Patent · US Expired

Freeze valve and treatment enclosure controlled by at least one such valve

US5988197A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
7References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 12, 1996
Grant dateNov 23, 1999
Priority date—
Expiry dateFeb 12, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/6606
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A freeze valve for a substantially single-phase fluid contains a pipe designed to receive fluid in a flow area, a cold source and a heat source. The cold source and the heat source are placed in thermal contact with the pipe. The pipe is positioned in relation to the cold source and the heat source in such a way so as to permit the freezing of fluid passing through the pipe, thereby closing the passage through the pipe, or the heating of the fluid, thereby opening the passage. The pipe contains, for example, a metallic material that is mechanically strong and capable of dissipating heat by the Joule effect.

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