Methods and systems for cryogenic cooling
AssigneeCryodynamics, Inc.
InventorsPETER J. LITTRUP, ALEXEI V. BABKIN, ROBERT DUNCAN, SERGEY BOLDAREV
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for cooling an object with a cryogen having a critical point defined by a critical-point pressure and a critical-point temperature. A pressure of the cryogen is raised above a pressure value determined to provide the cryogen at a reduced molar volume that prevents vapor lock. Thereafter, the cryogen is placed in thermal communication with the object to increase a temperature of the cryogen along a thermodynamic path that maintains the pressure greater than the critical-point pressure for a duration that the cryogen and object are in thermal communication.
Claims48
A method for cooling an object with a cryogen having a critical point defined by a critical-point pressure and a critical-point temperature, the method comprising:
- raising a pressure of the cryogen above its critical-point pressure;
- and
- thereafter, placing the cryogen in thermal communication with the object to increase a temperature of the cryogen along a thermodynamic path that maintains the pressure greater than the critical-point pressure for a duration that the cryogen and object are in thermal communication.
A method for cooling an object with a cryogen having a critical point defined by a critical-point pressure and a critical-point temperature, the method comprising:
- raising a pressure of the cryogen to near its critical-point pressure;
- and
- thereafter, placing the cryogen in thermal communication with the object to increase a temperature of the cryogen along a thermodynamic path that maintains the pressure near the critical-point pressure for a duration that the cryogen and object are in thermal communication.
A system for cooling an object with a cryogen having a critical point defined by a critical-point pressure and a critical-point temperature, the system comprising:
- a cryogen generator adapted to increase a pressure of the cryogen;
- a valve provided at an outlet of the cryogen generator and adapted to release a flow of the cryogen when the pressure of the cryogen exceeds a predetermined pressure within the cryogen generator, the predetermined pressure being greater than a pressure value determined to provide the cryogen at a reduced molar volume that prevents vapor lock;
- a cryogenic application device adapted to be brought into thermal communication with the object;
- a conduit connecting the valve with the cryogenic application device for transporting the cryogen from the valve to the cryogenic application device;
- and
- a flow controller to regulate flow of cryogen through the conduit and cryogenic application device,
- wherein the cryogen increases in temperature when the application device is in thermal communication with the object along a thermodynamic path that maintains the pressure of the cryogen above the predetermined pressure for a duration that the application device and cryogen are in thermal communication.
A system for cooling an object with a cryogen having a critical point defined by a critical-point pressure and a critical-point temperature, the system comprising:
- a container holding a liquid bath of the cryogen;
- a plurality of cryogen generators disposed within the liquid bath, each such cryogen generator comprising:
- a thermally insulated tank having an interior volume for holding the cryogen;
- a heating element for applying heat within the volume;
- and
- an inlet for selectively receiving cryogen from the liquid bath of the cryogen;
- a plurality of valves, each such valve provided at an outlet of a respective one of the plurality of cryogen generators and adapted to release a flow of the cryogen when cryogen within the respective one of the plurality of cryogen generators exceeds a predetermined pressure greater than a pressure value determined to provide the cryogen at a reduced molar volume that prevents vapor lock;
- and
- a conduit in fluid communication with each of the plurality of valves to selectively flow conduit from the cryogen generators in accordance with states of the valves.
A method for cooling an object with a cryogen having a critical point defined by a critical-point pressure and a critical-point temperature, the method comprising:
- raising a pressure of the cryogen in a first cryogen generator above a pressure value determined to provide the cryogen at a reduced molar volume that prevents vapor lock;
- thereafter, flowing the cryogen from the first cryogen generator to be in thermal communication with the object and to have a pressure greater than the determined pressure value while the cryogen and object are in thermal communication;
- thereafter, raising a pressure of the cryogen in a second cryogen generator above the determined pressure value;
- thereafter, flowing the cryogen from the second cryogen generator to be in thermal communication with the object and to have a pressure greater than the determined pressure value while the cryogen and object are in thermal communication;
- and
- thereafter, replenishing cryogen in the first cryogen generator.
A system for cooling an object with a cryogen having a critical point defined by a critical-point pressure and a critical-point temperature, the system comprising:
- means for raising a pressure of the cryogen above a pressure value determined to provide the cryogen at a reduced molar volume that prevents vapor lock;
- and
- means for thereafter placing the cryogen in thermal communication with the object to increase a temperature of the cryogen along a thermodynamic path that maintains a pressure greater than determined pressure value for a duration that the cryogen and object are in thermal communication.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.