Vacuumizing An Open Outlet Chamber Patents (Class 62/100)
  • Patent number: 11262124
    Abstract: A system for preparing subcooled liquid oxygen based on mixing of liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen and then vacuum-pumping, including atmospheric-pressure saturated liquid nitrogen and oxygen tanks. An inlet of the liquid nitrogen tank communicates with pressurized gas, and an outlet is connected to an inlet a of a secondary subcooler. An inlet of the liquid oxygen tank communicates with the pressurized gas, and a first outlet is connected to an inlet b of the secondary subcooler. An outlet c of the secondary subcooler is connected to an inlet d of a primary subcooler. An outlet e of the primary subcooler is connected to a pumping-out device through a rewarming device. A second outlet of the liquid oxygen tank is connected to an inlet n of the primary subcooler. An outlet o of the primary subcooler is connected to an inlet r of the secondary subcooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Xi'an Jiaotong University
    Inventors: Fushou Xie, Yanzhong Li, Jianhua Ren, Hongwei Mao
  • Patent number: 11212948
    Abstract: A thermal management system for tightly controlling temperature of a thermal load (e.g., onboard an aircraft) includes: a pressurized tank for storing an expendable coolant; a control valve downstream of the pressurized tank for controlling a flow rate of the expendable coolant; a heat exchanger downstream of the control valve for transferring heat from a thermal load to the expendable coolant at a predetermined temperature; a back pressure regulator (BPR) downstream of the heat exchanger, the BPR having a set point controlled to maintain the expendable coolant at the predetermined temperature in the heat exchanger; optionally, a sensor or orifice downstream of the heat exchanger for determining vapor quality at an exit of the heat exchanger; and a system exit downstream of the BPR for removing some or all of the expendable coolant from the thermal management system after transferring heat from the thermal load to the expendable coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Snyder, Timothy Unton
  • Patent number: 10933386
    Abstract: A device for infusing gas into a liquid includes a housing and a tube having a width that is smaller than that of the housing and which is positioned within the housing such that the longitudinal axis of the tube is approximately parallel to that of the housing. The device further includes potting compound interposed between an outside surface of the tube and an inside surface of the housing at both ends of the tube. Microporous hollow fibers extend from the potting compound at the first end of the tube and through the potting compound at the second end of the tube. Openings in the device allow for the introduction of gas and liquid into the device. Gas enters the device and into the microporous hollow fibers. Liquid enters the device and is exposed to the outer surfaces of the microporous hollow fibers. Gas passes from the microporous hollow fibers to the liquid and is dissolved into the liquid. Liquid infused with gas exits the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: BioTherm Hydronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Rearden, Daniel Whittemore, Chindia Tang Zhejiang, Thaddius Humphrey
  • Patent number: 10645941
    Abstract: A vessel having an opening for receiving the product and walls surrounding the vessel at all sides except the opening. The interior of the vessel is filled with a fluid having a specific gravity lower than a specific gravity of a medium surrounding the walls outside the vessel. While the vessel is oriented with the opening facing downwards, the vessel and/or product is/are conveyed to ensure that the product enters the interior through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: The State of Israel, Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) (Volcani Center)
    Inventors: Avraham Arbel, Mordechai Barak, Boaz Zion, Yiftah Afgin
  • Patent number: 10591191
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a condenser (18) flowing a flow of refrigerant therethrough and to an output pipe (56) and a falling film evaporator (12) in flow communication with the condenser and having an evaporator input pipe (58) located vertically higher than the output pipe. A plurality of riser pipes (60) connect the output pipe to the evaporator input pipe. The flow of refrigerant flows through selected riser pipes of the plurality of riser pipes as required by a load on the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcel Christians, Jack Leon Esformes, Satyam Bendapudi
  • Patent number: 10058897
    Abstract: Systems and methods for parcel one pass labeling and sorting for presort qualification. The system includes a conveyor on which parcel pieces are placed by an operator, where the conveyor ensures proper gap between parcel pieces and justifies the parcels to an edge of the conveyor in order to align the parcels with labelers which print and apply shipping documents and shipping labels. The labeled parcel pieces are then sorted according to the destination indicated and deposited into a sort bin. The system is configured to allow dynamic reassignment of the sort bins based on capacity and sort destinations processed. A single bin is used for depositing parcel pieces which do not need to be sorted by destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Fluence Automation LLC
    Inventors: Richard Wojdyla, Brian Bowers, Paul Kostyniuk, Walter S. Conard
  • Patent number: 9510615
    Abstract: Provided is a modular vacuum storage apparatus and method for storing, dispensing, preserving and shipping perishable items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Edward P. Espinosa
  • Patent number: 9048469
    Abstract: A hollow-fiber membrane module for moisture exchange including a tubular outer case, a tubular inner case, plural hollow-fiber membranes, sealing portions, an inlet, an outlet, a first flow path, a second flow path, and a tubular porous member. The inner case is coaxially contained in the outer case so as to have a space therebetween. The hollow-fiber membranes are filled in the space and extend in the axial direction. The sealing portions are provided to both ends of the space so as to fix the plural hollow-fiber membranes and to seal the space. The first flow path extends from one end side of the hollow-fiber membranes to the other end side via insides of the hollow-fiber membranes. The second flow path extends from the inlet to the outlet via outsides of the hollow-fiber membranes in the space. The tubular porous member is inserted between the hollow-fiber membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Katagiri, Hiromoto Ikada, Yohei Hidaka
  • Patent number: 9010141
    Abstract: A reliable, leak-tolerant liquid cooling system with a backup air-cooling system for computers is provided. The system may use a vacuum pump and a liquid pump and/or an air compressor in combination to provide negative fluid pressure so that liquid does not leak out of the system near electrical components. Alternatively, the system can use a single vacuum pump and a valve assembly to circulate coolant. The system distributes flow and pressure with a series of pressure regulating valves so that an array of computers can be serviced by a single cooling system. The system provides both air and liquid cooling so that if the liquid cooling system does not provide adequate cooling, the air cooling system will be automatically activated. The heat may be removed from the building efficiently with a cooling tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Chilldyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Harrington
  • Patent number: 8955348
    Abstract: A ground source heat pump device and system includes a supply line for removing groundwater from an underground water source, a return line for returning the groundwater to the underground water source, and a heat pump that is able to utilize the supplied groundwater as a medium for transferring thermal energy between the groundwater and a refrigerant. In one embodiment, the heat pump can further include a circulation pump for circulating the groundwater through the system, and a vacuum unit for removing air from the system and filling the supply line, return line, heat exchanger and circulation pump with the groundwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Mark Ryan
  • Patent number: 8915093
    Abstract: Provided is a modular vacuum storage apparatus and method for storing, dispensing, preserving and shipping perishable items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Edward P. Espinosa
  • Patent number: 8756945
    Abstract: The invention is a power plant cooling system comprising a direct contact condenser (11), a cooling tower (12) with at least one heat dissipating unit (13), a pipeline (15) and a cooling water pump (16) suitable for circulating cooling water between the direct contact condenser (11) and the heat dissipating unit (13), as well as a de-aerating structural component (14) defining a de-aerating space adjoining to the top of a flow space of the heat dissipating unit (13). The inventive cooling system comprises a means suitable for maintaining a vacuum in the de-aerating space. The invention also relates to a method for operating the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GEA EGI Energiagazdalkodasi ZRT.
    Inventors: László Ludvig, Beatrix Soós
  • Patent number: 8661838
    Abstract: Described is a method as well as an apparatus for vacuum cooling of food produce through moisture removal, which method comprising the steps of loading the food produce to be cooled into a vacuum chamber, lowering the pressure inside the vacuum chamber to a predetermined pressure level and maintaining the vacuum chamber at this predetermined pressure level both by removing air through a vacuum pump system for a sufficient of time to allow heat transfer out of the food produce to take place, and condensing water vapor inside the vacuum chamber through a refrigeration system. The method and apparatus is unique in that the step of lowering the pressure inside the vacuum chamber to the predetermined pressure level is carried out using a single stage vacuum pump and the step of maintaining the vacuum chamber at this predetermined pressure level is carried out using a two stage vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventor: Louis Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8631662
    Abstract: A pressure and prevacuum testing system for an AC system in a vehicle includes an air pressure source for pressurizing a cooling circuit of the AC system to a predetermined high pressure threshold and a vacuum source for prevacuuming the cooling circuit either to a predetermined prevacuum low pressure level or for a predetermined time period. The system also includes a pressure gauge for operatively measuring a pressure level in the cooling circuit. A controller is operatively connected to the air pressure source, the vacuum source and the pressure gauge. The controller compares the pressure level as measured by the pressure gauge to the predetermined high pressure threshold during a pressurized test of the cooling circuit and to the predetermined prevacuum low pressure level during a prevacuum test of the cooling circuit to determine if leaks are present in the cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terry Castle, Tiffany Kasettratut, Richard McDonald, Charles Hudgins, Kevin Lilly
  • Patent number: 8528349
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space and including a door with an exterior side and an interior side adapted to receive a modular component. The modular component includes a base removably connected to the interior side and has a first edge and a second edge. A component door is hingedly-connected to the first edge of the base and is operable between an open position and a closed position. The base and component door define a sealed compartment when the component door is in the closed position. First fasteners are disposed on the component door, and second fasteners are disposed on the base. The second fasteners engage the first fasteners to create an airtight seal between the component door and the base. A vacuum device is in communication with the sealed compartment and a heat sealer is disposed on the base or the component door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Douglas D. Leclear, Karen J. Querfurth, Andrew M. Tenbarge, John J. Vonderhaar, Michele E. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 8528346
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a vacuum source and a food storage compartment including a drawer unit having a storage space. The food storage compartment is operable between a substantially air-tight retracted position and an open extended position. A vacuum source is in communication with the storage space of the drawer unit and is operable to reduce air pressure inside the drawer unit during an evacuation event. A sealing unit includes a base connected to the drawer unit. A sealing bracket is hingedly-connected to the base and operable between a raised position and a lowered position, the sealing bracket adapted to abut the base when in the lowered position. A heat sealing bar is disposed on one of the base and the sealing bracket. A control system is operable to activate the vacuum source and initiate the evacuation event when the drawer unit is in the air-tight retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Douglas D. Leclear
  • Patent number: 8424317
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide an ultra low temperature (ULT) cryogenic processor apparatus. The apparatus includes an external housing with flat sides; an inner housing coupled to the external housing to define a vacuum region there between; material disposed in the vacuum region to provide redundant insulation and structural support; and a cryogenic heat exchanger contained in the inner housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Reflect Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: John Dain, Boyd Bowdish, Nick Henneman
  • Patent number: 8408013
    Abstract: A portable moisture trap for use with a vacuum pump includes: a housing; a cooling chamber positioned at least partially within the housing including a first inlet port and a second outlet port; a lid that sealably attaches to a top portion of the cooling chamber to seal the cooling chamber; a heat sink residing under the cooling chamber; a thermoelectric device having an upper cooling side and a lower heat generating side residing between the cooling chamber and the heat sink; a fan oriented to blow air upwardly toward the heat sink; and a baffle extending downwardly in the cooling chamber from a location proximate the lid to a location proximate an inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber, with the baffle configured to define a physical barrier to urge air received through the first port to flow down toward the inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber before exiting through the second port, to thereby remove moisture from air traveling through the cooling chamber in response to a vacuum pump in fluid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Instrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Muse, Johnny Gordon Williams, Jr., Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James
  • Publication number: 20130055737
    Abstract: The invention is a power plant cooling system comprising a direct contact condenser (11), a cooling tower (12) with at least one heat dissipating unit (13), a pipeline (15) and a cooling water pump (16) suitable for circulating cooling water between the direct contact condenser (11) and the heat dissipating unit (13), as well as a de-aerating structural component (14) defining a de-aerating space adjoining to the top of a flow space of the heat dissipating unit (13). The inventive cooling system comprises a means suitable for maintaining a vacuum in the de-aerating space. The invention also relates to a method for operating the cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: GEA EGI Energiagazdalkodasi Zrt.
    Inventors: László Ludvig, Beatrix Soós
  • Patent number: 8302409
    Abstract: A cryopump and a regenerating method of the cryopump whereby temperatures of a first stage and a second stage can be securely increased to target temperatures and time required for regenerating can be shortened are provided. At the time of regenerating, the temperature of the second stage cooling stage is controlled based on the temperature detected by the second temperature detection part. In the case where the temperature of the first stage cooling stage reaches the limiting temperature, namely critical temperature, of the first stage displacer, the rotation in the reverse direction of the reversible motor is controlled or stopped and thereby the regenerating process is stopped for a while.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8281606
    Abstract: A vacuum storage system in a refrigerator includes a bin or drawer unit removably received in a housing. The vacuum storage system may be utilized in a storage configuration or in a vacuum sealing configuration to remove air from one or more food preservation containers having one-way evacuation valves. A switch on a control interface actuates a vacuum source and a front wall of the bin or drawer unit seals against the cabinet. Air is drawn from the storage space via a hose in communication with the vacuum source and air pressure within the storage space is reduced below atmospheric pressure, whereby air is simultaneously evacuated from the containers housed in the storage space. At a predetermined pressure, a control deactivates the vacuum source and an equalizing valve is opened to return the storage space to atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Vonderhaar, Douglas David LeClear, Paul B. Allard, Kelly M. Hanson, Michele E. Wilcox, Andrew Michael Tenbarge, Karen J. Querfurth
  • Patent number: 8240158
    Abstract: An appliance system including a module removably mounted to an appliance, one or more removable gas canisters operably connected to the module, and a food retaining enclosed space operably connected to the module. The one or more gas canisters supply a modified atmosphere in the food retaining enclosed space to produce a modified atmosphere that enhances preservation of the food contained in the food retaining enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Carolina Biotti, Nihat O. Cur, Douglas David Leclear, Andrea Olivani, John J. Vonderhaar, Michele E. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 7930892
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator housing, a refrigerated compartment disposed within the refrigerator housing, and a hollow refrigerator wall having insulation material therein. There is a first fluid connection from the vacuum pump to the hollow refrigerator wall for providing a first function of evacuating air from the hollow refrigerator wall and a second fluid connection from the vacuum pump for providing a second function of evacuating air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Vonderhaar
  • Patent number: 7895848
    Abstract: Provided is a modular vacuum storage apparatus and method for storing, dispensing, preserving and shipping perishable items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Edward P. Espinosa
  • Patent number: 7866179
    Abstract: Disclosed is a compact heat pump using water as refrigerant, including a casing having a first and second end sections and an intermediate section located therebetween, with an evaporator located at the first end section, configured for containing said water and allowing evaporation of at least a part of the water to produce vapor and remove heat from the remainder of the water. At least one agitator scoop is located within said evaporator, with one or more demisters installed between the evaporator and the compressor. The one or more compressors induce evaporation by maintaining vacuum at least at an intake conduit, and are configured for receiving the vapor through the intake conduit after passing through a heated demister. The condenser is configured for receiving the compressed vapor from the compressor, lowering the vapor temperature and condensing it back into a liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: I.D.E. Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Avraham Ophir, Henrikh Rojanskiy, Rafi Siluk, Arie Kanievski, Larisa Kanievski, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7841201
    Abstract: A heat pump including an evaporator for evaporating water as a working liquid so as to produce a working vapor, the evaporation taking place at an evaporation pressure of less than 20 hPa. The working vapor is compressed to a working pressure of at least 25 hPa by a dynamic-type compressor so as to then be liquefied within a liquefier by direct contact with liquefier water. The heat pump is preferably an open system, where water present in the environment in the form of ground water, sea water, river water, lake water or brine is evaporated, and where water which has been liquefied again is fed to the evaporator, to the soil or to a water treatment plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Efficient Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Sedlak, Oliver Kniffler
  • Patent number: 7823394
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to insulate a vessel includes placing a plurality of shells on all sides of the vessel without providing a direct energy pathway from outer walls of the vessel to the inner walls of the vessel; placing the shells under a vacuum; cryogenically cooling the shells to a cryogenic temperature; and while under vacuum, allowing the shell temperature to rise from the cryogenic temperature to ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Reflect Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: John Dain, Boyd Bowdish, Nick Henneman
  • Publication number: 20100162736
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the presentation of organic samples at low temperature and under vacuum for analysis using a surface analysis technique is described. The apparatus carries a sample trapped between two hinged plates which is subsequently cryogenically-cooled and then inserted into a vacuum system where it locates on a cold stage. The device has a mechanism which is used to fracture the sample whilst under vacuum and open the two halves of the sample ready for analysis. It thus provides a reliable automated method of freeze-fracture, replacing current unreliable manual methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Ionoptika Limited
    Inventors: Paul William Miles Blenkinsopp, Andrew Mark Barber
  • Patent number: 7721980
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum cooling heated viscous and/or high solids mixtures employs at least one cooling tank (1) having inwardly sloping side walls (15) from a top (14) to an opening that is attached to a outlet pump or valve (7) located at the tank bottom, a rotational spreader (8) near the top and at least one vacuum pump (5, 6) to maintain the predetermined vacuum in the tank, and input and output pumps (20, 21). The rotational spreader (8) breaks up the heated viscous and/or high solids mixture (9) and distributes it onto the side walls of the tank to form a film (10) which is cooled as it travels to and slides down the sides to the bottom where the viscous and/or high solids mixture is outputted from the tank by a pump or valve (7, 21, 26). Multiple stages of the apparatus may be employed preferably with progressively greater vacuum pressure in each stage to accomplish even further cooling of the viscous and/or high solids mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Wilbur Widmer, David Stewart, Karel Grohmann
  • Publication number: 20090025415
    Abstract: A device and a method for vacuum-sealing cooling medium is to allow a work piece being vacuumed for the cooling medium being introduced into the work piece. The device provides a first passage, a second passage, a sucking unit, a cooling medium supply unit and a sealing passage. The first passage and the second passage each have an end being connected to the sucking unit and the cooing medium supply unit respectively. The sealing passage communicates with another end of the first passage and another end of the second passage respectively and provides a sealing component, wherein a conveying passage is provided at the sealing component for the work piece being vacuumed or introduced with the cooling medium via said first passage or said second passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: HSIN-WEN KUNG
  • Patent number: 7159407
    Abstract: A system for controlling temperature includes an atomizer that forms micron-sized hydrogen-bonded refrigerant droplets within a chamber. A vacuum pump is coupled to the chamber to lower its interior pressure. Under these conditions, the refrigerant droplets evaporate while lowering the temperature of its immediate surrounding. In one embodiment, the atomizer includes a pump that forces a hydrogen-bonded liquid refrigerant through a nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Kuo-mei Chen
  • Patent number: 6902755
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly chilling liquid or slurried food products through a two-stage sequence of jacket cooling followed by vacuum chilling. Slurry and liquid food products heated in a batch are chilled by first employing a chilled liquid flowing through a double walled jacket (22) surrounding the vessel chamber (17). When the food product reaches a temperature at which jacket cooling becomes inefficient, this is followed by pulling a vacuum in the space above the product to vacuum cool the product to the desired chilled temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Blentech Corporation
    Inventor: Darrell C. Horn
  • Patent number: 6854280
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a self-refrigerating drinks package, characterised in that it includes a step consisting in assembling refrigeration means inside the package, said refrigeration means being composed of a cavity containing a refrigerating liquid able to evaporate under the effect of a negative pressure, means of connecting said cavity to external pumping means by adsorption being provided in the package, partial pressure of the non-adsorbable gases in the internal cavity being maintained below 3 millibar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Thermagen S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Jeuch
  • Patent number: 6755043
    Abstract: In cooling plants which work with water as both primary and secondary coolant, it is customary for use to be made of both an evaporator and a condenser which must be supplied wi5th water in the form of e.g. a spray for achieving an effective heat exchange, and out of regard for the effectiveness it is necessary for a continuous deaeration of the water to be carried out, which is effected by the sucking of air direct from the condenser, possibly supplemented with an external NCG condenser or by leading the supply water through a pre-deaerator under vacuum. With the invention it has been found possible to configure both the evaporator and the condenser with associated deaeration/pre-deaeration units in a fully integrated manner, namely by mounting a pair of sieve plates in a vacuum container for the dividing of the container into an upper supply- and distribution chamber, a centremost pre-deaeration chamber (one or more), and a bottom chamber in the form of an evaporator- and a condenser chamber respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: York Refrigeration APS
    Inventors: Christian Svarregaard Jensen, Lars Hattmann
  • Patent number: 6667008
    Abstract: Methods of extracting and removing hyperpolarized gas from a container include introducing an extraction fluid into the container to force the hyperpolarized gas out of an exit port. The hyperpolarized gas is forced out of the container separate and apart from the extraction fluid. Alternatively, if the fluid is a gas, a portion of the gas is mixed with the hyperpolarized gas to form a sterile mixed fluid product suitable for introduction to a patient. An additional method includes engaging a gas transfer source such as a syringe to a transport container and pulling a quantity of the hyperpolarized gas out of the container in a controlled manner. Another method includes introducing a quantity of liquid into a container and covering at least one predetermined internal surface or component with the liquid to mask the surfaces and keep the hyperpolarized gas away from the predetermined internal surface, thereby inhibiting any depolarizing affect from same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Medi-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Zollinger, Kenton C. Hasson, Bastiaan Driehuys
  • Patent number: 6644043
    Abstract: Produce, especially processed produce, such as lettuce, broccoli and potatoes, is heat-shocked with water having an elevated temperature relative to the produce, to minimize discoloration of the produce from the processing after the heat shock, the produce is low pressure or vacuum cooled and dried to remove heat-shock water adsorbed and absorbed by the produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Roger Carson Later
  • Publication number: 20030150233
    Abstract: In cooling plants which work with water as both primary and secondary coolant, it is customary for use to be made of both an evaporator and a condenser which must be supplied wi5th water in the form of e.g. a spray for achieving an effective heat exchange, and out of regard for the effectiveness it is necessary for a continuous deaeration of the water to be carried out, which is effected by the sucking of air direct from the condenser, possibly supplemented with an external NCG condenser or by leading the supply water through a pre-deaerator under vacuum. With the invention it has been found possible to configure both the evaporator and the condenser with associated deaeration/pre-deaeration units in a fully integrated manner, namely by mounting a pair of sieve plates in a vacuum container for the dividing of the container into an upper supply- and distribution chamber, a centremost pre-deaeration chamber (one or more), and a bottom chamber in the form of an evaporator- and a condenser chamber respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Christian Svarregaard Jensen, Lars Hattmann
  • Patent number: 6508065
    Abstract: The invention is a system and process for supplying fluid in hermetic circuits. The type of hermetic circuit is identified, and based upon this identification, vacuum and fluid supply conditions that are predetermined for the type of circuit are applied. Using the system and process, multiple types of hermetic circuits with varying operating conditions may be continually processed on a production line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Multibras S.A. Eletrodomesticos
    Inventors: Estevao Marino De Espindola, Vadis Bellini, Marcio Moacir Pereira, Eriberto Nelson De Souza, Paulo Geraldo Scheibe
  • Publication number: 20020184897
    Abstract: Produce, especially processed produce, such as lettuce, broccoli and potatoes, is heat-shocked with water having an elevated temperature relative to the produce, to minimize discoloration of the produce from the processing after the heat shock, the produce is low pressure or vacuum cooled and dried to remove heat-shock water adsorbed and absorbed by the produce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Roger Carson Later
  • Patent number: 6145321
    Abstract: A method of cooling an aqueous liquid, which method comprises the steps of:a) placing said aqueous liquid in a vessel;b) reducing the pressure in said vessel to cause said aqueous liquid to boil;c) condensing at least some of the liquid in the vapour created as said aqueous liquid boils by heat exchange with a liquid cryogen; andd) using vapour from said liquid cryogen to at least assist in step (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Paul Miller, Mark Sherman Williams
  • Patent number: 6116030
    Abstract: A vacuum pump of the steam-ejector type uses steam generated by the combustion of hydrogen and oxygen. The mass of ejected steam is increased, and the temperature of the ejected steam is reduced, by injection of water into the combustion product. Propellant densification is accomplished by using such a vacuum pump to reduce the vapor pressure of a cryogenic liquid, thereby reducing its temperature. The cryogenic liquid may be the propellant, or it may be a coolant medium thermally coupled to the propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: George Taylor Story
  • Patent number: 6090422
    Abstract: A refrigerator (10) includes a vacuum cabinet (20) which includes a vacuum compartment (42) and an open top drawer (34) in the vacuum compartment. When the refrigerator door is closed, a rotary spool (75) of the air control valve (70) is moved to a position to recirculate air from the vacuum compartment through the vacuum pump (65) back into the vacuum compartment so as to pre-chill the contents of the vacuum compartment. Later, while the refrigerator door is still closed, the air control valve is shifted so that the vacuum pump (65) draws air from the vacuum compartment until a predetermined low air pressure is detected in the vacuum compartment, whereupon the operation of the vacuum pump terminates. When the refrigerator door is opened, the valve spool (75) rotates to vent the vacuum compartment to the atmosphere, thereby equalizing the pressure within the vacuum compartment to atmospheric pressure and allowing the open top drawer of the vacuum compartment to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventors: Arie Taragan, Henry Chaim Oami
  • Patent number: 6076362
    Abstract: A process for cooling a continuously inflowing liquid, in particular a dispersion, in vacuo which comprises subjecting the liquid to a flash evaporation in a separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hubinger, Walter Holtrup, Jochen Kessler
  • Patent number: 6054165
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for cooling high-viscosity sauces containing ingredients in the form of solid pieces. To develop a virtually continues process while preserving the ingredients in piece form as much as possible, according to the invention the following process steps are proposed:a) the sauce prepared at a temperature of 75.degree. to 120.degree. C. is pumped via a cooling system and is thereby cooled to a temperature of about 50.degree. to 55.degree. C.;b) the sauce pre-cooled in this way is pumped into a cooling tank under vacuum, which it passes through under the force of gravity, partly via enforced diversions and partly in free fall, the sauce being cooled by water evaporation to a temperature of about 3.degree. C. to 17.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: A. Stephan U. Soehne GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Friedrich Koellner
  • Patent number: 6038869
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating uniformly sized spherical ice particles. The apparatus comprises a water feed pump, a vacuum chamber connected to the water feed pump and having a water spray nozzle, boosters discharging the vapor from the vacuum chamber to maintain the inside of the vacuum chamber below a desired pressure and compressing it, a condenser for condensing the vapor being compressed by the boosters, and a vacuum pump for removing noncondensable gases from the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yoon Pyo Lee, Chun Sik Lee, Kwang Ho Kim, Jong Soo Jurng, Young Il Kim, Hung Tae Shin, Hee Suk Han
  • Patent number: 5992169
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for vacuum cooling field harvested produce such as lettuce includes a vacuum chamber, a partial vacuum-forming mechanism in the chamber, a water discharging mechanism in the chamber for spraying water onto the produce to cool the produce, and a mechanism in the chamber for detecting and adjusting the temperature and pressure, dynamically, to minimize undesired removal of water from the surface and interstitial tissues of the produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Roger C. Later
  • Patent number: 5915833
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for used foundry sand provided with a homogenizing and conveying apparatus in a constant vacuum with controlled water inflow and a suction point for the water vapor, the water evaporating due to the reduced pressure draws the heat of evaporation from the sand, the apparatus having a condenser in which the vapor condenses into water which is cooled and re-used, and coupled locks provided on the inlet and outlet of the conveying apparatus, through which the sand enters and leaves the reduced pressure area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Gustav Eirich
    Inventor: Ernst Otto Kruse
  • Patent number: 5906102
    Abstract: A cryopump having a cryopump chamber includes a purge gas valve coupled to the cryopump chamber for supplying a first quantity of warm gas to the cryopump chamber in order to purge the cryopump chamber during regeneration. A roughing valve couples the cryopump chamber to a roughing pump enabling the cryopump chamber to be roughed. An exhaust valve is coupled to the cryopump chamber for exhausting gases from the cryopump chamber during purge. A delivery valve is coupled to the exhaust valve for delivering a second quantity of warm gas directly onto surfaces of the exhaust valve for warming the surfaces of the exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Helix Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Allen J. Bartlett, Michael J. Eacobacci, Jr., Joseph P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5839289
    Abstract: The air pressure within a part of an appliance (e.g., a refrigeration pipe of an air conditioner unit) is reduced as the part is conveyed on a conveyor. This pressure reduction is accomplished by connecting a first end of a vacuum hose to the part, and then rotating a rotatable member to which the second end is connected. That causes the second end to be alternately brought into and out of communication with a vacuum source, whereby a vacuum is intermittently induced in the part. During periods when the second end of the vacuum hose is out of communication with the vacuum source, that second hose end is placed in communication with a pressure at least at atmospheric, to temporarily increase the pressure in the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nam-sik Cho
  • Patent number: 5829258
    Abstract: The air pressure in a part of an appliance (e.g., a refrigeration pipe of an air conditioner unit) is reduced as the part is conveyed on a conveyor. This is accomplished by means of a vacuum pump which is connected to the part by a hose. The pressure reduction is achieved in a step-by-step fashion by either (a) alternately starting and stopping the pump while the hose remains connected to the part, or (b) alternately connecting and disconnecting the hose to and from the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nam-sik Cho