The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 22, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 20, 1996
Hughes Electronics, Los Angeles, CA (US);
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.