APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AND REGULATING CRYOGENIC COOLING
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use with a system having a cryogenic cooling component that generates a vapor cloud when operating, the apparatus comprising:
- a first emitter that is adapted to emit a first light beam at a first initial intensity;
a first receiver having a first sensor that is adapted to detect a first sensed intensity, the first sensed intensity being the intensity of the first light beam at the first sensor when the first light beam is directed at the first sensor, the first receiver being adapted to generate a first sensor signal that is a function of the first sensed intensity, the first emitter and first sensor having a first operating position in which the first emitter and first sensor are positioned and oriented so that the first light beam is directed onto the first sensor and the first light beam passes through the vapor cloud at least once before being received by the first sensor; and
a controller that is programmed to set and/or adjust at least one operating parameter of the system based on controller data, the controller data comprising the first sensor signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for monitoring and/or controlling cryogenic cooling by measuring the opacity of the vapor cloud (113) generated from a cryogenic cooling device (112). The opacity is determined by measuring the reduction in intensity of a light beam (127) passed through the vapor cloud (113). The opacity measurements are used to control an operating parameter of the system, such as the cooling rate of the cryogenic cooling device (112). The opacity measurements may be normalized to compensate for variables, other than temperature of the workpiece (119) and cooling rate, which may affect the opacity of the vapor cloud (113).
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use with a system having a cryogenic cooling component that generates a vapor cloud when operating, the apparatus comprising:
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a first emitter that is adapted to emit a first light beam at a first initial intensity; a first receiver having a first sensor that is adapted to detect a first sensed intensity, the first sensed intensity being the intensity of the first light beam at the first sensor when the first light beam is directed at the first sensor, the first receiver being adapted to generate a first sensor signal that is a function of the first sensed intensity, the first emitter and first sensor having a first operating position in which the first emitter and first sensor are positioned and oriented so that the first light beam is directed onto the first sensor and the first light beam passes through the vapor cloud at least once before being received by the first sensor; and a controller that is programmed to set and/or adjust at least one operating parameter of the system based on controller data, the controller data comprising the first sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for use with a system having a cryogenic cooling component that generates a vapor cloud when operated, the apparatus comprising:
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means for measuring the relative opacity of at least a portion of the vapor cloud; and a controller in communication with the means for measuring, the controller being adapted to set and/or adjust at least one operating parameter of the system based on the relative opacity of the at least a portion of the vapor cloud. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method used with a system having a cryogenic cooling component, the method comprising:
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determining the relative opacity of at least a portion of a cryogenic vapor cloud; and setting and/or adjusting at least one operating parameter of the system based on the relative opacity of the at least a portion of the cryogenic vapor cloud. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification