Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Sales	$ 239,939	$ 200,698	$ 456,045	$ 363,639
Cost of sales	165,810	138,368	314,359	248,823
Gross profit	74,129	62,330	141,686	114,816
Selling, general and administrative expenses	34,726	36,337	75,352	71,199
Amortization expense	3,250	3,288	6,320	6,605
Impairment of intangible assets	3,070	0	3,070	0
Loss on disposal of assets	0	1,216	0	1,216
Operating expenses	41,046	40,841	84,742	79,020
Operating income	33,083	21,489	56,944	35,796
Other expenses (income):
Interest expense, net	3,689	4,063	7,651	7,997
Financing costs amortization	556	324	877	649
Foreign currency (losses) gains	1,770	616	1,418	(143)
Other nonoperating income (expense)	6,015	5,003	9,946	8,503
Income before income taxes	27,068	16,486	46,998	27,293
Income tax expense	8,932	5,466	14,710	8,870
Net income	18,136	11,020	32,288	18,423
Noncontrolling interest, net of tax	200	429	269	302
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc.	17,936	10,591	32,019	18,121
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share – basic	$ 0.60	$ 0.36	$ 1.08	$ 0.63
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share – diluted	$ 0.59	$ 0.35	$ 1.06	$ 0.61
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	29,797	29,202	29,695	28,986
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted	30,200	29,966	30,130	29,823
Comprehensive income, net of tax	14,693	12,304	31,109	25,833
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	200	429	269	302
Comprehensive income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc., net of tax	$ 14,493	$ 11,875	$ 30,840	$ 25,531