# US 2013/0152618 A1 · Variable surface area heat exchanger > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152618 A1 - Document ID: US20130152618A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/328,299 - Filed: 2011-12-16 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Assignees: Linde Aktiengesellschaft - Inventors: Stephen A. McCORMICK - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152618A1 ## CPC - F28F 13/14: by endowing the walls of conduits with zones of different degrees of conduction of heat - F25D 3/10: using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air {(for cooling semiconductor devices H10W40/305)} - F25D 3/12: using solidified gases, e.g. carbon-dioxide snow - F25D 21/065: {by mechanical means} - F28F 27/00: Control arrangements or safety devices specially adapted for heat-exchange or heat-transfer apparatus (control arrangements in general G05) - F25D 2600/04: Controlling heat transfer - F28F 2270/00: Thermal insulation; Thermal decoupling - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) - 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) ## Abstract A heat exchanger apparatus includes a housing having a sidewall defining a chamber in the housing for containing a cryogen; and a first insulation member movably mounted for coaction with the sidewall, the first insulation member moveable to a position to expose or cover a select portion of the sidewall to provide a heat transfer effect. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A heat exchanger apparatus, comprising a housing having a sidewall defining a chamber in the housing for containing a cryogen; and a first insulation member movably mounted for coaction with the sidewall, the first insulation member moveable to a position to expose or cover a select portion of the sidewall to provide a heat transfer effect. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cryogen is a substance selected from the group consisting of dry ice and liquid carbon dioxide (CO2). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second insulation member mounted in the chamber and insulating a portion of the sidewall, the first and second insulation members coacting with respect to the sidewall to provide a select amount of the heat transfer effect at the sidewall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first insulation member is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, stainless steel with a foam core, stainless steel with a polystyrene core, aluminum with a foam core, and aluminum with a polystyrene core; and the second insulation member is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of high density foam and polystyrene. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sidewall comprises a circular cross-section, and the first insulation member has a first arcuate shape conforming to an exterior surface of the sidewall, and the second insulation member has a second arcuate shape conforming to an interior surface of the sidewall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a first length of the first arcuate shape and a second length of the second arcuate shape total 360°. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shroud having a space therein for receiving the housing, an inlet in communication with the space and an outlet in communication with the space. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising at least one fan operatively associated with the inlet for directing the airflow into the inlet and the space for contacting the housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first insulation member comprises a first plurality of teeth extending therefrom. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a drive apparatus having a drive gear with a second plurality of teeth sized and shaped for coaction with the first plurality of teeth of the first insulation member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an inlet pipe extending through the chamber for receiving the liquid carbon dioxide, and at least one nozzle operatively associated with the inlet pipe and in communication with the liquid carbon dioxide for releasing cryogen vapor into the chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an inlet formed at a side of the housing through which the dry ice may be introduced into the chamber, and a chute operatively associated with the inlet for guiding the dry ice to the inlet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first insulation member comprises a knife edge for removing frozen cryogen from the sidewall. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a container in which the housing is mounted for providing the heat transfer effect to an interior of the container. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is operatively associated with an in-transit-refrigeration container.