inlet of said internal combustion engine. h. desorbing methane from said storage tank and flowing said methane to said internal combustion engine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for fueling an internal combustion engine from a low pressure impure methane source consisting of: a. providing a storage tank containing adsorbent capable of adsorbing methane from said low pressure methane source, b. providing an adsorption column capable of adsorbing impurities from said low pressure methane source, c. compressing methane flowing from said low pressure gas source to a higher pressure, d. flowing said compressed methane through said adsorption column (b) thereby removing impurities, e. flowing the resulting purified methane of step (d) into said tank of (a), f. adsorbing said purified methane of step (d) on said adsorbent in said tank (a), g. connecting said storage tank to the fuel inlet of said internal combustion engine. h. desorbing methane from said storage tank and flowing said methane to said internal combustion engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said adsorption column is regenerated by: a. flowing exhaust gas from said internal combustion engine to a heat exchange means located in said adsorption column of step (d), b. passing methane from said storage tank of (a) through said column heated by the exhaust gas in a reverse direction to that of step (d), c. combining the regeneration stream containing impurities with the methane flow to said internal combustion engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said impure methane contains at least 85 mole percent methane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said impure methane is natural gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said adsorbent in said tank is selected from the group consisting of molecular sieve, silica gel and carbon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said adsorption column contains an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of molecular sieve, silica gel and carbon.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for fueling an internal combustion engine having a fuel inlet and an exhaust comprising: a. an adsorption containing a suitable adsorbent and having an inlet and an outlet, said adsorption means including heat exchanger means having an inlet and an outlet and means for selectively connecting said exhaust either to said inlet of said heat exchange means or to the atmosphere, b. a methane storage tank means containing a suitable adsorbent, c. methane inlet means, d. means connecting said methane inlet means selectively either to the inlet of said adsorption means or to the fuel inlet of said engine; and, e. means for connecting said methane storage tank means selectively to the outlet of said adsorption means or to said fuel inlet of said internal combustion engine.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for fueling an internal combustion engine having a fuel inlet and an exhaust comprising: a. an adsorption containing a suitable adsorbent and having an inlet and an outlet, said adsorption means including heat exchanger means having an inlet and an outlet and means for selectively connecting said exhaust either to said inlet of said heat exchange means or to the atmosphere, b. a methane storage tank means containing a suitable adsorbent, c. methane inlet means, d. means connecting said methane inlet means selectively either to the inlet of said adsorption means or to the fuel inlet of said engine; and, e. means for connecting said methane storage tank means selectively to the outlet of said adsorption means or to said fuel inlet of said internal combustion engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for selectively connecting are at all occurrences valves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means connecting said methane storage tank means selectively either to the outlet of said adsorber means or to said fuel inlet of said internal combustion engine contain pressure regulating valves.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |