US20090129946A1

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Publication number: US20090129946A1
Application number: US12/313,611
Authority: US
Inventors: Didier TOUBIA; Alexander Levin; Miron KAGANOVICH
Original assignee: Arbel Medical Ltd
Current assignee: Icecure Medical Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-21
Filing date: 2008-11-21
Publication date: 2009-05-21
Also published as: WO2009066292A1

Abstract

A pumping unit for delivering a liquid medium from a low pressure vessel such that the delivered medium has sufficiently high pressure, by providing the liquid medium in the form of separated pulses.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a pumping unit and, in particular, to a high pressure pump, for example for delivery of a liquid medium such as liquid cryogen from a vessel with sufficiently high pressure, while maintaining low pressure in the vessel itself.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are some US patents describing pumping systems, which operate on the basis of a geyser principle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,208 describes an apparatus and method for circulating a heat transfer liquid from a heat collector to a heat exchanger which is located at a level below that of the heat collector by at least partially vaporizing the heat transfer liquid in the steeply sloped collector and the vapor/liquid rises in a series of “slugs” to a condenser located adjacent the top end thereof. The vapor is condensed and the hot liquid is forced downwardly to the heat exchanger by the pressure of the rising slugs of vapor and liquid. After giving up useful heat in the heat exchanger the now cooled liquid is recirculated to the condenser and thence to the collector.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,654 teaches a passive heat transfer system wherein the vapor generated by the boiling of a working fluid is harnessed to transport the working fluid from a heat source to a heat sink below the heat source. A passive circulation unit is installed in a heat transfer system between the outlet port of a heat collector and a collector drain duct that leads to a heat sink that is positioned below the heat collector. In preferred embodiments, a collector feed duct permits fluid to return to the heat collector from the heat sink and a check valve prevents flow in the opposite direction. The passive circulation unit includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber disposed in vertical array, with the lower end of the lower chamber being positioned above the heat collector outlet port. In the simplest embodiment, the two chambers are connected by a vent duct that leads from the bottom region of the lower chamber to the top region of the upper chamber. The collector drain duct connects to an opening in the lower end of the upper chamber. In a second disclosed embodiment, the passive circulation unit is fitted with a valve that intermittently interrupts the flow of working vapor through the lower chamber and thereby causes working fluid to be displaced into the vent duct and expelled therefrom into the upper chamber in a cyclical manner.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,225 describes a geyser pump and a geyser pumped heat transfer system having a multitude of heat absorbing tubes from which heated liquid is pumped into a vapor/liquid separator by geyser action enhanced by positive vapor bubble generation apparatus and flow control methods. A vapor condenser in communication with the separator recovers heat contained in the vapor bubbles and maintains low separator pressure. Pumping starts and stops in response to temperature differences and the pumping rate is proportional to the heating rate. For bubble generation a small volume of the working fluid is isolated in good thermal contact with the absorbing tube and an aperture is formed in communication between the isolated volume and the main volume of working fluid. The small volume of working fluid can be enclosed by inserting into the geyser pump tube a device in the form of a flanged cylinder or a U-shaped tube. Vapor forms readily in the isolated volume and a vapor.+−.liquid interface at the aperture minimizes superheating in the liquid. A directional flow constriction in the absorbing tube which may be in the form of a check valve improves pumping rates and minimizes oscillations which may be produced by the pulsed flow inherent in a geyser pump system. A flow restriction which may be in the form of an orifice or reduced tube diameter moderates peak flow rates by locally and transiently increasing static pressure in expanding bubbles.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,342 describes a fluid displacement system having a pressure vessel, an expansion vessel, first and second tubes in fluid communication with the two vessels, and an energy source. Fluid contained within the system is transferred from one vessel to the other by activating the energy source, which in turn generates pressure in the pressure vessel. The generated pressure in the pressure vessel, in turn, displaces the fluid in the expansion vessel.

Each of the above patents teach a proposed solution which is not useful for cryogenic devices, but instead is only useful for the taught application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

None of the above background art references teaches or describes a high pressure pump of the geyser type that is at least partially inserted into a vessel that is capable of delivering a liquid or liquid-gaseous medium at high pressure while maintaining low pressure in the vessel itself. A pumping unit according to the present invention overcomes these drawbacks by providing such a pump that delivers a liquid medium (and/or a liquid-gaseous medium) from a low pressure vessel such that the delivered medium has sufficiently high pressure, by providing the liquid medium in the form of separated pulses. The pump preferably features a conduit embedded into the vessel, such that the proximal end of this conduit is situated in the vicinity to the bottom of the vessel.

By “high pressure” it is meant at least about 1.5 atmospheres, preferably at least about 2 atmospheres and more preferably at least about 10 atmospheres.

The lower section of the conduit is preferably provided with at least a first check valve, which, preferably, is normally open. In addition, the lower (boiling) section of the conduit is preferably provided with an electrical heating element, more preferably of low thermal inertia, and a layer of an outer thermal insulation to reduce heating of the surrounding liquid medium by the electrical heating element. The electrical heating element can be a resistive heating element, or a heating inductive element. The electrical heating element receives pulses of DC or AC, for example preferably from an outer power-control unit.

There is preferably a condensation section of the conduit; this section is situated in immediate vicinity of the aforementioned boiling section and, preferably, in the immediate vicinity of the bottom of the vessel; therefore, this condensation section in the operation state of the pumping means is immersed into the liquid medium in the vessel.

It should be noted that the duration of the electrical heating pulses is preferably significantly less than the time required for vapor that is generated by these pulses to rise to the upper section of the central feeding conduit. Instead, preferably the gas is formed but then cools in the upper section of the central feeding conduit, returning to a liquid state before exiting the conduit. The upper section of the conduit is provided with a second check valve of open or closed types.

As described in greater detail below, an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a pump according to the present invention may be provided wherein the vessel is a Dewar flask and the liquid or liquid-gaseous medium is a liquid cryogen. In this case, the pump is called a siphon.

The pumping unit of the present invention comprises a central feeding conduit, which is preferably largely positioned within the Dewar flask such that at least about 50% and more preferably at least about 60%, and most preferably at least about 75% of the central feeding conduit is positioned within the Dewar flask. Its lower section is situated in the Dewar flask and the upper section is located outside the Dewar flask; a sealing unit, preferably in the form of a annular rubber ring, allows installation of the pumping unit in the Dewar flask neck. A section of a tubular piece surrounding the central feeding conduit is joined sealingly with the annular rubber ring. The tubular piece acts as a jacket and will be named in the following text “jacket”.

According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the central feeding conduit is preferably fabricated from a metal including but not limited to brass, stainless steel etc.

The upper edge of the external conduit or jacket is sealed with the outer section of the central feeding conduit.

Two check valves are installed on the central feeding conduit: a lower check valve and an upper one. The upper check valve can be positioned in the upper or middle internal spaces of the Dewar flask or outside the Dewar flask. The lower check valve is positioned near the lower end of the central feeding conduit.

The upper check valve may optionally be either of the type that is normally closed or normally open, and the lower check valve may optionally be of the normally closed type or of the normally open type. When the first or lower check valve is open, cryogen enters into the central feeding conduit via this first check valve under hydrostatic pressure of the cryogen in the Dewar flask.

Preferably an electrical heating element is positioned on the central feeding conduit in the immediate vicinity of the lower check valve and somewhat above it. This electrical heating element is preferably of low thermal inertia.

The electrical heating element may optionally be of the resistive and/or electromagnetic inductor types. In the second case, the section of the central feeding conduit, which is surrounded by the electromagnetic inductor, preferably contains elements from ferromagnetic material. In such a way, in the second case, the electrical heating element consists of the inductor and the ferromagnetic tubular section of the central feeding conduit surrounded by the inductor.

The electric heating element is optionally and preferably thermally insulated from its outside, which is faced outwardly in respect to the central feeding conduit.

A source of electrical current (AC or DC) is situated outside the Dewar flask and connected with the electric heating element (the resistor or the inductor) by wires. This source can be named as a control-power unit. The control-power unit ensures delivery of electrical current to the electrical heating element in the form of separated pulses. It should be noted, that in the case of AC application, the frequency of the pulses of the electrical current is preferably some orders of magnitude lower than the frequency of the applied AC.

Delivery of a pulse to the electrical heating element causes the liquid cryogen to boil in the internal space of the central feeding conduit in the section, which is in contact with the electrical heating element, resulting in sharp elevation of its pressure. As a result, the lower check valve closes; the high pressure portion of the liquid-gaseous cryogen then causes the upper check valve to open. Thereafter, as the result of heat exchange between the central feeding conduit and the liquid cryogen in the Dewar flask, the evaporated portion of the cryogen in the central feeding conduit condenses again while reducing the pressure in the central feeding conduit. The lower check valve then opens and the upper check valve closes.

The internal surface of the section to be heated by electrical pulses can be provided with internal fins or a porous coating with open porosity, which facilitates boiling process of the liquid cryogen contained in this section.

The electrical heating element can be provided with outer thermal insulation allowing diminishing heat losses to the liquid cryogen in the Dewar flask and outside the central feeding conduit.

The upper section of the central feeding conduit, which is adjacent to the section with the electrical heating element, can be provided with means improving heat exchange with the surrounding liquid cryogen. This ensures quick cooling and condensation of the vapors obtained by pulse-wise heating of the lower section, which is in immediate contact with the electrical heating element. These means may optionally be realized as external and/or internal fins.

The portions of liquid-gaseous cryogen under sufficiently high pressure caused by its partial evaporation by pulses of electrical current can be supplied immediately onto a target area to be cooled via the outer section of the central feeding conduit.

In another embodiment, the portion of the gaseous-liquid cryogen under high pressure is introduced via the upper check valve into a buffering vessel, which is provided with an evaporation member and an outlet connection with a shut-off valve for supplying the evaporated pressurized cryogen. In addition, the buffering vessel is preferably equipped with required safety and measuring mechanisms (a pressure gauge, safety and relief valves etc), to prevent build up of excessive pressure.

The parameters of electrical pulses supplied to the electrical heating element can be adjusted by the control-power unit in accordance with the pressure in the buffering vessel.

Optionally a bellows section may be incorporated in the central feeding conduit; the expansion and contraction of this bellows section dampens any rapid elevation of pressure in the central feeding conduit.

Optionally and preferably, other safety and relief valves are installed on the outer section of the aforementioned jacket of the pumping unit.

Preferably, a pressure gauge is installed on the outer section of the jacket which serves for measuring pressure in the Dewar flask.

The lower edge of the central feeding conduit may optionally be provided with a filter in order to collect mechanical particles contained in the supplied liquid cryogen.

The lower section of the internal surface of the jacket can be provided with a divider for dividing the upper and lower internal spaces of the Dewar flask, with the divider featuring high hydraulic resistance for passage of the gas through it. This prevents the liquid cryogen in the Dewar flask from being forced up and out in the case of opening the relief valve of the pumping unit. The divider may optionally comprise an internal threading of the jacket with an internal diameter, which fits the outer diameter of the central feeding conduit. Such an embodiment enables the spiral groove of the threading to present a high hydraulic resistance, which prevents boiling and overflow of the liquid cryogen in the Dewar flask when opening the relief valve.

In addition, the pumping unit of these embodiments of the present invention can be provided with an inlet port in its jacket for introducing pressurized gas into the Dewar flask in order to establish a required pressure in it.

The pumping unit of these embodiments of the present invention, which is partially situated in a Dewar flask, is optionally provided with a shut-off valve positioned distally to the upper check valve on the outer section of the upper feeding conduit.

However, it is possible to obviate application of this shut-off valve because the electrical heating element in combination with the lower and upper check valves may instead optionally fulfill the role of the shut-off valve. In this case, preferably the central feeding conduit includes an external vacuum insulation in the form of a vacuum insulated jacket; the proximal edge of this jacket is preferably sealed with the central feeding conduit above the lower check valve and its distal edge is sealed with the central feeding conduit distally to the upper check valve and externally to the Dewar flask itself.

The outer sections of the vacuum insulated jacket and the central feeding conduit are preferably implemented as flexible bellows, thereby enabling the use of liquid neon as a cryogen with significant reduction of operation temperature of the geyser pump of the present invention in comparison with application of liquid nitrogen as the cryogen.

According to some embodiments, the Dewar flask may optionally be used as a fuel tank with LNG (liquid natural gas), for example for installation in a vehicle. For such embodiments preferably the pumping unit is still able to ensure delivery of LNG under different inclination angles of the Dewar flask. Preferably the lower section of the central feeding conduit is divided into a plurality of branches, in which each branch is provided with an independent check valve and an electrical heating unit.

In addition, a sensing unit supplies to the power-control unit data regarding an angle and direction of inclination of the Dewar flask. For example, two clinometers can play a role of such sensing unit. In such a way, in accordance to the data of the sensing unit, the power-control unit energizes the electrical heating unit, which is related at a certain moment to the branch with its proximal end immersed into liquid cryogen (for example, into LNG). A bellows' section can be incorporated into each branch in order to provide required flexibility to this construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1aandFIG. 1bshow an axial cross-sectional view of a Dewar flask with a pumping unit installed in its neck, when an upper check valve is positioned inside of the Dewar flask (FIG. 1a) or outside of the Dewar flask (FIG. 1c).

FIG. 1cshows an enlarged axial cross- and a sectional view of the upper section of the Dewar flask and the pumping unit.

FIG. 1dshows an axial cross-sectional view of the lower section of the Dewar flask and the pumping unit.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of the lower section of the Dewar flask and the pumping unit with an inductor used as an electrical heating element.

FIG. 3 shows an axial cross-sectional view of a pumping unit with a bellows section incorporated into the central feeding conduit.

FIG. 4 shows an axial cross-sectional view of a Dewar flask with the pumping unit installed in its neck and a buffing vessel equipped with an evaporating member.

FIG. 5ashows an axial cross-sectional view of a Dewar flask with the pumping unit installed in its neck and a split lower section of the central feeding conduit.

FIG. 5bshows an axial cross-sectional view of the lower section of a Dewar flask accordingFIG. 5a.

FIG. 6 shows an axial cross-sectional view of a Dewar flask according to some embodiments of the present invention, featuring a vacuum insulated jacket that is situated partially in the Dewar flask and partially outside of the Dewar flask

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1ashows aDewar flask101 withneck102, which is intended to be filled with a liquid cryogen to be supplied by thepumping unit120. Pumpingunit120 comprises acentral feeding conduit103 for supplying the liquid cryogen to an external location, andjacket104 surrounding thecentral feeding conduit103 withgap117 formed between them. Thecentral feeding conduit103 comprises anexternal section111. The upper edge ofjacket104 is sealed with thecentral feeding conduit103 as shown. Anannular rubber ring105 is installed onjacket104 and inserted partially intoneck102, for holdingpumping unit120 inDewar flask101 and for sealingjacket104 to theDewar flask101. Also, preferably a shut-offvalve108 is installed on theexternal section111 of thecentral feeding conduit103. The shut-offvalve108 ensures control of the supply of the liquid cryogen.

In a preferred embodiment, preferably safety and

relief valves

109 and110 are installed on ports of the outer section ofjacket104 for releasing the pressure in theDewar flak101.Jacket104 also preferably features apressure gauge114 which is installed on theexternal section111 of thecentral feeding conduit103 for measuring internal pressure in theDewar flask101.

The lower section of the internal surface ofjacket104 is provided with aninternal threading115 with an internal diameter, which fits the outer diameter of thecentral feeding conduit103.

Two check valves are installed in the internal section of the central feeding conduit: alower check valve106 and anupper check valve119.

Anelectrical heating element107 is positioned onto thecentral feeding conduit103 in the immediate vicinity of thelower check valve106 and somewhat above it. Thiselectrical heating element107 is preferably of low thermal inertia, but may optionally be of the resistive and/or electromagnetic inductor types. Theelectric heating element107 is optionally and preferably thermally insulated from its outside with athermal insulation123.

A control-power unit116 of electrical current (AC or DC) is situated outside theDewar flask101 and connected with theelectric heating element107 by

wires

112 and113. This control-power unit116 ensures delivery of electrical current to theelectrical heating element107 in the form of separated pulses.

FIG. 1bshows theDewar flask101 with the pumping unit designed similarly to that shown inFIG. 1a, but theupper check valve119 is installed in the central feeding conduit outside of theDewar flask101.

FIG. 1cshows an enlarged axial cross- and a sectional view of the upper section of the Dewar flask and thepumping unit120. Pumpingunit120 comprises aDewar flask101 withneck102, which is intended to be filled with a liquid cryogen to be supplied by thepumping unit120. The upper section of the pumping unit comprises acentral feeding conduit103 andjacket104 surrounding thecentral conduit103 withgap117 formed between them. The upper edge ofjacket104 is sealed with thecentral feeding conduit103 as shown. Also a seal for sealingjacket104 to the Dewar flask is provided, along with anannular rubber ring105 installed onjacket104 and inserted partially intoneck102, for holdingpumping unit120 inDewar flask101. Also, preferably a shut-offvalve108 is installed on theexternal section111 of thecentral feeding conduit103. The shut-offvalve108 ensures control of the supply of the liquid cryogen.

In the preferred embodiment, preferably safety and

relief valves

109 and110 are installed on ports129 and128, respectively, of the outer section ofjacket104 for establishing and releasing the pressure in theDewar flask101.Jacket104 also preferably features apressure gauge114 which is installed on theexternal section111 of thecentral feeding conduit103 for measuring internal pressure in the Dewar flask.

Anupper check valve119 is installed in theinternal section122 of thecentral feeding conduit103.

A control-power unit116 of electrical current (AC or DC) is situated outside theDewar flask101 and connected with the electric heating element by

wires

112 and113.

Opening

121 and122 injacket104 serve for installation and routing ofwires113.

FIG. 1dshows an axial cross-sectional view of the lower section of the Dewar flask and the pumping unit. It shows theDewar flask101, thecentral feeding conduit103, alower check valve106 that is installed in the central feeding conduit, and anelectrical heating element107, which is positioned onto or adjacent thecentral feeding conduit103 in the immediate vicinity of thelower check valve106 and somewhat above it. Athermal insulation123 is optionally and preferably provided on the exterior ofelectric heating element107 for thermal insulation;electric heating element107 is preferably connected with a power-control unit via wires orcables113.

Delivery of each pulse to theelectrical heating element107 causes the liquid cryogen to boil in theinternal space122 of thecentral feeding conduit103 in the section which is in contact with or adjacent theelectrical heating element107, resulting in sharp elevation of its pressure. As a result, thelower check valve106 closes; the high pressure portion of the liquid-gaseous cryogen then causes theupper check valve119 to open. Thereafter, as the result of heat exchange between thecentral feeding conduit103 and the liquid cryogen in the Dewar flask, the evaporated portion of the cryogen in thecentral feeding conduit103 condenses again while reducing the pressure in thecentral feeding conduit103. Thelower check valve106 then opens and theupper check valve119 closes.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged axial cross-sectional view of the lower section of the Dewar flask and the pumping unit with an inductor used as an electrical heating element. Components having the same or similar function as those shown inFIG. 1 have the same reference numbers.

Aninductor207 and a ferromagnetictubular piece224 are optionally and preferably positioned onto or adjacent thecentral feeding conduit103, in this embodiment, in the immediate vicinity of thelower check valve106 and preferably somewhat abovelower check valve106, for heating through induction.Inductor207 is optionally and preferably thermally insulated from its outside with athermal insulation123 and connected with a power-control unit (not shown) viacables113.

FIG. 3 shows an axial cross-sectional view of a pumping unit with a bellows section incorporated into the central feeding conduit. Components having the same or similar function as those shown inFIG. 1 have the same reference numbers.

Asection328 of thecentral feeding conduit103 is preferably situated adjacent to and above the section surrounded by theelectrical heating element107, and preferably features outerlongitudinal fins325 and internallongitudinal fins326.

Optionally a bellows'section327 of thecentral feeding conduit103, preferably situated above thefinned section328, is provided for preventing a rapid rise in pressure of thecentral feeding conduit103. Thebellows section327 is preferably made of an elastic material.

FIG. 4 shows an axial cross-sectional view of a Dewar flask with the pumping unit installed in its neck and a buffering vessel equipped with an evaporating member. Components having the same or similar function as those shown inFIG. 1 have the same reference numbers.

Optionally and preferably abuffering vessel430 is in fluid communication with the outer section of thecentral feeding conduit103, for providing a constant or at least relatively steady supply of the liquid medium. Thisbuffering vessel430 is equipped with asafety valve433 and apressure gauge432. In addition, anelectrical heater434 is installed in thebuffering vessel430; this electrical heater serves for evaporation the cryogen provided from theDewar flask101. Theelectrical heater434 is connected with the power-control unit116 viacables435. Thebuffering vessel430 also preferably comprises anoutlet connection431 with a shut-offvalve436.

FIG. 5ashows aDewar flask501 withneck502, which is intended to be filled with a liquid cryogen to be supplied by thepumping unit520. Pumpingunit520 comprises acentral feeding conduit503, this central feeding conduit serves for supply of the liquid cryogen to a target place, andjacket504 surrounding thecentral conduit503 withgap517 formed between them. The upper edge ofjacket504 is sealed with thecentral feeding conduit503 as shown. Also a seal for sealingjacket504 to the Dewar flask is provided, along with anannular rubber ring505 installed onjacket504 and inserted partially intoneck502, for holdingpumping unit520 inDewar flask501. Also, preferably a shut-offvalve508 is installed on the outer section of thecentral feeding conduit503. The shut-offvalve508 ensures control of the supply of the liquid cryogen.

In the preferred embodiment, preferably safety and

relief valves

509 and510 are installed on ports of the outer section ofjacket504 for establishing and releasing the pressure in theDewar flak501.Jacket504 also preferably features apressure gauge514 which is installed on the outer section of thecentral feeding conduit503 for measuring internal pressure in theDewar flask501.

The lower section of the internal surface ofjacket504 is provided with aninternal threading515 with an internal diameter, which fits the outer diameter of thecentral feeding conduit503.

Two types of check valves are installed in the internal section the central feeding conduit:lower check valves506 and anupper check valve519.

Electrical heating elements

507 are positioned onto the lower branches of thecentral feeding conduit503 in the immediate vicinity of thelower check valves506 and somewhat higher than them. Theseelectrical heating elements507 should preferably be of low thermal inertia.

The electrical heating elements can be resistors or electromagnetic inductors. The electric heating elements are optionally and preferably thermally insulated withthermal insulations523.

A control-power unit516 of electrical current (AC or DC) is situated outside theDewar flask501 and connected with theelectric heating elements507 by

wires

512 and513. The control-power unit516 ensures delivery of electrical current to one of theelectrical heating elements507 in the form of separated pulses and in accordance with data provided from aclinometer524, as a non-limiting example of a sensor for sensing angle of declination (tilt). Thisclinometer524 measures an inclination angle and orientation of theDewar flask501 at a certain moment.

As shown inFIG. 5b, the lower branches of thecentral feeding conduit503 may also be provided with abellows section525, preferably made of elastic material, to permit the branches to be inserted intoDewar flask501.

FIG. 6 shows an axial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of Dewar flask with a vacuum insulated jacket situated partially in the Dewar flask and partially outside of the Dewar flask. In this embodiment,Dewar flask101 withneck102 is filled with a liquid cryogen to be supplied by thepumping unit620. Pumpingunit620 comprisescentral feeding conduit103 for supplying the liquid cryogen to an external location, and hasjacket104 surrounding thecentral conduit103 withgap117 formed between them. Preferably, pumpingunit620 is held inDewar flask101 through some type of device, such as a ring105 (which may optionally be an annular rubber ring), installed onjacket104 and inserted partially intoneck102.

Thecentral feeding lumen103 is preferably surrounded by a vacuum insulatedjacket630, which is sealed withcentral feeding lumen103 at the distal and proximal ends and which is located withinjacket104, for providing a greater degree of thermal insulation. Vacuuminsulated jacket630 preferably comprises aninternal jacket section631 with its proximal end sealed with thecentral feeding conduit103 above thelower check valve106; and anexternal jacket section632, which is sealed at its distal end with the external section of thecentral feeding lumen103. Thecentral feeding lumen103 preferably also comprises an externalflexible section633, which is optionally and preferably designed as a bellows, to provide flexibility to ahose634.

The operation ofdewar flask101 andpumping unit620 is substantially similar to that described previously, for example inFIG. 1; however, the additional thermal insulation provided by vacuum insulatedjacket630 further reduces heating of the cryogenic material.External jacket section632 is preferably flexible, as isflexible section633, so as to provide flexibility tohose634 during operation, for provision of the cryogenic material throughhose634.Electrical heating element107 also replaces the on-off valve ofFIG. 1 (element108 inFIG. 1); pulses of electrical current switch on the geyser pump due to heating ofelectrical heating element107, and their absence switches off the geyser pump.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

1. A pumping unit for delivering a liquid medium from a vessel in the form of separated pulses; said pumping unit comprising:

a conduit, which is at least partially contained within said vessel, wherein a proximal end of said conduit is situated in a vicinity of a bottom of said vessel;

a first check valve installed on a lower section of said conduit;

an electrical heating element for heating a lower portion of said conduit; and

a second check valve installed on an upper section of said conduit;

wherein heating of said heating element causes said liquid medium to form vapors in said conduit, said vapors causing said first check valve to close and causing said second check valve to open; and upon condensation of said vapors, said second check valve closes.

2. The pumping unit ofclaim 1, wherein said liquid medium comprises a cryogen.

3. The pumping unit ofclaim 2, wherein said electrical heating element has low thermal inertia.

4. The pumping unit ofclaim 3, wherein said conduit comprises a layer of an outer thermal insulation for reducing heating of the surrounding liquid medium by said electrical heating element.

5. The pumping unit ofclaim 1, wherein the condensation occurs in a section of the central feeding conduit situated in immediate vicinity of the bottom of the vessel.

6. The pumping unit ofclaim 1, wherein electrical heating pulses are applied to the heating element, and duration of the electrical heating pulses is significantly less than a time required for floatation of vapor bubbles generated by said electrical heating pulses to the upper section of the central feeding conduit.

7. The pumping unit ofclaim 1, wherein said second check valve is of a normally open type and wherein said first check valve is of a normally open type.

8. The pumping unit ofclaim 1, wherein said second check valve is of the normally closed type and wherein said first check valve is of a normally open type.

9. The pumping unit ofclaim 1, wherein the electrical heating element is of a resistive type.

10. The pumping unit ofclaim 1, wherein the electrical heating element is of an inductive type.

11. The pumping unit ofclaim 1, wherein said separate pulses are under high pressure of at least about 1.5 atmospheres.

12. A pumping unit for feeding liquid cryogen from a Dewar flask, comprising:

a central feeding conduit;

seal means for sealing said central feeding conduit to the Dewar flask;

two check valves installed on an upper section and a lower section respectively of said central feeding conduit;

an electrical heating element, situated in immediate contact with or adjacent a section of said central feeding conduit, said section being above and adjacent to said lower check valve;

a power-control unit supplying pulses of electrical current to said electrical heating element; and wherein the liquid cryogen is fed through said central feeding conduit from the Dewar flask.

13. The pumping unit ofclaim 12, wherein the upper check valve is of a normally closed type.

14. The pumping unit ofclaim 12, wherein the lower check valve is of a normally open type.

15. The pumping unit ofclaim 12, wherein the electrical heating element functions as a resistor.

16. The pumping unit ofclaim 12, wherein the electrical heating element comprises a combination of an inductor and an adjacent section of the central feeding conduit, the adjacent section comprising a ferromagnetic material.

17. The pumping unit ofclaim 12, further comprising a condensation section of the central feeding conduit, the condensation section including a plurality of outer fins.

18. The pumping unit ofclaim 12, further comprising a condensation section of the central feeding conduit, the condensation section including a plurality of internal fins.

19. The pumping unit ofclaim 12, wherein said central feeding conduit further comprises a section constructed as a bellows.

20. The pumping unit ofclaim 12, further comprising a buffering vessel in fluid communication with an outer section of the central feeding conduit, said buffering vessel comprising a safety valve and a pressure gauge.

21. The pumping unit ofclaim 20, wherein said buffering vessel further comprises a heater for evaporating the cryogen provided from said Dewar flask.

22. The pumping unit ofclaim 21, wherein said buffering vessel further comprises an outlet connection and a shut-off valve.

23. The pumping unit ofclaim 21, wherein the buffering vessel is equipped with a safety valve and a pressure gauge.

24. The pumping unit ofclaim 12, wherein the lower section of the central feeding conduit comprises a plurality of branches, each branch being provided with an independent check valve, and an electrical heating unit, the pumping unit further comprising a sensing unit and a power control unit, wherein said sensing unit detects an angle and direction of inclination of said Dewar flask and wherein said power-control unit energizes a selected electrical heating unit according to data communication from said sensing unit, to heat a branch that is immersed with its proximal end into the liquid cryogen in said Dewar flask.

25. The pumping unit ofclaim 23, further comprising a bellows section incorporated into each branch of the central feeding conduit.

26. The pumping unit ofclaim 12, wherein the central feeding conduit includes an external vacuum insulation in the form of a vacuum insulated jacket; a proximal edge of said vacuum insulated jacket is sealed with the central feeding conduit above the lower check valve and a distal edge of the jacket is sealed with said central feeding conduit distally to the upper check valve and externally to the Dewar flask.

27. The pumping unit ofclaim 25, wherein said jacket further comprises an internal threading, such that an internal diameter of said jacket is fitted to an outer diameter of the central feeding conduit.

28. The pumping unit ofclaim 27, wherein outer sections of said vacuum insulated jacket and said central feeding conduit comprise a flexible bellows.