Apparatus and method for filtering cryogenic fluid

A filter apparatus for a cryogenic fluid comprising:

• a filter comprising an internal space and an open end;
• and
• a support associated with the filter for maintaining a volume of the internal space above a predetermined value, the support comprises an overmold injection molded onto the filter, the overmold comprising at least a first section and a second section fluidly sealed with each other, the first and second sections each comprising a first portion and a second portion and a flexible knee connecting the first portion to the second portion, the first and second portions each comprising part of the filter,
• wherein the internal space is configured to receive cryogenic fluid through the filter, allow cryogenic fluid to flow through the internal space and exit through the open end thereof.

A filter apparatus for a cryogenic fluid comprising:

• a filter comprising an internal space and an open end;
• and
• a support associated with the filter for maintaining a volume of the internal space above a predetermined value, the support including a first cylindrical section and a second cylindrical section connected by a flexible knee, wherein the filter is a pleated-type filter or a corrugated-type filter,
• wherein the internal space is configured to receive cryogenic fluid through the filter, allow cryogenic fluid to flow through the internal space and exit through the open end thereof.

A method for filtering cryogenic fluid comprising:

• employing a filter in a form of a flexible mesh to filter particles having a maximum dimension that is at least one of 10 microns, 5 microns and 2 microns, the filter including an internal space and an open end;
• and
• employing a support to maintain a volume of an internal space of the filter above a predetermined value, the support including at least one support selected from:
• a coil spring arranged in the internal space of the filter,
• a tent-type structure comprising a frame with flexible rods,
• a cage spanning at least a portion of an outer surface and an inner surfaces of the filter,
• an outer filter on an outer surface of the filter and an inner filter on an inner surface of the filter,
• an outer cage comprising a first section and a second section, the first section comprising annular ribs and longitudinal ribs, the second section comprising longitudinal ribs extending from the first section and wrapping around an end of the filter,
• an overmold injection molded onto the filter comprising a first portion and a second portion, a flexible knee connecting the first portion to the second portion, and
• a first cylindrical section and a second cylindrical section connected by a flexible knee, the first and second cylindrical sections including perforations;
• and
• flowing the cryogenic fluid through the internal space of the filter and through the open end of the filter.

A filter apparatus for a cryogenic fluid comprising:

• a filter comprising an internal space and an open end;
• and
• a support associated with the filter for maintaining a volume of the internal space above a predetermined value, the support comprising a cylindrical section including perforations that allows the cryogenic fluid to cross the cylindrical section, wherein the filter is connected with the cylindrical section,
• wherein the internal space is configured to receive cryogenic fluid through the filter, allow cryogenic fluid to flow through the internal space and exit through the open end thereof.

A pumping and filter apparatus for a cryogenic fluid comprising:

• a filter apparatus;
• and
• a cryogenic pump comprising:
• a piston reciprocating within a cylinder, the piston dividing the cylinder between a compression chamber and a back-side chamber;
• a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the compression chamber through a check valve;
• and
• a port allowing fluid communication between the back-side chamber and the cryogenic fluid outside of the cryogenic pump upstream of the check valve, wherein the filter apparatus is connected with the cryogenic pump such that the internal space is defined by the filter and the cryogenic pump and includes the fluid inlet of the compression chamber and the port of the back-side chamber, whereby fluid exiting the back-side chamber through the port during reciprocating motion of the piston remains within the internal space of the filter.