Helium compressor with dual after-coolers
AssigneeSumitomo (Shi) Cryogenic of America, Inc.
InventorsR Bruce Sloan, Ralph C. Longsworth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates generally to oil lubricated helium compressor units for use in cryogenic refrigeration systems, operating on the Gifford McMahon (GM) cycle. This invention provides redundancy between water cooling and air cooling if there is a blockage in the water or air supply by having air and water cooled after-coolers in series or parallel.
Claims3
A method of operating an oil-lubricated helium compressor system located in an indoor environment, the compressor system comprising;
- a compressor;
- a separator internal or external to the compressor that receives a mixture of compressed helium and oil and discharges helium and oil through separate ports,
- a water cooled after-cooler for effecting cooling of the helium and oil;
- an air cooled after-cooler for effecting cooling of the helium and oil, and the air cooled after-cooler comprising a heat exchanger and a fan, the water cooled after-cooler and the air cooled after-cooler connected in series;
- one or more sensors connected to a controller programed to detect a fault in the water cooled after-cooler,
- a first line extending from the helium discharge port and passing through the water cooled after-cooler and the air cooled after-cooler, the helium being cooled by one or both the water cooled after-cooler and the air cooled after-cooler;
- and
- a second line extending from the oil discharge port and passing through the water cooled after-cooler and the air cooled after-cooler, the oil being cooled by one or both the water cooled after-cooler and the air cooled after-cooler;
- wherein the first line and the second line are separate;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) running the compressor with water flowing through the water cooled after-cooler,
- (b) detecting a fault in the water cooled after-cooler,
- (c) turning on the fan.
A method of operating an oil-lubricated helium compressor system located in an indoor environment, the compressor system comprising;
- a compressor;
- a separator internal or external to the compressor that receives a mixture of compressed helium and oil and discharges helium and oil through separate ports,
- a water cooled after-cooler,
- an air cooled alter-cooler;
- one or more sensors connected to a controller programed to detect a fault in the water cooled after-cooler,
- a first line extending from the helium discharge port and passing through a three-way valve then one of the water cooled after-cooler and the air cooled after-cooler, the helium being cooled by the respective water cooled after-cooler or the air cooled after-cooler;
- and
- a second line extending from the oil discharge port and passing through a three-way valve then one of the water cooled after-cooler and the air cooled after-cooler, the oil being cooled by the respective water cooled after-cooler or the air cooled alter-cooler;
- wherein the first line and the second line are separate.
- the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) running the compressor with the helium and oil being cooled by the water cooled after-cooler,
- (b) detecting a fault in the water cooled after-cooler,
- (c) switching the flow of helium and oil from the water cooled after-cooler to the air cooled after-cooler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.