Fast response Joule-Thomson cryostat
US5913889A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 22, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2309/022
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A cryostat (10') with a heat exchanger (13'); a valve (25') for controlling the flow of fluid through said heat exchanger (13'); and a snap disk (30') for actuating the valve (25'). In a specific embodiment, the snap disk (30') is constructed of at least two different materials (32', 34'), each having a different coefficient of thermal expansion. The snap disk (30') is mounted upon an orifice block (38') and coupled to a needle valve (25') by a connecting rod (40'). The needle valve (25') engages an orifice (16') in the orifice block (38'). The orifice (16') is in communication with the tubing (14') of a heat exchanger (13') via a channel (44') in the orifice block (38'). The geometry of the snap disk (30') is such that when the disk changes state, it snaps due to the thermal properties thereof. This ensures fast response with abrupt closure characteristics and considerable travel. In addition, the snap disk (30') allows for a simplified cryostat design with minimal weight and cost.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.