US4451002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature actuated valve and phase separation method
Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals Inc
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Filing: 1983-07-19
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Granted: 1984-05-29
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Expires: 2003-07-19
Abstract
Abstract The temperature actuated valve comprises a thermally more sensitive valve stem than the valve housing. The stem expands at a faster rate and causes vapor entering the valve to be gradually vented through an orifice of gradually increasing area as the temperature of the gas increases. It has application as a cryogenic phase separator valve which allows any cryogen vaporized in a cryogen delivery system to be automatically vented from the valve and to allow for an even flow of liquid to the spray nozzles and onto products of cryogenic freezing tunnels.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Klee
- 👤 Peter C. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:30
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C13/00; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/01; G05D23/02; G05D23/024; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/01; F17C2221/014; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153; F17C2223/0161; F17C2225/00; F17C2225/01; F17C2225/0107; F17C2225/0123; F17C2270/00; F17C2270/05; F17C2270/059
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A temperature actuated valve which comprises a housing having at one end thereof an inlet and at the other end an outlet orifice, a valve stem axially extending through the length of said housing, said stem comprising a material having a greater linear coefficient of expansion than that of said housing and at least a portion having a cross-sectional area less than that of said outlet orifice, and a valve seat mounted on said portion of said valve stem outside of and adjacent to said outlet orifice and seated in sealing engagement with said orifice when said valve is at its substantially lowest operable temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A temperature actuated valve which comprises a housing having at one end thereof an inlet and at the other end an outlet orifice, a valve stem axially extending through the length of said housing, said stem comprising a material having a greater linear coefficient of expansion than that of said housing and at least a portion having a cross-sectional area less than that of said outlet orifice, and a valve seat mounted on said portion of said valve stem outside of and adjacent to said outlet orifice and seated in sealing engagement with said orifice when said valve is at its substantially lowest operable temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The valve as in claim 1 wherein the annular area formed around the outer periphery of said valve stem and the inner periphery of said outlet orifice is substantially equal to the radial area formed between the inner surface of said valve seat and the external surface encircling said outlet orifice when said valve is at room temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The valve of claim 2 wherein said radial area is substantially greater than said annular area at room temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve seat comprises a soft material for forming a tight seal when said valve is at its substantially lowest operable temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve stem is adjustably attached to the end of said housing adjacent to said inlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein alignment means are provided on the external surface of said outlet orifice for maintaining the axial alignment of said valve stem within said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said inlet depends downwardly from the remaining portion of said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The valve of claim 1 for use as a liquid-vapor phase separator in a cryogen delivery system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The valve of claim 8 wherein the size of said annular area is selected so that gaseous cryogen is vented at the desired rate for the desired operated pressure of said cryogen delivery system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The valve of claim 9 positioned within a cryogen freezer so that gaseous cryogen is vented into said freezer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The valve of claim 9 wherein vent line means is mounted around the end of said housing through which the outlet orifice passes for venting the gaseous cryogen directly to the atmosphere.
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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) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-11-28 | 1988-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-29 | 1991-11-28 | 1992-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-29 | 1995-11-28 | 1996-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |