Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for providing sterilized cryogenic liquids

US4620962A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
11References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 4, 1985
Grant dateNov 4, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 4, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF17C2270/05
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention includes a method and apparatus for providing a sterilized cryogenic liquid. A cryogenic liquid is vaporized, and the resulting gas is sterilized. The sterilized gas is then reliquefied and subcooled. The liquid is vaporized by passing the liquid through a heat exchanger, heat being transferred from the previously sterilized gas to the incoming liquid. Sterilization is accomplished either by passing the gas through a microporous filter, or by subjecting the gas to ultraviolet radiation. The sterilized gas, after passing through the heat exchanger, is directed into a pressurized container, wherein the gas is reliquefied and subcooled. The subcooled liquid is then withdrawn from the apparatus.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.