Cryogenic chiller with vortical flow
US5577392A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2400/28
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A chiller or tunnel freezer for rapid chilling of chicken carcasses and the like wherein a cryogen such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide snow is sprayed directly on the carcasses or other items as they travel through a passage or tunnel, and wherein vortical flow of air and/or vaporized cryogen is effected within the chiller to continuously sweep the bottom surface of the chiller and recirculate cryogen from the bottom surface, thereby avoiding accumulation of liquid nitrogen or CO.sub.2 snow on the bottom surface. The vortical flow is preferably provided by one or more fans disposed within the tunnel. A deflector may be provided on the tunnel interior to direct recirculated cryogen onto the items being chilled. A damper may be provided to regulate fan output and thereby enable optimization of operational efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.