Abstract: A method for establishing a cryogenic insulation system wherein aerogel is provided to a sealable insulation space which is pressurized and depressurized, preferably using carbon dioxide gas, and cooled to cryogenic temperatures typically by the application of refrigeration from cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: A method for improving the insulation characteristics of a cryogenic piping system wherein an insulation volume defined by a jacket coaxial to an inner pipe is evacuated to a moderate vacuum and then filled with a condensable gas in one or more evacuation and filling cycles, and then, after evacuation to a moderate vacuum, the condensable gas is condensed to effect a high vacuum within the insulation volume.

Abstract: A cryogenic stream is pumped by a cryopump and then vaporized in a vaporizer to produce the pressurized vapor stream. The cryopump is driven by a transmission that is in turn driven by a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid flows within a hydraulic fluid circuit having first and second hydraulic fluid flow paths. The first of the flow paths is used to drive the hydraulic transmission. The second of the flow paths is dedicated to raising heat. Hydraulic fluid is circulated within the flow path by hydraulic fluid pumps and the amount of heat generated is controlled by adjustable back pressure valves. The adjustable back pressure valves in both fluid flow paths can be adjusted to control the degree to which heat is added to the vaporizer and therefore the pressurized vapor stream. The hydraulic fluid pumps can be driven by diesel engines. Heat may also be recovered from the diesel engines and gear oil used in pumps and the cryopump to also help vaporize the pressurized liquid stream.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquid stream from a storage tank to be pumped is passed through the heat exchanger located within a phase separator vented to atmosphere and a subsidiary cryogenic stream is divided out of the cryogenic liquid stream and is diverted to the phase separator prior to a pump. Low pressure maintained within the phase separator causes the subsidiary cryogenic stream to boil off and form a liquid fraction that covers the heat exchanger. The liquid fraction, which is at a sufficiently low temperature, subcools the cryogenic stream passing through the heat exchanger. Flow of the subsidiary cryogenic stream is suspended when the height of the liquid fraction reaches a predetermined level and is reestablished when the level falls due to boil off. During periods of suspended flow, flow is temporarily reinitiated to prevent the accumulation of warm liquid and vaporized liquid near or at the inlet to the pump.

Abstract: A method and filling station are disclosed for introducing a compressed gas stream into one or more vessels such that upper and lower temperature material limits are not exceeded and preferably such vessels are not over or under filled by controlling the filling temperature of the compressed gas stream. The compressed stream is produced by compressing a stream composed of a vapor phase located within a cryogenic liquid storage tank. The density of the vapor phase is held constant by adding heat to a liquid phase, preferably by addition of a subsidiary stream composed of the compressed gas stream. The filling temperature of the compressed gas stream is controlled by adding heat to the compressed gas stream by a trim heater or to the vapor stream to be compressed by recirculating part of the compressed gas stream to an inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: A method and filling station are disclosed for introducing a compressed gas stream into one or more vessels such that upper and lower temperature material limits are not exceeded and preferably such vessels are not over or under filled by controlling the filling temperature of the compressed gas stream. The compressed stream is produced by compressing a stream composed of a vapor phase located within a cryogenic liquid storage tank. The density of the vapor phase is held constant by adding heat to a liquid phase, preferably by addition of a subsidiary stream composed of the compressed gas stream. The filling temperature of the compressed gas stream is controlled by adding heat to the compressed gas stream by a trim heater or to the vapor stream to be compressed by recirculating part of the compressed gas stream to an inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: A system wherein flashoff losses from cryogenic liquid tankage are reduced wherein fluid from the tankage is condensed and subcooled against refrigeration bearing refrigerant fluid generated by an exogenous refrigeration system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the deposition of material onto surfaces of a substrate, typically respective concave and convex surfaces and provides a system whereby the substrates are held in a mutually sealed relationship by a carrier during the deposition of material onto respective surfaces thereby preventing or minimising the problem of lack of adhesion of the material on the surfaces

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for use in the coating of surfaces of substrates by Physical Vapor Deposition systems (PVD) wherein the deposition in material is applied onto the said surfaces by the sputtering of the same using the PVD system. The invention provides means for preventing sputtering material from applying or landing onto surfaces other than which is desired to be coated in the said coating process. The masking means allow the prevention and/or removal of such material which is known as backscattered material and the invention described claims protection for several embodiments and methods of achieving this thereby improving subsequent adhesion propertied and optical quantities, if applicable, of the coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for depositing of materials onto at least one substrate mounted on a substrate carrier provided for rotation in a material depositing zone in a vacuum chamber and causing a reaction of the said material to form a coating having desired properties. In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a loading chamber in selective interconnection with the vacuum chamber whilst maintaining a vacuum therein and in a second aspect the carrier and/or the vacuum chamber walls are provided with linear protrusions to restrict the flow of reactive gases in the chamber and thereby reduce the occurrence of arcing and both aspects allowing the dimensions of the coating apparatus to be reduced in comparison to conventional coating apparatus.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the provision of apparatus for depositing layers of material onto substrates (2) mounted on a carrier (4) all provided in a vacuum chamber (6) wherein the material is deposited by sputtering of targets of the material from activated magnetrons (7, 7') and the deposited material is reacted by providing a reaction producing means (9) which allows the coating material on the substrates to be conditioned to have the required characteristics. The invention provides that any, or any combination, of the material depositing means and/or reaction producing means are formed from either two magnetrons or a magnetron and counter electrode arrangement which are powered by an alternating voltage power supply which allows a reduction in the occurence of arcing and thereby the dimensions of the apparatus in comparison to conventional apparatus can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: Spectacle lenses are coated by ion vapor deposition by means of sputtering target materials. A plurality of lenses to be coated are introduced into a sputtering chamber by a load lock device, and when in the chamber the lenses are covered by a disc which is rotated at high speed (50/60 rpm). During this rotation alternate targets of magnetrons are sputtered releasing metal particles which are oxidized by an oxygen plasma created by a third magnetron and metallic oxide coatings are formed on the lenses as alternate layers of different materials. At the end of the operation of coating, which is pre-programmed, the lenses are returned automatically to the load lock device from whence they can be removed. After placement or the lenses in the load lock device the entire process is effected automatically by pressing a button.