Abstract: A self-cooling can (10) which is suitable for cooling 300 ml of beverage by 30° F. in a maximum of 3 minutes comprises an internal evaporator (30) and an absorber unit (20) which is fixed typically to the base of the can. Cooling is initiated by providing a vapour path from the evaporator (30) to a desiccant region of the absorber unit (20). Heat is removed from the vapour and/or any heat due to the reaction with the desiccant (24) by heat sink material (26) around the desiccant region (22).

Abstract: A self cooling container with an internal receptacle. The receptacle responds to differences in pressure between its internal and external walls so that when pressure acting external to the receptacle walls falls to atmospheric pressure the receptacle releases cooling agents that cool the contents of the container. The cooling agent may be scented with a pleasing scent. The container may be a can or a bottle for example. A method is provided for producing the bottle by blow molding of a plastic preform with threaded necks at opposite ends thereof and first and second chambers communicating with the necks with the second chamber inside the first chamber.

Abstract: A system including (i) a primary loop including a first oil compressor configured to raise the pressure of a refrigerant flowing through the primary loop, an oil separator configured to separate oil contaminant from the refrigerant, a valve configured to return the separated oil back to the first oil compressor, at least one heat exchanger, and a first expansion element; and (ii) a secondary loop including a primary/secondary heat exchanger, the primary/secondary heat exchanger also forming a part of the primary loop; wherein the refrigerant includes constituents (a) that function as a solvent of the oil contaminant which fail to be separated from the refrigerant and (b) that at least substantially condense in the primary/secondary heat exchanger.

Abstract: A chilling sleeve is provided for insertion into a hollow cylinder, such as a control rod driving mechanism guide tube, for adjusting the temperature and therefore the diameter of the cylinder. The chilling sleeve has external inlet and outlet ports, regulated by a pump. The pump injects high pressure liquid coolant, such as liquid nitrogen into the inlet port and through channels in the body of the sleeve out to a high pressure chamber. The liquid coolant escapes the high pressure chamber via escapes holes and enters a low pressure chamber, bordered by the outer wall of the hollow cylinder. In the lower pressure chamber, the liquid coolant evaporates, which chills the adjacent outer wall of the hollow cylinder, thereby shrinking the outer wall so that the hollow cylinder can be fitted into or removed from a cylindrical hole, for example a closure head hole in a vessel head of a nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A drinking vessel 38 in which a beverage, for example a draught beer, is to be served is cooled by formation thereon of ice formed of frozen potable liquid for example a small volume of the same beer. The potable liquid can be sprayed at 40 onto the inside 42 of the vessel 38 and/or onto the outside 44 of the vessel, and the liquid is then frozen on the vessel wall by the effect of a cooling coil 28 surrounding the vessel which can be rotated by a rotatably driven platform 30. The cooled vessel 38 will in turn cool beverage dispensed into it for drinking.

Abstract: A process for producing a metal can, having a cylindrical body, a base and a lid, of the type in which the base has a cylindrical recess which projects into the inside of the can, in which process: a) a combination of a body and a base is produced, by deep-drawing and wall stretching, from metallic and/or plastic-coated metal sheet which is suitable for cans; b) an insert piece, which is tubular in shape so as to correspond to the cylindrical recess and is closed on one side, is produced from corresponding metal sheet by deep-drawing or spinning, followed by wall stretching; c) a hole which is narrower than the open side of the insert piece is made in the base of the body-base combination; d) the edge of the hole is flanged until it acquires a bearing surface which is able to fit together with the edge of the open side of the insert piece; c) the edge of the hole and the edge of the open side of the insert piece are joined together.

Abstract: A compact, inexpensive pipe freezer with defrost cycle for forming a frozen ice plug in a section of pipe to be repaired, and, after the repair operation has been completed, defrosting the pipe freezer's evaporator and freeze heads so that the pipe freezer can be removed from the frozen pipe without damaging the pipe freezer.

Abstract: A therapeutic freezing device includes a barrel and a superconducting needle. The barrel defines a receiving space adapted to receive a coolant medium. The superconducting needle is mounted on the barrel and is adapted to contact the coolant medium so that the low-temperature of the coolant medium is transferred to the superconducting layer. The superconducting needle includes a superconductive material.

Abstract: A therapeutic freezing device includes a barrel and a superconducting needle. The barrel defines a receiving space adapted to receive a coolant medium. The superconducting needle is mounted on the barrel and is adapted to contact the coolant medium so that the low-temperature of the coolant medium is transferred to the superconducting layer. The superconducting needle includes a superconductive material.

Abstract: A cryoprobe system utilizing a monolithic, insulated, hand-held thermal mass having an exposed tip for cryosurgical applications and the like, as well as a heat extraction base configured to interface with the thermal mass to quickly and efficiently reduce the heat of the thermal mass to cryogenic temperatures. The heat extraction base of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to interface with the tip of the thermal mass, such that the tip plugs in securely to the base, to permit an efficient thermal transfer of heat from the thermal mass through the base via a heat exchange system communicating with the base which employs a low temperature cryo-refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A set of interchangeable adapters for coupling an evaporation head of a pipe freezer apparatus with pipes of different diameters is described. Each adapter includes a thermally conductive body having a first surface defining a first channel shaped and sized to securely and releasably receive the evaporation head. The body of each adapter also has at least one pipe-engaging surface defining a substantially semicircular pipe channel conforming to a selected standard pipe diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the set includes a plurality of adapter pairs, each adapter of a pair having pipe channels of the same radii as its mate and each pair having pipe channels of different radii than those of the other pairs. Thus, the set of interchangeable adapters is well suited for holding a pair of evaporation heads in thermal communication with pipes of several different diameters.

Abstract: A self-cooling container with an internal receptacle. The receptacle responds to differences in pressure between its internal and external walls so that when the pressure acting external to the receptacle walls falls to atmospheric pressure the receptacle releases cooling agents that cool the contents of the container.

Abstract: A cryoprobe system utilizing a monolithic, insulated, hand-held thermal mass having an exposed tip for cryosurgical applications and the like, as well as a heat extraction base configured to interface with the thermal mass to quickly and efficiently reduce the heat of the thermal mass to cryogenic temperatures. The heat extraction base of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to interface with the tip of the thermal mass, such that the tip plugs in securely to the base, to permit an efficient thermal transfer of heat from the thermal mass through the base via a heat exchange system communicating with the base which employs a low temperature cryo-refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are set forth for transferring a cryogenic fluid. A polymeric, coaxial (i.e. “tube-in-tube” geometry) transfer line is utilized where a first portion of the cryogenic fluid flows through the inner tube while a second portion flows through an annulus between the inner tube and outer tube which annulus is at a lower pressure than the inside tube. In one embodiment, the inner tube is substantially non-porous and the transfer line is preceded by a flow control means to distribute at least part of the first and second portions of the cryogenic fluid to the inner tube and annulus respectively. In a second embodiment, the inner tube is porous with respect to both gas permeation and liquid permeation such that both a gaseous part and a liquid part of the first portion permeates into the annulus to form at least a part of the second portion.

Abstract: A liquid cooler is disclosed that includes a housing and at least two heatsinks attached with the housing. The heatsinks each include a top wall with an inwardly facing wall, a bottom wall with an inner surface, interior sidewalls and an interior lower wall. The inner surface is formed to surround and contact a portion of an outer surface of a container. The inwardly facing wall, the interior sidewalls, and the interior lower wall define a cavity. The interior lower wall of the cavity includes at least one heat fin. An outer covering is included and surrounds the heatsink. A method of rotation is provided to rotate the heatsink and the outer covering.

Abstract: A machine tool and method provides integral cooling to the tool, by employing exhaust air from the drive motor. The exhaust air is suitably allowed to expand within the body of the tool, advantageously cooling the tool.

Abstract: A freezer head for pipe freezing devices has a casing having a first exterior side with one or more first exterior depressions for receiving a pipe section to be frozen. The casing has a second exterior side with one or more second exterior depressions. The casing has a hollow interior. The casing has at least one connector configured to supply a cooling medium into the hollow interior. The first depression has a bottom having at least a first bottom portion and a second bottom portion, wherein each one of the first and second bottom portions has a different radius of curvature. The second depression has a bottom having at least a first bottom portion and a second bottom portion, wherein each one of the first and second bottom portions has a different radius of curvature.

Abstract: A cryoprobe system utilizing a monolithic, insulated, hand-held thermal mass having an exposed tip for cryosurgical applications and the like, as well as a heat extraction base configured to interface with the thermal mass to quickly and efficiently reduce the heat of the thermal mass to cryogenic temperatures. The heat extraction base of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to interface with the tip of the thermal mass, such that the tip plugs in securely to the base, to permit an efficient thermal transfer of heat from the thermal mass through the base via a heat exchange system communicating with the base which employs a low temperature cryo-refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A portable pipe freezer apparatus includes a condenser/compressor unit and a pair of flexible coaxial hoses each connected to an evaporator head with a set of interchangeable adapters configured with one or more nearly semicircular channels conforming to a standard pipe diameter. The adapters hold the evaporation chamber in a position such that the length axis of the chamber is aligned parallel to the axis of the pipe and the hose coupling is oriented perpendicular to the length axis of the chamber. Inside the chamber, a baffle placed between the outlet of the inner tube of the hose and the return to the outer tube forces refrigerant sprayed out of the inner tube to migrate from essentially the midway point of the chamber to an end wall and then back toward the midway point before entering the outer tube.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus provides for controlled delivery of fluids into a fluid system. The fluid delivery apparatus can allow a defined volume of fluid to be delivered to the fluid system cleanly, minimizing fluid waste and spillage. The fluid delivery apparatus can provide a mechanical advantage allowing the fluid to be delivered easily and efficiently to a pressurized fluid system. The apparatus can have a piston and handle arrangement that can reduce wear of the apparatus.

Abstract: A thermoelectric stirrer for cooling a substance includes a housing formed of thermoelectric material for absorbing heat from the substance and includes a conduit 38 between an input port 18 and an output port 20. A fan 36 is positioned adjacent the input port and is adapted to draw air into the conduit. The air carries heat absorbed by the housing through the output port. A switch 26 is provided for selectively controlling power to the stirrer. A clip 22 is provided to engage the rim of a container and another clip 58 is provided to secure the stirrer to the clothing of a user.

Abstract: A container for a beverage has a conventional external configuration with a cylindrical wall closed by a top member. The base member closing the other end of the wall is shaped to form an external cavity which extends within the container along its longitudinal axis. The wall defining the external cavity has a surface in contact with the contents of the container and this surface has a large surface area. The contents of the container can be cooled, heated, or kept hot, or kept cold by the insertion of container-less material into the external cavity. The inserted material may be heated or cooled before it is inserted, or it may be actuable to heat up or to cool down. The container is configured to be substantially the same size and shape externally as conventional containers, although it does have a smaller capacity. It can therefore be filled on the usual filling lines. Furthermore, the container can be filled and treated before the container-less material is retained in the external cavity.

Abstract: A pipe freezing apparatus comprises a multi-cavity adapter and an evaporator adapted to be fitted therein. The present invention uses a multi-cavity adapter having from two to eight cavities to fit standard plumbing pipes in copper, steel and plastic, metric and US standard. The refrigeration evaporator fits into a cylindrical bore in the core of the radial multi-cavity array. The cavities are arrayed around the circumference of the bore. The adapter body that forms the array is of aluminum or the like. The coolant lines are elbowed at 90 degrees to the evaporator's longitudinal axis to facilitate attachment to the pipe in small or tight spaces and from the side of the pipe. The adapter body freely swivels around the evaporator thus reducing wear on the refrigeration tubes as the adapters are mounted on the section of pipe to be frozen. Thus any of the cavities can be lined up with the pipe.

Abstract: A cryogenic catheter includes an outer flexible member having a cryogenic fluid path defined by an injection tube disposed in the outer flexible member. The injection tube is slidably disposed within the outer flexible member. A guide member may be provided to support the injection tube within the outer flexible member. A wire is attached to the injection tube at one end and further attached to a spool to provide for take-up of the wire.

Abstract: A freezer head for pipe freezing devices has a casing having a first exterior side with one or more first exterior depressions for receiving a pipe section to be frozen. The casing has a second exterior side with one or more second exterior depressions. The casing has a hollow interior. The casing has at least one connector configured to supply a cooling medium into the hollow interior. The first depression has a bottom having at least a first bottom portion and a second bottom portion, wherein each one of the first and second bottom portions has a different radius of curvature. The second depression has a bottom having at least a first bottom portion and a second bottom portion, wherein each one of the first and second bottom portions has a different radius of curvature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a secondary refrigerant to precool and liquefy a primary refrigerant, then vaporizing and expanding the primary refrigerant to cool a cold tip of a cryosurgical instrument for ablation of biological tissue, such as cardiovascular tissue, in particular endocardiac tissue and tissue inside a cardiac blood vessel. The secondary refrigerant has a critical temperature above the critical temperature of the primary refrigerant, and a cooling temperature below the critical temperature of the primary refrigerant, thereby facilitating the use of the precooling step to provide liquid primary refrigerant in an operating room environment in which the primary refrigerant could not otherwise be provided in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A dry-ice container comprising: a casing and, in this casing; carbon dioxide, part of which is in a solid state and another part of which is in a gaseous state, wherein the casing comprises at least one passage for spontaneous escape of carbon dioxide in the gaseous state.

Abstract: A self-heating or self-cooling container has a container body, a closure at one end of the body through which the contents of the container can be consumed, and a thermic module at the other end of the body having an actuator portion and an elongated reaction chamber portion that extends distally into the container body and contains a liquid reactant relatively more distally from the actuator portion than a solid reactant separated from the liquid reactant by a breakable barrier. When a user actuates the thermic module, an elongated actuator member punctures the barrier. The user can then immediately invert the container, allowing the liquid reactant to drain through the puncture into the solid reactant in the reaction chamber. The reactants mix and produce a reaction that, depending upon the reactants, either heats or cools the container contents by conduction through the thermic module wall. An advantage is that the user does not need to wait to invert the container after actuating it.

Abstract: A beverage containing system comprises a sealed drink can 1 having located therein both a liquid 11 to be consumed and a sealed compartment 13. The system includes means 33 for rupturing a wall 23 of the compartment to put its interior in fluid communication with a further compartment 15. A compressed fluid is located in one of the compartments whereby, after the rupturing of the wall, the fluid is confined within the compartments.

Abstract: There is disclosed a self-cooling self-carbonating beverage container including a beverage container housing containing a liquid beverage, a coolant gas bottle inside said beverage container storing pressurized carbon dioxide, a tab located on an external portion of said beverage container housing and apparatus actuated by movement of said tab for opening said bottle to release said carbon dioxide into said liquid beverage.

Abstract: A miniature mixed gas refrigeration system is disclosed, having a coaxial catheter with an inner high pressure supply lumen and an outer low pressure return lumen. The gas mixture is pressurized by a compressor to a pressure less than 420 psia, for safety reasons. The distal portion of the outer lumen contains a micro-miniature heat exchanger constructed of laminated plates or sheets. The plates or sheets establish high pressure and low pressure passageways, with high surface area, having a tortuous path for the gas flow to maximize heat exchange. The high pressure outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to a Joule-Thomson expansion element where the high pressure gas is expanded isenthalpically to a lower temperature at least as low as 180K. This low temperature gas cools a heat transfer element mounted in the outer wall of the catheter, to cool an external object. Return gas flows back through the heat exchanger to pre-cool the incoming high pressure gas mixture.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and kit are provided for non-invasively freezing a content of a pipe. The method comprises the steps of applying a substantially continuous seal over an outside surface of a pipe at a location where a content of the pipe is to be frozen, covering a surface area of the pipe with a cover sheet in such a way that the substantially continuous seal separates the cover sheet from the surface area to define a cavity between the surface area and the cover sheet, and introducing a cryogenic fluid into the cavity to draw heat away from a content of the pipe, through the surface area. A periphery of the cavity is defined by the substantially continuous seal. The method advantageously provides an apparatus for freezing the content of the pipe. A kit can be used to assemble the apparatus. Advantageously, the method, apparatus 80, and kit provide a non-invasive way of freezing the pipe's content. There is no need to penetrate the wall of the pipe to insert any complex structures or mechanisms.

Abstract: A self-contained portable cryogenic apparatus that operates at the temperature (of the order of -78.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure) reached by reducing the pressure of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) or equivalent in liquid/solid phase, comprising a reservoir of pressurized liquefied CO.sub.2, the drawing off head being connected to a liquid/solid CO.sub.2 pressure reduction and ejection system, and comprising a control device, a pressure reduction device and a device for checking the temperature in the area to which it is applied, remarkable in that the top of the CO.sub.2 reservoir is arranged on the apparatus such that during the entire usage period, only the liquid part of the CO.sub.2 inside the reservoir comes into contact with the head so that it is drawn off and forced towards the application area through a pressure reduction and ejection system. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use in sports medicine in the form of a spray gun.

Abstract: A cryogenic tool capable of freezing the pipe content which otherwise flows through a pipe is provided to permit isolation of a repair site in the pipe. The cryogenic tool comprises a tool body and a cryogenic device. The tool body has a tip which is adapted for insertion through a wall of the pipe. The tip is of sufficient length to extend entirely through the wall of the pipe and into the pipe content. The cryogenic device is connected to the tip. The cryogenic device is adapted to reduce the temperature of the tip sufficiently to freeze the content of the pipe in the vicinity of the tip. Also provided is a method of freezing the content of a pipe to prevent flow through the pipe.

Abstract: A container for a beverage has a conventional external configuration with a cylindrical wall closed by a top member. The base member closing the other end of the wall is shaped to form an external cavity which extends within the container along its longitudinal axis. The wall defining the external cavity has a surface in contact with the contents of the container and this surface has a large surface area. The contents of the container can be cooled, heated, or kept hot, or kept cold by the insertion of an insert into the external cavity. To ensure good heat transfer, the insert is push fitted into the external cavity. The insert may be heated or cooled before it is inserted, or it may be actuable to heat up or to cool down. The container is configured to be substantially the same size and shape externally as conventional containers, although it does have a smaller capacity. It can therefore be filled on the usual filling lines.

Abstract: A beverage container having a beverage compartment and an ice compartment separated by a removable seal which, when removed, allows the ice and beverage to mix thereby cooling the beverage. The removable seal prevents premature mixing of the beverage and the ice and allows the container to be stored warm, with water in the ice compartment, indefinitely. Prior to use, the container is placed in a dual-temperature environment that freezes the water in the ice compartment but doesn't freeze the beverage. Freezing of the beverage is prevented by an air gap between the beverage and the ice that acts as a thermal barrier. An ice anchor and an air gap in the ice compartment reduce the melting rate of the ice by suspending the ice within the ice compartment, out of contact with the melt water and surrounded by an insulating layer of air.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cooling and/or gassifying a liquid 12 stored in a container 10 having an outlet 10b. The apparatus comprises an adsorbent 14 for receiving and adsorbing under pressure a quantity of gas and a three position cap 16. In a first position, said cap 16 simply acts to seal the contents within the container whilst in a second position it acts to cause release of adsorbed gas from adsorbent 14 which then passes through the beverage 12 thereby gassifying and/or cooling said beverage. A third position of the cap 16 allows for its removal from container 10 such that the beverage may be dispensed. The container may be provided with a thermochromatic coating to indicate when the liquid is at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit for incorporation internally of a food or beverage container in such a manner that the external surface thereof is in contact with the food or beverage. A food grade coating is adhered to and completely covers the entire exterior surface of the heat exchange unit to preclude direct contact of the food or beverage with surface of the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: A self cooling beverage container or can. Different embodiments of a self cooling can are shown including the use of an endothermic reaction perhaps between ammonium nitrate and water. In another embodiment a volatile liquid is evaporated. In another embodiment water is maintained in a low pressure environment and allowed to boil. The vapour which is produced from the boiling water is absorbed by a desiccant maintaining the boiling process. The cooling process may be initiated by the pressure release of a carbonated beverage can during opening of the can.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit and a beverage or food container including a heat exchange unit therein. The heat exchange unit includes a vessel having a plurality of thermally conductive discs with a layer of compacted adsorbent material such as carbon particles disposed between adjacent discs. The periphery of the discs are in thermally conductive contact with the inner surface of the vessel and each discs has at least one surface which defines a plurality of radially extending grooves terminating at the periphery to define a preferential flow path for gas under pressure to travel along the inner surface of the vessel wall. The periphery of the discs also define a plurality of notches, one at each groove terminal, to enhance the preferential flow path.

Abstract: A beverage chiller which chills the liquid through the desorption of gas from an adsorbent within a vessel, wherein the chiller comprises a plurality of heat transfer elements, formed of thermally-conductive material and in direct thermal contact with the adsorbent and adapted to transfer heat between the vessel walls and the adsorbent therein, and wherein the elements are configured so as to cooperate in use in order to conduct desorbed gas from the adsorbent to the vessel walls and thence along the vessel walls prior to its exit from the vessel. The chiller provides more effective heat transfer and fully utilizes the chilling capacity of the desorbed gas by channeling it to and along the vessel walls.

Abstract: Apparatus for the rapid chilling of foodstuffs contained within an open top container including a chilling device connected to a source of refrigerant. The refrigerant source operates to cool the connected chilling device to a first predetermined temperature. After insertion of the chilling device into foodstuff contained within the container, the chilling device may be agitated to reduce the foodstuff temperature to at least a second predetermined value.

Abstract: A rapid refrigeration apparatus includes a container having a container upper end, a container wall with a container opening in the container upper end bordered by a container rim; a beverage retaining vessel extending within the container defining an annular refrigerant chamber between the container and the vessel containing a liquefied refrigerant and refrigerant vapor, and the vessel containing flowable vessel contents, the vessel being sized to fit at least partly through the container opening, the vessel including a vessel rim secured relative to the container rim, and a vessel wall including at least one reversible bulge; a lid sealingly secured to the container rim and including a lid opener mechanism for releasing the vessel contents from the vessel and container for consumption; the lid opener mechanism including a lid opener mechanism activation mechanism for voluntarily opening the lid opener mechanism at a selected moment in time; and a refrigerant release mechanism for releasing the refrigerant f

Abstract: An ice plug for defining a barrier in a pipeline section filled with water, comprises a hollow, cylindrical body enclosed at a front end and provided with guide means for sliding movement of the plug along and within the pipeline. The body has a diameter smaller than that of the pipeline to define with the latter an annular interspace enclosed at opposed axial ends of the plug. The thickness of the annular space is selected to allow free movement of the body through curves in a pipeline and to form a continuous, annular ice layer firmly engaging the inside wall of the pipeline and the outer surface of said body to thus form, together with the body, a temporary water impermeable barrier within the pipeline. A water supply system fills the interspace with process water.

Abstract: A microminiature laminated heat exchanger for use in a cryogenic probe, and a method of manufacture. The heat exchanger has high and low pressure flow patterns etched into oxygen free copper sheets, with the flow patterns being tortuous paths promoting turbulent flow. The sheets containing the flow patterns are bonded into a laminated assembly in the shape of a cylinder, with a high pressure inlet and a low pressure outlet in a first end, and a high pressure outlet and a low pressure inlet in a second end. The high pressure flow path lies alongside the low pressure flow path, with flow in the two paths being in opposite directions, to accomplish counterflow heat exchange.

Abstract: A refrigerated beverage mug is provided which includes a self-contained mechanical refrigeration unit which is powered by a power unit mounted onboard the beverage mug. The mechanical refrigeration unit is a closed loop system which is mounted to the beverage mug and includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion flow passage and an evaporator. The condenser and the evaporator are integrally formed with the main body of the beverage mug. The compressor is mounted to the beverage mug for circulating a refrigerant through the condenser, the expansion flow passage and the evaporator. The power unit includes a chamber which contains a pressurized, expansible fluid such as liquid nitrogen, which is selectively released for passing through a pressure chamber of the compressor to power the compressor and the mechanical refrigeration unit. A manifold is integrally formed into the compressor housing for passing the expansible fluid from the compressor and across a portion of the condenser.

Abstract: A liquid cryogen withdrawal device includes a plug (14) for insertion into the neck of a cryogen-containing dewar (10) in gas-tight relationship. A withdrawal tube (17) passes through the plug to conduct liquid from the bottom of the dewar through a sintered bronze filter to a container to be filled with cryogen, and a pressure tube (19) fitted with a pump (20). Cryogen is stored in the dewar with a loose fitting cap thereon, with no withdrawal device in the dewar. When liquid is desired to be retrieved from the dewar, the withdrawal device is inserted into the dewar; and the pump is operated to create enough pressure to force a suitable amount of liquid from the dewar. The plug may have a gas pressure relief valve disposed thereon.

Abstract: An open flow helium cryostat system for cooling a sample crystal to be examined using X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, or a similar method. The cryostat system including a primary helium supply to provide a first stream of liquid helium onto the sample crystal and a secondary helium supply to provide a second stream of gaseous helium around at least a portion of the primary helium supply at a temperature warmer than the first stream of liquid helium to prevent the formation of ice on the sample crystal.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument comprises a cooling tip operable to be cooled by a flow of a cryogenic fluid within the tip; and a fluid transfer chamber having a fluid inlet for receiving cryogenic fluid, a first fluid outlet communicating with the cooling tip for supplying cryogenic fluid to the cooling tip, and a second fluid outlet communicating with an atmospheric air vent.

Abstract: A pipe freezing apparatus 2 has pipe freezer heads 12a, 12b supplied with refrigerant by a compressor 4. The freezer heads 12a, 12b comprise expansion chambers in which the refrigerant expands, to cool the heads. A valve 10 alternately diverts flow of the refrigerant to the freezer heads 12a, 12b. When a supply to a head 12a, 12b is shut off, the compressor lowers the pressure in the head, resulting in enhanced cooling when supply to the head is restored. The compressor 4 can be run continuously while the cooling at the heads is controlled.