LN2 fill gauge level indicating device
AssigneeCryoport, Inc.
InventorsEden Sanchez, Bret Bollinger, Ben Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method, system, apparatus, and/or device for determining when the dewar is filled with a medium. The fill gauge level apparatus includes a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has a base on one end, a flange on an opposite open end and a cavity. The fill gauge level apparatus includes a fill gauge level device. The fill gauge level device is coupled to the cylindrical body and is positioned within the cavity. The fill gauge level devices includes a sensor for measuring a medium within a shipper. The fill gauge level devices includes an indicator. The indicator provides an indication when the medium has been filled to a threshold level within the shipper.
Claims16
A fill gauge level apparatus, comprising:
- a cylindrical body having a base on one end, a flange on an opposite open end and a cavity;
- a fill gauge level device coupled to the cylindrical body and positioned within the cavity, the fill gauge level device including:
- a sensor for measuring a medium within a shipper, and
- an indicator that provides an indication when the medium has been filled to a threshold level within the shipper;
- and
- one or more height adjusting bands coupled to the cylindrical body or the fill gauge level device and configured to adjust a position of the cylindrical body or the fill gauge level device relative to a sidewall of the shipper.
A fill gauge level device, comprising:
- an elongated member having a distal end portion and configured to extend through an opening within a cylindrical body positioned over a payload area of a shipper;
- a sensor positioned at the distal end portion of the elongated member and configured to detect when a medium is at or above a threshold level within the payload area of the shipper;
- an indicator configured to indicate to a user when the medium is at the threshold level;
- and
- a processor coupled to the sensor and the indicator and configured to:
- determine, using the sensor, that the medium is at the threshold level;
- provide, using the indicator, an indication to the user that indicates that the medium is at the threshold level;
- and
- adjust or move one or more height adjusting bands in contact with a sidewall of the shipper to change or move the fill gauge level device relative to the sidewall of the shipper and adjust the threshold level necessary to trigger the indicator.
A fill gauge level device, comprising:
- an elongated member having a distal end portion and configured to extend through an opening within a cylindrical body positioned over a payload area of a shipper;
- a sensor positioned at the distal end portion of the elongated member and configured to detect when a medium is at or above a threshold level within the payload area of the shipper;
- an indicator configured to indicate to a user when the medium is at the threshold level;
- and
- a processor coupled to the sensor and the indicator and configured to:
- determine, using the sensor, that the medium is at the threshold level,
- provide, using the indicator, an indication to the user that indicates that the medium is at the threshold level;
- shut, close, or turn off a flow of the medium from a medium source when the medium is within a threshold amount of the threshold level;
- and
- estimate an amount of medium that has flowed from the medium source but has not reached the payload area of the shipper,
- wherein the threshold amount is greater than 0 and is equivalent to the estimated amount.
A fill gauge level system, comprising:
- a liquid nitrogen source that is configured to supply liquid nitrogen;
- a dewar having a payload area and configured to receive the liquid nitrogen within the payload area;
- a fill gauge level apparatus configured to be inserted within the dewar and including:
- a cylindrical body having a base configured to be placed within the dewar on one end and a flange configured to limit a depth that the base is placed within the dewar on an opposite open end;
- and
- a fill gauge level device coupled to the cylindrical body and including:
- an indicator configured to provide an indication when a shipper has been filled with a medium to a threshold level,
- wherein the fill gauge level apparatus includes one or more height adjusting bands coupled to the cylindrical body or the fill gauge level device and configured to move the cylindrical body or the fill gauge level device vertically along a sidewall of the dewar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.