# US 12,181,202 B2 · Thermal connection assemblies and methods

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- Number: US 12,181,202 B2
- Document ID: US12181202B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/892,266
- Filed: 2020-06-03
- Published: 2020-12-10
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2019-06-04
- Assignees: Montana Instruments Corporation
- Applicants: Montana Instruments Corporation
- Inventors: Josh Doherty; Jamesen Motley; William Baker; Joseph Evers; Benjamin Hardesty; Anjan Reijnders
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181202B2

## CPC

- F25D 19/006: {Thermal coupling structure or interface}
- B01L 7/50: {Cryostats}
- F25D 3/10: using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air {(for cooling semiconductor devices H10W40/305)}
- G01D 11/245: {Housings for sensors}
- B01L 2300/185: using a liquid as fluid
- B01L 2300/1894: Cooling means; Cryo cooling
- G01N 1/42: Low-temperature sample treatment, e.g. cryofixation
- F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B)
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

Cryogenic analysis systems are provided that can include: a cryogenic fluid source component; an analysis component; and a thermal connection assembly operably engaged with both the cryogenic fluid source component and the analysis component to provide disengagement or engagement of the cryogenic fluid source component to/from the analysis component while maintaining the cooling status of the cryogenic fluid source component. Methods for performing sample analysis under cryogenic conditions are provided, the methods comprising: providing an analysis component; providing a cryogenic fluid source component having cryogenic fluid in a cold state; operably engaging the analysis component and the cryogenic fluid source component; preparing a sample for analysis within the analysis component; and while maintaining the cryogenic fluid in the cold state, disengaging the cryogenic fluid source component from the analysis component.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cryogenic analysis system comprising:
a cryogenic fluid source component;
an analysis component;
a thermal connection assembly operably engaged with both the cryogenic fluid source component and the analysis component to provide disengagement or engagement of the cryogenic fluid source component to/from the analysis component while maintaining the cooling status of the cryogenic fluid source component; and
either a thermally conductive conduit or a cryofluid conduit extending from the thermal connection assembly to the analysis component.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid source and the thermal connection assembly share a housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 2 wherein the shared housing is distinct from analysis component housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 1 further comprising a radiation shield about the thermal connection assembly.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 4 wherein the radiation shield extends from the cryogenic fluid component.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 4 wherein the radiation shield extends from the analysis component.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 1 wherein the analysis component and the thermal connection assembly share a housing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 7 wherein the shared housing is distinct from cryogenic fluid housing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 1 further comprising a first housing about the cryogenic fluid source component, and a second housing about the analysis component, wherein the first and second housing are distinct from one another.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 1 further comprising a cryofluid conduit extending from the cryofluid source to the thermal connection assembly.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 1 further comprising a fluid conduit extending from the thermal connection assembly to a gas handling system.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The cryogenic analysis system of claim 1 wherein the thermal connection assembly comprises at least two thermal masses, each thermal mass having a different temperature, wherein each of the thermal masses are in thermal communication with distinct portions of the analysis component having different temperatures.