Patent · US Expired

Liquid cylinder manifold system

US6615861B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
9References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 20, 2001
Grant dateSep 9, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 20, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/313
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A dispensing system allows cryogenic liquid to be dispensed from either a primary bank manifold and associated cylinders or a secondary bank manifold and associated cylinders. Each manifold includes a gas header and a liquid header. The associated cylinders communicate with the gas header through flexible lines and excess flow check valves and the liquid header through flexible lines and spring-loaded check valves. An automatic control system selects between dispensing from the primary bank manifold or the secondary bank manifold. A pressure gauge detects the pressure of the cryogenic liquid from the dispensing manifold. The pressure gauge is in communication with a controller which opens and closes the appropriate valves to begin dispensing cryogenic liquid from the originally idle manifold if the detected pressure drops below a predetermined minimum. After the manifold is switched over, the controller checks the pressure in the non-selected manifold. If pressure buildup occurs in the non-selected manifold due to residual liquid in the associated cylinders, the system is reconfigured to dispense the residual liquid.

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