Fixed Restrictor Patents (Class 62/511)
-
Patent number: 6880361Abstract: An energy-saving refrigerating device is capable of preventing global warming, allowing a communication pipe diameter to be reduced and the number of types of the communication pipe diameters to be reduced while a COP of over the COP obtained when R22 is used is provided by using R32 with small global warming potential (GWP). The refrigerating device includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a second heat exchanger. The diameters of first and second communication pipes are set to {fraction (2/8)} in. and ? in., respectively, in the refrigerating capacity range of 2.2 to 5.6 kW. The diameters of the first and second communication pipes are set to {fraction (2/8)} in. and {fraction (4/8)} in., respectively, in the refrigerating capacity range of 4.5 to 7.1 kW. The diameters of the first and second communication pipes are set to {fraction (2/8)} in. and ? in., respectively, in the refrigerating capacity range of 7.1 to 14.0 kW.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Shigeharu Taira
-
Patent number: 6763673Abstract: At least one bypass assembly for use in a heating-refrigeration system having a distributor body with a first and second orifice, an inner chamber and a plurality of fluid passages integrated within, and a conduit connected to the distributor body. The conduit has a first end that connects with a component in the heating-refrigeration system, a second end that connects to the first orifice of the distributor body and a third end connected to the second orifice of the distributor body. A metering device is integrated into the conduit. The second orifice of the distributor body has a valve seat integrated therewithin and the conduit has at least one inwardly projecting indentation located in close proximity to the third end of the conduit. A ball is positioned between the valve seat and the inwardly projecting indentations for reciprocating movement therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Parker-Hannifan CorporationInventors: Brian J. Oberley, Jeffrey D. Gleckler, Darryl D. Miller
-
Patent number: 6698455Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid flow rate economizing device having a tubular body and a reduction in the inner diameter, suitable to install inside residential, commercial or industrial hydraulic tubing at fluid intakes, meters and/or registers.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Pablo Alvaro Ramirez-Rivera
-
Patent number: 6684662Abstract: This refrigeration system is an orifice-tube system constituting a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant passes through a compressor 1, a condenser 10, an orifice-tube 3, an evaporator 4, and an accumulator 5 in this order and then returns to the compressor 1. The condenser 10 is constituted by the so-called multi-flow type heat exchanger having a plurality of passes P1-P3. The intermediate pass P2 is constituted as a decompression pass for decompressing the refrigerant. After condensing the refrigerant by the first pass P1, the condensed refrigerant is decompressed and evaporated by the decompression pass P2, and then the evaporated refrigerant is re-condensed by the third pass P3. This refrigeration system is excellent in response characteristic to thermal load fluctuations and in refrigeration performance.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.Inventors: Hideaki Manaka, Hirohiko Watanabe, Ryoichi Hoshino, Yasuhiro Takahashi
-
Patent number: 6612122Abstract: An expansion valve has a tube body, in which a first filtering net, drying agents, a bullet-shaped filtering net, and a, reducing body are integrated. The tube body has front and rear ends respectively joined to an inlet tube, and an outlet tube. The first filtering net is disposed at the front end of the tube body. The drying agents are contained in a front portion of the tube body. The bullet-shaped filtering net is disposed in the drying agents. The reducing body is disposed in a rear portion of the tube body, and has an expansion hole, and front and fear reducing openings in communication with the expansion hole; the front and rear reducing openings are respectively joined to an enlarged end of the bullet-shaped filtering net, and the outlet tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Inventor: Kuo-Chuan Wu
-
Patent number: 6598422Abstract: A refrigerant flow processor has a vessel with an inlet for receiving recirculating refrigerant from a motor driven compressor and a condenser and having an outlet for returning the refrigerant to an evaporator through an expansion valve. The vessel is configured to establish a vortexing motion of liquefied refrigerant as it travels from the inlet to the outlet. A helical flow guiding component at the vessel outlet causes a highly turbulent flow within the conduit which connects the outlet to the expansion valve. The flow processor reduces energy consumption and operating cost by reducing the load on the motor driven compressor.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Echelon International, Inc.Inventor: Johnny E. Smith
-
Patent number: 6588223Abstract: An optimized CO2 air-conditioning system for a vehicle has individual components designed and/or matched to one another in such a way that if the high pressures in the high-pressure section deviate by up to ±30% from the optimum high pressures, the associated optimum performance figures are reduced by no more than 20%. The individual components include a controllable compressor, a gas cooler, an internal heat exchanger, an evaporator and an accumulator. As a result, a fixed throttle expansion member can be used between the high-pressure and low-pressure sections of the system.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bernd Dienhart, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christoph Walter, Jürgen Fischer, Michael Katzenberger, Karl Lochmahr
-
Publication number: 20030110783Abstract: A multi-temperature refrigerator, of which the evaporators serving for cooling the compartments of different temperature can be activated separately through a 3/2-way solenoid valve, the solenoid valve being followed, for lowering the pressure of the refrigerant in relation to the respective evaporator, by a throttle line includes a marking on the throttle for mounting the line in a correct position on the solenoid valve. The invention forms the marking for the throttle lines with a separate component that can be applied to the throttle line positively and/or nonpositively.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2003Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Thomas Kranz, Walter V.D. Woldenberg
-
Patent number: 6571575Abstract: In an air conditioner using a flammable refrigerant of the present invention, an inner diameter of a liquid-side connecting pipe is reduced to less than 42.5% of that of a gas-side connecting pipe. By reducing the inner diameter of the pipe in which a liquid refrigerant of the air conditioner is reduced, it is possible to reduce the amount of refrigerant to be charged into the system without decreasing the capacity and the efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1999Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Fujitaka, Yoshinori Kobayashi, Riko Tachigori
-
Publication number: 20030097856Abstract: The regulator is a refrigerant regulator intended for heatpumps and refrigerators. It has a built-in receiver, which automatically absorbs redundant refrigerant. It is a hermetic closed device without removable parts. It is robust and there is no need for adjustment. The regulator is composed of a heat exchanger with large heat capacity, a receiver and two pressure reducing valves. The two valves behave different on boiling fluid flow. One of them, named a heat sensitive valve, restricts fluid flow when the fluid is boiling. In the other valve, named a pressure sensitive valve, the boiling has no influence on the fluid flow. The regulator controls the refrigerant flow from the receiver to the evaporator by means of the pressure in the receiver—and the pressure in the receiver is controlled, via the heat exchanger, by the need of refrigerant in the evaporator. This way of control ensures 100% use of the evaporator, the suction gas is superheated, and the liquid from the condenser is sub-cooled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2002Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventor: Warwick James Stokes
-
Patent number: 6560987Abstract: A shut-off valve for pressurized fluids in an air cooling/heating apparatus that includes at least one condenser and at least one fluid evaporator communicating with each other by a pipe. The valve includes two ducts each containing a restrictor coaxially formed with a capillary designed to cause rapid expansion of the fluid when it emerges from the capillary, thus allowing expansion of the fluid in either the heating or cooling mode. The valve further includes a duct for sampling the pressurized fluid before expansion during operation in either the heating or cooling mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventors: Ross Edward Kreger, Keith Herbert Gifford, Scott David Gill, Daniele Casiraghi
-
Patent number: 6550265Abstract: In an ejector cycle system, high-pressure side refrigerant is decompressed by an ejector in cooling operation for cooling a compartment, and is decompressed by a fixed restrictor in heating operation for heating the compartment. Therefore, in the heating operation, the pressure of refrigerant to be sucked into a compressor can be made lower, and the temperature of refrigerant discharged from the compressor is increased. Alternatively, in the cooling operation, a flow direction of refrigerant flowing through at least one of an exterior heat exchanger and an interior heat exchanger is identical to that in the heating operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hirotsugu Takeuchi, Yasushi Yamanaka, Hiroshi Oshitani
-
Patent number: 6502413Abstract: A refrigerant cycle has a main expansion valve communicating with an inlet header which in turn communicates with a plurality of flow passages moving towards an evaporator coil. Each of the plurality of passages is provided with an individual restriction which provides additional expansion. The individual restrictions can each be separately controlled or designed such that the flow through each of the passages can be tailored to optimum efficiency and operation within the evaporator coil. However, the use of the main expansion valve in series with these restrictions ensures that each of the restrictions can be relatively simple items. Further, the use of the separate restrictions provides a system which has a simplified inlet header system.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Chris Repice, Brad Reisfeld, Robert Chiang
-
Patent number: 6494058Abstract: A plate type condenser used in a cooling system is provided. The plate type condenser includes a casing for defining an upper space into which a gaseous refrigerant flows and is cooled, a lower space for accommodating a liquid refrigerant into which the gaseous refrigerant is condensed, and a connecting portion through which the upper and lower spaces communicate with each other. The casing substantially has a plate shape. A refrigerant inlet is installed at an upper portion of the casing to communicate with the upper space. A refrigerant outlet is installed at a lower portion of the casing to communicate with the lower space. A first adiabatic slit for separating the walls of the casing is formed between the upper space and the lower space except at the connecting portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kyung-il Cho, Byeoung Ju Ha, In-seob Song
-
Publication number: 20020184912Abstract: A device for reinforcing condensation, especially a device being disposed between a compressor and an expansion valve in a condensation system, comprises a front pipe, at least two divided flow pipes, a plurality of capillary tubes, at least a combining pipe, and a rear pipe. The front pipe is connected to a heat exchange pipe in the condensation system. The divided flow pipes are joined to the front pipe and each divided flow pipe has a diameter thereof smaller than that of the front pipe. The capillary tubes are divided into a plurality of groups and each group has two or more of the capillary tubes. The capillary tubes at an end thereof connect with the divided flow pipes and the diameter of the respective capillary tube is smaller than that the diameter of the respective divided flow pipe. The combining pipe at an end thereof connects with the other end of each capillary tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2001Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Ming-Li Tso, Chao-Lung Wei
-
Publication number: 20020148248Abstract: This refrigeration system is an orifice-tube system constituting a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant passes through a compressor 1, a condenser 10, an orifice-tube 3, an evaporator 4, and an accumulator 5 in this order and then returns to the compressor 1. The condenser 10 is constituted by the so-called multi-flow type heat exchanger having a plurality of passes P1-P3. The intermediate pass P2 is constituted as a decompression pass for decompressing the refrigerant. After condensing the refrigerant by the first pass P1, the condensed refrigerant is decompressed and evaporated by the decompression pass P2, and then the evaporated refrigerant is re-condensed by the third pass P3. This refrigeration system is excellent in response characteristic to thermal load fluctuations and in refrigeration performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Applicant: Showa Denko K.K.Inventors: Hideaki Manaka, Hirohiko Watanabe, Ryoichi Hoshino, Yasuhiro Takahashi
-
Patent number: 6442966Abstract: Disclosed is a fixed orifice expansion device for use in connection with couplings, such as refrigerant couplings. The novel device includes a body having first and second ends, and an orifice therethrough. At least one end of the body includes a sealing mechanism for sealing the device within a bore of a cooperative coupling or the like, while the opposing end includes means for installing the body within the cooperative coupling. By use of the disclosed expansion device, a service valve for refrigerant expansion may be accomplished with three standard ARI fittings.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Chatleff Controls, Inc.Inventor: Herman David Wiser
-
Patent number: 6430958Abstract: A deflector for use in an accumulator that provides a reservoir for the liquid-phase of a heat transfer medium circulating in a closed-loop air conditioning system is configured to prevent liquid phase medium from the supply pipe from entering the inlet area of the delivery pipe of the accumulator. The deflector has a recessed underside defined by a depending peripheral skirt having an outline that is closely spaced with respect to the peripheral wall of the accumulator to define therewith an annular gap. The upper wall of the deflector is positioned to be impinged by medium delivered from the supply pipe and is configured to distribute radially and impart rotation to the medium, thus enhancing the separation of the liquid phase along the accumulator peripheral wall, especially as the liquid and gaseous phase pass through the annular gap. The open inlet area of the delivery pipe is shielded within the recessed underside of the deflector.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Halla Climate Control Canada, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Leonard Corrigan, Kenneth Peter Luke Cram
-
Patent number: 6430950Abstract: An expansion element for a CO2 motor vehicle air conditioner includes a valve unit which can be used particularly for such an expansion element and which has a fixed throttle between an upstream valve high-pressure side and a downstream valve low-pressure side. The expansion element contains a control valve which is acted upon by the low-pressure-side refrigerant pressure or a physical quantity connected therewith as the correcting variable, or valve unit. The valve unit contains a fixed throttle and at least one additional valve component in the form of a pressure control valve which is arranged in a bypass line bypassing the fixed throttle, or in the form of a control vale influencing the passage cross-section of the fixed throttle.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignees: Behr GmbH & Co., Luk Fahrzeughydraulic GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Ing. Bernd Dienhart, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christoph Walter, Jan Hinrichs, Volker Seipel, Nguyen van Doan
-
Patent number: 6425262Abstract: The invention is directed to an air conditioning unit having a refrigerating fluid loop comprising a compressor, a condenser, a liquid/gas separating reservoir, an expansion device, an evaporator and a pre-expansion device, inserted between the condenser and the reservoir, which is capable of producing a pressure drop ranging between 1.5 and 14 bars to reduce the fluid pressure down to its vapor saturating pressure. The reservoir can also contain a variable amount of liquid to compensate the fluid losses in the loop by maintaining the sub-cooling temperature constant in the condenser and consequently the heating capacity capable of being absorbed by the evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Valeo ClimatisationInventor: Vincent Pomme
-
Publication number: 20020083734Abstract: A plate type condenser used in a cooling system is provided. The plate type condenser includes a casing for defining an upper space into which a gaseous refrigerant flows and is cooled, a lower space for accommodating a liquid refrigerant into which the gaseous refrigerant is condensed, and a connecting portion through which the upper and lower spaces communicate with each other. The casing substantially has a plate shape. A refrigerant inlet is installed at an upper portion of the casing to communicate with the upper space. A refrigerant outlet is installed at a lower portion of the casing to communicate with the lower space. A first adiabatic slit for separating the walls of the casing is formed between the upper space and the lower space except at the connecting portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Kyung-Il Cho, Byeoung Ju Ha, In-Seob Song
-
Publication number: 20020069668Abstract: A shut-off valve for pressurized fluids in an air cooling/heating apparatus that includes at least one condenser and at least one fluid evaporator communicating with each other by a pipe. The valve includes two ducts each containing a restrictor coaxially formed with a capillary designed to cause rapid expansion of the fluid when it emerges from the capillary, thus allowing expansion of the fluid in either the heating or cooling mode. The valve further includes a duct for sampling the pressurized fluid before expansion during operation in either the heating or cooling mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Ross Edward Kreger, Keith Herbert Gifford, Scott David Gill, Daniele Casiraghi
-
Patent number: 6367283Abstract: A refrigerant flow-control valve is operable between a mid-flow condition, a low-flow condition, and a high-flow condition in response to an electronic control signal supplied thereto and a pressure drop across the valve. The valve includes a tubular-shaped body having an inlet and an outlet and forming a refrigerant passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet, a cylindrically-shaped restrictor secured within the tube and forming a first restriction, a cylindrically shaped end stop secured within the tube and spaced-apart from the restrictor, and a plunger within the tube between the restrictor and the end stop. The plunger forms a first valve-element flow passage between its outer periphery and the tube and carries a first valve element which movable between a first position closing the first valve-element flow passage and a second position opening the first valve-element flow passage. The second restriction has a greater resistance to refrigerant flow than the first restriction.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Ranco IncorporatedInventor: Brian Enderle
-
Publication number: 20020035845Abstract: Vapor compression heat exchange systems are disclosed that are designed to allow for optimal mass flow of refrigerant there through. The systems of the present invention do not employ conventional refrigerant metering devices, such as capillary tubes and expansion valves, which restrict mass flow, but rather incorporate an openly fixed orifice in-line with the conduits connecting the condenser to the evaporator, thereby maintaining the pressure differential between the high pressure condenser side and low pressure evaporator side of the system during operation. Provision of the fixed orifice allows for optimal refrigerant mass flow as measured by cooler compressor temperatures, cooler compressor discharge temperatures, increased heat of rejection, increased heat of absorption, and improved heating and cooling efficiency. The present invention may employ any conventional refrigerant, including the newer HFC refrigerants, such as R-410A.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventor: David Smolinsky
-
Patent number: 6351950Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system using a capillary as an expansion device has a liquid refrigerant subcooler between a condenser and the capillary which is controlled to vary the refrigerant flow.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Fisher & Paykel LimitedInventor: Gerald David Duncan
-
Publication number: 20010035025Abstract: A condenser includes a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet, a core portion having a refrigerant passage for introducing refrigerant from the refrigerant inlet to the refrigerant outlet while condensing the refrigerant, and decompressing means provided at a part of the refrigerant passage, the decompressing means decompressing a refrigerant pressure. The refrigerant passage located at an upstream side of the decompressing means condensates at least a part of high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a liquified refrigerant. The decompressing means decompresses the liquified refrigerant into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant passage located at a downstream side of the decompressing means re-condensates the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Applicant: Showa Denko K.K.Inventors: Hirohiko Watanabe, Ryoichi Hoshino, Yasuhiro Takahashi
-
Patent number: 6272869Abstract: An expansion device in a refrigeration chiller defines at least two fixed orifices and employs at least two positionable valve members in order to minimize the overall flow area through the expansion device under a first set of chiller operating conditions, to maximize the overall flow area through the expansion device under a second set of chiller operating conditions and to define a flow area intermediate said minimum and said maximum flow areas when a third set of chiller operating conditions exist.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: American Standard International Inc.Inventor: David H. Eber
-
Patent number: 6250103Abstract: A condenser includes a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet, a core portion having a refrigerant passage for introducing refrigerant from the refrigerant inlet to the refrigerant outlet while condensing the refrigerant, and decompressing means provided at a part of the refrigerant passage, the decompressing means decompressing a refrigerant pressure. The refrigerant passage located at an upstream side of the decompressing means condensates at least a part of high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a liquified refrigerant. The decompressing means decompresses the liquified refrigerant into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant passage located at a downstream side of the decompressing means re-condensates the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.Inventors: Hirohiko Watanabe, Ryoichi Hoshino, Yasuhiro Takahashi
-
Patent number: 6233950Abstract: A device for injecting a refrigerant into a product mixer comprising a pipe for injecting the refrigerant comprising (1) an injection nozzle designed to be connected to the mixer and (2) at least one region of reduced cross section suitable for creating an expansion in the fluid located upstream of the injection nozzle with respect to the direction of flow of the fluid in the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Alain Cloarec
-
Patent number: 6199399Abstract: A bi-directional refrigerant metering and expansion valve. The bi-directional valve comprises a body; a short tube portion in the body, a heating inlet portion and a cooling inlet portion. The short tube portion includes a tubular portion having a short tube length, a short tube diameter, and a pre-selected short tube length to short tube diameter ratio and includes first and second ends interconnected by the tubular portion. The heating inlet portion is connected to the first end of the short tube portion, and includes a heating inlet chamfer having a first length and a first angle of a first magnitude. The cooling inlet portion is connected to the second end of the short tube portion, and includes a cooling inlet chamfer having a second length and a cooling inlet angle of a second magnitude. The second length is greater than the first length.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: American Standard Inc.Inventor: Roger J. Voorhis
-
Patent number: 6182457Abstract: An electronic variable orifice tube suitable for use as an expansion valve in a refrigeration system providing two flow rates in response to electronic control signals comprises a bodytube, a restrictor mounted within the bodytube and defining a first flowpath. A plunger is translatably positioned within the bodytube in proximity to the restrictor and defines a second and a third flowpath. A valve actuator is functionally coupled to the plunger to translate the plunger within the bodytube to transition between the two flow rates. A high flowpath is formed through the bodytube by the first, second, and third flowpaths, and a low flowpath is formed through the bodytube by the first and the second flowpaths to the exclusion of the third flowpath. A solenoid may be used as the valve actuator and a spring may be employed to return the plunger to its quiescent state when the solenoid is not energized.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of DelawareInventor: Brian Enderle
-
Patent number: 6170289Abstract: A jumper tube for connecting a flow restricting capillary tube and an evaporator in a refrigerator system includes a transition portion in between a cavity portion and a cylindrical portion. The transition portion is crimped and folds a portion of the jumper tube sidewall onto itself to form a passage in the shape of clam shell. The transition portion prevents the creation of popping sounds in the jumper tube due to uncontrolled expansion of refrigerant exiting the capillary tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Kenneth Brown, Jimmy Alan Dobbs
-
Patent number: 6164077Abstract: Thermal link device for use between an end surface of a cold finger of a cryogenic machine, at cryogenic temperature when in use, and a load, comprising:a plate confronting said end surface, for connection with the load, mechanically separate from the end surface and defining a condensation and vaporization gap with said end surface,a capillary pumping element in said gap,a flexible wall defining an enclosure accommodating said gap and surrounding at least said end surface and a portion of a cold finger which is close to said end surface, andgas means in said enclosure, said gas means including at least one gas having a condensation temperature selected responsive to a cryogenic temperature to be given to the load.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1999Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Matra Marconi Space FranceInventor: Damien Feger
-
Patent number: 6157276Abstract: An MR magnet assembly includes a cylindrical vessel for housing a superconducting magnet and having a vacuum between its inner and outer walls. The vessel defines a magnet bore for receiving a patient to be imaged. A gradient coil assembly is mounted in the bore adjacent the inner wall of the magnet assembly. To reduce gradient coil noise, the inner wall is constructed of a non-conductive material which does not support eddy currents.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1998Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Arvin Hedeen, William Alan Edelstein, Sayed-Amr El-Hamamsy, Kenneth Gordon Herd, Robert Adolph Ackermann
-
Patent number: 6144274Abstract: An insertion and positioning mechanism to assist in inserting the cryocooler into the sealed cavity of a recondensing superconducting magnet during superconducting operation utilizing guide assembly and slider assembly combinations to resist forces of cryocooler interaction with the magnetic field of the superconducting magnet to avoid misalignment, and to ensure good thermal contact at the cryocooler thermal interfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lawrence Vincent Bischke, Gerhard Siegfried Kobus, Paul Chester Senski
-
Patent number: 6134913Abstract: The invention comprises a new and unique 3He gas polarization process. In dition, it provides for an improved diaphragm pump configuration. This arrangement allows the 3He gas and 3He-4He gas mixture to be polarized and compressed to a pressure in the range of one bar and placed into a glass storage cell without significant loss of polarization.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of CommerceInventor: Thomas R. Gentile
-
Patent number: 6131396Abstract: A heat radiation shield has an electrically insulating support on which a mosaic of electrically conductive elementary layers is arranged on at least one side.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1997Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wilhelm Duerr, Markus Vester
-
Patent number: 6122919Abstract: A sensor/cooling system (20) includes a cold finger (46) with an endcap (54) having an end projection (56) at a first end (44) thereof. The end projection (56) defines a recess (58) in an end of the endcap (54), preferably along a longitudinal centerline (60) of the cold finger (46). A support structure (29) has a platform (30) with a first side (40) and a second side (42) oppositely disposed from the first side (40). The second side (42) is affixed to the end projection (56) of the endcap (54) so as to overlie the recess (58). A sensor assembly (28) is affixed to the first side (40) of the platform (30), a cryogenic cooler (50) is affixed to a second end (48) of the cold finger (46), and a vacuum housing (24) encloses at least the sensor assembly (28).Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1999Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Monesh S. Patel, George K. Papazacharioudakis, Steven L. Bailey
-
Patent number: 6122920Abstract: A cryogenic pumping system is provided, comprising a vacuum environment, an aerogel sorbent formed from a carbon aerogel disposed within the vacuum environment, and cooling means for cooling the aerogel sorbent sufficiently to adsorb molecules from the vacuum environment onto the aerogel sorbent. Embodiments of the invention include a liquid refrigerant cryosorption pump, a compressed helium cryogenic pump, a cryopanel and a Meissner coil, each of which uses carbon aerogel as a sorbent material.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Randal M. Hill, Eric R. Fought, Peter J. Biltoft
-
Patent number: 6112531Abstract: A superconducting system having a coil or cable in the form of strands at superconducting temperature is connected to a power supply at room temperature. The connection is by means of a stranded current lead substantially under regular conducting conditions. Each current lead strand is insulated and connected to a corresponding superconducting strand so as to supply current and to contribute an individual series resistance. The temperature-sensitive resistance provides an important current self-limiting mechanism to forestall current imbalance or channeling among the superconducting strands and therefore forestall premature quenching. Various embodiments are directed to regulating the current in the individual superconducting strands, including regulating the resistance in the individual current lead strands with careful temperature control as well as improving the overall superconducting system with optimized cooling.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1997Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Kabushikikaisya, YYLInventor: Satarou Yamaguchi
-
Patent number: 6109042Abstract: A pressure relieving venting system for a liquid helium superconducting magnet to vent cryogen gas upon a magnet quench including a burst disk closing the venting system during normal superconducting operation and sandwiched between a peripheral gasket assembly maintained under constant pressure by a plurality of axially extending bolts, spring washers and nut assemblies to preclude helium gas leakage in the absence of the disk bursting under excessive pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel C. Woods, Lawrence V. Bischke, Jimmy LaBruce Turner, Phillip W. Eckels
-
Patent number: 6094923Abstract: An apparatus for cryogenically freezing tissue specimens includes a linear motion platform and a pair of rotary motion platforms. The rotary motion platforms can be used alternatively with respect to the linear motion platform and a mechanism is provided to automatically trigger the linear motion platform for movement and to reset the linear motion platform when the rotary motion platforms are placed in covering relationship with or removed from covering relationship with respect to the linear motion platform. Cryogenic fluids are supplied to tissue receiving cryogenic discs on the various platforms through flexible plastic tubing. The tubing that supplies cryogenic fluid to the rotary motion platforms is constructed so as to form a series of loose loops in conjunction with tails that are mounted over a central rod to allow movement at cryogenic temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Inventor: David C. Rada
-
Patent number: 6092372Abstract: Methods and apparatus for gasification of liquid nitrogen and other cryogenic liquids are provided. The apparatus includes a gasification unit capable of refrigerating at least one cryoelectronics energy converter and utilizing the heat generated thereby to gasify a cryogenic fluid. Refrigeration is provided by the cryogenic fluid in the gasification unit. The gasification unit is preferably capable of gasifying at least 1 liter/hour of cryogenic fluid. The gasification unit can be coupled to a chemical processing unit such that gasified cryogenic fluid produced in the gasification unit can be introduced into the chemical processing unit for use therein. A secondary heat recovery unit can be provided upstream of the chemical processing unit to separate entrained liquid particles from the gasified cryogenic fluid produced by the gasification unit. Cryogenic fluid can be supplied to the gasification unit from an air liquefaction plant, a storage tank, a truck or the like.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1998Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Inventor: Carl J. Russo
-
Patent number: 6089039Abstract: A second condenser includes a condensation promoting portion that promotes a condensation action on a refrigerant by reduction of the sectional area of a refrigerant path. The condensation promoting portion includes a step-forming wall between the sectional area reduced portion and a refrigerant path portion in the upstream thereof A vortex/turbulent flow generator is provided as necessary in the upstream and downstream of the sectional area reduced portion of the refrigerant path. The air conditioner includes a first condenser and a second condenser that are coupled in a crossflow manner so that an object for heat exchange, that is, a coolant passes first through the second condenser including the condensation promoting portion and then through the first condenser.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Inventor: Noriyuki Yamauchi
-
Patent number: 6070414Abstract: A cryogenic cooler and a dewar assembly including a cooled surface; a cooling surface for removing thermal energy from said cooled surface; and an adapter disposed between said cooling surface and the cooled surface for conducting thermal energy therebetween. A first fluid is disposed between the cooled surface and the adapter for conducting thermal energy from the cooled surface to the adapter. A second fluid is disposed between the cooling surface and the adapter for conducting thermal energy from the adapter to the cooling surface whereby the cooling surface remains free to move axially relative to the adapter at a temperature of the cooling surface at which the first fluid is susceptible to freezing. This allows for movement of the cold finger relative to the dewar and adapter, due to differential thermal coefficients of expansion or support structure motion, without adversely affecting the communication of thermal energy from the load.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Bradley A. Ross, Robert M. Thompson, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6029458Abstract: A cryogen recondensing magnetic resonance imager superconducting magnet utilizing a rare earth displacement material cryocooler with a superconducting sleeve surrounding a portion of the circumference of the cold end of the cryocooler to provide superconducting current flow of currents induced by movement of the rare earth displacer to generate opposing magnetic fields which shield the imaging region of the superconducting magnet from magnetic interference generated by movement of the cryocooler rare earth displacer.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Inventor: Phillip William Eckels
-
Patent number: 6029456Abstract: A convoluted or multiple-pass neck tube joins inner and outer elements of a vacuum-jacketed vessel. The additional length of the convoluted neck tube creates an increased distance for heat to conduct from the outer to the inner vessel. As such, a convoluted neck tube can be substitute in place of a straight neck tube or a bellows neck tube to reduce heat gain into the inner vessel. An additional benefit achieved by the convoluted neck tube is greater flexibility of the neck tube, thus yielding more stress resistance.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1997Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Inventor: LeNoir E. Zaiser
-
Patent number: 6023940Abstract: A split air conditioner unit having a distributor located indoors for delivering refrigerant to a plurality of evaporator flow circuits. The distributor is connected to an outdoor condenser by a refrigerant line containing an expansion device. A strainer is located at the entrance to the distributor that homogenizes the expanded two phase mixture so that refrigerant of equal quality is delivered to each of the evaporator flow circuits.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1998Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Alan D. Abbott, Keon-Woo Lee, Christopher G. Repice, S. Rudy Chou, Mark A. Daniels
-
Patent number: 6023934Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cooling systems for cryogenic power conversion electronics are provided. The invention includes systems having electronic power conversion apparatus comprising at least one cryogenically operated semiconductor switch and at least one cryogenically operated capacitor and cooling means for cryogenically cooling the at least one cryogenically operated semiconductor switch and the at least one cryogenically operated capacitor to a temperature between 90K to 236K. The systems can also include input/output means for supplying power to said power conversion apparatus and receiving power from said power conversion apparatus. In alternative embodiments, liquid cryogens can be used in heat exchange systems in conjunction with refrigeration cold heads or heat pipes. In these embodiments, the cryogen can be recondensed if boiled.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1996Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: American Superconductor Corp.Inventor: Calman Gold
-
Patent number: 6018951Abstract: A refrigerating and shipping container for refrigerated goods, whereby said container is made heat-insulated, with a door or a cover and with a refrigeration supply. According to the invention, a wall of the container has an indentation into which a cold finger of a refrigeration supply fits.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1997Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventor: Horst Rudiger