Patent US3593537A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3593537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process and apparatus for rapidly cooling a small thermal load
Assignee: Cryogenic Technology Inc
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Filing: 1969-04-07
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A small thermal load such as an infrared detector is exposed to a high-pressure inert fluid contained within a small highpressure vessel. A valve-controlled vent tube extending through the wall of the vessel provides means for controllably bleeding off fluid from the vessel and hence for rapidly developing refrigeration. The fluid bled off may be circulated around the vessel surface to minimize loss of refrigeration in cooling the vessel wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Stuart
- 👤 Walter H Hogan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:50
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D3/00; F25D3/10; G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/06; G01J5/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A rapid cooldown refrigeration device comprising in combination a. a high-pressure vessel adapted to contain fluid under high pressure and formed of a material having low thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperatures; b. high-pressure fluid within said vessel, c. a load to be refrigerated having at least a portion of its surface within said vessel directly exposed to said highpressure fluid; and d. a valve-controlled fluid conduit extending within said vessel and positioned to be directed at and close to said load, said fluid conduct providing communication between the interior and exterior of said vessel, whereby when high-pressure fluid is rapidly discharged from said vessel said fluid undergoes rapiD cooling and refrigerate said load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A rapid cooldown refrigeration device comprising in combination a. a high-pressure vessel adapted to contain fluid under high pressure and formed of a material having low thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperatures; b. high-pressure fluid within said vessel, c. a load to be refrigerated having at least a portion of its surface within said vessel directly exposed to said highpressure fluid; and d. a valve-controlled fluid conduit extending within said vessel and positioned to be directed at and close to said load, said fluid conduct providing communication between the interior and exterior of said vessel, whereby when high-pressure fluid is rapidly discharged from said vessel said fluid undergoes rapiD cooling and refrigerate said load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A refrigeration device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vessel is spherical in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A refrigeration device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vessel is spherical with an integral elongated neck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A refrigeration device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said load is an infrared detector mounted on a window forming a portion of the wall of said vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A refrigeration device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vessel is formed of a glass fiber-reinforced synthetic resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A refrigeration device in accordance with claim 1 including means to define a fluid passage around at least a portion of the outer surface of said vessel and connecting means to connect said conduit means with said fluid passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A refrigeration device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said connecting means has fluid flow control means associated therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
An infrared detector adapted for very rapid cooldown, comprising in combination a. a high-pressure vessel adapted to contain fluid under high pressure and formed of a material having low thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperatures; b. a window transparent to infrared radiation sealed into the wall of said vessel and forming a part thereof; c. infrared-detecting means internal of said vessel and mounted on the surface of said window; d. high-pressure fluid within said vessel; and e. a valve-controlled fluid conduit communicating between the interior and exterior of said vessel, said conduit being directed at and close to said infrared-detecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
An infrared detector adapted for very rapid cooldown, comprising in combination a. a high-pressure vessel adapted to contain fluid under high pressure and formed of a material having low thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperatures; b. a window transparent to infrared radiation sealed into the wall of said vessel and forming a part thereof; c. infrared-detecting means internal of said vessel and mounted on the surface of said window; d. high-pressure fluid within said vessel; and e. a valve-controlled fluid conduit communicating between the interior and exterior of said vessel, said conduit being directed at and close to said infrared-detecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
An infrared detector in accordance with claim 8 including means to define a fluid passage around at least a portion of the outer surface of said vessel and connecting means to connect said conduit means with said fluid passage.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of rapidly cooling a small refrigeration load comprising the steps of a. exposing a load to be refrigerated to a volume of high-pressure fluid contained within a high-pressure vessel; and b. discharging said fluid from said volume from a point adjacent said load in said volume at a sufficiently rapid rate to effect isentropic expansion of said fluid, whereby said load is cooled through direct contact with the insentropically expanded fluid.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of rapidly cooling a small refrigeration load comprising the steps of a. exposing a load to be refrigerated to a volume of high-pressure fluid contained within a high-pressure vessel; and b. discharging said fluid from said volume from a point adjacent said load in said volume at a sufficiently rapid rate to effect isentropic expansion of said fluid, whereby said load is cooled through direct contact with the insentropically expanded fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 in which the discharged fluid is circulated around at least a portion of the external wall of said high-pressure vessel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said load is an infrared detector affixed to a window forming a part of the wall of said vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |