US3656540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and system for dissipating the heat generated by electronic control devices in cryogenic installations
Assignee: Linde GmbH
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Filing: 1969-11-18
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Granted: 1972-04-18
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Expires: 1989-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of and a system for dissipating the heat produced by electronic components, especially motor-control thyristors (silicon-controlled rectifiers) used in motor-control circuits in cryogenic installations. A part of the cooled fluid circulated in the installation is diverted from its circulation or displacement path and used to cool the power thyristors which are employed in frequency inverters and like electronic circuitry used to control the speeds of compressor motors of such installations. The thyristor may be mounted in vaporizer or evaporator of the cryogenic installation which preferably is a refrigeration unit or system for the low-temperature rectification of air or other gas mixtures.
Inventors
- 👤 Helmut Henrici
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:09
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/40; H10W40/47; F; F25; F25B; F25B5/00; F25B5/02; F28; F28D; F28D21/00; H10W40/30; H10W40/305; F28D2021/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of operating a cryogenic installation comprising a vapor/liquid refrigerant cycle including a compressor an electric mOtor coupled with said cycle for driving same and a frequency inverter circuit having at least one thyristor carrying load current of the motor, said refrigerant cycle including means forming a recirculation path for a refrigerant at a temperature below ambient, said method comprising the steps of cooling said thyristor by diverting a portion of said refrigerant from said path into heat-exchanging relationship with said thyristors returning said portion to said path upon cooling of said thyristors and adjusting the proportion of refrigerant diverted from said path in response to the temperature of the thyristor to maintain said temperature substantially constant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of operating a cryogenic installation comprising a vapor/liquid refrigerant cycle including a compressor an electric mOtor coupled with said cycle for driving same and a frequency inverter circuit having at least one thyristor carrying load current of the motor, said refrigerant cycle including means forming a recirculation path for a refrigerant at a temperature below ambient, said method comprising the steps of cooling said thyristor by diverting a portion of said refrigerant from said path into heat-exchanging relationship with said thyristors returning said portion to said path upon cooling of said thyristors and adjusting the proportion of refrigerant diverted from said path in response to the temperature of the thyristor to maintain said temperature substantially constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said cycle includes a cold-water circulation path, said thyristor being mounted on a heat sink formed in said cold-water path with a passage, said fluid being cold water branched from said cold-water path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said portion of said refrigerant is passed in heat-exchanging relationship with said motor for cooling same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said refrigerant is alternately vaporized and liquefied in said vapor/liquid cycle, said refrigerant being passed in heat-exchanging relationship with said thyristor by vaporizing said refrigerant from the liquid state in a passage formed in a heat sink for said thyristor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cryogenic installation comprising an electric motor forming part of a vapor/liquid refrigerant fluid displacement system having a circulation path for at least one recirculated cool fluid at a temperature below ambient temperature, a variable-frequency inverter connected to said motor and having power thyristors carrying the load current of said motor, means for branching a portion of said fluid from said path and passing said portion into heat-exchanging relationship with said thyristors, and means responsive to the temperature of said thyristors for controlling the proportion of said fluid branched from said path to form said portion and to maintain said temperature substantially constant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cryogenic installation comprising an electric motor forming part of a vapor/liquid refrigerant fluid displacement system having a circulation path for at least one recirculated cool fluid at a temperature below ambient temperature, a variable-frequency inverter connected to said motor and having power thyristors carrying the load current of said motor, means for branching a portion of said fluid from said path and passing said portion into heat-exchanging relationship with said thyristors, and means responsive to the temperature of said thyristors for controlling the proportion of said fluid branched from said path to form said portion and to maintain said temperature substantially constant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The installation defined in claim 5 wherein said thyristors are mounted upon at least one heat sink provided with a fluid passage, said portion of said cool fluid being passed through said passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The installation defined in claim 6, comprising a liquid/vapor refrigerant cycle including a compressor driven by said motor for alternately liquefying and vaporizing a refrigerant upon circulation through said cycle, said refrigerant constituting said fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The installation defined in claim 7 wherein said heat sink forms part of an evaporator connected in said cycle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The installation defined in claim 7, further comprising means for vaporizing liquid refrigerant of said cycle into said passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The installation defined in claim 5, further comprising valve means connected in said path and controlled by said means responsive to temperature for regulating the proportion of said refrigerant branched through said passage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The installation defined in claim 7, further comprising a secondary coolant cycle in heat-exchanging relationship with said refrigerant and including a liquid coolant circulation path provided with a pump for displacing said liquid coolant, said liquid coolant constituting said fluid, said liquid coolant path including valve means controlled by said temperature-sensitive mans for branching a portion of said liquid coolant through said passage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The installation defined in claim 11 further comprising means for conducting at least part of said cool fluid in heat-exchanging relationship with said motor to cool the same.
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) | 1975-04-18 | 1975-10-18 | 1976-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-18 | 1979-10-18 | 1980-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-18 | 1983-10-18 | 1984-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |