Cryogenic freezer
First Claim
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1. A cryogenic freezer for storing materials at temperatures deviating greatly from ambient comprising:
- a) an inner container, said inner container comprising four walls and a bottom;
b) an outer container enclosing the inner container and defining a vacuum space therebetween, said outer container comprising four walls and a bottom, said inner container being connected to the outer container at the top of said walls to seal said vacuum space;
c) a plurality alternating layers of reflective material and flexible insulating material; and
d) a support structure positioned in the sealed vacuum space with one side positioned adjacent to the plurality of alternating layers, said support structure substantially reducing deflection of the walls when air is evacuated from the vacuum space.
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Abstract
A rectangular double walled cryogenic freezer has a vacuum space filled with alternating layers of flexible insulating material and a reflective material. A support structure is also positioned in the vacuum space. The support structure is open-celled and provides structural support for the freezer walls to prevent wall deformation when a vacuum is drawn. The support structure may be open-cell rigid foam or a support grid sandwiched between two layers of rigid insulation material.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A cryogenic freezer for storing materials at temperatures deviating greatly from ambient comprising:
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a) an inner container, said inner container comprising four walls and a bottom;
b) an outer container enclosing the inner container and defining a vacuum space therebetween, said outer container comprising four walls and a bottom, said inner container being connected to the outer container at the top of said walls to seal said vacuum space;
c) a plurality alternating layers of reflective material and flexible insulating material; and
d) a support structure positioned in the sealed vacuum space with one side positioned adjacent to the plurality of alternating layers, said support structure substantially reducing deflection of the walls when air is evacuated from the vacuum space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for assembling a doubled walled vacuum insulated cryogenic freezer for storing materials at temperatures deviating greatly from ambient comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an inner container with four walls and a bottom;
b) positioning a plurality of alternating layers of reflective material and flexible insulating material adjacent to the inner container;
c) positioning a support structure adjacent to the plurality of alternating layers for preventing deflection of the walls and bottom surface when a vacuum is drawn;
d) positioning the inner container in an outer container, the outer container having four walls and a bottom, to define a vacuum space therebetween;
e) connecting the inner container to the outer container at the top walls to seal the vacuum space; and
f) evacuating air from the vacuum space. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification