Patent · US Expired

Control of fluid flow in the processing of an object with a fluid

US7163380B2 · kind B2 · utility

46Cited by
377References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 29, 2003
Grant dateJan 16, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 1, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF04B49/065
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for and methods of control of a fluid flow. In a system for supercritical processing of an object, the apparatus includes a measuring device for measuring a pump performance parameter and a controller for adjusting a fluid flow in response to the performance parameter. The system further includes a processing chamber for performing a supercritical process and a device for circulating at least one of a gaseous, liquid, supercritical and near-supercritical fluid within the processing chamber. A method of control of a fluid flow includes the steps of: measuring a pump performance parameter; comparing a measured pump performance parameter to a predetermined target pump performance parameter; and adjusting a fluid flow in response to a difference in the measured pump performance parameter and the predetermined target pump performance parameter.

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