Cryogenic apparatus suitable for operations in zero gravity
US4412851A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 1982 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF17C2265/015
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to cryogenic apparatus of the open cycle kind comprising a reservoir 1 for storing cryogenic fluid in liquid-vapor phase equilibrium and a phase separator 2 presenting an inlet 3 communicating with the inside of the reservoir and an outlet 4 for liberating gas, the inlet including an obturator 6. The technical problem is to provide an apparatus of simple operation with minimal dissipated energy. According to the invention, the phase separator 2 comprises a transfer chamber 9 with a constriction 5 at its inlet, and a further obturator 8 at its outlet, the two obturators 6,8 being operated alternately by a control unit 10. The invention is particularly applicable to zero-gravity operation, especially for space missions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.