초록 ▼

A cryogen supply system for supplying either gaseous state cryogen or liquid state cryogen. The cryogen supply system includes a thermally insulated fluid container for holding a volume of cryogenic liquid. A gas inlet port is formed in the fluid container so that gas from an external source can be

A cryogen supply system for supplying either gaseous state cryogen or liquid state cryogen. The cryogen supply system includes a thermally insulated fluid container for holding a volume of cryogenic liquid. A gas inlet port is formed in the fluid container so that gas from an external source can be introduced therein. Inside the fluid container is a cooling module having a gas inlet opening for receiving gas introduced into the fluid container. The gas that flows into the gas inlet opening flows into a heat exchanger located at the base of the fluid container. The heat exchanger is connected to a manifold that, in turn, is connected to an outlet line. A liquid inlet line, having a liquid inlet opening in the base of the fluid container is also connected to the manifold. Gas flow from the heat exchanger to the manifold and from the liquid intake to the manifold is controlled by appropriate valve means. The outlet line is connected to a heating module in which the fluid flowing through may be heated to a selected temperature. The pressure of the gas introduced into the fluid container forces gas into the inlet line and the heat exchanger, where it is cooled to a temperature at or just above that of the cryogenic liquid, and also forces cryogenic liquid into the liquid inlet line.

대표청구항 ▼

A cryogen supply system comprising: A. a fluid container for containing a volume of liquid cryogen, said fluid container having a gas region containing a gas in fluid communication with said liquid cryogen; B. an exterior housing external to said fluid container, the volume between said exterior hou

A cryogen supply system comprising: A. a fluid container for containing a volume of liquid cryogen, said fluid container having a gas region containing a gas in fluid communication with said liquid cryogen; B. an exterior housing external to said fluid container, the volume between said exterior housing and said fluid container defining a vacuum space, said exterior housing having a vacuum port to facilitate evacuation of said vacuum space; C. a radiation shield exterior to said fluid container and interior to said exterior housing to shield said fluid container from thermal radiation; D. support means for supporting said radiation shield within said exterior housing in spaced apart relation; E. a fluid chamber support for supporting said fluid chamber within said exterior housing: F. a fluid input tube extending from the interior of said fluid chamber through said exterior housing for facilitating the introduction of liquid cryogen into said fluid chamber from outside said exterior housing; and G. a gas input tube extending from the gas region of said fluid container through said exterior housing for facilitating the introduction of gas into said gas region to, in turn, facilitate the forcing the flow of gas into said gas inlet and through said cooling module; H. a gas inlet for facilitating the input of gas into said gas region of said fluid container to thereby force the flow of gas into said gas inlet and through said cooling module; I. an outlet; and J. a cooling module positioned within said fluid container comprising: i. a heat exchanger comprising a tubular heat conductive helix formed within an elongated ring of thermally-conductive material located in said fluid container so as to be normally immersed in said liquid cryogen; ii. a gas inlet positioned in said gas region for facilitating flow of gas from said gas region to said heat exchanger; iii. an exit connected to said outlet; iv. a gas control valve for controlling the flow of gas between said heat exchanger and said exit to facilitate flow of gas from said gas region to said outlet through said heat exchanger to facilitate cooling of said gas by said liquid cryogen; and v. a liquid transfer element comprising a liquid input positioned so as to be normally immersed in said liquid cryogen and a liquid control valve for controlling the flow of liquid cryogen between said liquid input and said exit; K. a gas valve control means extending from said gas control valve through said exterior housing for facilitating the control of said gas control valve; L. a liquid valve control means extending from said liquid control valve through said exterior housing for facilitating the control of said liquid control valve; and M. a controllable heater connected to said outlet for controllably heating the gas expelled through said outlet, comprising: i. a conduit having a heater inlet connected to said fluid outlet, a heater outlet and means defining a helical passageway between said heater inlet and said heater outlet, comprising: a. an exterior cylinder in thermal contact with said heating means and having an interior surface; b. an interior cylinder situated interiorly of said exterior cylinder and having a helical groove defined in its exterior surface for defining, in combination with the interior surface of said exterior cylinder, said passageway ii. controllable heating means situated exteriorly of said conduit in thermal contact therewith for heating said conduit to thereby heat the interior of said passageway; iii. thermal sensing means proximate said conduit for sensing the temperature of said gas passing therethrough; and iv. temperature control means responsive to said thermal control means for controlling said heating means.