Abstract: A refrigerator including fixers for fixing various components to an inner case and a light emitting diode (LED) assembler in which a printed circuit board having an LED mounted thereon is assembled and which is integrally provided in the inner case. The refrigerator includes an inner case configured to form a storage compartment, an outer case coupled to an outer side of the inner case to form an exterior, a plurality of components fixed to a rear plate of the inner case, and a plurality of fixers integrally formed at the rear plate of the inner case to fix the plurality of components thereto, wherein the plurality of fixers are injection-molded along with the rear plate of the inner case.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice thermal storage device. The refrigerator includes a cabinet, a storage compartment defined in the cabinet, and an ice thermal storage device placed in the storage compartment. The ice thermal storage device includes a case including at least one heat transfer plate, and an ice thermal storage pack received in the case and arranged to come into contact with the at least one heat transfer plate.

Abstract: An intelligent shelving system integrates touch sensors, displays, lighting, and other components into shelves. Touch sensors can be used as limit switches to control shelf motion, to monitor items borne on shelves, to detect spills, and to control lighting and other devices and functions. Displays can provide information relating to objects stored in the shelving system and the operation and status of the shelving system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cleaning of residue from the surface of a container where the method comprises cooling the container and residue adhered to the container surface to a low temperature, substantially embrittling the residue, fragmenting the residue, separating the residue from the surface of the container and removing the residue from the container. The container is placed in an enclosure with an opening in the top of the enclosure to permit access to the interior of the container when a container lid is removed. The system includes a rotating base to turn the container to facilitate freezing and removal of the residue.

Abstract: An expansion nozzle (20) for making carbon-dioxide snow from liquid carbon dioxide, for spraying refrigerated or frozen items (2), nozzle has an integrated metering valve (30) with a discharge aperture (32), an intake-side valve seat (33), and a valve needle (31) adjustable relative to the valve seat (33). The needle projects into the discharge aperture (32). A jet shaper (60) adjoins the discharge channel (35), in which the liquid carbon dioxide expands within a cross section widened at an end thereof. An expansion region (62) with a diverging cross section has a rectangular flow cross section.

Abstract: Method of sequentially spraying a cryogenic liquid comprising sequentially applying a dose of a propellant gas to a dose of the cryogenic liquid and sequentially spraying this liquid, the pressure of the propellant gas being greater than that of the cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: A miniature refrigeration system and method of operation. A primary refrigerant is pressurized by a compressor to a relatively low pressure, for safety reasons. The compressed primary refrigerant is passed through a primary-to-secondary heat exchanger, to precool the gas mixture. The secondary side of the primary-to-secondary heat exchanger is cooled by a secondary refrigeration system. The primary refrigerant exiting the primary outlet of the primary-to-secondary heat exchanger passes to a primary Joule-Thomson expansion element where the high pressure gas is expanded to a lower temperature. This low temperature gas cools a heat transfer element mounted in the outer wall of the catheter or cryoprobe, to cool surrounding tissue. Return gas can flow back through a distal primary-to-primary heat exchanger to further cool the incoming high pressure gas mixture. A proximal primary-to-primary heat exchanger can be added between the primary-to-secondary heat exchanger and the primary compressor.

Abstract: A cooling device for rapidly cooling items, such as biological samples. The cooling device includes an enclosure having a chamber and an air circulation path at least partially within the chamber. A fan is operatively connected to the chamber for circulating air within the air circulation path and a perforated tube is disposed within the air circulation path for receiving a liquid refrigerant under pressure and distributing refrigerant in gaseous form to the air circulation path. Preferably the perforated tube is formed as a coil having multiple revolutions and either an axial blade fan or a centrifugal fan is received generally within the coils.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided herein to produce solid CO.sub.2 from liquid CO.sub.2 wherein the solid CO.sub.2 may be adjusted for level of agglomeration and can be continuously delivered through a snow horn in a horizontal or substantially horizontal orientation. The invention finds particular use in confined spaces such as between a freezer infeed conveyor and the freezer conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for freezing products or materials to a super-frozen state, storing them until shipment and shipping them in a super-frozen state. The apparatus consists of two self-contained, super-insulated containers. The first apparatus has at least two compartments, one for freezing and one for storage. The product or material to be frozen is placed in the freezing compartment and frozen to a super-frozen state and then transferred to the storage compartment where it is stored until shipment. The second apparatus is a self contained super-insulated shipping container. When shipment is to be effected, product or material is transferred from a storage compartment of the first apparatus in a super-frozen state to the second or shipping apparatus. The doors of the shipping apparatus are closed and the self-contained, super-insulated apparatus containing super-frozen product or material is shipped to a remote venue.

Abstract: A refrigerant is directly contacted to a substrate to be processed that was heated so as to quickly cool the substrate. Thus, the temperature of the substrate is dropped to a predetermined temperature level. The substrate is cooled by a cooling device and cooling water. Thus, the cooling temperature can be accurately controlled. In addition, the substrate can be effectively cooled.

Abstract: A process of generating fog by providing a transport vessel, loading predetermined quantities of liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen into the transport vessel, and subjecting the transport vessel to a plurality of accelerations and decelerations to achieve a homogeneous mixture of the liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen. The homogeneous mixture is delivered to a fog generator and fog is produced therefrom.

Abstract: The proposed gas generator includes an isothermal vessel for a cryogenic liquid, the vessel being connected via an electrically controlled valve to a supercharging evaporator, a nozzle unit arranged in the upper part of the gasifier and connected by an electrically controlled valve to the lower part of the cryogenic liquid vessel, the gasifier being partially filled with a heat-accumulating substance and provided with a deflector situated above the nozzle unit and an electrically controlled sealing unit; in the lower part along the gasifier axis are provided a separator and a toroidal elastic casing attached to the bottom of the gasifier, the cavity of the casing communicating via the main pipe (provided with a pre-heating heat exchanger) with the upper part of the iso-thermal vessel, while the heat-accumulating substance is situated above the surface of the toroidal elastic casing, the electrically controlled sealing unit being situated at the separator outlet.

Abstract: A cryogenic freezing method uses a mixture of liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen in amounts approximating the composition of atmospheric air to freeze food products. The mixture preferably includes 18% to 25% oxygen and the balance nitrogen, with small amounts of residuals which are commonly found in air. The present invention involves replacing a liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen cooling medium which is used in known cryogenic freezers with a liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen mixture. The liquid nitrogen and oxygen mixture can be used according the present invention in many of the known freezers using liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen as a cooling medium, including tunnel freezers, spiral freezers, and immersion freezers. The use of a liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen mixture improves the efficiency of a freezer because the cold vapors are not exhausted from the freezer. In addition, the leakage of vapors from the freezer into the room air will not create unsafe conditions for workers.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a container in which are situated a plurality of eutectic chilling elements and a spraybar for dispensing a mist of liquid cryogen into a region R in which product to be refrigerated is to be stored. Liquid cryogen is used to freeze the eutectic and is then passed to the spray bar.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for spraying a cryogen in which a heat load is sprayed with a cryogen from one or more spray nozzles within a spray zone. A heat conductive element is positioned below the article and is provided with a surface sized to catch the liquid content of the cryogen that has been oversprayed, thereby to vaporize the overspray through direct heat transfer with the conductive element. In another aspect the present invention provides an apparatus and method in which a flow network a flow of a liquid cryogen is divided into first and second subsidiary streams. The second subsidiary stream is vaporized within a branch of the network and then mixed back into the first subsidiary stream to produce a two phase flow of the cryogen. The cryogen is then sprayed as the two phase flow. The flow rate of the second subsidiary stream can be controlled with a proportional valve to adjust the quality of the cryogen being sprayed so that pooling of overspray on said heat conductive element is inhibited.

Abstract: A container (10) for the storage of perishable foodstuffs is chilled by means of a liquefied gas comprising a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen which when totally vaporised has an oxygen concentration of between 15 and 22%, the remaining concentration being substantially of nitrogen. Such an atmosphere is breathable, and hence avoids the problems associated with non breathable chilling atmospheres.

Abstract: In the method and apparatus for transporting/storing chilled goods at a low temperature: a supply area of a liquefied gas such as liquid carbon dioxide, liquefied nitrogen and the like is provided in an upper portion of a hermetically-sealed space; and, the liquefied gas is supplied to the supply area to rapidly chill the interior of the space, whereby such interior is kept thereafter at the substantially same temperature as that of a surface of the chilled goods. The supply area has its bottom and/or side surface constructed of a gas-permeable material such as perforated panels, mesh members, net members and like materials, or of a gas-impermeable thin material such as aluminum foil, synthetic resin sheet or thin panels, metal sheet, non-woven fabrics and like materials.

Abstract: The present invention's fog generating apparatus has a mixing chamber. A steam nozzle in the mixing chamber injects high pressure steam into the chamber. The injected steam entrains ambient air, pulling it through an air opening into the mixing chamber. The steam and air mix to form humid air. Cryogenic fluid, preferably liquid nitrogen, is injected through a nozzle, which is positioned in the path of the humid air. The cryogenic fluid rapidly cools the warm, humid air which generates large quantities of fog. Depending of the way the steam is injected and the design of the mixing chamber, the present invention can generate slow or fast moving fog.

Abstract: A cryogenic cold shelf for use in a freeze drying system having a cryogen distributor for passing cryogenic fluid into the shelf volume of the cold shelf at differing rates so as to even refrigeration provided over the entire shelf resulting in a uniform temperature over the cold shelf.

Abstract: A cryogenic aerosol separator/classifier for separating and selectively removing particles from a stream of aerosol. The aerosol stream is produced by a cryogenic aerosol generator comprising a reservoir containing a cryogenic gas-liquid mixture at a first pressure, a delivery line coupled to the reservoir, and a nozzle. The nozzle has at least one exit opening which allows the cryogenic gas-liquid mixture to expand from the first pressure to a lower pressure and, thus, to produce cryogenic aerosol. A separator is coupled to the nozzle, such that the light particles having high mobility are removed from the stream, thereby producing a stream of cryogenic flow with particles having a controlled size to clean a contaminated surface. The apparatus is enhanced by utilizing a magnetic field and/or specially designed flow fields to fully take advantage of the enhanced mobilities of light particles.

Abstract: An expander for a concentric pulse tube cooler. The inventive expander includes a central pulse tube; a concentric insulation tube disposed around the central pulse tube, the insulation tube having a concentric chamber therein and the chamber being filled with an insulator and the insulator being atmospheric; and a regenerator disposed around the concentric insulation tube. In a particular implementation, the insulator tube includes a vent which allows the insulation chamber to communicate with the surrounding atmosphere. When used in space, the chamber is filled with a void and the insulator becomes a vacuum and provides effective insulation at cryogenic temperatures.

Abstract: An icing system for a beverage package includes a platform for supporting a container for the package to be iced, a liquid spray nozzle(s) for applying a mist or coating of water droplets to the container, a refrigeration unit for freezing the water droplets on the exterior of the container and a delivery station for presenting an iced package beverage to a customer for consumption. In one embodiment, the entire icing system is contained within a cabinet of a vending machine and preferably the front door thereof. In this embodiment, a can orienting funnel is provided in communication with a gravity feed vent chute within the vending machine cabinet to receive and orient the container on the platform. A linear actuator or elevator coupled to the container supporting platform is provided to move the container seriatim past the spray nozzle(s) and refrigeration unit to the delivery station.

Abstract: The refrigeration system according to the invention includes a vacuum jacketed pressure vessel which contains both a spray heat exchanger and a shell and tube heat exchanger. The spray heat exchanger includes one or more nozzles for directing a first refrigerant at a heat exchanger element conveying a second refrigerant. The first refrigerant is sprayed in a fine mist from the nozzles onto the heat exchanger element conveying the second refrigerant. The first refrigerant then evaporates and cools the second refrigerant within the heat exchanger element. The shell and tube heat exchanger is a counter current heat exchanger which includes an inner tube for conveying the second refrigerant to the spray heat exchanger, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube for conveying the first refrigerant recovered from the interior of the vacuum jacketed pressure vessel out of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: An improved blast cleaning system and an improved method of blast cleaning using solid carbon dioxide pellets is provided. A compressed air source--preferably an air compressor--is used to produce a compressed air or carrier gas stream which is cooled to the desired temperature by injection of a cryogen--preferably liquid nitrogen--before the solid carbon dioxide pellets are introduced into the carrier gas stream. Solid carbon dioxide pellets are then added to the cooled compressed air stream and then propelled towards the surface to be cleaned. Using a compressed air stream which is precooled to the desired operating temperature helps to minimize the sublimation of the carbon dioxide pellets. The use of the precooled compressed air stream also allows greater control of the hardness, size, density, impact forces, stripping rates, and stripping efficiencies of the carbon dioxide pellets. An improved method of transporting solid carbon dioxide pellets which can be used for nonblasting applications (e.g.

Abstract: Process for the temperature stratification-free storage of a cryogenic liquid in a thermally insulated tank under gravitation conditions or under gravitation and movement conditions, which generate a liquid volume with a clearly limited, unmoving or only moderately moving liquid level as well as with a gas space located above it in the storage volume of the tank. Liquid is pumped off from the area near the bottom of the tank continuously or at time intervals, it is fed into the area of the gas space, and it is directed vertically or at an acute angle toward the liquid level there in the form of at least one high-energy jet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cleaning of residue from the surface of a container where the method comprises cooling a container and residue adhered to the container surface to a low temperature, substantially embrittling the residue and then impacting the container to fragment and separate the residue from the surface of the container. The cooling may be effected by contacting cold vaporized cryogen to the residue and container in an insulated box having a cryogen sprayer, an opening, and a door. A method for reducing the bulk volumes of containers comprising cooling the container to a low temperature to substantially embrittle the container and then stressing the container to fracture and break apart the embrittled portions and thereby reduce the bulk volume of the container.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet includes a cryocooler coldhead, a sleeve assembly, and a superconducting coil assembly. The sleeve assembly includes a flexible bellows and a sleeve tube and is attached to the superconducting coil assembly so that it may be retracted about one-eighth of an inch breaking thermal contact of the sleeve assembly with the coil assembly's magnet cartridge and thermal shield while remaining hermetically connected to the coil assembly's vacuum enclosure. The coldhead's housing is attached to the sleeve assembly so that the coldhead's first and second stage make unconnected thermal contact with the sleeve assembly. By first retracting the sleeve assembly, the coldhead may be removed therefrom without room temperature air forming an ice ball on the surfaces of the sleeve assembly and without a heat load being transferred to quench the superconducting coil assembly. This permits continuous magnet operation using dual coldheads and dual sleeve assemblies.

Abstract: A new and improved device having a chamber for the receipt of food products to be instantly frozen comprising a container having side walls and a rear wall in a vertical orientation and having a top wall and a bottom wall the edges of which are coupled to the edges of the side and rear walls, and having an opening at the front thereby forming a chamber within the walls. A door is positionable over the open front with a hinge coupling the side of the door with an adjacent edge of the container. A manifold is positioned within the chamber and secured to depend from the upper wall with openings spaced along its lower extent and a central passageway extending therethrough. A tube couples the manifold with a source of freezing gas located exterior of the device. Control means are adapted to project a flow of freezing gases from the container through the tube to the manifold for being dispensed to food products located within the chamber to be frozen.

Abstract: A high rate, continuous production, slush hydrogen generator includes a tank, apparatus for creating a vacuum in the tank, apparatus for delivering triple point (T.P.) liquid hydrogen (LH2) to the tank, apparatus for interacting with the vacuum in the tank to produce slush hydrogen from the T.P. LH2, where the T.P. LH2 has a substantially constant solid fraction, and apparatus for delivering cold vapors from the slush in the tank to the vacuum creating apparatus. The apparatus for producing slush hydrogen in the generator includes a perforated spray ring for evaporating the T.P. LH2 and apparatus for delivering the LH2 under pressure to the spray ring.

Abstract: A system for a cooler comprises: a heat exchange tube receiving a supply of pressurized gas, a gas escape aperture communicating with the interior of the heat exchange tube for permitting escape of the pressurized gas and expansion thereof during cooling mode, and a bypass assembly associated with said heat exchange tube and located after said gas escape aperture which during a cleaning mode enables most of the pressurized gas to exit the heat exchange tube without flowing through said gas escape aperture. The bypass assembly comprises a flush valve which is closed during said cooling mode and which is opened during said cleaning mode. According to a preferred embodiment, the heat exchange tube is helically wound over a cylindrical core and installed inside an insulated housing. The system may also be utilized as a gas purity tester, optionally with an additional gas pressure regulator, wherein a sensor will indicate the extent of the gas purity.

Abstract: A transportable container for carrying refrigerated products in frozen (sub zero Fahrenheit) or refrigerated (for example, 40.degree. F.) temperatures includes a structural container having an insulated outer shell with an access doorway. The upper portion of the container includes a transverse perforated baffle and positioned above the baffle are a pair of spaced apart canisters containing liquid refrigerant (CO.sub.2, for example). A gas or liquid feeder tube penetrates each bottle and communicates with an on/off valve. A feeder tube can draw liquid to dispense for cooling, or it can release gas and pressure within the canister to boil the CO.sub.2. When CO.sub.2 reaches its boiling point, the canister, its bracket, and the cold plate reach very cold temperatures to cool the cargo area. The gas is released through copper tubing over the cold plate to act as a method for convection. A temperature regulator valve dispenses CO.sub.

Abstract: The temperature differential in the vapor-phase storage area of a liquid nitrogen refrigerator is reduced by producing turbulence in the nitrogen gas in the vapor-phase storage area without materially affecting the level of liquid nitrogen in the refrigerator. In one embodiment, turbulence is induced by introducing gaseous nitrogen into the refrigerator chamber near or below the level of the liquid nitrogen. In another embodiment, an atomized spray of liquid nitrogen is injected adjacent the top of the refrigerator chamber to absorb heat from the warmer nitrogen gas and to produce turbulence or circulation in the nitrogen gas in the chamber. In another embodiment, a gas circulating fan is provided in the top of the refrigeration chamber, with the fan being operated in response to a signal indicating that the temperature has reached a predetermined high level at a critical point in the chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and process for producing frozen particles of a liquid product having a liquid product nozzle for introducing liquid product droplets to be frozen and a plurality of cryogenic nozzles for introducing a cryogenic liquid directed away from the liquid product droplets.

Abstract: A supplemental cooling system is provided for selectively boosting the cooling capacity of a primary cooling system having a cooling duct for feeding cooling air to an electrical device to be cooled. The supplemental cooling system includes a source of cryogenic coolant and a control valve for controlling the amount of cryogenic coolant fed to the cooling duct of the primary cooling system. Also provided is an injection nozzle for injecting the cryogenic coolant into the cooling air duct and a mixer for mixing the cryogenic coolant with the cooling air of the cooling duct so that, as the cryogenic coolant evaporates, the cooling capacity of the primary cooling system is boosted. A controller controls the operation the control valve to regulate the amount of cryogenic coolant released into the cooling duct and thereby set the amount of increased cooling provided.

Abstract: An article such as a mattress, carpet or curtain is treated by spraying its surface with liquid cryogen (usually liquid nitrogen). The liquid nitrogen acts as an acaricide and kills house dust mites. The dead mites are then removed from the freshly sprayed fabric. Such a treatment is also effective in dislodging particles of dirt from the articles and may be used for example to clean a carpet in situ. After treatment with the liquid nitrogen, the carpet may be subjected to a conventional vacuum cleaning.

Abstract: A device for expansion of liquefied gases, whereby the liquefied gases are used, for instance, as refrigerants for cooling a freezing room. For even distribution of the expanded refrigerant, the liquefied gas is supplied to expansion openings which are arranged inside a cold gas supply pipe. The cold gas supply pipe has an ejector bore hole for aspiration of secondary atmosphere into the cold gas supply pipe. In this way, the expanded refrigerant is finely distributed in the cold gas supply pipe and is mixed with secondary atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of forming glass containers, including the steps of drying a stream of air, passing the dried air into a vacuum-insulated mixing chamber, evaporating liquid cryogen in the mixing chamber, allowing the resulting cryogen vapor to mix with the air to form a mixture at a temperature below -20.degree. C., passing the gas mixture into a vacuum-insulated manifold, and causing the gas mixture to flow from the manifold and into the insides of glass containers being formed in molds to cool the containers.

Abstract: An air/liquid heat exchanger having a refrigerant spray providing evaporative cooling.

Abstract: A transportable container for carrying refrigerated products in frozen (sub zero) or refrigerated (for example, 40.degree.) temperatures inlcudes a structural container having an insulated outer shell with an access doorway. The upper portion of the container includes a transverse perforated baffle and positioned above the baffle are a pair of spaced apart canisters containing liquid refrigerant (CO.sub.2, for example). A gas or liquid feeder tube penetrates each bottle and communicates with an on/off valve. A feeder tube can draw liquid to dispense for cooling, or it can release gas and pressure within the canister to boil the CO.sub.2. When CO.sub.2 reaches its boiling point, the canister, its bracket, and the cold plate reach very cold tempertures to cool the cargo area. The gas is released through copper tubing over the cold plate to act as a method for convection. A temperature regulator valve dispenses CO.sub.

Abstract: An insulated, compact, mobile crysosurgical instrument is provided that has no moving parts in contact with a liquefied gas coolant retained in an insulated container. Upon interrupting normal venting from the container, the liquefied gas coolant will build up a pressure in the container which may be increased by a squeeze pressure device. That pressure will cause the liquefied gas coolant to spray from a nozzle until normal venting is restored.

Abstract: An air intake suitable for an aerospace propulsor comprises a duct which contains, in flow series, a first heat exchanger, a water separator, and a cryogen injector and a second heat exchanger. Air entering the intake is cooled by the first heat exchanger to cause the majority of the water vapor in the air to condense into water droplet form. The water droplets are then removed by the air flow by the water separator. The cryogenic injector reduces the air flow temperatures still further so that any remaining water in the air flow is converted to small dry ice crystals which do not block the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: According to the process, there is maintained in a conduit (3), on the downstream side of a valve (5), up to the vicinity of the point A of injection of the CO.sub.2, an intermediate pressure (PI) higher than the pressure (PT) of the triple point of the CO.sub.2. Application in the treatment of waste waters or the deep freezing of food.

Abstract: A transportable container for carrying refrigerated products in frozen (sub zero) or refrigerated (for example, 40.degree. F.) temperatures includes a structural container having an insulated outer shell with an access doorway. The upper portion of the container includes a transverse perforated baffle and positioned above the baffle are a pair of spaced apart canisters containing liquid refrigerant (CO.sub.2, for example). A gas or liquid feeder tube penetrates each bottle and communicates with an on/off valve. A feeder tube can draw liquid to dispense for cooling, or it can release gas and pressure within the canister to boil the CO.sub.2. When CO.sub.2 reaches its boiling point, the canister, its bracket, and the cold plate reach very cold temperatures to cool the cargo area. The gas is released through copper tubing over the cold plate to act as a method for convection. A temperature regulator valve dispenses CO.sub.

Abstract: A cooling system for an enclosure comprising an evaporator containing cryogen in liquid and gaseous phases, a vent coupled to the evaporator to release excess pressure therefrom as a result of heat absorbed by the cryogen, and a controller for the vent to produce a generally cyclical pressure variation in the evaporator having an amplitude selected in accordance with the desired heat absorption capacity of the cooling system.

Abstract: A pushcart for frozen confectionaries includes a wheel supported insulated cabinet defining a food storage chamber having a rectangular top opening covered by three pivotally connected and removable lid sections. A stainless steel cryogenic tank is supported within the storage chamber under the center lid section and includes an inner wall surrounded by an outer wall to define a closed space therebetween. The inner tank wall defines a cryogenic chamber for receiving liquid nitrogen, and the space between the walls receives a predetermined partial vacuum or gas for precisely controlling the heat transfer from the storage chamber through the tank walls for absorption by the liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A refrigerated transportation container having associated therewith a cryogenic refrigeration unit and a recirculation refrigeration unit is provided. The cryogenic unit allows an initial rapid cooling of the container's interior and the recirculation unit allows the efficient maintenance of the temperature of the container's interior during transport. The container is particularly useful in a method of distributing refrigerated products to a plurality of geographically spaced distribution locations. The rapid cool down of the container's interior allows a quick return of the interior to a predetermined transport temperature which, in turn, allows minimization of the risks of a failure to maintain the products at said predetermined transport temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous freezing or heating process for multistage changing of the ambient temperature, in particular, an apparatus for a continuous freezing process, a freezing control method, and an apparatus for preparing a recording medium on which a program for the control method is written are disclosed.

Abstract: A treatment chamber for a charge comprises at least oen door, internal walls delimiting a treatment space, passages for the recirculation of gas, and apparatus for circulating gases in the treatment space and the passages. The circulating apparatus extracts the gases from the treatment space (4) and sends them through the passages (9,9'). The chamber is provided with injectors (12) for cryogenic fluid and an outlet (16) for evacuation of gas. The injectors are at least one nozzle (12) to spray liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide and are disposed adjacent the circulating apparatus, which is in the form of a fan (8), the injectors (12) being directed toward the inlet of this fan. In the corresponding treatment process, a cryogenic gas is circulated through the charge, a cryogenic fluid e.g. liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen is injected into the gas flow leaving the charge, and the cooled gas is recirculated so as to cause it to pass again through the charge in the same direction.

Abstract: A wafer chuck having a substantially hollow cavity therein utilizes the latent vaporization of a liquid to extract heat from the wafer. An insulated heater provides for heating the wafer to its desired operating point as rapidly as possible in order to bring the wafer to its operating point before plasma etching or deposition occurs.