Cryogenic cooling system
OwnerMichael Thomasinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus according to various embodiments can be configured to use a cryogen for cooling articles, particularly having applications for chilling extrusions. The apparatus removes thermal energy from an article by conductive and convective heat transfer. The apparatus allows for heat transfer from an outer surface of an article, and from an inner surface of the article.
Claims14
An apparatus for cooling an article extruded through a die and formed to include a void, the void defining an inner profile of the extruded article, the apparatus comprising:
- a first coolant source;
- a conductive heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from an outer surface of the extruded article, the conductive heat exchanger being in fluid communication with the coolant source;
- the conductive heat exchanger further including a body and a coolant conduit disposed within the body, the coolant conduit configured to receive coolant from the coolant source and provide coolant flow throughout the conductive heat exchanger;
- a convective heat exchanger configured to transfer thermal energy from an outer surface of the extruded article, the convective heat exchanger comprising a housing defining a chamber, the chamber including a back chamber and a front chamber;
- the front chamber including an extrudate inlet passage and an extrudate outlet passage, wherein the extrudate enters the front chamber after passing through the conductive heat exchanger;
- the convective heat exchanger including a refrigeration unit in communication with an evaporator disposed with the back chamber, the evaporator configured for removal of thermal energy from a circulating coolant within the convective heat exchanger;
- the convective heat exchanger further including a fan configured to impart a velocity to the circulating coolant;
- the back chamber further including a diffuser located adjacent and up stream of the evaporator, and a convergence duct adjacent and down stream of the evaporator, wherein the diffuser reduces coolant velocity imparted by the fan across the evaporator and the convergence duct increases coolant velocity before the coolant enters the front chamber;
- a coolant plenum configured to cooperate the inner profile of the extruded article, the coolant plenum in fluid communication with a coolant source the void of the extruded article, wherein coolant is introduced through the coolant plenum into the void to provide for removal of thermal energy from an inner surface of the extruded article by convection;
- and
- an inner profile conductive heat exchanger coupled to the die and configured to transfer thermal energy from an inner surface of the extruded article, the inner profile conductive heat exchanger including a base attached to the die, a plurality of support arms pivotally coupled to the base, a plurality of heat transfer surfaces pivotally coupled to the support arms, and an actuator configured to position the heat transfer surfaces such that heat transfer surfaces are in contact with the inner surface of the extruded article.
An apparatus for transferring thermal energy form an outer surface of an extruded article by convection of a coolant, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining a chamber within the housing, the housing including an extrudate inlet and an extrudate outlet;
- a coolant source in fluid communication with the chamber;
- a coolant circulator configured to impart a velocity to the coolant;
- a heat exchanger within the chamber configured for removal of thermal energy from the coolant;
- and
- a portion of the housing defining a diffuser duct configured to lower the velocity of the coolant before passing through the heat exchanger, and a portion of the housing defining a convergence duct configured to increase the velocity of the coolant before coolant is circulated over the extruded article.
An apparatus for transferring thermal energy from an outer surface of an extruded article by conduction, the apparatus comprising:
- a first section including a first body and a first passage, the first passage having a first surface;
- a second section including a second body a second passage, the second passage having a second surface, wherein the second passage is configured to align with the first surface;
- and
- a cooling conduit disposed within the first and second bodies, the cooling conduit being in fluid communication with a coolant source, wherein the coolant source is configured to introduce a coolant in a subcooled liquid state to the cooling conduit through an inlet disposed within one of the first and second bodies, and wherein the coolant absorbs thermal energy and enters a saturated state as the coolant is circulated through the cooling conduit, and wherein the coolant exits the cooling conduit through an outlet disposed within one of the first and second bodies.
An apparatus for transferring heat by conduction from an inner surface of an article extruded through a die to include avoid, the apparatus comprising:
- a plate;
- a conduit formed within the plate configured for circulation of a coolant;
- a support coupled to the plate and to the die;
- and
- an actuator in communication with the support, the actuator configured to maintain the plate in contact with the inner surface of the extruded article, by positioning the support.
An apparatus for transferring heat by convection from an inner surface of an article extruded through a die to include a void, the die including a coolant conduit disposed within in fluid communication with a coolant source, the outlet of the cooling conduit being on a face of the die and configured to be located within the void of the extruded article, the apparatus comprising:
- a coolant plenum coupled to the outlet, the coolant plenum including a plurality of orifices configured to allow coolant to contact the extruded article's inner surface, wherein the coolant plenum is configured to accommodate the inner profile of the extruded article.
An apparatus for cooling a cryogenic gas comprising:
- a housing defining a chamber configured to receive a volume of liquid coolant
- a plunger disposed within the chamber, the plunger being coupled to a positioner, wherein the plunger is configured to displace a portion of the volume of liquid cryogen;
- and
- a heat exchanger positioned within the chamber such that the heat exchanger is partially submerged in the volume of liquid cryogen, the heat exchanger includes a coil allowing for passage of a gas through the coil, wherein the amount of heat transferred from the gas to the liquid coolant may be adjusted by raising and lowering the plunger, displacing the liquid coolant within the chamber resulting in variable contact with the heat exchanger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.