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:
Jul. 07, 2009
Filed:
May. 04, 2007
Brian E. Dickerson, Canton, GA (US);
Steve W. Delve, Denver, CO (US);
Brian E. Dickerson, Canton, GA (US);
Steve W. Delve, Denver, CO (US);
Respironics In-X, Inc., Murrysville, PA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid gas, such as liquid oxygen, with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, liquid oxygen barrier may be added to interface between a cryocooler and a dewar to control rate of liquid oxygen escape upon a tipping of the dewar. A boiloff vessel in fluid communication with the dewar allows expanding gas from a tipped dewar to escape while allowing the liquid to safely settle in the boiloff vessel. A temperature sensing circuit, in proximity with a heat dissipator or cold finger of the cryocooler, is operable to break an electrical power circuit of the cryocooler or cooling fan when a sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Oxygen purity of a feed stream of gas may be sensed and/or displayed.