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US 4,906,266 AGranted
Replacement method and apparatus for a cryogenic refrigeration unit
AssigneeHelix Technology Corporation
InventorsDavid C. Planchard, Paul D. Lanoue
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AssigneeHelix Technology Corporation
InventorsDavid C. Planchard, Paul D. Lanoue
Estimating the term…
When a refrigerator unit is removed, inner surfaces of a refrigeration unit housing extending into a cryogenically cooled system are heated. The method is performed in such a way as to prevent the external atmosphere from coming in contact with the housing inner surfaces, thus avoiding the problem of ice formation within the housing. A heat gun is used in conjunction with an apparatus which fits into the housing and distributes heated gas, such as nitrogen, from the heat gun to different parts of the housing in relative quantities. The inner surfaces are brought to the same temperature in the same time allowing the housing to be cleaned before the refrigeration unit is replaced. The apparatus guiding the heated gas is mounted on the outside of the housing and includes stops on its supports to keep the apparatus from making contact with the inner surfaces of the housing. Spring loaded temperature sensors attach to the apparatus at different points and make contact with the inner end surfaces of the housing, allowing the housing temperature to be monitored during the heating process.
A method of replacing a refrigeration unit, wherein the refrigeration unit resides in a housing extending into a cryogenically cooled system which maintains cryogenic temperatures about the housing during removal of the refrigeration unit, the method comprising:
A method of replacing a refrigeration unit, wherein the refrigeration unit resides in a housing of first and second axially-aligned cylindrical chambers of different radii extending into a cryogenically cooled system, the second chamber being further from the opening of the housing than the first chamber, and a second chamber inner end surface being at a colder temperature than an inner end surface of the first chamber, cryogenic temperatures being maintained about the housing by the cryogenically cooled system during removal of the refrigeration unit, the method comprising:
A method of replacing a refrigeration unit, wherein the refrigeration unit resides in a housing of first and second axially-aligned cylindrical chambers of different radii extending into a cryogenically cooled system, the second chamber being further from the opening of the housing than the first chamber, and a second chamber inner end surface being at a colder temperature than an inner end surface of the first chamber, cryogenic temperatures being maintained about the housing by the cryogenically cooled system during removal of the refrigeration unit, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.