Patent classifications
F17C13/006
Liquefier with pressure-controlled liquefaction chamber
A liquefier includes a Dewar having a storage portion and a neck portion extending therefrom. A hermetically isolated liquefaction chamber is disposed within the neck of the Dewar. One or more control components including a temperature and pressure sensor are coupled to a CPU and disposed within the liquefaction chamber for dynamic control of liquefaction conditions. A gas flow control is coupled to the CPU for regulating an input gas flow into the liquefaction chamber. A volume surrounding the liquefaction chamber may be adapted to provide a counter-flow heat exchange. These and other features provide improved liquefaction efficiency among other benefits.
WELDED NOZZLE FOR A TANK CAR
A tank for a railway tank car includes an outer tank, a nozzle, a fittings plate, and a set of pipes. The nozzle protrudes through the outer tank such that an outer edge of the nozzle extends past an exterior surface of the outer tank. An intersection between the nozzle and the outer tank defines an opening in the outer tank. The fittings plate is welded to the nozzle around the outer edge of the nozzle. The set of pipes pass through the fittings plate and into the outer tank through the nozzle. The set of pipes includes pipes to load and/or unload fluid from the tank.
Gas-flow cryostat for dynamic temperature regulation using a fluid level sensor
A gas-flow cryostat adapted for dynamic temperature regulation using a fluid level sensor; the cryostat further including one or more heaters coupled to various components of the cryostat. As fluid evaporates from a liquid cryogen evaporation reservoir within the cryostat, the fluid level sensor and a feedback control unit are adapted to monitor and dynamically control the level of evaporating cryogen by regulating the heaters. Accordingly, the cryostat is adapted to dynamically control temperature about a specimen region within the cryostat. The cryostat can be used in various applications, including analytical laboratory equipment for measuring various physical properties of samples. Temperature sensors are further incorporated for added control and optimization of the cryostat.
Multiaxial thermal dissipation and structurally-compliant device
An apparatus includes a Dewar having an endcap. The apparatus also includes a heat sink and a multiaxial thermal shoe having a thermal interface material and configured to thermally couple the endcap of the Dewar to the heat sink via one of at least two axial surfaces. The multiaxial thermal shoe is configured to transfer thermal energy between the endcap of the Dewar and the heat sink without structurally coupling the Dewar to the heat sink. The multiaxial thermal shoe may be configured to hold the thermal interface material against the endcap. The multiaxial thermal shoe may couple to the heat sink via a first axial surface in-line with an optical centerline or a second axial surface crosswise to the optical centerline.
Dewar drying device
Method, system, apparatus, and/or device for drying a dewar. The dewar drying apparatus includes a heating element. The heating element is configured to produce heat that warms a payload area within the dewar. The dewar drying apparatus includes a controller. The controller is coupled to the heating element and configured to determine or detect a temperature within the payload area of the dewar. The controller is configured to control, using the heating element, the temperature within the payload area of the dewar to evaporate a liquid or a gas within the payload area.
Method of operating a cold cryogenic liquid supply chain
A cryogen storage vessel at an installation is filled with liquid cryogen from a liquid cryogen storage tank that has a pressure lower than that of the vessel. After headspaces of the vessel and tank are placed in fluid communication with another via a gas transfer vessel and are pressure-balanced, a pump in a liquid transfer line connected between the tank and the vessel is operated to transfer amounts of liquid cryogen from the tank to the vessel via the liquid transfer line and pump as amounts of gaseous cryogen are transferred, through displacement by the pumped cryogenic liquid, from the vessel to the tank.
CRYOSTAT, AND METHOD FOR COOLING A CRYOSTAT
A cryostat comprises a vacuum enclosure (101) and, inside said vacuum enclosure, a plurality of nested radiation shields (102, 103). Stages of a cryogen-free cooling system (104) are thermally coupled with and configured to cool respective ones of said plurality of nested radiation shields (102, 103). Inside said vacuum enclosure (101) is a thermally conductive layer (201), at least partly surrounding said plurality of nested radiation shields (102, 103). A compressor-driven refrigerator (202) is thermally coupled with said thermally conductive layer (201) and configured to cool said thermally conductive layer (201).
DEWAR DRYING DEVICE
Method, system, apparatus, and/or device for drying a dewar. The dewar drying apparatus includes a heating element. The heating element is configured to produce heat that warms a payload area within the dewar. The dewar drying apparatus includes a controller. The controller is coupled to the heating element and configured to determine or detect a temperature within the payload area of the dewar. The controller is configured to control, using the heating element, the temperature within the payload area of the dewar to evaporate a liquid or a gas within the payload area.
Systems and methods for shipping cryogenically-frozen materials
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to shipping cases, dewars, and systems for transporting a frozen material. More specifically, the embodiments described herein include and/or enable dewar lid protective systems, data logging enablement, controlled coolant escape, efficient stacking options during transport, spill protection to ensure safe and effective transport of frozen samples and materials among other things. An exemplary use for the systems described herein includes reliable shipping for frozen materials at specified environmental conditions which can be tracked and verified.
VAPOR PLUG LOCKING MECHANISM
A system, method and apparatus, and/or device is provided for securing a vapor plug on a cryogenic storage vessel. The vapor plug locking mechanism includes a vapor plug and a cryogenic storage vessel. The vapor plug has a first interlocking feature. The cryogenic storage vessel has an opening and a neck ring around the opening. The neck ring has a second interlocking feature. The first interlocking feature is configured to selectively overlap the second interlocking feature, wherein the two features selectably engage to retain the vapor plug to the cryogenic storage vessel.