Method and apparatus to isolate the cold in cryogenic equipment

An apparatus for spraying a cryogenic fluid (2) to a work piece, comprising:

• a cryogen feed line (3);
• at least one delivery nozzle (4) for delivering the cryogenic fluid (2);
• a shroud (6) which surrounds at least part of said delivery nozzle (4) and which includes a front face having an opening directed to the work piece, said shroud and said work piece being movable relative to each other between a working configuration and a maintenance configuration, wherein in said maintenance configuration the front face is not completely covered by the work piece, and wherein in said working configuration said shroud (6) is arranged to coact with the work piece (1) to form an essentially closed space together with the work piece (1);
• said maintenance configuration of said shroud comprising a barrier which at least minimizes ambient air from entering the shroud, and said barrier comprises at least one physical cover arrangeable to cover said opening.

A method for spraying a cryogenic fluid to a work piece, comprising:

• spraying said cryogenic fluid with at least one delivery nozzle;
• providing a shroud for surrounding at least part of said delivery nozzle, said shroud opening toward the workpiece;
• arranging said shroud and said workpiece in a working configuration, wherein said shroud and said workpiece are coacting for forming an essentially closed space of said work piece;
• arranging said shroud and said workpiece in a maintenance configuration, wherein said opening is not sealed by the work piece;
• sealing the opening in said maintenance configuration with a barrier for at least one of preventing ambient air from entering the shroud, and minimizing ambient air from entering the shroud, wherein said barrier comprises at least one cover arranged to cover said opening in said maintenance configuration.