# US 7,310,955 B2 · System and method for delivering cryogenic fluid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,310,955 B2 - Document ID: US7310955B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/934,901 - Filed: 2004-09-03 - Published: 2006-03-09 - Granted: 2007-12-25 - Earliest claimed: 2004-09-03 - Assignees: NitroCision LLC - Inventors: Howard R. Hume; Ronald R. Warnecke; Gary L. Palmer; Leslie J. Fekete - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7310955B2 ## CPC - B24C 1/003: {using material which dissolves or changes phase after the treatment, e.g. ice, CO2} - B24C 1/04: for treating only selected parts of a surface, e.g. for carving stone or glass - B24C 3/04: stationary - F17C 2225/0153: Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL - F17C 2270/00: Applications - F17C 2270/05: for industrial use - B24C: ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL - F17C: VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES (storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth B65G5/00; construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil-engineering techniques E04H7/00; variable-capacity gas-holders F17B; liquefaction or refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25) ## Abstract According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cryogenic fluid delivery system includes a vessel containing a cryogenic fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature, a first heat exchanger coupled to the vessel for receiving the cryogenic fluid and cooling the cryogenic fluid to a second temperature, a first pump coupled to the first heat exchanger for pressurizing the cryogenic fluid to a second pressure, a second pump for pressurizing the cryogenic fluid to a third pressure, a second heat exchanger coupled to the second pump for cooling the cryogenic fluid to a third temperature, and a nozzle coupled to the second heat exchanger for delivering a jet of the cryogenic fluid toward a target. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cryogenic fluid delivery system, comprising: a vessel containing a cryogenic fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature; a first heat exchanger coupled to the vessel for receiving the cryogenic fluid and cooling the cryogenic fluid to a second temperature, wherein the first heat exchanger includes a first automated level controller for automatically controlling a level of the cryogenic fluid within the first heat exchanger; a first pump coupled to the first heat exchanger for pressurizing the cryogenic fluid to a second pressure; a second pump for pressurizing the cryogenic fluid to a third pressure; a second heat exchanger coupled to the second pump for cooling the cryogenic fluid to a third temperature, wherein the second heat exchanger includes a second automated level controller for automatically controlling a level of the cryogenic fluid within the second heat exchanger; and a nozzle coupled to the second heat exchanger for delivering a jet of the cryogenic fluid toward a target. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a dump valve assembly coupled between the second heat exchanger and the nozzle for bleeding off some of the cryogenic fluid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cryogenic fluid comprises nitrogen. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second pressure is between approximately 15,000 and 20,000 pounds per square inch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the third pressure is between approximately 50,000 and 60,000 pounds per square inch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the third temperature is no colder than approximately −235° F. and the third pressure is approximately 55,000 pounds per square inch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a recirculation pump coupled between the first heat exchanger and the first pump for recirculating some of the cryogenic fluid from the first pump back to the first heat exchanger. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a power system for supplying energy to control at least the first and second pumps, the power system selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, and an electric system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a third heat exchanger coupled between the first pump and the second pump for heating the cryogenic fluid to a fourth temperature. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the third heat exchanger comprises: a body; a resistance heater disposed within the body; and first and second conduits extending through the body to transport the cryogenic fluid through the body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the cryogenic fluid enters into the first conduit at a temperature of between approximately −170° F. to −190° F. and exits first conduit at a temperature of between approximately −140° F. and −40° F. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the cryogenic fluid enters the second conduit at a temperature of between approximately 50° F. and 150° F. and exits the second conduit at a temperature of between approximately +30° F. to −40° F. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the body is formed from aluminum. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the automated level controllers comprise differential pressure transducers. ### Claim 15 A method for delivering cryogenic fluid, comprising: cooling a cryogenic fluid from a first temperature to a second temperature using a first heat exchanger; automatically controlling a level of the cryogenic fluid within the first heat exchanger; pressurizing the cryogenic fluid from a first pressure to a second pressure using a first pump; pressurizing the cryogenic fluid from the first pressure to a second pressure; cooling the cryogenic fluid to a third temperature using a second heat exchanger; automatically controlling a level of the cryogenic fluid within the second heat exchanger; and delivering a jet of the cryogenic fluid toward a target. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising bleeding off some of the cryogenic fluid before delivering the jet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the cryogenic fluid comprises liquid nitrogen. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the second pressure is between approximately 15,000 and 20,000 pounds per square inch. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the third pressure is between approximately 50,000 and 60,000 pounds per square inch. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the third temperature is no colder than approximately −235° F. and the third pressure is approximately 55,000 pounds per square inch. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising recirculating some of the cryogenic fluid back to the first heat exchanger. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising heating the cryogenic fluid to a fourth temperature using a second heat exchanger coupled between the first pump and the second pump. ### Claim 23 A cryogenic fluid delivery system, comprising: a vessel containing a cryogenic fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature; a first heat exchanger coupled to the vessel for receiving the cryogenic fluid and cooling the cryogenic fluid to a second temperature; a first pump coupled to the first heat exchanger for pressurizing the cryogenic fluid to a second pressure; a recirculation pump coupled between the first heat exchanger and the first pump for recirculating at least some of the cryogenic fluid from the first pump back to the first heat exchanger; a second pump for pressurizing the cryogenic fluid to a third pressure; a second heat exchanger coupled to the second pump for cooling the cryogenic fluid to a third temperature; and a nozzle coupled to the second heat exchanger for delivering a jet of the cryogenic fluid toward a target. ### Claim 24 A cryogenic fluid delivery system, comprising: a vessel containing a cryogenic fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature; a first heat exchanger coupled to the vessel for receiving the cryogenic fluid and cooling the cryogenic fluid to a second temperature; a first pump coupled to the first heat exchanger for pressurizing the cryogenic fluid to a second pressure; a second pump for pressurizing the cryogenic fluid to a third pressure; a second heat exchanger coupled to the second pump for cooling the cryogenic fluid to a third temperature; a third heat exchanger coupled between the first pump and the second pump for heating the cryogenic fluid to a fourth temperature; and a nozzle coupled to the second heat exchanger for delivering a jet of the cryogenic fluid toward a target.