A liquid supply system that can supply liquid efficiently with reduced time needed for precooling. The liquid supply system includes a first fluid channel through which cryogenic liquid flows from an inlet 130b to an outlet 130c via a first pump chamber P1 and a second fluid channel through which cryogenic liquid flows from the inlet 130b to the outlet 130c via a second pump chamber P2. The height of the location at which the direction of the first fluid channel changes from the vertically upward direction to the vertically downward direction and the location at which the direction of the second fluid channel changes from the vertically upward direction to the vertically downward direction are the same.

A heat insulation structure and a liquid supply system that can prevent breakage of a heat insulation member while providing satisfactory heat insulation. The heat insulation structure includes heat insulation members 520 provided between two components and having heat conductivity lower than the two components and a slidable member 530 slidable on the heat insulation member 520. At least two of the heat insulation members 520 are arranged along the direction of compression by the two components, and at least one of the slidable member 530 is disposed between the heat insulation members which are adjacent to each other. The heat insulation members 520 and the slidable member 530 are allowed to be displaced in directions perpendicular to the direction of compression.

A pumping mechanism is disclosed. The pumping mechanism may include a barrel formed of a barrel substrate and including a first end surface, a second end surface opposite the first end surface, and a bore between the first and second end surfaces. Each of the first and second end surfaces and the bore is coated with a metal plating. The pumping mechanism may further include a plunger formed of a plunger substrate and configured to be slidably disposed in the bore in barrel, the plunger substrate having a tribological coating.

The invention relates to a fluid compression apparatus comprising a first and a second compression chamber, an intake system communicating with the first compression chamber, a transfer system communicating with the first and second compression chambers, and a mobile piston for ensuring the compression of the fluid in the first and second compression chambers. The apparatus further comprises a discharge port which communicates with the second compression chamber and is configured to allow the outlet of compressed fluid, wherein the second compression chamber is defined by a part of the body of the piston and a fixed wall of the apparatus, the piston being translationally mobile according to a longitudinal direction, the piston having a tubular portion mounted around a fixed central guide, a terminal end of the central guide forming the fixed wall defining a part of the second compression chamber. The apparatus further comprises a sealing system formed between the central guide and the piston according to the longitudinal direction of translation of the piston, the intake system being located at a first end of the apparatus, the discharge port being located at a second end of the apparatus and the transfer system being located between the intake system and the discharge port.

A pump is disclosed. The pump may include at least one pumping mechanism. The at least one pumping mechanism may include a barrel formed of a substrate having a bore and a plunger formed of a substrate and slidably disposed within the bore in the barrel. The pump may further include a coating disposed on the plunger. The coating may include a main layer containing a tribological material and a sacrificial break-in layer disposed on the main layer, the break-in layer containing a tribological material.

The invention relates to a fluid compression apparatus having a plurality of compression stages, comprising a first compression chamber, a second compression chamber, an intake system communicating with the first compression chamber which is configured to allow fluid to be compressed into said first compression chamber, a transfer system configured to allow in an open position the transfer of fluid from the first compression chamber to the second compression chamber, a mobile piston for ensuring the compression of the fluid in the first and second compression chambers. The apparatus further comprises a discharge port which communicates with the second compression chamber and is configured to allow the exit of compressed fluid, the piston being translationally mobile in a longitudinal direction, wherein the first compression chamber is defined by a fixed lower cavity, a lower end of the piston and a first sealing system formed between the piston and a wall of the cavity, wherein the second compression chamber is defined by a fixed upper cavity, an upper end of the piston and a second sealing system formed between the piston and a wall of the upper cavity. The invention is characterized in that, in the operating configuration of the apparatus, the longitudinal direction of translation of the mobile piston is vertical, the intake system being located at a lower end of the apparatus and the discharge port being located in an upper part of the apparatus above the transfer system.

A pumping mechanism is disclosed. The pumping mechanism may include a barrel formed of a barrel substrate and including a first end surface, a second end surface opposite the first end surface, and a bore between the first and second end surfaces. Each of the first and second end surfaces and the bore is coated with a metal plating. The pumping mechanism may further include a plunger formed of a plunger substrate and configured to be slidably disposed in the bore in barrel, the plunger substrate having a tribological coating.