US3989477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas enriching apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-04-10
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1995-04-10
Abstract
Abstract Enriching apparatus for low quality gas, such as methane as found trapped in mines, low B.T.U. gas, and/or air or combinations of either. Such gas and/or air is passed through naphthalene pellets and gasoline or other petrochemical products which then absorb properties of enriching materials and emit enriched gas in place of the low B.T.U. gas and/or air. Several enrichers may be connected in series and the enriched gas is then pressurized for use in a high pressure gas distribution line. Carbonaceous powder may be blown into the gas stream to further enrich it, for use in industrial applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley C. Wilson
- 👤 Ralph J. Hils
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:22
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A gas enricher comprising a container having a removable lid, an inverted cone shaped foraminous base therein supporting a bed of petro-chemical solid elements, which material, when dissolved in gasoline, liberates a gas, said container having vertical sidewalls which are perforated at a level above said foraminous base and being surrounded by a tank partially filled with gasoline which completely immerses said bed and foraminous base, means providing a source of compressed gas leading to an inlet pipe in the interior of said container directly beneath said bed, and an outlet pipe at the top of said tank, whereby when said gas is passed through said bed, it will mix with the gas generated by said dissolving solid elements to provide enriched, combustible gas above the surface of said gasoline which flows through said perforated sidewalls and through said outlet pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A gas enricher comprising a container having a removable lid, an inverted cone shaped foraminous base therein supporting a bed of petro-chemical solid elements, which material, when dissolved in gasoline, liberates a gas, said container having vertical sidewalls which are perforated at a level above said foraminous base and being surrounded by a tank partially filled with gasoline which completely immerses said bed and foraminous base, means providing a source of compressed gas leading to an inlet pipe in the interior of said container directly beneath said bed, and an outlet pipe at the top of said tank, whereby when said gas is passed through said bed, it will mix with the gas generated by said dissolving solid elements to provide enriched, combustible gas above the surface of said gasoline which flows through said perforated sidewalls and through said outlet pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A gas enricher as recited in claim 1 wherein said inlet pipe includes perforated means for diverting gas from said inlet pipe to the surface of said foraminous base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A gas enricher as recited in claim 1 wherein said bed of petro-chemical elements is naphthalene in pellet form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A gas enricher as recited in claim 1 wherein said gas is air, together with means providing a high pressure for introducing said air into said container beneath said bed, and a gas burner supplied by said outlet pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A gas enricher as recited in claim 4 wherein said means providing high pressure air is a pneumatic tire.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A gas enricher as recited in claim 4 wherein a second gas enricher is connected in series by connecting said outlet pipe to the inlet pipe at the bottom of said second gas enricher.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A gas enricher as recited in claim 1 together with a further enricher connected in parallel with said outlet pipe, said further enricher comprising means injecting a source of carbonaceous material in powdered form into the stream of enriched gas flowing from said outlet pipe, whereby when said enriched stream and carbonaceous material are ignited, they will be fueled by both said enriched gas and burning particles of said carbonaceous powder.
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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) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |