Patent US3933003A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3933003A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cryostat control
Assignee: Hughes Missile Systems Co
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Filing: 1975-01-06
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Granted: 1976-01-20
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Expires: 1995-01-06
Abstract
Abstract Flow control for a cryostat in which the refrigerant flow rate is controlled by adding a contaminant to the refrigerant.
Inventors
- 👤 Arvel Dean Markum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:41
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J1/00; F25J1/02; F25J1/0243; F25J1/0257; F25J1/0275; F25J1/0276; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/02; F25B2400/00; F25B2400/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of automatically controlling the flow of refrigerant in a cryostat comprising the steps of: selecting a cooling cycle for the cryostat to be automatically controlled; selecting and providing a refrigerant gas supply for the cryostat to meet the requirements of said selected cooling cycle; selecting and providing a contaminant for the cryostat to meet the requirements of said selected cooling cycle, said contaminant having a solidification point higher than that of said refrigerant; introducing said contaminant into said refrigerant supply; and alternately and automatically solidifying and melting said contaminant in the cryostat to reduce the flow of said refrigerant through the cryostat.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of automatically controlling the flow of refrigerant in a cryostat comprising the steps of: selecting a cooling cycle for the cryostat to be automatically controlled; selecting and providing a refrigerant gas supply for the cryostat to meet the requirements of said selected cooling cycle; selecting and providing a contaminant for the cryostat to meet the requirements of said selected cooling cycle, said contaminant having a solidification point higher than that of said refrigerant; introducing said contaminant into said refrigerant supply; and alternately and automatically solidifying and melting said contaminant in the cryostat to reduce the flow of said refrigerant through the cryostat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selected cooling cycle comprises a range of 195°K to 275°K and said selected refrigerant is Freon-23 and said selected contaminant is water vapor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selected cooling cycle comprises a range of 145°K to 275°K and said selected refrigerant is Freon-14 and said selected contaminant is water vapor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selected cooling cycle comprises a range of 145°K to 165°K and said selected refrigerant is Freon-14 and said selected contaminant is xenon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selected cooling cycle comprises a range of 112°K to 165°K and said selected refrigerant is methane and said selected contaminant is xenon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selected cooling cycle comprises a range of 88°K to 120°K and said selected refrigerant is argon and said selected contaminant is krypton.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selected cooling cycle comprises a range of 78°K to 120°K and said selected refrigerant is nitrogen and said selected contaminant is krypton.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selected cooling cycle comprises a range of 78°K to 95°K and said selected refrigerant is nitrogen and said selected contaminant is methane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selected cooling cycle comprises a range of 170°K to 250°K and said selected refrigerant comprises a mixture of Freon-14 and Freon-23 and said selected contaminant is water vapor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of automatic flow control for a cryostat having a selected cooling cycle between 170°K and 250°K comprising the steps of: selecting and providing a refrigerant gas supply for the cryostat comprising a mixture of 16% Freon-14 and 84% Freon-23; selecting and providing a contaminant for the cryostat having a solidification point higher than that of said refrigerant, said contaminant comprising 10 parts per million by weight water vapor; and alternately and automatically solidifying and melting said contaminant in the cryostat to reduce the flow of said refrigerant through the cryostat.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of automatic flow control for a cryostat having a selected cooling cycle between 170°K and 250°K comprising the steps of: selecting and providing a refrigerant gas supply for the cryostat comprising a mixture of 16% Freon-14 and 84% Freon-23; selecting and providing a contaminant for the cryostat having a solidification point higher than that of said refrigerant, said contaminant comprising 10 parts per million by weight water vapor; and alternately and automatically solidifying and melting said contaminant in the cryostat to reduce the flow of said refrigerant through the cryostat.
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) | 1979-01-19 | 1979-07-21 | 1980-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-19 | 1983-07-21 | 1984-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-19 | 1987-07-21 | 1988-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |