GN2 exhaust muffler

Abstract

A GN2 exhaust muffler. The GN2 exhaust muffler includes a first pipe and a second pipe. The first pipe has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first pipe is capped. The first pipe also includes a plurality of apertures that are positioned near the capped first end. The second end of the first pipe is adapted to receive a flow of GN2 exhaust. The second pipe encases a portion of the first pipe such that the capped end and the plurality of apertures are housed in the second pipe. Moreover, the second pipe has an exhaust outlet adapted to output the GN2 exhaust.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to exhaust mufflers and in particular to GN₂ exhaust mufflers.

BACKGROUND

The use of liquid nitrogen LN₂ for processes in industry has many applications. For example, LN₂ is used in some types of heat exchangers. In a heat exchanger system, thermal energy is transferred between a fluid like LN₂ in a first thermally conductive container and a working fluid in a second thermally conductive container. The LN₂ when placed in the confined space of a thermally conductive container of a heat exchanger will turn into gas (GN₂) at a rate of about 750:1. Accordingly, a small amount of LN₂ results in a large amount of GN₂ gas. In some heat exchange systems the gas is expelled through a nozzle at a relatively high velocity. Because of the high volume and high velocity of the expelled GN₂ exhaust flow, the expelling of the gas is extremely noisy. One method used to alleviate the problem in the past was to plum the exhaust outside the building that housed the heat exchanger. However, with systems that use small amounts of LN₂ that do not require the gas to be exhausted outside for ventilation reasons, the cost and inconvenience of having to plumb the exhaust outside can be prohibitive. Moreover, the portability of a system that produces a GN₂ exhaust flow is limited when the exhaust flow has to be plumbed outside of the building.

For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a method of effectively reducing the noise associated with the exhaust of systems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

In one embodiment gas nitrogen (GN₂) exhaust muffler is provided. The GN₂ exhaust muffler includes a first pipe and a second pipe. The first pipe has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first pipe is capped. The first pipe also includes a plurality of apertures that are positioned near the capped first end. The second end of the first pipe is adapted to receive a flow of GN₂ exhaust. The second pipe encases a portion of the first pipe such that the capped end and the plurality of apertures are housed in the second pipe. Moreover, the second pipe has an exhaust outlet adapted to output the GN₂ exhaust.

In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a gas nitrogen (GN2) exhaust muffler is provided. The method includes capping a first end of a first pipe that is adapted to receive a flow of GN2 exhaust in a second end. Forming a plurality of apertures in the first pipe near the first cap and encasing a portion of the first pipe with a second pipe such that the cap and the plurality of apertures are housed in the second pipe.

In yet another embodiment, a method of operating a gas nitrogen (GN₂) exhaust muffler is provided. The method comprises receiving a GN₂ exhaust flow in an inlet of a first pipe. Forcing the GN₂ exhaust flow out of a plurality of relatively small apertures in the first pipe and directing the flow of GN₂ exhaust out of an outlet of a second pipe, wherein the second pipe encases a portion of the first pipe having the relatively small apertures.

In still yet another embodiment, a method of processing a flow of gas nitrogen (GN₂) exhaust is provided. The method comprises directing the flow of GN₂ exhaust through a muffler to reduce the noise produced by the flow of GN₂.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the description of the preferred embodiments and the following figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an exhaust muffler of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the use of an exhaust muffler of one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the manufacturing of one embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a GN₂ exhaust muffler that reduces the noise produced by a GN₂ exhaust flow so that a system that expels a high pressure GN₂ exhaust flow can be used in an enclosed room without having to plum the exhaust outside the room. This also allows for the system expelling the GN₂ exhaust flow to be portable.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a GN₂ exhaust muffler 100 of the present invention is provided. This embodiment includes a first pipe 102 and a second pipe 105. The first pipe 102 has a first end 103 that is covered with a cap 107. The first pipe 102 also has a second end 106 that receives a flow of GN₂ exhaust from a system using LN₂. Also illustrated in the first pipe 102 is a plurality of apertures designated generally as 110. The flow of GN₂ exhaust received by the inlet 106 (or second end 106) flows out of the plurality of apertures 110. A portion of the second pipe 104 encases a portion of the first pipe 102 such that, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the plurality of apertures 110 and the first end 103 of the first pipe 102 is housed in the second pipe 104. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the second pipe 104 includes a neck 105 that has a diameter that is less then the diameter of other portions of the second pipe 104. The second pipe 108 further includes an exhaust outlet 108 in which the GN₂ exhaust exits the GN₂ exhaust muffler 100.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the first and second pipes are made from materials that can handle the cold temperatures of the GN₂ exhaust flow as well as further dampen the noise created by the GN₂ exhaust. The materials include but are not limited to plastics (and one embodiment soft plastics), rubber and the like. Besides being able to handle the cold temperatures and dampening the noise, these materials are also not very susceptible to condensation build up as the GN₂ exhaust flows through. In other embodiments, other types of materials are used to form the first and second pipes 102 and 104 and this invention is not limited to the above mentioned materials.

Referring to FIG. 2, a flow diagram 200 illustrating a method of handling GN2 exhaust, of one embodiment is illustrated. As illustrated, the process starts by receiving a GN2 exhaust flow from a device at an inlet of a first pipe (202). The device may be any device that uses LN₂ in its processes and releases a GN₂ exhaust flow. This type of device may include but is not limited to heat exchange systems. The GN₂ exhaust received at the inlet is forced through a plurality of relatively small apertures formed in the first pipe (204). The GN₂ exhaust gas is then output through an exhaust outlet in the second pipe (206).

FIG. 3, is a flow diagram 300 of the process forming a GN₂ exhaust muffler of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the process includes forming a bend in a first pipe (302). The bend in the first pipe is to direct the flow of GN₂ exhaust away from a working area or from the device expelling the GN₂ exhaust flow. A first end of the first pipe is capped to prevent the flow of exhaust through the first end (304). A second end of the pipe is designed to receive a flow of GN₂ exhaust. A plurality of apertures are formed in the first pipe near its first end (306). A portion of the first pipe is encased with a second pipe such that the plurality of apertures and the first end of the first pipe are housed in the second pipe (308). A neck having a relatively small diameter is formed in the second pipe (310). The neck portion is designed to expel the GN₂ exhaust flow from the GN₂ muffler. In one embodiment the neck portion is formed from the second pipe and another embodiment, the neck is coupled to the second pipe.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A gas nitrogen (GN2) exhaust muffler comprising: a first pipe having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first pipe being capped, the first pipe also having a plurality of apertures near the capped first end, the second end of the first pipe adapted to receive a flow of GN2 exhaust; and a second pipe encasing a portion of the first pipe such that the capped first end and the plurality of apertures are housed in the second pipe, the second pipe having an exhaust outlet adapted to output the GN2 exhaust flow.

2. The GN2 exhaust muffler of claim 1, further comprising: the first pipe having a bend.

3. The GN2 exhaust muffler of claim 1, further comprising: the exhaust output of the second pipe having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of other portions of the second pipe.

4. The GN2 exhaust muffler of claim 1, the exhaust output of the second pipe further comprising: a neck having a diameter that is less than the diameter of other portions of the second pipe.

5. The GN2 exhaust muffler of claim 1 wherein the first pipe is made from one of a plastic and rubber.

6. The GN2 exhaust muffler of claim 1, wherein the second pipe is made from one of a plastic and rubber.

7. The GN2 exhaust muffler of claim 1, wherein the first and second pipe are made from a soft plastic.

8. A method of manufacturing a gas nitrogen (GN2) exhaust muffler, the method comprising: capping a first end of a first pipe that is adapted to receive a flow of GN2 exhaust in a second end; forming a plurality of apertures in the first pipe near the first cap; and encasing a portion of the first pipe with a second pipe such that the cap and the plurality of apertures are housed in the second pipe.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: forming a bend in the first pipe.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: forming a reduced diameter neck portion in the second pipe adapted to output the GN2 exhaust.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first pipe and the second pipe is made from at least one of a plastic material and rubber material.

12. A method of operating a gas nitrogen (GN2) exhaust muffler, the method comprising: receiving GN2 exhaust flow in an inlet of a first pipe; forcing the GN2 exhaust flow out of a plurality of relatively small apertures in the first pipe; and directing the flow of GN2 exhaust out of an outlet of a second pipe, wherein the second pipe encases a portion of the first pipe having the relatively small apertures.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising: damping the noise created by the exhaust flow by using select materials in forming the first pipe and the second pipe.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: controlling condensation formed on the first and second pipe by using select materials in forming the first and second pipes.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second pipes are made from at least one of a plastic and a rubber material.

16. A method of processing a flow of gas nitrogen (GN2) exhaust, the method comprising: directing the flow of GN2 exhaust through a muffler to reduce the noise produced by the flow of GN2.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the directing the flow of GN2 exhaust through a muffler further comprises: receiving GN2 exhaust flow in an inlet of a first pipe; forcing the GN2 exhaust flow out of a plurality of relatively small apertures in the first pipe; and directing the flow of GN2 exhaust out of an outlet of a second pipe, wherein the second pipe encases a portion of the first pipe having the relatively small apertures.