Abstract: It is already known that heat insulating elements, e.g. in refrigerators, may be more efficient if they are sealingly encapsulated and subjected to a high vacuum. Based on theoretical considerations in connection with foam having small cells it has been relevant to use a vacuum of the magnitude of 0.001 mbar and hermetical sealing of the elements. According to the invention it has been found that practically well usable results are achievable at much higher pressures, viz. in a range about 1 mbar, which is much easier to produce. Consequently, a further simplification can be obtained by renouncing the hermetical sealing and relying on an only "almost tight" sealing, combined with the use of an operationally active vacuum pump provided in each apparatus unit.

Abstract: A method of draining a tank that has been containing liquid gas, and a plant for use in such draining. After draining of the major part of the tank contents, but while residual contents of gas are present in vapourized state in the tank, the residual contents are conveyed for exchanging heat directly or indirectly with cold nitrogen. Nitrogen is vapourized and heated and conveyed to the tank, while the residual gas is cooled and condensed and conveyed to a collector tank. The plant comprises a heat exchange system connected to the supply of nitrogen, and residual gas is forced from the tank to be drained and through the heat exchange system in order to cause vapourization and heating of nitrogen to be conveyed to the tank, in such a manner that the residual gas from the tank condenses, whereby a collector container is connected for receiving condensed residual gas.

Abstract: Sample analysis in a portable analytical instrument, preferably in the form of a gas chromatograph, benefits from temperature control of one or more thermal zones in the instrument by way of a thermal isolation system that includes a novel pumping assembly to effect a selective amount of thermal isolation of the thermal zone. The pumping assembly includes a pumping element in the form of a tubular or planar palladium structure. The pumping assembly makes use of the unique properties of palladium to allow selective control of a nominal gas pressure within a vacuum cavity. A component system, which may include a separation column and a thermal device for heating and/or cooling the component system, may be provided within the vacuum cavity. The thermal device and the pumping assembly are individually controlled by a control system.

Abstract: A refrigerated serving device is disclosed. The refrigerated serving device is portable. It includes a food chilling area. A compressor is operatively connected to an evaporator coil and a condenser coil forming a refrigeration unit which maintains the food chilling area at a desired temperature.

Abstract: The apparatus is composed of a vacuum panel insulated cabinet containing six mirrored cylindrical compartments served by transparent sliding doors and their internal space divided by a rotating disc shelf as well as steel rods positioned through the axis shaft of the disc at right angles. The compartments are cooled with water passing through water jackets that surround them, being pre-chilled by having the water coarse through an ice water bath via a coiled and finned tube in a lidded container. Cold air can also be used directly from outdoors to cool the compartments. A remoted powered cooler is held in reserve. In automatic defrost models the apparatus is integrated with the household hot water plumbing.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a dewar and a refrigerator/liquefier which meets the variable demands of a superconducting magnet within the dewar. The system is sized to meet average loads over a defined duty cycle, and is variably operable to meed demands. In the preferred embodiment, a first supply of fluid circulates through a "condenser" element positioned in a dewar ullage to liquefy a separate supply of fluid in the dewar, and to refrigerate a pulsed cryogenic load therein, such as a superconducting magnet. A portion of the first supply of fluid may be diverted to refrigerate a second pulsed cryogenic load, such as magnet current leads permanently connected to the magnet. The dewar includes a cold gas vapor storage chamber separate from the dewar ullage, and the chamber is preferably located within the inner core of a solenoid superconducting magnet for compact and thermally efficient design. Responsive, independent adjustment of refrigeration to pulsed cryogenic loads is made possible.

Abstract: A modular metal hydride hydrogen storage system which can provide a robust and reliable source of hydrogen that can quickly and easily be modified for a variety of applications and environments. The hydrogen storage system comprises at least one storage module. Each storage module comprises a container for storing metal hydride and gaseous hydrogen, and an adapter for connecting storage modules together end-to-end to form a connected sequence of storage modules.

Abstract: A freezing apparatus comprising: a container having an opening at the top thereof; a cover removably positionable over the opening; and a cooling unit which includes a cooling element and an air circulating fan. The cover has a port provided therein for receiving the cooling element and air circulation fan.

Abstract: A superconductive magnet has a superconductive coil surrounded by a thermal shield surrounded by a vacuum enclosure. The thermal shield has one and preferably several flexible layers of thermally conductive material. A first flexible blanket of multi-layer thermal insulation surrounds the thermal shield within the vacuum enclosure, and a second such flexible blanket surrounds the superconductive coil within the thermal shield. A cryocooler coldhead has a first stage in thermal contact with each of the flexible layers of the thermal shield. At least most of the weight of the thermal shield is supported by the flexible blankets.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive system and method for regulating the temperature of a cryogenic liquid in a storage vessel (2), such as vehicle refueling station, comprises inner and outer walls (6, 8) defining a inner chamber (12) for housing the cryogenic liquid. To provide a variable thermal resistance around the inner chamber, a thermal control fluid is disposed within an insulation space (10) between the inner and outer walls. A fluid conduit (30) has an inlet and outlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a heat exchanger coil (36) disposed within the insulation space. A control valve (38) allows the cryogenic liquid to flow through the fluid conduit so that the cryogenic liquid is in heat exchange relationship with the thermal control gas as the liquid passes through the coil (i.e., the cryogenic liquid cools and condenses the thermal control gas to reduce the control gas pressure).

Abstract: A method of processing the carcasses of animals which die during the course of a grow-out operation. The inventive method comprises the steps of: (a) collecting and freezing the carcasses in a freezing apparatus and (b) transporting the frozen carcasses to a processing facility. It is preferred that (1) the processing facility referred to in step (b) is a rendering facility and (2) the inventive method further comprises the step of (c) rendering the carcasses.

Abstract: Vessel, useful in heat transmission regulation, includes a sealable, outer housing and a sample compartment generally enclosed therein such that a hollow portion between at least a part of the housing and compartment is present. The hollow compartment can contain a predetermined quantity of a gas. The sample compartment may be supported, and a multiple-part vessel can be provided. Such a vessel can be made to include standard-manufacture components, being easy to make and use, and/or be especially useful in viscosity testing.

Abstract: A flexible, non-water absorbing insulation system is described for insulating articles exposed to relatively cold temperatures. This insulation system is especially adapted for insulating delivery or transfer hoses used with cryogenic liquid transfer operations. The insulating material is a thermoplastic sheet-like layer having gas-filled cells to which is attached or bonded to a metallized thermoplastic film. In one embodiment, the metallized thermoplastic material is bonded to the smooth side of the thermoplastic sheet-like material. In another embodiment, metallized thermoplastic material is bonded to both sides of the cell-containing thermoplastic material. The sheet-like insulating material is wrapped at least twice around the hose or article to be insulated. Slits may be cut in the insulating material to make the hose self draining whereby any condensed water can gravity drain once the temperature is above the freezing point of water.

Abstract: The invention consists of at least one layer of super insulation surrounding the vessel containing the cryogenic liquid. A thin layer of high temperature insulation surrounds the super insulation. Both layers of insulation are surrounded by an outer jacket.

Abstract: Method for the production of gas hydrates for storage and transportation of hydrate forming gases. The gas is pressurized and cooled, whereupon the gas (1b) is supplied to a vessel (6), to which water (7) is added simultaneously to the vessel (6) to form fine water droplets that are dispersed in the gas (1b) supplied. The temperature and pressure in the vessel (6) are adjusted to produce hydrate from water and gas. The gas (1b) supplied and the water droplets (7) react to form hydrate (8a); then the hydrate is then withdrawn from the reactor (6), optionally cooled in a cooling apparatus (11), and then passed to an agglomeration step (12) to agglomerate the hydrate (8a), thus increasing the density of the hydrate (8a) and to embed more gas in the interstices between the hydrate particles (8a).

Abstract: A double-walled container for transporting and storing a liquified gas or cryogenic liquid at low temperature. The container has an inner liquified gas holding vessel and an outer shell enclosing the inner vessel. The outer shell is coaxial with the vessel and of such a size as to provide a closed insulated space all around it. The inner vessel is suspended by its ends within the outer shell, with one end of the vessel being rigidly connected to the adjacent end of the shell while the other opposite end of the vessel is slidably connected to the other adjacent end of the shell so as to allow thermal expansion of the inner vessel and outer shell with respect to each other. Closable feeding and exit pipes pass through the outer shell and the inner vessel for introducing and draining the liquified gas into and off from the inner vessel. This container is light weight and can be of very great size; it can be used for the international transportation of liquid hydrogen by air, sea, rail or road.

Abstract: A reservoir for the storage of gas under high pressure comprises an enclosure portion (2) which is uninsulated and an enclosure portion (2A) which is insulated. The two portions (2A, 2B) are connected by an insulated passage (18) insulated from the enclosure portions. The uninsulated portion (2B) defines a gaseous sky limiting the instantaneous pressure drops during withdrawal of liquid from the insulated portion (2A) to decrease the response time of the heating of an external circuit to maintain pressure. Used particularly in safety installations of a principal source for the production of gas under high pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insulated container (1) for storing liquid helium (2). In order to simplify the installation of a draw-off siphon and to permit drawing-off in an economical manner, according to the invention the draw-off siphon (3, 4) is at least partly fixedly integrated into the container (1) and thermally uncoupled relative to the environment.

Abstract: Cryogenic fluid piston pump functions as stationary dispensing pump, mobile vehicle fuel pump etc., and can pump vapour and liquid efficiently even at negative feed pressures, thus permitting pump location outside a liquid container. Piston inducts fluid by removing vapour from liquid in an inlet conduit faster than the liquid therein can vaporize by absorbing heat, and moves at essentially constant velocity throughout an induction stroke to generate an essentially steady state induction flow with negligible restriction of flow through an inlet port. Stroke displacement volume is at least two orders of magnitude greater than residual or dead volume remaining in cylinder during stroke changeover, and is greater than volume of inlet conduit. Cryogenic tank has a liquid compartment, a vapour compartment, and inlet and overflow conduits. Inlet conduit receives liquid from dispensing pump and widely disperses liquid into liquid tank to contact and condense vapour.

Abstract: Heat insulation is provided for a refrigerator or freezer. The insulation includes a closed cell material, which is placed in a hermetically closed space (13) surrounded by a diffusion-tight shell. The space communicates with a vacuum source, and a gas diffuses through the cells five times faster than air gasses. The material does not achieve its full insulating properties until the refrigerator has been used.

Abstract: An aerospace vehicle fuel pressure, or cryogen tank apparatus includes a tank load bearing wall of composite laminate construction that is lined with a film laminate liner that includes at least two metalized layers bonded with adhesive with the metalized coatings facing each other. The liner is bonded to the load bearing wall with an adhesive. The improved tank apparatus is able to withstand extreme pressure and extreme temperature conditions, and while containing cryogens such as liquid helium and liquid hydrogen.

Abstract: Treatment of flowable underground contaminants comprises freezing at least one open underground barrier volume to form a wall (10) near the contaminated region (12) in the ground (14), where the wall (10) is positioned to direct the contaminant flow (16) along a subsurface path (18) and allow concentration of the contaminants and their remediation.

Abstract: Improved process for evacuating the thermally insulating jacket of a dewar having an inner wall and an outer wall, with the inner space between said walls completely or partially filled with an insulating material, containing also a moisture sorbing material and a getter material, in which said moisture sorbing material is a chemical drying agent.

Abstract: A ceramic composite comprising ceramic fibers and glass microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder provides baffles for cryogenic fluids in a storage container.

Abstract: A low heat-leak cryogenic system comprising a cryogenic fluid, a first lamina having an external side facing toward and exposed directly to, or indirectly to, the cryogenic fluid and an internal side facing away from the cryogenic fluid; a second lamina spaced apart from the first lamina, and at least one block or layer of coherent aerogel extending from the first lamina to the second lamina. In another version, the aerogel is in a gaseous environment having a pressure not greater than 250,000 micrometers of mercury. In another version, at least one of the lamina is flexible so as to at least partially transmit an external load, such as that imposed by the atmosphere, to the coherent aerogel, and the coherent+ aerogel is capable of at least partially transmitting a load imposed on it from one lamina to the other.

Abstract: A cryogenic reservoir (1) comprising an internal reservoir (2) and an external reservoir (5) with vacuum insulation between them, is provided with a plug-valve (17) in a conduit (12) passing through the external reservoir (5). This plug valve (17) incorporates the trapping agent of the desorption gases, as a getter. In the case of accidental overpressure in the intermediate vacuum space, due to an escape of fluid from the internal reservoir (2), the "getter" is ejected to a distance with the plug valve (17), which avoids any dangerous reaction between the getter and the cryogenic fluid, which can for example be oxygen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the early detection and relief of a closed, pressurized gas charged system, such as an ammonia refrigeration system, wherein a central control system measures and assimilates system and ambient conditions, and responds to alleviate system pressures in excess of design parameters, and, further, combusts system gasses so relieved, breaking such gasses into nontoxic byproducts of combustion.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid Dewar container (10) for supplying a gas mixture to an on-demand external delivery device, such as a regulator and associated facepiece (84) independent of the direction of its gravitational field and spatial orientation of the container, is described. The Dewar container holds a volume of cryogenic fluid (24) as a liquefied-gas at a relatively low pressure. A first endothermic heat energy conduction means (58) is mounted outside the Dewar and vaporizes and warms the cryogenic fluid to form a raised-energy fluid that is moved to an exothermic heat energy conduction means (62) mounted inside the Dewar container, which conducts a portion of the added heat energy to the remaining cryogenic fluid. This causes some of the cryogenic fluid to vaporize and raise the pressure inside the Dewar container.

Abstract: A cold storage warehouse is provided in the configuration of a generally circular or octagonal structure. The center of the cold storage warehouse is configured as a cryogenic test site with separate cubicles provided for low temperature research and development. A freezer area is located around the perimeter of the cryogenic test site for storing processed frozen food products. Around the perimeter of the freezer area is located another storage area for non-frozen processed cold food products. Air circulation vents are disposed through the center of cryogenic test site and around the perimeter of the cold storage warehouse to circulate cold air and provide for the transfer of heat to maintain each of the three areas at its desired temperature. Fans are used to circulate the air through the vents and the equipment necessary to operate and control the cold storage warehouse is located on the roof above the three temperature controlled areas.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment located therebelow. A front door to the refrigerating compartment carries vertically spaced shelves for storing food. An air path extends from the freezing compartment to the respective shelves for permitting cold air from the freezing compartment to descend into the shelves to maintain an acceptably cool temperature in the shelves.

Abstract: The invention relates to cryogenic engineering.The heat-insulating means of cryogenic objects is a bank of cooled radiation shields (2) arranged coaxially with the cryogenic object, i.e. vessel (4), provided with heat-exchange channels (6) which intercommunicate through connecting pipes (7). The entire bank of shields (2) is made as an integral whole, the channels (6) being located in the body of the shields (2). The bank of shields (2) is made of a multilayered strip with a pattern of the development of the entire bank of shields (2) applied to it. Then a system of channels (6) and connecting pipes (7) is created between the strip layers in compliance with the pattern. Then the development is cut out and formed into a bank, arranging the shields (2) coaxially with pipes (7) therebetween. The heat-insulating means is intended primarily for use in vessels for storage of cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: A structural support for cryogenic apparatus used in a vacuum vessel includes a plurality of spaced parallel plate members having honeycomb structures interposed therebetween and joined to the plate members. The honeycomb structure provides for a plurality of cells which are the same pressure existing within the vacuum vessel by reason of apertures being provided in the plate members or cell structures. The apertures are arranged so that they are offset from plate-to-plate or cell-to-cell in order that there be no direct optical path from the top of the support structure to the bottom or from side-to-side.

Abstract: An improved nested tube cryogenic support and its method of manufacture includes a plurality of nested tube assemblies each including an FRP tube having a metal connector element integrally joined at each end thereof by forming a groove around the outer periphery of the connector elements, forming the end portion of the uncured FRP tube into the groove, and applying a prestressed fiber reinforced plastic band around the outer periphery of the tube at the groove to apply a compressive force reinforcing the joint between the connector elements and the tube.

Abstract: A cryostat, in particular for superconductive magnets, comprising different components nested in each other, one of them forming an outer shell and at least another one forming a tank arranged in the latter for receiving a coolant, and comprising further tension bars for interconnecting each inner component with its respective adjacent outer component, the said tension bars containing reinforcing fibers and being equipped at their ends with tie rods by means of which they are fixed to the respective component. A bond of high strength is achieved between the tension bars and tie rods due to the fact that the tie rods are provided with an outwardly widening bore, that each end of each tension bar is arranged in the bore in such a manner that the ends of the reinforcing fibers, being spread apart and impregnated with a glue, are located at the wider end of the bore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for taking advantage of a heat exchange relation between a liquid coolant and a protected liquid, whereby vaporization of the liquid coolant withdraws heat from the body of the protected liquid or an exterior heat source in order to prevent undue temperature rise within the body of the protected liquid.

Abstract: A superconductive magnet having at least one superconductive coil is provided. A thermal radiation shield is situated inside a vacuum vessel and the thermal radiation shield encloses the superconductive coil. A thermal diode is provided for thermally linking the superconductive coil and the thermal radiation shield when the thermal radiation shield is colder than the superconductive coil.

Abstract: The holding container comprises an inner casing and an outer casing of the same or different materials and a cryogenic liquid withdrawing pipe including an inner portion having a section advantageously in the form of adjacent spiral turns, which is kept in resilient contact, typically by means of a spring spacer against the inner face of the other casing, thus enabling to provide heat exchange contact between the section of the first part of the pipe and the outer casing notwithstanding the nature of the materials constituting the pipe and the outer casing. Application for example to self-pressurizable holding containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cryostat, in particular a helium cryostat with an additional nitrogen tank and a vacuum section, comprising a pressure-relief cover arranged at the outside of the tank wall of the cryostat for closing an opening therein.

Abstract: A method of storing voltile substances comprises cooling the substances, and maintaining the saturated vapor pressure of the substances to not higher than normal pressure. A container for storing liquid helium comprises means for blocking a superfluid surface flow of liquid helium where the means is provided on an inner wall or our wall of the container. A method of controlling a surface flow of superfluid helium comprises controlling the surface flow by bringing at least a part of the surface of a structure into a state in which the surface passage is suppressed. The surface flow of superfluid helium is caused on the structure.

Abstract: Outside of its interior space, a Dewar vessel contains a high-frequency screening device around the superconducting parts of the measuring device. At the same time, the high-frequency screening device is designed as a thermal radiation shield, whereby its surfaces surrounding the superconducting parts are retained at a temperature level which lies between the low temperature of a cryogenic fluid and the outside temperature of the vessel. To suppress eddy currents, the surfaces of the screening device can be advantageously resolved, at least in the area of these superconducting parts, into individual, electrically conductive tracks, which are electrically insulated from each other.

Abstract: A portable and disposable, superabsorbent carrying container is provided which allows the user to obtain refrigeration on-demand for its contents. The container has a superabsorbent fibrous lining which absorbs not less than 15 times its own weight of fluids. In addition, the carrying container is able to provide refrigeration for the contents held within the internal volume of the container without the need for large mechanical refrigeration units or the use of previously frozen ice packs and the like.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for reversibly establishing a closed, flow-impervious cryogenic barrier about a predetermined volume extending downward from a containment site on the surface of the Earth. An array of barrier boreholes extend downward from spaced apart locations on the periphery of the containment site. A flow of a refrigerant medium is established in the barrier boreholes whereby water in the portions of the Earth adjacent to the barrier boreholes freezes to establish ice columns extending radially about the boreholes. The lateral separations of the boreholes and the radii of the ice columns are selected so that adjacent ice columns overlap. The overlapping ice columns collectively establish a closed, flow-impervious barrier about the predetermined volume underlying the containment site. The system may detect and correct potential breaches due to thermal, geophysical, or chemical invasions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cryogenic storage container having a pressure vessel surrounded by a vacuum vessel for maintaining a vacuum between the outer wall of the vacuum vessel and the pressure vessel. A pair of intermediate and sub-intermediate heat shields are disposed between the outer wall of the vacuum vessel and the pressure vessel for intercepting the heat that would otherwise be transferred from the vacuum vessel to the pressure vessel. The heat intercepted by the intermediate heat shield is absorbed by liquid nitrogen contained within a liquid nitrogen container. The heat intercepted by the sub-intermediate heat shield is preferably absorbed by liquid neon in a liquid neon storage tank. The liquid nitrogen and neon absorb heat by undergoing a phase change, from liquid to vapor. In order to prevent failure of the liquid nitrogen container, the nitrogen is vented to the atmosphere over a period of time.

Abstract: A cryogenic vessel includes an inner product container and an outer jacket surrounding the inner product container with an insulating space between them. Two supports are provided to support the inner product container within the outer jacket. Each support is an annularly corrugated sheet of material extending radially between the product container and the jacket.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for reversibly establishing a closed, flow-impervious cryogenic barrier about a predetermined volume extending downward from a containment site on the surface of the Earth. An array of barrier boreholes extend downward from spaced apart locations on the periphery of the containment site. A flow of a refrigent medium is established in the barrier boreholes whereby water in the portions of the Earth adjacent to the barrier boreholes freezes to established ice columns extending radially about the boreholes. The lateral separations of the boreholes and the radii of the ice columns are selected so that adjacent ice columns overlap. The overlapping ice columns collectively establish a closed, flow-impervious barrier about the predetermined volume underlying the containment site. The system may detect and correct potential breaches due to thermal, geophysical, or chemical invasions.

Abstract: A refrigerant storage apparatus including one or more holding tanks for containing refrigerant, and a float control device capable of preventing further access of refrigerant to the holding tanks when a certain predetermined level of refrigerant has been reached within the holding tanks.

Abstract: A cold exchange system includes a Dewar flask having an inner vessel and an exterior vessel joined to and surrounding the inner vessel, defining an evacuable chamber therebetween. The flask includes an evacuation port through the inner and exterior vessels through which cryogenic gas contained in the inner vessel can evaporate during the cold exchange process. The exterior vessel includes a device port through which a device to be cooled extends. The device is housed in a housing that is engaged over the device port. A cold finger is in heat transfer contact with the inner vessel. A non-metallic flexible bellows is sealingly adhered to the cold finger at one open end of the bellows. The other open end of the non-metallic bellows is sealingly adhered at its other open end to a top plate which is vacuum fitted over the device port. The non-metallic bellows and device housing define a second evacuable chamber separate from the Dewar flask vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A container for storing liquefied gas and for delivering the liquefied gas in either gas or liquid form is provided, the container having an inner vessel which holds the liquefied gas and an outer shell spaced apart therefrom, creating an evacuable spae between the inner vessel and outer shell. The inner vessel is suspended from the outer shell by a necktube. An upper necktube support structure which minimizes necktube damage or rupture from impact or other lateral forces includes a lateral support disc extending across a space between a cylindrical collar surrounding a portion of the necktube and the interior surface of the upper head of the outer vessel. The lateral support disc and the cylindrical collar are spaced apart by an insulative annular sleeve, while the disc is supported at its peripheral edge on insulative bosses and is spaced from an insulative ring extending around the circumference of the interior surface to provide a double heat break.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for reversibly establishing a closed, flow-impervious cryogenic barrier about a predetermined volume extending downward from a containment site on the surface of the Earth. An array of barrier boreholes extend downward from spaced apart locations on the periphery of the containment site. A flow of a refrigerant medium is established in the barrier boreholes whereby water in the portions of the Earth adjacent to the barrier boreholes freezes to establish ice columns extending radially about the boreholes. The lateral separations of the boreholes and the radii of the ice columns are selected so that adjacent ice columns overlap. The overlapping ice columns collectively establish a closed, flow-impervious barrier about the predetermined volume underlying the containment site. The system may detect and correct potential breaches due to thermal, geophysical, or chemical invasions.