Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Sales	$ 216,106	$ 162,941
Cost of sales	148,549	110,455
Gross profit	67,557	52,486
Selling, general and administrative expenses	40,626	34,862
Amortization expense	3,070	3,317
Operating expenses	43,696	38,179
Operating income	23,861	14,307
Other expenses (income):
Interest expense, net	3,962	3,934
Financing costs amortization	321	325
Foreign currency gains	(352)	(759)
Other nonoperating income (expense)	3,931	3,500
Income before income taxes	19,930	10,807
Income tax expense	5,778	3,404
Net income	14,152	7,403
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax	69	(127)
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc.	14,083	7,530
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share – basic	$ 0.48	$ 0.26
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share – diluted	$ 0.47	$ 0.25
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	29,593	28,768
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted	30,061	29,678
Comprehensive income, net of tax	16,416	13,468
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	69	(127)
Comprehensive income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc., net of tax	$ 16,347	$ 13,595