Patent US753109A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5259196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Inlet air cooling system
Assignee: Ingersoll Rand Co
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Filing: 1992-12-16
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Granted: 1993-11-09
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Expires: 2012-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An inlet air cooling system for natural gas compression. The system provides both inlet air refrigeration for the internal combustion engine and additional natural gas compression. Also provided is a leakage control system for any natural gas or hydrocarbon leakage from the combined cycle system. The leakage is collected and introduced into a low pressure portion of the engine air intake system where it is burned along with the normal engine fuel.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry B. Faulkner
- 👤 Michael C. Swarden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:46
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B29/00; F02B29/04; F02B29/0406; F02B29/0437; F02B29/0443; F02B29/0412; F02B29/0481; F02B37/00; F02B37/005; F02M; F02M25/00; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
In combination: an internal combustion engine having inlet air and exhaust gas conduits and an intake system; and an inlet air cooling means for cooling inlet air connected to the inlet air conduit, the inlet air cooling means using a hydrocarbon as a refrigerant, the inlet air cooling means including a hydrocarbon compression means for compressing the hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon compression means having a capacity in excess of the capacity necessary to provide the inlet air cooling, the excess capacity being used to compress a portion of the hydrocarbon for introduction into a high pressure gas main.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In combination: an internal combustion engine having inlet air and exhaust gas conduits and an intake system; and an inlet air cooling means for cooling inlet air connected to the inlet air conduit, the inlet air cooling means using a hydrocarbon as a refrigerant, the inlet air cooling means including a hydrocarbon compression means for compressing the hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon compression means having a capacity in excess of the capacity necessary to provide the inlet air cooling, the excess capacity being used to compress a portion of the hydrocarbon for introduction into a high pressure gas main.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 1, further comprising a means for collecting hydrocarbon leakage, the collected hydrocarbon leakage being introduced into a hydrocarbon conduit connected to a low pressure portion of the engine intake system, this portion of the engine intake system having a pressure lower than the pressure in the hydrocarbon conduit, thereby causing the collected hydrocarbon leakage to flow into the engine intake system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
149 words
In combination: an internal combustion engine having inlet air and exhaust gas conduits and an intake system; an exhaust turbine connected to the exhaust gas conduit and driven by exhaust gas flowing from the engine; an inlet compressor for compressing inlet air, the inlet compressor being driven by the exhaust turbine; an inlet cooler for cooling the compressed inlet air; a gas compressor for compressing a hydrocarbon, the gas compressor having a capacity in excess of the capacity necessary to provide hydrocarbon to the inlet cooler, the excess capacity being used to compress a portion of the hydrocarbon for introduction into a high pressure gas main; a gas cooler for cooling the compressed hydrocarbon; and a refrigeration turbine for expanding the compressed hydrocarbon after the compressed hydrocarbon has been cooled, the expanded hydrocarbon providing cooling to the inlet cooler, the refrigeration turbine being mechanically connected to the gas compressor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
149 words
In combination: an internal combustion engine having inlet air and exhaust gas conduits and an intake system; an exhaust turbine connected to the exhaust gas conduit and driven by exhaust gas flowing from the engine; an inlet compressor for compressing inlet air, the inlet compressor being driven by the exhaust turbine; an inlet cooler for cooling the compressed inlet air; a gas compressor for compressing a hydrocarbon, the gas compressor having a capacity in excess of the capacity necessary to provide hydrocarbon to the inlet cooler, the excess capacity being used to compress a portion of the hydrocarbon for introduction into a high pressure gas main; a gas cooler for cooling the compressed hydrocarbon; and a refrigeration turbine for expanding the compressed hydrocarbon after the compressed hydrocarbon has been cooled, the expanded hydrocarbon providing cooling to the inlet cooler, the refrigeration turbine being mechanically connected to the gas compressor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 3, wherein the gas compressor is driven by the exhaust turbine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 3, further comprising a means for collecting hydrocarbon leakage, the collected hydrocarbon leakage being introduced into a hydrocarbon conduit connected to a low pressure portion of the engine intake system, this portion of the engine intake system having a pressure lower than the pressure in the hydrocarbon conduit, thereby causing the collected hydrocarbon leakage to flow into the engine intake system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
In combination: an internal combustion engine having inlet air and exhaust gas conduits and an intake system; an exhaust turbine connected to the exhaust gas conduit and driven by exhaust gas flowing from the engine; an inlet compressor for compressing inlet air, the inlet compressor being driven by the exhaust turbine; an inlet cooler for cooling the compressed inlet air; a gas compressor for compressing a hydrocarbon; a gas cooler for cooling the compressed hydrocarbon; a refrigeration turbine for expanding the compressed hydrocarbon after the compressed hydrocarbon has been cooled, the expanded hydrocarbon providing cooling to the inlet cooler, the refrigeration turbine being mechanically connected to the gas compressor; and an inlet turbine, the inlet turbine being driven by the compressed inlet air, the inlet turbine being mechanically connected to the refrigeration turbine and the gas compressor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
In combination: an internal combustion engine having inlet air and exhaust gas conduits and an intake system; an exhaust turbine connected to the exhaust gas conduit and driven by exhaust gas flowing from the engine; an inlet compressor for compressing inlet air, the inlet compressor being driven by the exhaust turbine; an inlet cooler for cooling the compressed inlet air; a gas compressor for compressing a hydrocarbon; a gas cooler for cooling the compressed hydrocarbon; a refrigeration turbine for expanding the compressed hydrocarbon after the compressed hydrocarbon has been cooled, the expanded hydrocarbon providing cooling to the inlet cooler, the refrigeration turbine being mechanically connected to the gas compressor; and an inlet turbine, the inlet turbine being driven by the compressed inlet air, the inlet turbine being mechanically connected to the refrigeration turbine and the gas compressor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
In combination: an internal combustion engine having inlet air and exhaust gas conduits; an exhaust turbine connected to the exhaust gas conduit and driven by exhaust gas flowing from the engine; an inlet compressor for compressing inlet air, the inlet compressor being driven by the exhaust turbine; an inlet cooler for cooling the compressed inlet air; a gas compressor for compressing a hydrocarbon, the compressed hydrocarbon being divided into at least two portions; a gas cooler for cooling the compressed hydrocarbon; and a refrigeration turbine for expanding a first portion of the compressed hydrocarbon after the compressed hydrocarbon has been cooled, the expanded hydrocarbon providing cooling to the inlet cooler, the refrigeration turbine being mechanically connected to the gas compressor, a second portion of the compressed hydrocarbon being introduced into a high pressure gas main.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
In combination: an internal combustion engine having inlet air and exhaust gas conduits; an exhaust turbine connected to the exhaust gas conduit and driven by exhaust gas flowing from the engine; an inlet compressor for compressing inlet air, the inlet compressor being driven by the exhaust turbine; an inlet cooler for cooling the compressed inlet air; a gas compressor for compressing a hydrocarbon, the compressed hydrocarbon being divided into at least two portions; a gas cooler for cooling the compressed hydrocarbon; and a refrigeration turbine for expanding a first portion of the compressed hydrocarbon after the compressed hydrocarbon has been cooled, the expanded hydrocarbon providing cooling to the inlet cooler, the refrigeration turbine being mechanically connected to the gas compressor, a second portion of the compressed hydrocarbon being introduced into a high pressure gas main.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 7, further comprising an inlet turbine, the inlet turbine being driven by the compressed inlet air, the inlet turbine being mechanically connected to the refrigeration turbine and the gas compressor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein the gas compressor is driven by the exhaust turbine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 7, further comprising: an inlet turbine, the inlet turbine being driven by the compressed inlet air, the inlet turbine being mechanically connected to the refrigeration turbine and the gas compressor, the gas compressor further being driven by the exhaust turbine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
A combination of claim 7, further comprising a means for collecting hydrocarbon leakage, the collected hydrocarbon leakage being introduced into a hydrocarbon conduit connected to a low pressure portion of the engine intake system, this portion of the engine intake system having a pressure lower than the pressure in the hydrocarbon conduit, thereby causing the collected hydrocarbon leakage to flow into the engine intake system.
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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) | 1996-11-08 | 1997-05-10 | 1997-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-08 | 2001-05-10 | 2001-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-08 | 2005-05-10 | 2005-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |