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US 6,089,226 AGranted
Self contained, cryogenic mixed gas single phase storage and delivery
AssigneeAerospace Design & Development, Inc.
InventorHarold L. Gier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for storage and delivery of a cryogenic mixed gas is disclosed, the storages apparatus including a compact and lightweight dewar for containing cryogenic temperature mixed gas at supercritical pressure. Different heat exchangers associated with the dewar provide for heat input to the dewar to maintain gas therein in a single phase and provide continued expulsion energy. A backpack receives the dewar and includes means for quick connect of the dewar with an end use outlet, intermediate heat exchangers in the backpack conditioning the mixed gas for end use. No electrical input for fluid circulation is required.
Claims15
A body mountable system for mixed gas storage and delivery comprising:
- containment means for containing mixed gas received at cryogenic temperature and in an amount so that the mixed gas is initially at a pressure sufficient to maintain the mixed gas in a single phase, said containment means having a volume of 4.2 liters or less for each 60 minute supply of mixed gas deliverable by the system;
- outlet means connected with said containment means for selective expulsion of the mixed gas from said containment means therethrough;
- passive heat exchange means connected with said outlet means to receive the expelled mixed gas at said outlet means and conduct the expelled mixed gas to a connection, said heat exchange means being routed for introducing heat into said containment means at a rate determined by a rate of expulsion of the mixed gas from said containment means through said outlet means to thereby maintain sufficient energy to expel the mixed gas remaining in said containment means from said containment means and so that the mixed gas remaining in said containment means remains in the single phase;
- and
- a body mountable unit including a pack structure configured for releasably receiving said containment means, said outlet means and said passive heat exchange means therein, said unit including conditioning means for conditioning the mixed gas by raising temperature of the mixed gas to a usable temperature, said conditioning means integrally maintained in said pack structure and connectable with said connection of said passive heat exchange means when said containment means, said outlet means and said passive heat exchange means are mounted in said pack structure.
2 more elements
A body mountable system for mixed gas storage and delivery comprising:
- containment means for containing mixed gas received at cryogenic temperature and in an amount so that the mixed gas is initially at a pressure sufficient to maintain the mixed gas in a single phase;
- outlet means connected with said containment means for selective expulsion of the mixed gas from said containment means therethrough;
- passive heat exchange means connected with said outlet means to receive the expelled mixed gas at said outlet means and conduct the expelled mixed gas to a connection, said heat exchange means being routed for introducing heat into said containment means at a rate determined by a rate of expulsion of the mixed gas from said containment means through said outlet means to thereby maintain sufficient energy to expel the mixed gas remaining in said containment means from said containment means and so that the mixed gas remaining in said containment means remains in the single phase;
- and
- a body mountable unit including a pack structure configured for releasably receiving said containment means, said outlet means and said passive heat exchange means therein, said unit including conditioning means for conditioning the mixed gas by raising temperature of the mixed gas to a usable temperature, said conditioning means integrally maintained in said pack structure and connectable with said connection of said passive heat exchange means when said containment means, said outlet means and said passive heat exchange means are mounted in said pack structure, said pack structure of said body mountable unit including a plurality of openings therein to assure ambient air circulation within said pack structure.
2 more elements
A method for storing and delivering mixed gas comprising the steps of:
- loading cryogenic temperature mixed gas into a container so that substantially immediately after the time of loading said mixed gas is at supercritical pressure in said container and at time of use is in a single phase;
- configuring said container to be mountable in a pack to be carried on the body of a user;
- selectively expelling said mixed gas from said container;
- routing said expelled mixed gas to deliver sufficient heat to said container so that mixed gas remaining in said container remains in said single phase;
- and
- receiving, conditioning for end use, and delivering said expelled mixed gas at structure integrally associated with said pack.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.