Cryogenic Valve Radial Deflection for Supercooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for introducing cryogenic media into containers, such as mixers, face challenges in preventing product penetration into the valve interior, leading to contamination and germ formation, especially during pressure fluctuations, and result in inefficient heat transfer due to localized supercooling.
Innovation Solution
A valve with a shut-off member and a plate-shaped front section that deflects the cryogenic medium radially and is only opened by a predetermined differential pressure, ensuring no product enters the valve and distributing the medium widely to prevent supercooling, with a spring mechanism for adjustable pressure settings and a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve opening cross section is small to prevent product penetration, then hygiene is improved, but the valve requires independent actuation and regular intensive cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling medium introduction function and product discharge function into a single valve mechanism. The valve needle serves dual purposes: it introduces cooling medium when retracted and discharges product when extended, eliminating the need for separate actuators and reducing cleaning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve needle automatically discharges product residues from the valve opening when extended during the discharge phase. This self-cleaning mechanism prevents product accumulation and reduces the need for intensive manual cleaning, improving ease of operation while maintaining hygiene.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the cryogenic medium is introduced directly into the product, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but local supercooling occurs leading to product clumping and quality reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The valve needle is designed to retract along the axial dimension, creating a wider opening that allows the cooling medium to disperse in multiple directions rather than forming a concentrated jet. This dimensional change in flow distribution prevents local supercooling while maintaining efficient heat transfer across the product.
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
The solution effectively prevents product penetration into the valve, reduces the risk of contamination, and ensures efficient cooling by distributing the cryogenic medium evenly, thus maintaining product quality and hygiene, especially suitable for food and pharmaceutical applications.
Implementation Method 1
means which are above a predetermined Differential pressure between the pressure of the cryogenic medium in the supply line and the pressure in the container open the valve, on the other hand block the valve when the pressure falls below the predetermined differential pressure
Implementation Method 2
a plate-shaped front section on the container side, which in the closed state of the valve rests on a sealing surface of the valve, the deflects the cryogenic medium in the radial direction
Implementation Method 3
a spring mechanism for adjustable pressure settings
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The device has a valve (1) for discharging the cryogenic medium e.g. liquid nitrogen, into a container (2). The valve is equipped with a front housing part (6), a rear housing part (7), a shut-off part (11) and a closure spring (22) that discharges the cryogenic medium, when a pressure difference between a pressure of the cryogenic medium in a supply line and a pressure in the container exceeds a preset pressure difference, where the valve is closed when the pressure difference falls below the preset pressure difference.