US4522034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Horizontal cryostat penetration insert and assembly
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1984-03-30
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Granted: 1985-06-11
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Expires: 2004-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An insert for a horizontal cryostat penetration comprises a plurality of foam plugs between which are disposed patches of copper or aluminum foil. The plugs and foil are disposed in a tubular conduit comprising thin wall, low thermal conductivity material. This plug provides thermal insulation and significantly reduces the formation of convection currents in the penetration which would otherwise significantly increase the rate of coolant evaporation. The insert assembly described is designed to be ejected from the penetration upon the build up of excessive internal pressure. The insert is also preferably disposed within another tubular conduit around the exterior of which there is disposed one or more string-shaped helically disposed lengths of sealing material. Accordingly, when this assembly is inserted within a third conduit, a helical coolant vapor path is formed for exterior venting.
Inventors
- 👤 Evangelos T. Laskaris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:10
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C3/00; F17C3/02; F17C3/08; F17C3/085; F17C2203/00; F17C2203/06; F17C2203/068; F17C2203/0687; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/01; F17C2221/016; F17C2221/017; F17C2270/00; F17C2270/05; F17C2270/0527; F17C2270/0536; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/888; Y10S505/892
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
An insert for horizontal cryostat penetration comprising: a thin wall, low thermal conductivity tube; a plurality of foam plugs disposed within and substantially filling said tube; and a plurality of thermally conductive foil patches disposed between at least two of said foam plugs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
An insert for horizontal cryostat penetration comprising: a thin wall, low thermal conductivity tube; a plurality of foam plugs disposed within and substantially filling said tube; and a plurality of thermally conductive foil patches disposed between at least two of said foam plugs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The insert of claim 1 in which said patches comprise material selected from the group consisting of aluminum or copper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The insert of claim 1 in which said patches are from approximately 1 mil to 10 mils in thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The insert of claim 1 in which said tube comprises glass fiber material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The insert of claim 1 in which said foil patches are adhesively bonded to said plugs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The insert of claim 1 in which said patches are in thermal contact with said tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The insert of claim 1 in which said foam plugs are densely packed within said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The insert of claim 1 in which said patches are disposed between all of said plugs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The insert of claim 1 in which said tube exhibits a substantially circular cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
A horizontal penetration assembly for a cryostat having an inner vessel wall and an outermost vessel wall comprising: an outer tubular conduit passing at least partially through an aperture in said inner vessel wall and an aperture in said outermost vessel wall, said conduit being sealably joined to said inner and outermost vessel walls; an inner tubular conduit disposed substantially coaxially with said outer conduit; and at least one string-shaped length of sealing material disposed in a helical pattern between said inner and outer conduits so as to define a helical path therebetween, said path being in flow communication with the interior of said inner vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A horizontal penetration assembly for a cryostat having an inner vessel wall and an outermost vessel wall comprising: an outer tubular conduit passing at least partially through an aperture in said inner vessel wall and an aperture in said outermost vessel wall, said conduit being sealably joined to said inner and outermost vessel walls; an inner tubular conduit disposed substantially coaxially with said outer conduit; and at least one string-shaped length of sealing material disposed in a helical pattern between said inner and outer conduits so as to define a helical path therebetween, said path being in flow communication with the interior of said inner vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The penetration assembly of claim 10 in which said sealing material is disposed in grooves along the exterior of said inner tubular conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The penetration assembly of claim 10 in which the pitch of said helix increases in the direction from the inner vessel wall to said outermost vessel wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The penetration assembly of claim 10 in which said sealing material comprises twine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The penetration assembly of claim 10 in which said helical path is also in flow communication with the volume exterior to said outermost cryostat wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The penetration assembly of claim 10 in which a plurality of string-shaped lengths of sealing material are disposed in an equal plurality of helical patterns between said inner and outer tubular conduits so as to define a plurality of parallel helical paths therebetween.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The penetration assembly of claim 10 further including an exterior flange to which said inner conduit is sealably attached, said flange also being sealably attachable to said outermost cryostat wall.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The penetration assembly of claim 16 further including a rupture disk sealably affixed to said flange, said rupture disk being disposed so as to be in line with said aperture in said outermost vessel wall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The penetration assembly of claim 17 in which said flange possesses a passage in flow communication with said helical path, said passage being in flow communication with the volume exterior to said outermost cryostat wall.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
The penetration assembly of claim 10 further including an insert comprising a thin wall, low thermal conductivity tube; a plurality of foam plugs disposed within and substantially filling said tube; and a plurality of thermally conductive foil patches disposed between at least two of said foam plugs, said insert disposed within said inner tubular conduit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The penetration assembly of claim 19 in which the clearance between said insert and said inner tubular conduit is between about 2 mils and about 5 mils.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The penetration assembly of claim 10 in which said inner tubular conduit comprises material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, glass fiber, titanium and nylon.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The penetration assembly of claim 10 in which said outer tubular conduit comprises material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, glass fiber, titanium and nylon.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The penetration assembly of claim 10 in which said conduits exhibit a substantially circular cross section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
79 words
A removable insert assembly for use in a horizontal cryostat penetration, said removable insert comprising: a flange having an aperture therein, said flange being sealably affixable to a wall having an aperture aligned with said flange aperture; a rupture disk sealably affixed over said aperture in said flange; a tubular conduit sealably affixed within said aperture in said flange; and at least one string-shaped length of sealing material disposed in a helical pattern along the exterior of said conduit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
79 words
A removable insert assembly for use in a horizontal cryostat penetration, said removable insert comprising: a flange having an aperture therein, said flange being sealably affixable to a wall having an aperture aligned with said flange aperture; a rupture disk sealably affixed over said aperture in said flange; a tubular conduit sealably affixed within said aperture in said flange; and at least one string-shaped length of sealing material disposed in a helical pattern along the exterior of said conduit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The removable insert assembly of claim 24 in which said string-shaped length of sealing material is disposed in helical grooves along the exterior of said tubular conduit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The removable insert assembly of claim 24 in which the pitch of said helix decreases in a direction away from said flange.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The removable insert assembly of claim 24 in which said sealing material comprises twine.
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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) | 1988-06-10 | 1988-12-10 | 1989-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-06-10 | 1992-12-10 | 1993-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-06-10 | 1996-12-10 | 1997-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |