With Conservation Of Cryogen By Reduction Of Vapor To Liquid Within Storage Receptacle Patents (Class 62/47.1)
  • Publication number: 20130174583
    Abstract: A method for maintaining a subcooled bottom state or the natural convection current of a liquefied natural gas in a storage vessel by the use of an external heat exchanger. The liquefied natural gas is removed from the storage vessel and cooled in the external heat exchanger by a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen. The cooled liquefied natural gas is reintroduced back into the storage vessel thereby maintaining a subcooled bottom layer or natural convection current in the storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Ron C. Lee
  • Publication number: 20130123110
    Abstract: A re-condensation device allows an NMR analysis device to be reduced in overall size and minimizes heat penetration into a liquid helium tank. An NMR analysis device provided with said re-condensation device. The re-condensation device includes: a second cooling member, part of which is inserted into a neck tube, and which re-condenses liquid helium; and a first cooling member, part of which is inserted into the neck tube. The second cooling member is thermally connected to a chiller's second cooling stage, and the first cooling member is thermally connected to the chiller's first cooling stage. The first cooling member has: a first insertion part, which has a diameter that allows insertion into the neck tube; and an inside contact part on the outer surface of the first insertion part and that cools heat seals by contacting, from the inside, a part of the neck tube that outside contact parts contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventor: Takashi Miki
  • Patent number: 8238988
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly and method of cooling a superconducting magnet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ernst Wolfgang Stautner
  • Publication number: 20120180502
    Abstract: Systems and methods to create and store a liquid phase mix of natural gas absorbed in light-hydrocarbon solvents under temperatures and pressures that facilitate improved volumetric ratios of the stored natural gas as compared to CNG and PLNG at the same temperatures and pressures of less than ?80° to about ?120° F. and about 300 psig to about 900 psig. Preferred solvents include ethane, propane and butane, and natural gas liquid (NGL) and liquid pressurized gas (LPG) solvents. Systems and methods for receiving raw production or semi-conditioned natural gas, conditioning the gas, producing a liquid phase mix of natural gas absorbed in a light-hydrocarbon solvent, and transporting the mix to a market where pipeline quality gas or fractionated products are delivered in a manner utilizing less energy than CNG, PLNG or LNG systems with better cargo-mass to containment-mass ratio for the natural gas component than CNG systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Ian Morris, Bruce Hall, Tolulope O. Okikiolu
  • Publication number: 20120060516
    Abstract: A fuel gas supply system of a vessel, such as an LNG carrier, is provided for supplying fuel gas to a high-pressure gas injection engine of an LNG carrier, wherein LNG is extracted from an LNG storage tank of the LNG carrier, compressed at a high pressure, gasified, and then supplied to the high-pressure gas injection engine. In one embodiment, the system includes a boil-off gas reliquefaction apparatus for reliquefying boil-off gas generated in the LNG tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Hyun Ki Park
  • Publication number: 20120055171
    Abstract: A fuel gas supply system of a vessel, such as an LNG carrier, is provided for supplying fuel gas to a high-pressure gas injection engine of an LNG carrier, wherein LNG is extracted from an LNG storage tank of the LNG carrier, compressed at a high pressure, gasified, and then supplied to the high-pressure gas injection engine. In one embodiment, the system includes a boil-off gas reliquefaction apparatus for reliquefying boil-off gas generated in the LNG tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Han Lee, Dong Kyu Choi, Hyun Ki Park
  • Publication number: 20120017608
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas storage apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat insulated tank and liquefied natural gas contained in the tank. The tank has heat insulation sufficient to maintain liquefied natural gas therein such that most of the liquefied natural gas stays in liquid. The contained liquefied natural gas has a vapor pressure from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar. The apparatus further includes a safety valve configured to release a part of liquefied natural gas contained in the tank when a vapor pressure of liquefied natural gas within the tank becomes higher than a cut-off pressure. The cut-off pressure is from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JUNG HAN LEE, JUNG HO CHOI, SUNG KON HAN, DONG KYU CHOI, YOUNG SIK MOON
  • Patent number: 8065883
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the controlled storage of liquefied gases such as liquefied natural gas in an enclosed insulated container, in which part of the liquid is withdrawn and fed to an external refrigeration unit for subcooling and the subcooled liquid is reintroduced into the container via one or more valve-controlled headers under the control of a control system operated in response to pressure and temperature signals from within the container, wherein the level of subcooling is matched to the heat inleak into the container and most or all of the subcooled liquid is reintroduced directly into the stored liquid so as to maintain stable conditions in the stored liquid and to minimise evaporation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Josef Pozivil
  • Publication number: 20110271693
    Abstract: Systems and methods from removing heat generated by a heat sink of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided. One system includes a coldhead sleeve cooling arrangement for a coldhead of the MRI system. The coldhead sleeve cooling arrangement includes a coldhead sleeve configured to receive therein a coldhead of an MRI system and a cooling system surrounding an outer surface of the coldhead sleeve. The cooling system uses helium gas to remove heat from the coldhead sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Longzhi Jiang, Jalal Zia, John Scaturro, JR., William Einziger
  • Patent number: 8020407
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled vehicle including a cascade refrigeration system having a booster cooling line configured to supplement the cooling capacity of the cascade refrigeration system by expanding and venting a portion of a cryogenic refrigerant to the atmosphere during peak demands while the cascade refrigeration system continues to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Herman H. Viegas
  • Publication number: 20110160064
    Abstract: A cryogenic system includes a superconducting magnet (20) in a reservoir of liquid helium (LH). Helium vapor (VH) rises and contacts a recondenser surface (50, 50?, 50?) on which the helium vapor (VH) condenses into liquid helium and flows by gravity off a lower edge of the recondenser surface. A plurality of fins (52) extend from the recondenser surface or a plurality of grooves (52?, 52?) are cut into the recondenser surface to disrupt the film thickness and to provide a path by which droplets of the liquid helium leave the recondenser surface without travelling a full vertical length of the recondenser (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Glen G. Pfleiderer, Robert A. Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20100146992
    Abstract: A vessel storing or transporting a low temperature fluid includes an insulating material disposed between an inner tank and an outer shell. The insulating material is volumetrically compressed so that it exerts a reaction force that is equal to or exceeds an ambient pressure at the outer shell and/or supports at least some of the weight of the inner tank. Manufacturing processes and methods of using the vessel also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas M. Miller
  • Patent number: 7581405
    Abstract: A storage vessel comprises a condenser for condensing boil-off vapor by direct heat exchange with cryogenic liquid feed to the vessel. The condenser comprises a packed arrangement of vapor-liquid contact packing that comprises a top end portion and a bottom end portion. At least said top end portion is open to the vapor space to allow entry of boil-off vapor into the arrangement. The bottom end portion is in fluid flow communication with the lower portion of the storage vessel. One advantage of the invention is that the condenser is open to the vapor space of the storage vessel thereby allowing boil-off vapor to be drawn into the condenser by the condensation action of the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Higginbotham, Kelvin Graham Hayes, Declan Patrick O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20090193816
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cryostat comprising a cryogen vessel (1), a thermal radiation shield (2), and a sleeve (5) for accommodating a cryogenic refrigerator. Also provided is a first thermal contact for thermally and mechanically connecting a first stage of a cryogenic refrigerator to the radiation shield for cooling thereof. A secondary recondensing chamber is provided (8) for accommodating a second stage of a cryogenic refrigerator, and means (10; 24) are provided for thermally connecting the secondary recondensing chamber to a recondensing surface (11a; 44) exposed to the interior of the cryogen vessel. The cryostat further comprises a pressure control arrangement (100) for controlling the pressure of a gas within the secondary recondensing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Magnet Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicholas John Clayton, Neil Charles Tigwell, Stephen Paul Trowell
  • Patent number: 7568353
    Abstract: A method of storing biological samples in which the biological samples are stored in a stack within a vessel interior of an insulated vessel. A pool of liquid cryogen is maintained within the vessel interior by condensing cryogenic vapor boiled off of the pool of liquid cryogen with a cryocooler having a cold finger. The cryocooler and cold finger are positioned so that a cold heat exchanger of the cold finger is in thermal contact with the cryogenic vapor and is positioned above the stack, so as to also maintain a temperature difference within the insulated vessel, between a bottom region of the stack and a top region of the stack, of no greater than about 65K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryce Mark Rampersad, John Henri Royal, Barry Alan Minbiole
  • Patent number: 7555916
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid gas, such as liquid oxygen, with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, liquid oxygen barrier may be added to interface between a cryocooler and a dewar to control rate of liquid oxygen escape upon a tipping of the dewar. A boiloff vessel in fluid communication with the dewar allows expanding gas from a tipped dewar to escape while allowing the liquid to safely settle in the boiloff vessel. A temperature sensing circuit, in proximity with a heat dissipator or cold finger of the cryocooler, is operable to break an electrical power circuit of the cryocooler or cooling fan when a sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Oxygen purity of a feed stream of gas may be sensed and/or displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Respironics In-X, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Dickerson, Steve W. Delve
  • Patent number: 7526923
    Abstract: A device for condensing volatile organic compounds (VOC) from a storage or transport tank (4) into oil from the same or another storage or transport tank (4) via a downcomer (6), where the upper part (8) of the downcomer (6), which upper part has a cross sectional area that is essentially unreduced, is connected to a gas pipe (14), the gas pipe (14) communicating with the upper part (16) of the storage or transport tank (4), and where the upper part (8) of the downcomer (6) is arranged at a sufficient height above the upper part (16) of the storage or transport tank (4) to cause an inflow of gas from the upper part (16) of the storage or transport tank (4) due to the underpressure created in the upper part (8) of the downcomer (6) when oil flows down through the downcomer (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Knutsen OAS Shipping AS
    Inventor: Per Lothe
  • Publication number: 20090071171
    Abstract: A cryogenic liquid storage system and method in which cryogenic liquid is stored within an active cryogenic liquid storage tank and one or more passive cryogenic liquid storage tanks. Headspace regions of the passive cryogenic liquid storage tanks are connected to the active cryogenic liquid storage tank and the active cryogenic liquid storage tank is refrigerated to collapse the headspace vapor within the active cryogenic liquid storage tank causing the flow of headspace vapor from the headspace regions of the passive cryogenic liquid storage tanks to the active cryogenic liquid storage tank. The increased head of liquid produces a pressure differential that drives liquid from the active cryogenic liquid storage tank back to the passive cryogenic liquid storage tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Jalal Hunain Zia, John Henri Royal, Kevin Roberts
  • Publication number: 20090038318
    Abstract: A superconducting system comprises a superconducting coil (3) mounted in a support (12). The coil is surrounded by a cryogen chamber (17) which is located radially outwardly from the coil (3) on the other side of the support (12). The cryogen chamber is in fluid communication with a cryogen recondensing unit (33) whereby vaporized cryogen may flow from the cryogen chamber (17) to the cryogen recondensing unit (33) to be recondensed in use before returning to the cryogen chamber. Thermally conductive means (25) is arranged to facilitate heat transfer from the superconducting coil (3) to the cryogen chamber (17) to vaporize cryogen contained therein in use and thereby remove heat from the coil. The thermally conductive means (25) is highly thermally conductive at cryogenic temperatures. In use, the highly thermally conductive means (25) facilitates transfer of heat from the coil (3) to the interior of the cryogen chamber (17) to vaporize cryogen located therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Telsa Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Colin Begg, Frederick Thomas David Goldie
  • Patent number: 7487644
    Abstract: A cryostat assembly comprises a liquid coolant containing vessel; a mechanical cooler having at least one cooling stage located above the vessel; and a channel for conveying gaseous coolant from the vessel to the cooling stage where the coolant is condensed in use and then returns through the channel to the vessel. An acoustic wave attenuator is located in the channel for attenuating the passage of acoustic energy originating from the mechanical cooler and propagating through the gaseous coolant, while permitting flow of gaseous coolant to the cooling stage and flow of condensed coolant to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Oxford Instruments Superconductivity Limited
    Inventors: Philip Alexander Carr, Oleg Kirichek, Milind Diwakar Atrey
  • Patent number: 7484370
    Abstract: A refrigerant gas recycling apparatus for cryogenic cooling device has a first gas storage unit for temporarily storing refrigerant gas discharged from the cryogenic cooling device, a compressor for compressing refrigerant gas stored in the first storage unit, and a second gas storage unit for storing therein refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor and selectively re-supplying compressed refrigerant gas to the cryogenic cooling device using a pressure difference between compressed refrigerant gas and inside of the cooling device. Refrigerant gas discharged from the cryogenic cooling device is compressed and stored in reduced volume, and stored refrigerant gas is re-supplied to the cryogenic cooling device without a separate driving source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woon-Sik Kwon, Yeong-Chun Kim, Tae-Sun Moon, Heui-Joo Park
  • Patent number: 7475552
    Abstract: The present invention provides a recondensing service neck for a cryostat. A service neck tube (22) provides access to the interior (10) of the cryostat. A recondensing surface is provided (44) for recondensing liquid cryogen boiled off from a liquid cryogen (12) within a cryostat; and a recondensing refrigerator (30) is provided for cooling the recondensing surface to below the boiling point of the cryogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Magnet Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Patrick Graham Sorsby
  • Patent number: 7464558
    Abstract: A low eddy current cryogen circuit for superconducting magnets including at least a first cooling coil made of an electrically conducting material and having at least one electrical isolator incorporated in the first cooling coil. The electrical isolator is located to inhibit induced eddy current loops due to inductive coupling of the first cooling coil with eddy current inducing field sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xianrui Huang, Paul Shadforth Thompson, David Thomas Ryan, Gregory Alan Lehmann, Timothy John Havens
  • Publication number: 20080216486
    Abstract: A thermal interface between a removable cryogenic refrigerator (4) and an article (10) to be cooled by the cryogenic refrigerator. The thermal interface consists of a recondensing chamber filled with a gas (12), the recondensing chamber being in thermal contact with a cooling surface (9) of the refrigerator and the article (10) to be cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens Magnet Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy John Hughes, Keith White
  • Publication number: 20080190117
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquefied natural gas storage apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat insulated tank and liquefied natural gas contained in the tank. The tank has heat insulation sufficient to maintain liquefied natural gas therein such that most of the liquefied natural gas stays in liquid. The contained liquefied natural gas has a vapor pressure from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar. The apparatus further includes a safety valve configured to release a part of liquefied natural gas contained in the tank when a vapor pressure of liquefied natural gas within the tank becomes higher than a cut-off pressure. The cut-off pressure is from about 0.3 bar to about 2 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JUNG HAN LEE, JUNG HO CHOI, SUNG KON HAN, DONG KYU CHOI, YOUNG SIK MOON
  • Publication number: 20080180100
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet includes: a superconducting coil for generating a static magnetic field; a refrigerant container for containing the superconducting coil and a refrigerant; a vacuum container for holding the refrigerant container in a vacuum state; a radiation shield between the refrigerant container and the vacuum container; a refrigerator for re-liquidfying the refrigerant; and a dynamic magnetic field shield. The refrigerator includes: first and second regenerative refrigerants. The dynamic magnetic field shield is an electric good conductor and arranged around the first regenerative refrigerant along a motion axis of the first regenerative refrigerant, wherein a direction of the motion axis is aligned with a direction of a magnetic force line of the static magnetic field at the first regenerative refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Ryuya Ando, Mitsushi Abe, Tsutomu Yamamoto, Tomoo Chiba
  • Publication number: 20080173026
    Abstract: A cylinder used for a cold head of a regenerative cryocooler, the cylinder includes an inside having a hollow-shaped configuration for a regenerative material, wherein the thickness of the cylinder at a high temperature end is greater than the thickness of the cylinder at a low temperature end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hisae MITA, Mingyao XU
  • Publication number: 20080016884
    Abstract: On cold filling of pressure containers the filling gas is cooled before introduction into the pressure container to be filled. On completion of the filling process the pressure container is sealed in a pressure-tight manner. As the gas warms up the pressure in the pressure container rises rapidly. According to the invention, the pressure container is cooled before the introduction of the filling gas. The filling gas cools rapidly by means of heat transfer to the pressure container, whereby the filling capacity of the pressure container is considerably increased. Said method is particularly suitable for the filling of small tanks, in particular, for gas-driven vehicles and fuel-cell systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Kesten, Friedel Michel
  • Publication number: 20070277533
    Abstract: A system for cryogenic storage and delivery of fuel, particularly for supplying an internal-combustion engine driving a motor vehicle, includes at least a cryotank having an inner reservoir for receiving the cryogenic medium, which inner reservoir is held in a heat-insulated manner in an outer reservoir, a coolable cooling shield between the inner reservoir and the outer reservoir of the cryotank, and a heat sink. As a thermal-energy storage device, the heat sink is in heat-transmitting contact with the cooling shield. A filling and removal device has at least one pipe penetrating the outer reservoir and leading into the inner reservoir. At least for the filling with or for the removal of cryogenic medium, the heat sink is in heat-transmitting contact with the pipe for the cryogenic medium, in order to reduce the entry of heat from the environment into the inner reservoir while emitting heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten RECH, Achim Baier, Markus Amsz, Tobias Brunner, Thomas Hagler, Oliver Kircher, Gregor Fischer
  • Patent number: 7299655
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for vaporization of liquefied natural gas (LNG) that employ a condensing gas stream to adjust the gross heating value (GHV) of the LNG such that, upon vaporization, a natural gas product is obtained that meets pipeline or other commercial specifications. The condensing gas can be air, nitrogen, or in embodiments, NGLs such as ethane, propane, or butane, or other combustible hydrocarbon such as dimethyl ether (DME) depending on a desired change in GHV. In some embodiments, the methods and systems employ an integrated air separation plant for generation of nitrogen used as a condensing gas, wherein a cool stream of a heat transfer medium, such as water, ethylene glycol, other common heat transfer fluids, or mixtures thereof, obtained by heat transfer during vaporization of the LNG is used to pre-cool an air feed to the air separation plant, or to cool other process streams associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick B. Ward
  • Patent number: 7272937
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus comprises a pulse tube refrigerator (A) having a pressure source (1), a cold reservoir (6), a condenser (7), a pulse tube (9), a radiator (10), and a phase adjuster (12); and a low-temperature container having a liquid reservoir (21) fixed to a vacuum tank (31) through heat-insulating support members (36) and (37). The condenser (7) is fixed to a cold end (6b) of the cold reservoir (6), and is disposed in a gas phase portion (21a) of the liquid reservoir (21). A hot end of the pulse tube (9) is fixed to the vacuum tank (31) and is disposed in such a manner that a cold end (9b) of the pulse tube (9) is located lower than the hot end and is located in a liquid phase portion (21b) of the liquid reservoir (21). The cold end (9b) of the pulse tube (9) is disposed outside the liquid reservoir (21) but within the vacuum tank (31), and the cold end (9b) of the pulse tube (9) and the condenser (7) communicate with each other through piping (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Central Japan Railway Company, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Mita, Tetsuya Gotou, Motohiro Igarasi, Takayuki Furusawa, Toshiyuki Amano, Yoshihiro Jizo
  • Patent number: 7213400
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid gas, such as liquid oxygen, with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, liquid oxygen barrier may be added to interface between a cryocooler and a dewar to control rate of liquid oxygen escape upon a tipping of the dewar. A boiloff vessel in fluid communication with the dewar allows expanding gas from a tipped dewar to escape while allowing the liquid to safely settle in the boiloff vessel. A temperature sensing circuit, in proximity with a heat dissipator or cold finger of the cryocooler, is operable to break an electrical power circuit of the cryocooler or cooling fan when a sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Oxygen purity of a feed stream of gas may be sensed and/or displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Respironics In-X, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Dickerson, Steve W. Delve
  • Patent number: 7201002
    Abstract: In combination, pressurized fluid contained in a storage vessel, in both liquid and vapor regions, a heat exchanger in the vapor region of the vessel, and a first pressure regulator having an inlet side in communication with liquid in the vessel, and having an outlet side in communication with the heat exchanger, whereby if pressure in the vessel rises to the setting of the regulator, it opens and admits liquid from the vessel to the heat exchanger, to vaporize in that exchanger causing vapor in the vessel to condense, and reducing pressure in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Cryogenic Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross M. Brown
  • Patent number: 7191602
    Abstract: For the first time, a hydrogen storage method, apparatus and system having a fluid mixture is provided. At predetermined pressures and/or temperatures within a contained substantially fixed volume, the fluid mixture can store a high density of hydrogen molecules, wherein a predetermined phase of the fluid mixture is capable of being withdrawn from the substantially fixed volume for use as a vehicle fuel or energy storage having reduced and/or eliminated evaporative losses, especially where storage weight, vessel cost, vessel shape, safety, and energy efficiency are beneficial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Gene David Berry, Salvador Martin Aceves
  • Patent number: 7140190
    Abstract: A cryogenic chamber comprising an outer vacuum vessel (9), an inner cryogen vessel (11), a turret (40) housing a neck tube (8) itself providing external access to the inner cryogen vessel (11), and a pulse tube refrigerator (20) itself comprising at least one pulse tube and at least one regenerator tube. The pulse tube refrigerator is located within a vacuum contained between the outer vacuum vessel (9) and the inner cryogen vessel (11) and the pulse tube refrigerator (20) and the neck tube (8) share a single turret (40). The cooling stage(s) (6, 7) of the pulse tube refrigerator (20) is/are rigidly mechanically connected to the neck tube (8) by highly conductive thermal links. The pulse tube(s) and regenerator tube(s) are displaced away from the neck tube and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Oxford Magnet Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Derek Daniels
  • Patent number: 7126335
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance measuring apparatus includes an NMR probe head equipped with an NMR receiver coil and an irradiation coil, a preamplifier, for amplifying the NMR signal received by the NMR receiver coil, a coil cooling heat exchanger, for exchanging heat between the NMR receiver coil/irradiation coil and coolant, a preamplifier heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the preamplifier and the coolant, and a cooling device capable of cooling and compressing the coolant. Further, a first transfer tube is provided for transferring the coolant from the cooling device to the probe head, a second transfer tube for transferring the coolant from the probe head to the cooling device, a third transfer tube for transferring the coolant from the cooling device to the probe head, and a fourth transfer tube for transferring the coolant from the probe head to the cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Michiya Okada, Masae Kiryu, Hiromitsu Seino
  • Patent number: 7076960
    Abstract: To provide a preserving system capable of re-using vaporized nitrogen, and moreover, capable of always cooling the specimens at a predetermined temperature or lower. The preserving system comprising a cylinder and the preserving vessel which is supplied with liquid nitrogen from this cylinder, is provided with a Stirling refrigerator and a condensing chamber arranged outside of said preserving vessel, and the gas phase part of this condensing chamber is made to communicate with that of said preserving vessel and also the liquid phase part is made to communicate with that of said preserving vessel, and further the cooling part of said Stirling refrigerator is arranged in said condensing chamber, therefore, the nitrogen vaporized in the preserving vessel is cooled by the cooling part of the Stirling refrigerator in the condensing chamber and liquefied again, and so this liquid nitrogen can be reused for cooling the preserving vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Takemasa
  • Patent number: 7030613
    Abstract: A double-tubular third transfer tube is provided in the transfer tube storage conduit, and a first transfer tube, second transfer tube and fourth transfer tube are installed in its interior. Further, pressure control valves are arranged in the portion of normal temperature, thereby reducing the amount of heat intrusion and the coolant temperature. This arrangement cryogenically cools down the irradiation coil and reception coil, without damaging the compressor, and ensures a low-temperature probe to be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morita, Michiya Okada, Masae Kiryu, Hiromitsu Seino
  • Patent number: 6900714
    Abstract: A system and method for protecting a superconductor. The system may comprise a current sensor operable to detect a current flowing through the superconductor. The system may comprise a coolant temperature sensor operable to detect the temperature of a cryogenic coolant used to cool the superconductor to a superconductive state. The control circuit is operable to estimate the superconductor temperature based on the current flow and the coolant temperature. The system may also be operable to compare the estimated superconductor temperature to at least one threshold temperature and to initiate a corrective action when the superconductor temperature exceeds the at least one threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xianrui Huang, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Kiruba Haran Sivasubramaniam, James William Bray, David Thomas Ryan, James Michael Fogarty, Albert Eugene Steinbach
  • Patent number: 6828889
    Abstract: Heater duty cycle (the active pressure control circuit) in recondensing superconducting magnet systems is monitored to determine total thermal system performance, to minimize non-zero boil-off operation, and to reduce maintenance costs. Undesirable conditions, such as a degrading cold head, plumbing leaks, and so forth, may be detected earlier by monitoring heater duty cycle. Appropriate service intervals may be determined and cryogen or helium losses may be reduced. The technique provides earliest possible identification of failures related to such variables, as well as, facilitates isolation of the root cause of the problem. Monitoring of heater duty cycle (energization time) offers advantages over the traditional approach of monitoring or alarming on low level in the cryogen (helium) vessel. The technique may provide for relying on observation of the effects of reduced cooling capacity, such as abnormal heater duty cycle, early enough in the failure cycle to prevent helium loss and equipment damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Joseph Zaput
  • Patent number: 6807812
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance assembly comprising, a liquid cryogen vessel, a liquid cryogen cooled conducting magnet disposed within the liquid cryogen vessel, a closed vaccum vessel surrounding the liquid cryogen vessel and spaced from the liquid cryogen vessel, a cooling device fixably attached to the vacuum vessel operable for providing cryogenic temperatures to the superconducting magnet, a heat exchanger device in thermal contact with the liquid cryogen vessel operable for heat exchange, and a bus bar in thermal contact with the cooling device and the heat exchanger device. The cooling device may be a pulse tube cryocooler capable of providing temperatures of about 4 K. A thermal bus bar of high purity aluminum or copper is used to connect and provide a spatial separation of a pulse tube cryocooler and a remote recondenser unit, thus reducing the overall height of the magnet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory A. Lehmann, Roy A. Mangano, Clifford J. Ginfrida, Kathleen W. McGuinness
  • Publication number: 20040194473
    Abstract: A cryogenic chamber comprising an outer vacuum vessel (9), an inner cryogen vessel (11), a turret (40) housing a neck tube (8) itself providing external access to the inner cryogen vessel (11), and a pulse tube refrigerator (20) itself comprising at least one pulse tube and at least one regenerator tube. The pulse tube refrigerator is located within a vacuum contained between the outer vacuum vessel (9) and the inner cryogen vessel (11) and the pulse tube refrigerator (20) and the neck tube (8) share a single turret (40). The cooling stage(s) (6, 7) of the pulse tube refrigerator (20) is/are rigidly mechanically connected to the neck tube (8) by highly conductive thermal links. The pulse tube(s) and regenerator tube(s) are displaced away from the neck tube and from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Derek Daniels
  • Publication number: 20040139752
    Abstract: A pressure vessel for transportation of liquefiable petroleum gas (LPG) is cylindrical with a circular cross-sectional profile. The wall thickness of the vessel (in meters) multiplied by a design strength of the material from which the vessel is made (in megapascals) is less than 0.8 times the internal diameter of the vessel (in meters). The design strength is the yield strength divided by 1.5 or the tensile strength divided by 2.5. The wall thickness is between 3 mm and 11 mm. The diameter is between 1 and 2.6 m. The vessel have have an external insulating and fire resistant cladding. It may also have a cooling plant for cooling the LPG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Graham Christopher Pye, Donegal Harold Victor Carroll
  • Patent number: 6634178
    Abstract: In a prior-art method to regulate the pressure inside a cryogenic tank containing cold gas when a main stream for a consumer is withdrawn, heated gas in the form of a heating gas secondary stream, which is regulated as a function of the tank pressure, is fed through the cryogenic tank via a pipe. In order to start on this basis and to provide a simple and safe operating method to regulate the main stream and the secondary stream while also providing a cost-efficient device for this purpose, it is proposed by the method according to the invention that the secondary stream and the main stream be fed to a pressure-control means equipped with a first adjustable throttle for the secondary stream and with a second adjustable throttle for the main stream, whereby the throttles are coupled to each other in such a way that they can be opened and closed in opposite directions as a function of the pressure in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Messer Griesheim GmbH
    Inventors: Friedel Michel, Heinz Koser, Rainer Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6553773
    Abstract: A cooling fluid system is disclosed for providing cryogenic cooling fluid to a high temperature super-conducting rotor comprising: a cryogen storage tank storing a liquid cryogenic cooling fluid; an inlet transfer line connecting the storage tank to the rotor and forming a passage for liquid cooling fluid to pass from the tank to the rotor, wherein said storage tank is elevated above the rotor and the liquid cooling fluid is gravity fed to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Evangelos Trifon Laskaris
  • Patent number: 6453677
    Abstract: A cryogenic vessel system for containing cryogenic fluid wherein refrigeration is generated by applying and withdrawing a magnetic field to a bed of magnetizable particles, and the refrigeration is provided to the vessel interior to counteract heat leak into the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bayram Arman
  • Patent number: 6430938
    Abstract: A cryogenic vessel system for containing cryogenic fluid wherein heat leak into the vessel interior is counteracted by refrigeration generated from energy provided by a pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Henri Royal, Christian Friedrich Gottzmann, Arun Acharya, Gary D. Lang
  • Patent number: 6405540
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for preventing the evaporation of a liquefied gas stored in an impervious and thermally insulating tank built into a bearing structure of a ship or located in a set of floating or land-side storage tanks. The device passes a fluid refrigerant through the mass of liquefied gas to cool the mass to a temperature slightly below its reference storage temperature. By so doing, the refrigerant compensates for the heating of the mass, due to thermal leaks within the insulating tank, during the transport or storage of the liquefied gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Gaz Transport et Technigaz
    Inventor: Jacques Dhellemmes
  • Patent number: 6389821
    Abstract: A cryostat arrangement for keeping liquid helium comprising an outer shell (2), a helium container (6) installed therein and a neck pipe (4) extending from the helium container to the outer shell whose upper warm end is connected to the outer shell and whose lower cold end is connected to the helium container, wherein the outer shell, the helium container and the neck pipe define an evacuated space (13) containing a radiation shield (15) surrounding the helium container and being connected at a coupling to the neck pipe in a heat-conducting fashion, wherein a refrigerator is installed in the neck pipe having a cold finger (5a) which consists of at least one pipe and projects into the neck pipe, is characterized in that at least one pipe of the cold finger is surrounded by at least one separating body (3a) which divides the neck pipe into two partial volumes (8a and 9a) which are connected to one another through a lower opening (10a) and an upper opening (7a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Bruker Analytik GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Strobel, Michael Westphal
  • Patent number: 6367264
    Abstract: A refrigeration system to be located at carbon dioxide using locations for providing cooled or sub-cooled liquid carbon dioxide at temperatures as low as minus 65° F. to various liquid carbon dioxide dispensing/using devices. The system is capable of being added to virtually every type of carbon dioxide storage vessel used at customer sites, and is especially useful where relatively short carbon dioxide use periods are involved, as the hybrid refrigeration cycle utilizes the liquid carbon dioxide in the storage vessel as a rechargeable refrigeration sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Lewis Tyree, Jr.