US3735601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low temperature refrigeration system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-07-16
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1991-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A refrigeration system in which a pressurized gas provides the energy. The gas is expanded through an expansion engine and then passed through a heat exchanger, wherein the refrigeration effect resulting from its expansion is recovered. The expansion engine operates a conventional closed loop refrigeration system which is, in turn, cascaded through the low temperature gas discharging from the expansion engine. Prior to being cooled by the low temperature gas, the refrigeration cycle may also reject heat at a higher temperature to any suitable cooling medium. The invention is particularly suited for the liquefaction of natural gas or for low temperature separation of gas constituents.
Inventors
- 👤 J Stannard
- 👤 S Rafael
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 00:45
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J1/00; F25J1/0002; F25J1/0022; F25J1/003; F25J1/0032; F25J1/0035; F25J1/0037; F25J1/0047; F25J1/0052; F25J1/006; F25J1/008; F25J1/0085; F25J1/0097; F25J1/02; F25J1/0203; F25J1/0204; F25J1/0208; F25J1/0228; F25J1/0232; F25J1/0243; F25J1/0279; F25J1/0281; F25J1/0285; F25J1/0288; F25J2205/00; F25J2205/60; F25J2210/00; F25J2210/06; F25J2270/00; F25J2270/04; F25J2270/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A low temperature refrigeration method comprising the steps of: drawing off a processing stream of pressurized gas from a supply source thereof, expanding the stream through an expansion engine, then passing the expanded stream through a first heat exchanger, employing said expansion engine to drive a refrigeration system compressor, circulating a refrigerant in said system from said compressor through said first heat exchanger to cool said refrigerant prior to expansion and vaporization thereof, conducting said refrigerant from said first heat exchanger, expanding said refrigerant to at least partial vaporization, then passing said refrigerant through a second heat exchanger, drawing off a liquefaction stream of pressurized gas from a supply source thereof, and passing the pressurized gas successively through said first and second heat exchangers to be cooled first by said expanded stream and further by said expanded refrigerant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A low temperature refrigeration method comprising the steps of: drawing off a processing stream of pressurized gas from a supply source thereof, expanding the stream through an expansion engine, then passing the expanded stream through a first heat exchanger, employing said expansion engine to drive a refrigeration system compressor, circulating a refrigerant in said system from said compressor through said first heat exchanger to cool said refrigerant prior to expansion and vaporization thereof, conducting said refrigerant from said first heat exchanger, expanding said refrigerant to at least partial vaporization, then passing said refrigerant through a second heat exchanger, drawing off a liquefaction stream of pressurized gas from a supply source thereof, and passing the pressurized gas successively through said first and second heat exchangers to be cooled first by said expanded stream and further by said expanded refrigerant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method defined by claim 1 wherein: said liquefaction stream and said processing stream are drawn from the same supply source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The low temperature refrigeration method defined by claim 1 including the further steps of: compressing the expanded processing stream to the level of said supply source, and then conducting said processing stream to said source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of providIng refrigeration defined by claim 1 wherein: said processing stream is not cooled prior to expansion thereof through said expansion engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method defined by claim 1 wherein: said refrigerant is precooled between said compressor means and said first heat exchanger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
A refrigeration system comprising: a source of pressurized gas, a processing stream conduit connected to said source, expansion engine means to which said processing stream conduit is connected, a first heat exchanger connected to the outlet of said expansion engine means, compressor means to which said expansion engine means are coupled for driving said compressor means, a closed refrigeration system including said compressor means, a refrigerant circulated by said compressor means, and an expansion means, refrigerant conductor means circulating said refrigerant through said first heat exchanger for cooling the liquid refrigerant prior to said expansion means, a liquefaction stream conduit connected to said source and successively to said first and second heat exchangers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
A refrigeration system comprising: a source of pressurized gas, a processing stream conduit connected to said source, expansion engine means to which said processing stream conduit is connected, a first heat exchanger connected to the outlet of said expansion engine means, compressor means to which said expansion engine means are coupled for driving said compressor means, a closed refrigeration system including said compressor means, a refrigerant circulated by said compressor means, and an expansion means, refrigerant conductor means circulating said refrigerant through said first heat exchanger for cooling the liquid refrigerant prior to said expansion means, a liquefaction stream conduit connected to said source and successively to said first and second heat exchangers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system defined by claim 6 including: auxiliary heat sink means, and conduit means connecting the outlet of said compressor means to said heat sink means for initial cooling of said refrigerant.
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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) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |