Method and apparatus for pressurizing a liquefied gas
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H01L-035/50
H01L-035/28
H01L-035/34
F25B-021/02
출원번호
US-0290809
(2002-11-08)
발명자
/ 주소
Bingham, Dennis N.
출원인 / 주소
Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
대리인 / 주소
Trask Britt PC
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
2인용 특허 :
9
초록▼
Apparatus providing at least one thermoelectric device for pressurizing a liquefied gas container and methods employing same are disclosed. A thermoelectric device including a heating surface and a cooling surface is used for pressurizing a container by vaporizing liquefied gas within the container
Apparatus providing at least one thermoelectric device for pressurizing a liquefied gas container and methods employing same are disclosed. A thermoelectric device including a heating surface and a cooling surface is used for pressurizing a container by vaporizing liquefied gas within the container by transferring heat energy from a portion of the liquefied gas in contact with the cooling surface to another portion of the liquefied gas in contact with the heating surface of the thermoelectric device to convert some of the liquefied gas to a vapor state. Liquefied gas vapor and/or liquid phase may be supplied by disclosed apparatus and methods. The apparatus may also be used as a vapor pump or a liquid pump, or fluid pump. Methods of operation are also disclosed.
대표청구항▼
1. An apparatus for pressurizing a liquefied gas, comprising:a container configured for receiving a gas in a liquid state therein and maintaining an elevated level of pressure therein relative to an exterior environment; and a thermoelectric device having a cooling surface and a heating surface and
1. An apparatus for pressurizing a liquefied gas, comprising:a container configured for receiving a gas in a liquid state therein and maintaining an elevated level of pressure therein relative to an exterior environment; and a thermoelectric device having a cooling surface and a heating surface and configured to transfer heat energy therebetween, the cooling surface located and configured for contact with a first portion of the liquid state of the gas received in the container and the heating surface located and configured for contact with a second, different portion of the liquid state of the gas received in the container to transfer heat energy from the first portion of the liquid state to the second, different portion thereof and effect transformation of at least some of the second portion to a vapor state. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device is of a tubular configuration having a bore and includes an inner surface defining at least a portion of the bore and an outer surface.3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein one of the inner surface and the outer surface comprises the cooling surface and the other of the inner surface and the outer surface comprises the heating surface.4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a structure at one end of the tubular configuration for controlling entry of the liquid state of the gas thereinto.5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising another structure proximate an opposing end of the tubular configuration for controlling exit of vapor state gas therefrom.6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising another structure positioned and configured for controlling exit of the liquid state of the gas from the tubular configuration.7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the heating surface and the cooling surface of the thermoelectric device includes a plurality of fins for effecting heat transfer therewith.8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least another thermoelectric device having a cooling surface and a heating surface and configured to transfer heat energy therebetween, the cooling surface located and configured for contact with a first portion of the liquid state of the gas received in the container and the heating surface located and configured for contact with a second, different portion of the liquid state of the gas received in the container to transfer heat energy from the first portion of the liquid state to the second, different portion thereof and effect transformation of the second different portion to a vapor state.9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tubular configuration is pivotally attached to a bottom interior of the container.10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the thermoelectric device further includes a float for at least partially buoyantly supporting the thermoelectric device via the liquid state of the gas.11. The apparatus of claim 10, further including an upright shaft secured to the container, and wherein the thermoelectric device is slidably secured to the shaft.12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device forms at least a portion of the container.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the heating surface of the thermoelectric device defines a passage proximate a bottom of the container.14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the thermoelectric device further includes an upwardly extending tubular passage in communication with the passage proximate the bottom of the container.15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device extends along at least a portion of a circumference of the container.16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the thermoelectric device comprises a portion of a wall of the container, the cooling surface faces outwardly on one side of the wall, the heating surface faces outwardly on an opposing side of the wall and wherein the wall includes an aperture therethrough positioned to provide communication of the liquid state between the sides of the wall.17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the heating surface comprises a portion of a passage extending along an exterior of the container.18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the heating surface faces an ullage chamber within the container.19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric device comprises at least a portion of an interface between a liquid chamber of the container and an ullage chamber of the container.20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the liquid chamber and the ullage chamber are laterally adjacent, and further including at least one conduit extending between lower portions of the liquid chamber and the ullage chamber and at least another conduit extending between upper portions of the liquid chamber and the ullage chamber.21. A method for pressurizing a liquefied gas container, comprising:providing a container including a gas therein, at least some of the gas being in a liquid state; contacting a first portion of the gas in the liquid state and contacting a second portion of the gas in the liquid state with at least one thermoelectric device; and transferring heat energy from the first portion of the gas in the liquid state to the second portion of the gas in the liquid state using the at least one thermoelectric device to vaporize at least some of the second portion of the gas in the liquid state. 22. The method of claim 21, further including configuring the at least one thermoelectric device as a tube and wherein contacting the first portion of the gas in the liquid state is effected on an exterior of the tube and contacting the second portion of the gas in the liquid state is effected within an interior of the tube.23. The method of claim 21, further comprising controlling a volume of the second portion of gas in the liquid state in contact with the thermoelectric device.24. The method of claim 21, further comprising locating the first portion of the gas in the liquid state in a first chamber of the container, and locating the second portion of the gas in the liquid state in a second chamber of the container.25. The method of claim 21, further including buoyantly supporting the at least one thermoelectric device via the first portion of the gas in the liquid state.26. The method of claim 25, further including permitting the at least one thermoelectric device to move vertically with a level of the first portion of the gas in the liquid state.27. The method of claim 26, further including preventing substantial lateral movement of the at least one thermoelectric device within the container.28. The method of claim 21, further comprising configuring the at least one thermoelectric device as a portion of at least one wall of the container.29. The method of claim 21, further comprising regulating a power input to the at least one thermoelectric device to control a magnitude of pressure within the container.30. The method of claim 29, further comprising sensing the magnitude of pressure within the container and regulating the power input responsive thereto.31. The method of claim 21, further comprising removing at least a portion of the gas from the container.32. The method of claim 31, wherein removing at least a portion of the gas comprises removing the at least a portion of the gas in a vapor state.33. The method of claim 31, wherein removing at least a portion of the gas comprises removing the at least a portion of the gas in the liquid state.34. The method of claim 21, further comprising controlling a volume of the at least some of the second portion of the gas in the liquid state vaporized by the at least one thermoelectric device.35. The method of claim 34, further comprising increasing the pressure of the second portion of the gas in the liquid state by controlling a volume of the second portion of gas in the liquid state placed in contact with the thermoelectric device and controlling the volume of the at least some of the second portion of the gas in the liquid state vaporized by the at least one thermoelectric device.36. The method of claim 35, further comprising removing at least a portion of the gas from the container.37. The method of claim 36, wherein removing at least a portion of the gas comprises removing the at least a portion of the gas in a vapor state.38. The method of claim 36, wherein removing at least a portion of the gas comprises removing the at least a portion of the gas in the liquid state.39. The method of claim 38, wherein removing the at least a portion of the gas in the liquid state comprises transferring the removed at least a portion of the gas in the liquid state to a pressure storage device.40. The method of claim 37, wherein removing the at least a portion of the gas in the vapor state comprises transferring the removed at least a portion of the gas in the vapor state to a pressure storage device.41. An apparatus for pressurizing a liquid, comprising:a container configured for receiving a liquid therein and maintaining an elevated level of pressure therein relative to an exterior environment; and a thermoelectric device having a cooling surface and a heating surface and configured to transfer heat energy therebetween, the cooling surface located and configured for contact with a first portion of the liquid received in the container and the heating surface located and configured for contact with a second, different portion of the liquid received in the container to transfer heat energy from the first portion of the liquid to the second, different portion thereof and effect transformation of at least some of the second portion of the liquid to a gas. 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the thermoelectric device comprises at least a portion of an interface between a liquid chamber of the container and an ullage chamber of the container.43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the thermoelectric device extends along at least a portion of a circumference of the container.44. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the thermoelectric device forms at least a portion of the container.45. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the thermoelectric device is of a tubular configuration having a bore and includes an inner surface defining at least a portion of the bore and an outer surface.46. A method for pressurizing a liquid, comprising:providing a container including a liquid therein; contacting a first portion of the liquid and contacting a second portion of the liquid with at least one thermoelectric device; and transferring heat energy from the first portion of the liquid to the second portion of the liquid using the at least one thermoelectric device to vaporize at least some of the second portion of the liquid. 47. The method of claim 46, further including configuring the at least one thermoelectric device as a tube and wherein contacting the first portion of the liquid is effected on an exterior of the tube and contacting the second portion of the liquid is effect within an interior of the tube.48. The method of claim 46, further comprising controlling a volume of the second portion of the liquid in contact with the thermoelectric device.49. The method of claim 46, further comprising locating the first portion of the liquid in a first chamber of the container, and locating the second portion of the liquid in a second chamber of the container.50. The method of claim 46, further including buoyantly supporting the at least one thermoelectric device via the first portion of the liquid.51. The method of claim 46, further comprising configuring the at least one thermoelectric device as a portion of at least one wall of the container.52. The method of claim 46, further comprising regulating a power input to the at least one thermoelectric device to control a magnitude of pressure within the container.53. The method of claim 46, further comprising removing at least a portion of the liquid from the container.54. The method of claim 46, further comprising controlling a volume of the at least some of the second portion of the liquid vaporized by the at least one thermoelectric device.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (9)
Lee Yong N. (1010 W. Lonnquist Blvd. Mt. Prospect IL 60056), Apparatus for dispensing cooled and heated liquids.
Neubert Wolfgang,DEX, Method of generating sealing steam for a steam turbine, steam power plant having a steam turbine and method of starting up a steam turbine.
Richard J. Udischas ; Benjamin J. Jurcik ; Hwa-Chi Wang ; Robert G. Irwin, System and method for controlled delivery of liquefied gases from a bulk source.
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