Controlled cryogenic liquid delivery
First Claim
1. System for delivering a controlled stream of liquid cryogen from an outlet, the system comprising:
- (a) a source of liquid cryogen at substantially constant pressure, remote from the outlet;
(b) a conduit connecting the source of liquid cryogen to the outlet;
(c) a flow-rate control restriction positioned in the conduit; and
(d) means to maintain cryogen substantially entirely in liquid phase as it flows through the conduit, and out of the outlet, and to maintain said flowing cryogen at a temperature substantially equal to or below the cryogen'"'"'s boiling point at atmospheric pressure;
whereby the cross-sectional area of the restriction controls the rate of liquid cryogen delivered at the outlet, and cryogen is reliably delivered at the outlet without severe flashing.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controlled stream of liquid cryogen is delivered from a system comprising: (a) a source of liquid cryogen at a substantially constant pressure, remote from the outlet; (b) a conduit connecting the liquid cryogen source to the outlet; (c) means to maintain cryogen flowing through the conduit sub-cooled at all points along the conduit (i.e., at any given point in the conduit, the cryogen'"'"'s equilibrium vapor pressure is below the pressure experienced at that point in the conduit), and to deliver the cryogen to the outlet at a temperature equal to or below its boiling point at atmospheric pressure; and (d) a flow-rate control restriction, positioned in the conduit. By maintaining the cryogen sub-cooled, the flow is kept substantially (at least about 95% by volume) liquid. Therefore, the flow in the conduit is controlled reliably as to pressure, flow rate, and size. Specifically, the rate at which liquid cryogen is delivered at the outlet is controlled by the cross-sectional area of the flow-control restriction, and severe flashing at the outlet is avoided.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. System for delivering a controlled stream of liquid cryogen from an outlet, the system comprising:
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(a) a source of liquid cryogen at substantially constant pressure, remote from the outlet; (b) a conduit connecting the source of liquid cryogen to the outlet; (c) a flow-rate control restriction positioned in the conduit; and (d) means to maintain cryogen substantially entirely in liquid phase as it flows through the conduit, and out of the outlet, and to maintain said flowing cryogen at a temperature substantially equal to or below the cryogen'"'"'s boiling point at atmospheric pressure; whereby the cross-sectional area of the restriction controls the rate of liquid cryogen delivered at the outlet, and cryogen is reliably delivered at the outlet without severe flashing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for delivery of a controlled amount of liquid cryogen to pressurized containers moving along an assembly line toward a capping station, said apparatus comprising;
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(a) a source of liquid cryogen at substantially constant pressure, remote from the outlet; (b) a conduit connecting the source of liquid cryogen to the outlet; (c) a flow-rate control restriction positioned in the conduit; and (d) means to maintain cryogen substantially entirely in liquid phase as it flows through the conduit, and out of the outlet, and to maintain said flowing cryogen at a temperature substantially equal to or below the cryogen'"'"'s boiling point at atmospheric pressure; whereby the cross-sectional area of the restriction controls the rate of liquid cryogen delivered at the outlet, and cryogen is reliably delivered from the outlet substantially as a liquid without severe flashing.
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20. The apparatus of claim 29 comprising a velocity-control chamber downstream from the flow-rate control restriction and having a larger cross-sectional area than said flow-rate control restriction, said velocity control chamber being generally horizontal and having a cross-sectional area selected to provide a liquid cryogen stream velocity and direction generally matching the velocity and direction of container movement.
Specification