BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following drawings illustrate examples of various components of the Apparatus of Manufacturing Instant Dry Ice. Other embodiments that are substantially similar can use other components that have a different appearance.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a chamber and end caps for production of solid CO2.
FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the feeding of stored liquid CO2 through a safety valve into a compression chamber.
FIG. 3 illustrates the expansion of liquid CO2 into CO2 gas and compression into a solid upon introduction into the chamber.
FIG. 4 illustrates the filling of minute holes in the sidewalls of the chamber by solid CO2 and continued introduction of liquid CO2 into the chamber.
FIG. 5 illustrates the formation of a solid block of CO2 within the chamber.
FIG. 6 illustrates the removal of the end caps from the chamber.
FIG. 7 illustrates the removal of a block of solid CO2 from the chamber.
FIG. 8 illustrates the finished product of a block of solid CO2.
FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment having a chamber tapered at one end and a movable gate controlling extrusion of solid CO2 from the chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
With reference to the drawings, in general, and to FIGS. 1 and 2, in particular, the pressure apparatus embodying the teachings of the subject invention is generally designated as 10. With reference to its orientation in FIG. 1, the pressure chamber 12 includes threading 14, 16 at its opposite ends for a receipt of internally threaded end caps 18, 20, respectively. The pressure chamber has a diameter of two to three inches.
In the figures, the chamber 12 is shown being constructed of transparent material. This is for illustrative purposes and it is understood that in the actual preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chamber 12 may be constructed of aluminum or other materials able to withstand the force of pressure from a liquid CO2 storage tank 21 as limited by safety valve 22.
As shown in FIG. 2, the storage tank 21 is controlled by a valve 24 to release liquid CO2 through a feed line 26 to a valve 28. A safety valve 22 is interposed between valve 28 and end cap 18 to control the pressure of CO2 fed into chamber 12 through end cap 18. Pressure relief or safety valve 22 allows release of pressurized CO2 gas exceeding a predetermined pressure.
In FIGS. 3 through 8, the method of the present invention will be demonstrated. Initially, as shown in FIG. 2, valve 24 of liquid CO2 storage tank 21 is open to allow release of liquid CO2 through feed line 26 to valve 28. As shown in FIG. 3, upon opening of valve 28 by rotation of handle 30 in the direction of arrow 32, controlled release of liquid CO2 is allowed to pass in the direction of arrow 34 until reaching pressure safety valve 22. Pressure below a preset threshold is allowed to pass valve 22 in the direction of arrow 36 into apparatus 10, including chamber 12.
Chamber 12 includes a plurality of holes or perforations 40 in the sidewall of the chamber. As the liquid CO2 passes first into the gas phase within the chamber, and upon continued pressurization into the solid phase due to pressure buildup in the chamber, the CO2 gas and solid are allowed to escape through the holes 40 until, as shown in FIG. 4, the solid CO2 fills and ultimately blocks escape of additional gas through the holes 40. The pressure thereby continues to increase in chamber 12 and the force of continued introduction of liquid CO2 further compresses the solid CO2 until a block 42 of solid CO2 is formed in the chamber 12 as shown in FIG. 5.
The valve 28 is then closed by rotating handle 30 in the direction of arrow 44. The end caps 18, 20 may then be removed from the chamber 12 as shown in FIG. 6.
The block of solid CO2 may then be pushed from the chamber 12 in the direction of arrow 46 as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the block 42 may then be used for any purpose normally associated with dry ice, having been formed in a quick, less expensive manner than previously known.
In FIG. 9, an alternate embodiment is shown where the apparatus 50 is formed by chamber 52. At a trailing end 54 of the chamber 52, the diameter of the tube is decreased at an angle of 10°-20° and is devoid of holes. The tapered trailing end extends 1-1.5 inches along a length of the chamber 52.
A gate 56 is pivotally mounted at end 54 about a pivot point 58 and secured by latch 60 at an opposite end from the pivot point 58. Once formation of a solid block of CO2 has been achieved, the gate 56 may be pivoted in the direction of arrow 62 to the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 9. The continued pressure of liquid CO2 passing into the chamber 52 through end cap 18 forces the solid block 64 of CO2 through the end 54 of the chamber 52 in an extrusion process. Solid block 64 is moved in the direction of arrow 66 as shown in dotted lines.
Therefore, by continued pressure from the inlet end of the chamber 52, a continuous block 64 of solid CO2 is forced through the outlet end 54. A slicing gate may also be used to cut off sections of the block 64 as it passes through the trailing end 54.
The foregoing description should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20070261435
