Integrated Liquefied Fluid Dispensing Layout for Compact Cryogenic Filling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices for dispensing liquefied fluids into containers are complex, require significant installation space, and have high maintenance and repair efforts.

Innovation Solution

A compact device design that integrates a cooling vessel, liquefaction unit, and storage container, with sensors and a metering device, allowing for efficient and reliable dispensing of liquefied fluids like nitrogen or oxygen into containers, featuring a compact arrangement and simplified operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional devices for dispensing liquefied fluids are used, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cooling vessel, liquefaction unit, and storage container into a single integrated device. The cooling vessel serves dual purposes as both the cooling medium reservoir and the housing for the liquefaction and storage components. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and interfaces, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining operational reliability through a unified, streamlined system design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling vessel is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides cooling medium storage, cooling of the liquefaction unit, and housing for the storage container. This universal design eliminates the need for separate cooling systems and reduces overall device complexity while ensuring reliable operation through integrated temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If conventional devices for dispensing liquefied fluids are used, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the installation space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested arrangement where the storage container is positioned inside the cooling vessel, and the liquefaction unit is arranged within the cooling vessel. This nesting of components maximizes space utilization and reduces the overall installation footprint while maintaining functional separation and reducing device complexity through compact integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of repair

If conventional devices for dispensing liquefied fluids are used, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the maintenance and repair effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance effortVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the cooling vessel, liquefaction unit, and storage container into a single integrated device with a reduced number of interfaces, the patent simplifies the system architecture. This reduction in component count and interface complexity directly lowers maintenance and repair efforts, as there are fewer parts to service and fewer connection points that could fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the liquefaction unit and storage container are arranged separately, then the cooling function is achieved, but the device complexity and number of interfaces increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the liquefaction unit and storage container into the same cooling vessel, eliminating the critical interface between separate cooling systems. This integration reduces the number of interfaces that could fail, thereby improving reliability while reducing device complexity through a unified cooling architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures safe, continuous, and efficient dispensing of liquefied fluids with reduced complexity, installation space, and maintenance requirements, while maintaining fluid quality and operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling medium, in particular liquid nitrogen, for cooling the liquefaction device and the storage container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a liquefaction device arranged in the cooling vessel for cooling and liquefying a gaseous fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change (condensation): Condensation

Implementation Method 3

for cooling and liquefying a gaseous fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Data Source

PatentEP4660084A2Device and method for dispensing a liquefied fluid into a container
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 KRONES AG
  • EP4660084A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4660084A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4660084A2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a device (10) for dispensing a liquefied fluid (F1) into a container (12). The device (10) has a cooling vessel (14) for receiving a cooling medium (K1). The device (10) has a liquefaction unit (26) arranged in the cooling vessel (14) for cooling and liquefying a gaseous fluid. The device (10) has a storage container (32) connected to the liquefaction unit (26) for receiving the liquefied fluid (F1) from the liquefaction unit (26) and arranged in the cooling vessel (14) for cooling the liquefied fluid (F1). The device (10) has a metering device (38) for dispensing the liquefied fluid (F1) into the container (12), wherein the metering device (38) is connected to the storage container (32) for receiving the liquefied fluid (F1) from the storage container (32).