Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Sales	$ 794,585	$ 555,455	$ 597,458
Cost of sales	549,139	390,156	395,577
Gross profit	245,446	165,299	201,881
Selling, general and administrative expenses	140,535	104,973	95,601
Amortization expense	13,376	11,049	10,716
Asset impairment	1,218	1,773	1,230
Loss on disposal of assets	323	0	0
Operating expenses, total	155,452	117,795	107,547
Operating income	89,994	47,504	94,334
Other expense (income):
Interest expense, net	23,371	16,196	15,817
Amortization of deferred financing costs	4,383	3,063	1,616
Foreign currency (gain) loss	(734)	871	(687)
Gain on acquisition of business	0	(1,124)	(6,954)
Other nonoperating income	27,020	19,006	9,792
Income before income taxes	62,974	28,498	84,542
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	21,221	17,338	25,137
Deferred	(2,491)	(9,345)	(1,751)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	18,730	7,993	23,386
Net income	44,244	20,505	61,156
Noncontrolling interest, net of taxes	168	345	145
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc.	$ 44,076	$ 20,160	$ 61,011
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share - basic	$ 1.51	$ 0.71	$ 2.14
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share - diluted	$ 1.47	$ 0.69	$ 2.11
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	29,165	28,534	28,457
Diluted	29,913	29,255	28,981