US4201319A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dispensing system employing liquid cryogen
Assignee: COOPERVISION TECHNOLOGY Inc
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Filing: 1978-08-25
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Granted: 1980-05-06
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Expires: 1998-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A system for dispensing a cryogen such as liquid nitrogen. The system employs two vessels containing the liquid cryogen. One serves as a pressure vessel and the other as a storage vessel. Liquid from the pressure vessel is vaporized in a ballast chamber exposed to ambient temperature, resulting in pressurized refrigerant gas. A valve selectively admits the pressurized gas into the liquid storage vessel, causing the stored liquid to be dispensed at a selected site.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph F. Andera
- 👤 Robert C. Eisenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:50
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C9/00; A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02; A61D; A61D7/00; F17C2201/00; F17C2201/01; F17C2201/0104; F17C2201/0109; F17C2201/0119; F17C2201/03; F17C2201/032; F17C2203/00; F17C2203/03; F17C2203/0391; F17C2203/06; F17C2203/0602; F17C2203/0612; F17C2203/0626; F17C2203/0629; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/01; F17C2221/014; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/0161; F17C2223/04; F17C2223/042; F17C2223/046; F17C2223/047; F17C2225/00; F17C2225/01; F17C2225/0146; F17C2225/0153; F17C2225/0161; F17C2250/00; F17C2250/01; F17C2250/04; F17C2250/0404; F17C2250/043; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for dispensing a liquid which comprises: a pressure vessel; a pressurizing liquid having a boiling point below ambient temperature contained within said pressure vessel and defining a vapor space thereabove; a ballast chamber having its interior in heat transfer relationship with the ambient atmosphere; a transfer conduit having a first end positioned within said pressure vessel below the normal level of pressurizing liquid therein and a second end positioned in said ballast chamber; a supply vessel containing therein a quantity of liquid to be dispensed; a liquid dispensing line having a first end positioned within said supply vessel below the normal level of liquid therein and a second, discharge, end at a liquid utilizatioon device; and means for selectively interconnecting the interior of said ballast chamber with the interior of said supply vessel to pressurize said supply vessel and dispense said liquid therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for dispensing a liquid which comprises: a pressure vessel; a pressurizing liquid having a boiling point below ambient temperature contained within said pressure vessel and defining a vapor space thereabove; a ballast chamber having its interior in heat transfer relationship with the ambient atmosphere; a transfer conduit having a first end positioned within said pressure vessel below the normal level of pressurizing liquid therein and a second end positioned in said ballast chamber; a supply vessel containing therein a quantity of liquid to be dispensed; a liquid dispensing line having a first end positioned within said supply vessel below the normal level of liquid therein and a second, discharge, end at a liquid utilizatioon device; and means for selectively interconnecting the interior of said ballast chamber with the interior of said supply vessel to pressurize said supply vessel and dispense said liquid therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said pressurizing liquid is liquid nitrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said liquid to be dispensed is liquid nitrogen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said pressurizing liquid is liquid nitrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said interconnecting means comprises a pressure regulator for maintaining a preselected pressure within said supply vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said selective interconnecting means comprises: a pressurizing conduit between said ballast chamber and said supply vessel; and means for selectively opening and closing said pressurizing conduit to fluid flow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said pressurizing conduit includes a pressure regulator for maintaining a preselected pressure within said supply vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said opening and closing means comprises: a main valve in said pressurizing conduit; and means for remotely actuating said main valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said remote acutating means comprises: a pilot valve; and a control line connected between said ballast chamber and said main valve through said pilot valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said utilization device is a cryosurgical instrument and said pilot valve is mounted on said instrument.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said pressurizing and dispensed liquids are liquid nitrogen.
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) | 1983-05-06 | 1983-11-05 | 1984-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-05-06 | 1987-11-05 | 1988-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-05-06 | 1991-11-05 | 1992-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |