The invention relates to a method for transporting heat-sensitive products in a refrigerated lorry of the indirect injection type, wherein the temperature T.sub.int inside the storage chamber is regulated by varying the pinch of the exchanger (Pinch=T.sub.int−TFluid outflow) according to the position of the internal temperature T.sub.int in relation to a temperature set value.

In some embodiments, a package for cooling a product includes an exterior package wall, an interior package wall coupled to the exterior package wall and defining an interior cavity for retaining the product and an opening for receiving the product into the interior cavity, a coolant supply unit configured to be activated to introduce coolant into a space between the interior package wall and the exterior package wall, and an electronic monitoring device including a temperature sensor and a control unit configured to activate the coolant supply unit to introduce the coolant into the space between the interior package wall and the exterior package wall in response to a detection by the electronic monitoring device that a temperature in the interior cavity is above a predetermined threshold. Systems and methods of cooling a product are also described.

A freezer for a food product, includes a housing having an internal space with a processing atmosphere for reducing a temperature of the food product; and a pressure balance apparatus in communication with the processing atmosphere to restrict atmosphere external to the freezer from reaching the internal space, the pressure balance apparatus comprising at least one sensor exposed to the processing atmosphere for generating a first signal indicating an amount of oxygen (O.sub.2) sensed at the internal space, and a blower disposed to direct a pressurized flow of the processing atmosphere to the internal space responsive to the first signal. A related method is also provided.

The invention relates to a freezing machine (150) for freezing samples, encompassing: a freezing device (140) for freezing a sample received in the freezing machine (150); a container (100) for receiving the frozen sample, having a reservoir (105) for liquid nitrogen; and a transfer apparatus for transferring the frozen sample from the freezing device (140) into the container (100), the container (100) comprising at least two receiving devices (104), separated from one another, each for at least one frozen sample; a selection apparatus being provided for selecting one of the receiving devices (104) for a frozen sample that is to be transferred into the container (100), the freezing machine (150) being configured to carry out the transfer of the frozen sample, by means of the transfer apparatus, into the respectively selected receiving device (104) of the container (100); and to a method for transferring frozen samples into a container provided therefor.

The present invention provides a rare earth cold accumulating material particle comprising a rare earth oxide or a rare earth oxysulfide, wherein the rare earth cold accumulating material particle is composed of a sintered body; an average crystal grain size of the sintered body is 0.5 to 5 μm; a porosity of the sintered body is 10 to 50 vol. %; and an average pore size of the sintered body is 0.3 to 3 μm. Further, it is preferable that the porosity of the rare earth cold accumulating material particle is 20 to 45 vol. %, and a maximum pore size of the rare earth cold accumulating material particle is 4 μm or less. Due to this structure, there can be provided a rare earth cold accumulating material having a high refrigerating capacity and a high strength.

A cryocooler includes a displacer, a cylinder that forms an expansion space, a Scotch yoke mechanism configured to drive the displacer in a reciprocating manner, a first rod that extends from the Scotch yoke mechanism, a housing that includes an assist chamber, a rotary valve configured to switch between a state in which the expansion space and a discharge side of a compressor are connected and the assist chamber and a suction side of the compressor are connected and a state in which the expansion space and the suction side of the compressor are connected and the assist chamber and the discharge side of the compressor are connected, a motor configured to drive the Scotch yoke mechanism and the rotary valve, and an on-off valve configured to open and close a gas flow path through which the rotary valve and the assist chamber are connected.

A freezer includes a plurality of shelves in an insulated payload bay; a plurality of evaporators coupled to the payload bay with a multiplicity of coolant tubes in each evaporator, wherein each tube enters and then exits the payload bay, further comprising one or more cryogenic valves coupled to the coolant tubes; a pump to force coolant flowing through the evaporators with a pressure of at least 90 psi to supply the coolant at each evaporator with at least 20 gallons per hour of coolant; and a plurality of fans to circulate cooled air in the payload bay.

A shipping vessel includes a cryogenic tank secured to the shipping foundation; a payload bay to receive products therein; a tube connected to the cryogenic tank and thermally coupled to the payload bay; a housing secured to the shipping foundation, said housing covering the tube and the payload bay to thermally seal the payload bay from outside environment; a controller mounted on the housing and having a sensor to determine temperature in a closed-loop and maintaining a set point within a predetermined range; and an energy storage device coupled to the controller and electronics to provide power for a predetermined shipping period.

A delivery apparatus and method for delivering liquid cryogen to a chilling application includes a liquid cryogen feed tank; a liquid cryogen conduit in fluid communication between the feed tank and the application, wherein the feed tank is in fluid communication with a vessel which is in fluid communication with the conduit between the feed tank and the application; a weight measurement device for controlling the weight of liquid cryogen to be delivered to the application through the conduit; a flow controller for controlling the speed of delivery of the liquid cryogen to the application; wherein the application utilizes the liquid cryogen and produces an exhaust gas; a device for measuring the temperature of the exhaust gas, the device in operative communication with the flow controller; wherein the flow controller is configured to vary the speed of delivery of liquid cryogen from the vessel through the conduit in response to the temperature of the exhaust gas.

A method is provided of operating a cryogenic cooling system, in which a target region for receiving a sample is cooled by a dilution refrigerator containing an operational fluid. Firstly any operational fluid is removed from the dilution refrigerator. Target apparatus comprising the sample is loaded from a high temperature location to the target region. The target apparatus is then pre-cooled in the target region to a first temperature using a mechanical refrigerator. The operational fluid is then supplied to the dilution refrigerator and the dilution refrigerator operated so as to cool the target apparatus in the target location to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. A suitable system for performing the method is also disclosed.