Systems and methods are provided for in situ observation of reservoirs, such as syringes, during the freeze thaw cycle to allow for more in depth understanding of the behavior of the system. The systems and methods may include an inert environment and/or a low concentration (e.g., on the order of parts per million (ppm)) of water, which may inhibit frost formation.

A device for transferring liquid helium into a usage helium tank of a usage cryostat includes a reservoir cryostat with a vacuum-insulated reservoir helium tank configured to store liquid helium available for filling the usage helium tank, a supply line for liquid helium, and a gaseous helium return line. The supply line proceeds from the vacuum-insulated reservoir helium tank and is connected to the usage helium tank. The gaseous helium return line leads into the vacuum-insulated reservoir helium tank and is connected to the usage helium tank. The device further includes a conveying device configured to convey liquid helium from the vacuum-insulated reservoir helium tank through the supply line into the usage helium tank and further configured to convey gaseous helium from the usage helium tank through the return line into the vacuum-insulated reservoir helium tank.

A method for supplying helium to at least one end user is disclosed by feeding helium from at least one container of helium to an end user through at least one supply system, wherein a mass flow meter and a pressure transmitter, in electronic communication with a programmable logic controller measures an amount of helium being supplied to the at least one user, provides the amount to the programmable logic controller which provides a signal to the at least one end user of an amount of helium that remains in the at least one container and the temperature therein.

A system for dispensing a cryogenic fluid includes a bulk storage tank configured to contain a supply of the cryogenic fluid. A heat exchanger coil is positioned in the headspace of at least one intermediate fluid tank, which contains an intermediate fluid, and is configured to receive and warm a cryogenic fluid from the bulk storage tank via heat exchange with intermediate fluid vapor in the headspace. A buffer tank receives fluid from the heat exchanger coil. A chiller coil is positioned within the intermediate fluid tank and is submerged within intermediate fluid liquid contained within the at least one intermediate fluid tank. The chiller coil receives fluid from the buffer tank and cools it via heat exchange with intermediate fluid liquid within which the chiller coil is submerged for dispensing.

A heat station for a GM or Stirling cycle expander provides a versatile, efficient, and cost effective means of transferring heat from a remote load at cryogenic temperatures that is cooled by a circulating cryogen to the gas in a GM or Stirling cycle expander as it flows between a regenerator and a displaced volume. The heat exchanger comprises a shell that has external and internal fins thermally connected to it that are aligned parallel to the axis of the shell and enclosed in a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port on the bottom of the housing.

A system and method is provided for transferring liquid argon from a bulk storage tank to a transport tank in which liquid argon is pumped through a tube arrangement within a heat exchanger and the tube arrangement is contacted by liquid nitrogen at a temperature less than the temperature of the liquid argon so that heat transfers from the liquid argon to the liquid nitrogen, thereby reducing the temperature, density and pressure of the liquid nitrogen prior to exiting the heat exchanger.

An arrangement for mounting a two stage cryogenic refrigerator into a cryostat has a vacuum sock accommodates at least a part of the refrigerator, attachment means and attaches an upper part of the refrigerator to a surface of the cryostat around an opening of the vacuum sock, a thermally conductive portion of a wall of the vacuum sock that, in use, is thermally and mechanically in contact with a second cooling stage of the refrigerator, and arrangements are provided that thermally connect a first stage of the refrigerator to a thermal radiation shield of the cryostat.

Systems and methods are disclosed for transporting products with an airplane by controlling temperature in a payload bay using cryogenic coolant and a heat exchanger to cool the payload bay and heat from a heater; recycling exhaust from the heat exchanger to power a Stirling engine; charging a storage device with power from the Stirling engine; housing the payload bay as part of a modular, stackable module in an aircraft bay for transportation; and venting exhaust gas to an exterior of the airplane.

A method of generating a pressurized, sub-cooled mixed-phase cryogen is disclosed, including providing a cryogenic system including a reservoir containing a liquid cryogen; and a heat exchange coil immersed in the liquid cryogen, the heat exchange coil having an input end and an output end not immersed in the liquid cryogen; introducing a pressurized gas cryogen to the input end of the heat exchange coil; cooling the pressurized gas cryogen within the heat exchange coil; and collecting the pressurized gas cryogen at an output end of the heat exchange coil.

An arrangement for mounting a two stage cryogenic refrigerator (17) into a cryostat, the arrangement comprising a vacuum sock (15) for accommodating at least a part of the refrigerator, attachment means (32, 34) for attaching an upper part of the refrigerator to a surface (14) of the cryostat around an opening of the vacuum sock, a thermally conductive portion (26) of a wall of the vacuum sock which, in use, is thermally and mechanically in contact with a second cooling stage (24) of the refrigerator, and arrangements (40, 42) are provided for thermally connecting a first stage (22) of the refrigerator to a thermal radiation shield (16) of the cryostat.