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US3729946A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Cryogenic liquid handling system

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-26
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Granted: 1973-05-01
•
Expires: 1991-05-26
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Abstract

Abstract A cryogenic liquid handling system for infrared detection or the like having a cryogenic liquid supply container which is insulated in part by the flow of cryogenic vapor existing above the liquid level, a two phase flow generator in the container, a heated delivery line to maintain the two phase flow and a separator at the point of use, including a vapor feedback passage to prevent the formation of frost in the lens of the infrared detection system.

Inventors

  • 👤 A Massey

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 04:35
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C9/00; F17C2203/00; F17C2203/03; F17C2203/0304; F17C2203/0308; F17C2203/0316; F17C2203/0329; F17C2203/0333; F17C2205/00; F17C2205/03; F17C2205/0302; F17C2205/0323; F17C2205/0326; F17C2205/0329; F17C2205/0332; F17C2205/0338; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/01; F17C2221/012; F17C2221/014; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/0161; F17C2223/03; F17C2223/033; F17C2227/00; F17C2227/03; F17C2227/0367; F17C2227/0369; F17C2227/0376; F17C2227/0381; F17C2227/0388; F17C2227/039; F17C2250/00; F17C2250/04; F17C2250/0404; F17C2250/0408; F17C2250/0417; F17C2250/0439; F17C2250/06; F17C2250/0605; F17C2250/0631; F17C2270/00; F17C2270/05; F17C2270/0509; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/32; Y10; Y10S; Y10S62/00; Y10S62/19

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 113 words
A cryogenic liquid handling system, comprising; a. storage means for containing a cryogenic fluid, b. conduit means for conveying said cryogenic fluid from said storage means to a point of use, c. spheroid generator means for developing cryogenic liquid spheroids surrounded by a gas vapor for propelling said spheroid through said conduit means, and d. means for maintaining the flow of said spheroids surrounded by said gas vapor along substantially the entire extent of conduit means from said storage means to said point of use, said means comprising first heater means for supplying heat to said conduit means along substantially the entire extent thereof from said storage means to said point of use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 113 words
A cryogenic liquid handling system, comprising; a. storage means for containing a cryogenic fluid, b. conduit means for conveying said cryogenic fluid from said storage means to a point of use, c. spheroid generator means for developing cryogenic liquid spheroids surrounded by a gas vapor for propelling said spheroid through said conduit means, and d. means for maintaining the flow of said spheroids surrounded by said gas vapor along substantially the entire extent of conduit means from said storage means to said point of use, said means comprising first heater means for supplying heat to said conduit means along substantially the entire extent thereof from said storage means to said point of use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein; e. said spheroid generator means is located in said storage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 57 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising; e. insulating means surrounding said storage means, and f. heat exchange means embedded in said insulating means for communicating the vapor space of said storage means to the environment whereby heat from said environment is absorbed by said heat exchange means to prevent its absorbtion by said storage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 46 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein; e. said first heater means is attached to said conduit means in such a manner that the heat added thereto progressively decreases from a maximum at said storage means end to a minimum at said point of use end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
The system according to claim 4, wherein; f. said first heater means comprises a plurality of resistance heating elements in surrounding relation to said conduit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system according to claim 5, wherein; g. said heating elements are helically wrapped about said conduit means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 40 words
The system according to claim 6, further comprising; h. heat sensing means responsive to the temperature of said conduit means, and i. heater control means for actuating said first heater means in response to signals from said heat sensing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 40 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising; e. heat sensing means responsive to the temperature of said conduit means, and f. heater control means for actuating said first heater means in response to signals from said heat sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 46 words
The system according to claim 8, wherein; g. said first heater means is attached to said conduit means in such a manner that the heat added thereto progressively decreases from a maximum at said storage means end to a minimum at said point of use end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 30 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein; e. said spheroid generator means comprises a flared frusto-conical opening in communication with said conduit means and second heater means adjacent said opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 42 words
The system according to claim 10, further comprising; f. heat sensing means responsive to the temperature of said conduit means, and g. heat control means for actuating said first and second heater means in response to signals from said heat sensing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 43 words
The system according to claim 11, wherein; h. said first heater means is so related to said conduit means that the heat added thereto progressively decreases from a maximum at said storage means end to a minimum at said point of use end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 26 words
The system according to claim 12, wherein; i. said first heater means comprises a plurality of resistance heating elements in surrounding relation to said conduit means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system according to claim 13, wherein; j. said heating elements are helically wrapped about said conduit means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 24 words
The system according to claim 1, further comprising; e. means for separating said liquid spheroids from said gas vapor at said point of use.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 51 words
The system according to claim 15, wherein; f. said means for separating comprises a funnel shaped member having an opening at the lowermost portion thereof for collecting by gravity the heavier liquid spheroids and a vent tube above said funnel shaped member for allowing the lighter gas vapor to escape therethrough.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 43 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein; e. said point of use comprises a cryogenic liquid container adapted to cool an infrared detector, and there is further provided; f. means in said container for separating said cryogenic liquid spheroids from said gas vapor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 51 words
The system according to claim 17, wherein; g. said means for separating comprises a funnel shaped member having an opening at the lowermost portion thereof for collecting by gravity the heavier liquid spheroids and a vent tube above said funnel shaped member for allowing the lighter gas vapor to escape therethrough.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 75 words
The system according to claim 18, further comprising; h. an infrared detector assembly in heat exchange relation with said cryogenic liquid container, said assembly comprising; i. an infrared detector, j. a lens spaced from said detector, and wherein; k. said vent tube communicates with the space between said detector and said lens whereby the temperature in said space is brought to substantially that of the environment to prevent the formation of frost on said lens.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 103 words
A cryogenic liquid handling system, comprising; a. a cryogenic liquid container, b. a light sensitive detector in heat exchange relationship with said container, c. transparent means spaced from said detector for transmitting light thereto, d. a vent tube communicating with said container and the space between said detector and said transparent means whereby the temperature in said space is brought to substantially that of the environment to prevent the formation of frost on said transparent means and e. a funnel shaped separator in said container having and opening at the lowermost portion thereof for collecting by gravity cryogenic liquid flowing into said container.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 103 words
A cryogenic liquid handling system, comprising; a. a cryogenic liquid container, b. a light sensitive detector in heat exchange relationship with said container, c. transparent means spaced from said detector for transmitting light thereto, d. a vent tube communicating with said container and the space between said detector and said transparent means whereby the temperature in said space is brought to substantially that of the environment to prevent the formation of frost on said transparent means and e. a funnel shaped separator in said container having and opening at the lowermost portion thereof for collecting by gravity cryogenic liquid flowing into said container.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 69 words
A cryogenic liquid handling system, comprising; a. a cryogenic liquid container, b. conduit means communicating with said container for delivering liquid spheroids surrounded by a gaseous vapor to said container, c. a funnel shaped separator in said container having an opening at the lowermost portion thereof for collecting by gravity said liquid spheroids, and d. a vent tube communicating with said container for permitting said gaseous vapor to escape.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 69 words
A cryogenic liquid handling system, comprising; a. a cryogenic liquid container, b. conduit means communicating with said container for delivering liquid spheroids surrounded by a gaseous vapor to said container, c. a funnel shaped separator in said container having an opening at the lowermost portion thereof for collecting by gravity said liquid spheroids, and d. a vent tube communicating with said container for permitting said gaseous vapor to escape.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US2707377A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-04-30 1976-10-30 1977-05-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-04-30 1980-10-30 1981-05-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-04-30 1984-10-30 1985-05-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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