JPS5810103B2 - Cryogenic gas supply channel - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a flow path for supplying extremely low temperature gas, and in particular to a flow path for supplying extremely low temperature gas by vaporizing fluid discharged from a liquefied gas storage tank to a pipe in liquid form. It is.

The present applicant filed an application for a "cooling treatment device" in Utility Model Application No. 74027/1983.

This device is a device that treats diseases such as rheumatism, sprains, bruises, and neuralgia by injecting extremely low-temperature gas (lower than 170 degrees Celsius) onto the affected area to cool it.

As a result of research, it has gradually become clear that the temperature of the gas applied to the affected area is as low as mentioned above, and even lower, at a temperature of -170°C, has a therapeutic effect.

In order to apply such low-temperature gas to the affected area, if the pipe for transporting the low-temperature gas is long, the pipe will be warmed by the room temperature being treated, and the temperature of the gas discharged or spouted from the end of the pipe will rise.

Therefore, it is necessary to shorten the distance of the pipe section for transporting gas as much as possible.

Generally, when air is cooled, the moisture in the air is also cooled and frozen, so when such cooled air is blown onto the affected area of a patient, the frozen ice directly hits the affected area and freezes the affected area. This causes frostbite.

The general atmosphere is therefore unsuitable for such treatment.

Therefore, liquefied gas stored in commercially available cylinders is used.

According to the inventor's research, it should not cause irritation to the skin or be toxic, and there should be no risk of explosion or fire in the treatment room, and there should be no risk of oxygen deficiency. As a commercially available product that can obtain extremely low temperatures in a dry state at a low price, it is preferable to use a mixture of liquid oxygen (boiling point: normal pressure -183°C) and liquid nitrogen (boiling point: normal pressure -196°C) in an appropriate ratio. I understand.

However, in order to apply the above-mentioned low-temperature gas near the boiling point to the affected area by liquefying the gas mixture and storing it in a storage tank, the liquid must be vaporized as close to the affected area as possible, and the transport path for the vaporized gas should be shortened. It is desirable to do so.

However, if the gas transport path becomes short, even slight carelessness may cause the liquefied gas to reach the affected area in a liquid state that has not yet evaporated.

This is also dangerous. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points. The evaporator is equipped with an evaporator that guides the liquefied gas and evaporates it from liquid to gas. The structure includes a valve mechanism that prevents the inflow of water.

The above valve mechanism uses a solenoid valve or a check valve, etc.
To prevent a large amount of fluid flowing into the evaporator as a liquid from upstream, i.e., a storage tank, from the evaporator during operation, from being completely vaporized in the evaporator and flowing downstream from the evaporator as a liquid. This is to prevent the influx.

In the supply channel of the present invention, a bowl body is attached to the downstream end through which the gas flows, as described in the above-mentioned device, and this bowl body is attached to the affected area of the patient who is lying down or on one knee. applied to.

In this case, it is desirable that the flow path following the bowl be a flexible tube, but rubber or plastic materials that are flexible at room temperature and are heat insulating materials cannot maintain their flexibility at the above-mentioned low temperatures. .

Furthermore, when used at such low temperatures, even if the pipe has a small inner diameter, the surrounding insulating layer becomes thicker, so the outer diameter of the pipe becomes considerably thicker.

Such a conduit cannot be expected to have any flexibility and must be rigid.

Therefore, in the flow path of the present invention, at the end of the flow path where the bowl body is directly attached, and at the upstream rigid flow path portion following the end, there is a first joint that rotates around the axis of the flow path and communicates airtight with the flow path. At least one joint assembly consisting of a second joint that pivots on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the joint and communicates airtight with the first joint to form a flow path downstream. It is.

Embodiments of the flow path of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In Fig. 1, 1 is a storage tank for liquefied gas, and the liquefied gas is stored in a bottle 3 housed through a heat insulating material 2, and the liquefied gas liquid is discharged out of the storage tank through a pipe 4 inserted into the bottle 3. .

Reference numeral 5 indicates a switch T provided in a conduit 6 connected to the pipe, and a switch T is a filter provided in the conduit to remove ice chips, dust, etc. contained in the liquefied gas.

An important feature of the present invention is the provision of an evaporator comprising an electromagnetic valve 8 disposed in the conduit 6 downstream of the filter 7 and an evaporation chamber 9 disposed in the conduit downstream of the valve 8.

A detection float 10 that floats on the liquefied gas flowing from the storage tank 1 through the pipe 6 is provided in the evaporation chamber.

When the amount of liquefied gas that has flowed into the evaporation chamber increases and the liquid level rises, the float rises within the evaporation chamber.
For example, when it hits the ceiling of an evaporation chamber or anything else, it emits an electrical signal.

In the evaporation chamber, the liquefied gas that has flowed into the evaporation chamber accumulates inside the chamber, and when the liquefied gas is warmed by the outside air temperature through the wall of the evaporation chamber, the liquefied gas is vaporized, and the vaporized gas is passed through the pipe from the outlet 11 of the evaporation chamber. flows downstream.

Regarding the operation of the above-mentioned evaporator, the liquefied gas discharged from the storage tank 1 passes through the pipe 6 and enters the evaporation chamber 9 via the normally open solenoid valve 8.

As described above, the liquefied gas is vaporized in the evaporation chamber depending on the outside air temperature and flows downstream from the evaporation chamber outlet 11, for example, toward the end of the pipe where the bowl is located.

During the continuous demand for vaporized gas at the pipe end, the liquefied gas smoothly flows into the evaporation chamber, where it is vaporized and discharged downstream.

However, for some reason, an excessive amount of liquid may flow into the evaporation chamber.

In this case, the liquid that continues to flow into the evaporation chamber accumulates in the evaporation chamber.

When liquid accumulates in the evaporation chamber, the float 9 rises as the liquid level rises, hits the ceiling of the evaporation chamber, etc., and generates an electrical signal, which closes the solenoid valve 8 and directs the liquefied gas from the storage tank 1 to the evaporation chamber. prevent the influx of

In this case, if the solenoid valve is not closed, liquefied gas will spew out from the arms while still being liquid, causing serious damage.

Furthermore, if the vaporized gas does not flow downstream sufficiently, the internal pressure of the evaporation chamber increases due to the pressure of the vaporized gas.

This increased pressure works to return the liquefied gas flowing into the evaporation chamber to the storage tank, but as the pressure increases further, pressurized gas flows into the storage tank, which causes the pressure in the storage tank to rise rapidly. This results in a large amount of liquefied gas in the storage tank being spewed out.

However, the evaporator of the present invention only detects the rise in the liquid level in the evaporation chamber, and when the liquid level reaches a predetermined level, the solenoid valve is closed by the signal generated by the float, so the liquefied gas does not flow back upstream and the liquefied gas in the storage tank is removed. It has the effect of preventing gas from blowing out.

The circuit and mechanism for operating the solenoid valve in response to the signal emitted by the float can be created by any skilled engineer without any inventiveness, so the details thereof will be omitted.

In place of the above embodiment, a resistance element whose electrical resistance in the energized state changes based on the difference in heat absorption from the conductor between the gas and the liquid in the evaporation chamber is arranged so as to be in contact with the gas at all times, as described above. When the liquid level in the evaporation chamber rises, it touches the liquid.

In this way, when the resistance element comes into contact with liquid from the gas atmosphere, a signal is generated due to a change in resistance, and this signal can stop the electromagnetic valve.

With this configuration, the evaporation chamber itself does not have to be placed correctly horizontally in order to properly operate the float floating on the liquid.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another evaporator, in which there is an evaporation chamber 12 in the line 6.
is provided.

A backflow prevention valve 13 is provided upstream of the evaporation chamber, and the liquid passing through the pipe passes through the valve 13 and flows into the evaporation chamber through an inflow path 14.

The gas evaporated in the evaporation chamber flows from the outlet 15 to the extension 6a of the pipe 6 via the outlet 16.

Directly below the outlet 15 is an enclosure 17 such as a grid, within which a float 18 is placed.

The inlet 19 of the inflow path opens below the outlet 15.

The float floats on the liquid flowing into the evaporation chamber 12, and when the liquid level rises, it floats up and blocks the outlet 15.

20 is a normally closed pressure valve provided in a bypass path 21 connecting the evaporation chamber and the downstream side of the pipe.

To describe the operation of the second specific example, the liquefied gas discharged from the storage tank 1 flows into the evaporation chamber through the conduit 6 and the non-return valve 13.

Since the inlet 19 of the inflow channel opens downward, when liquid accumulates in the evaporation chamber, the inlet 19 is immersed in the liquid to prevent gas vaporized in the evaporation chamber from filling the inflow channel.

The gas vaporized in the evaporation chamber flows downstream from the outlet 15 through the outlet path 16.

In this case, if the inflow of liquid becomes excessive due to the side or the like, the liquid sent from the inflow path will accumulate in the evaporation chamber and the liquid level will rise, so the float 18 will rise accordingly and block the outflow port, causing the outflow path 16 to rise. Prevent fluid from flowing into the

The vaporized gas in the evaporation chamber is therefore pressed against the liquid level by the increased pressure, and the liquid begins to flow back from the inlet 19 to the inlet channel 14 .

However, at this time, the backflow prevention valve 13 prevents the liquid from flowing back upstream.

On the other hand, the pressure inside the evaporation chamber gradually increases, so when the pressure reaches a predetermined value, the valve 20 is activated and a portion of the gas flows into the bypass passage 21 and is discharged downstream.

This causes the gas pressure to drop and the liquid level to drop, returning to the old steady state.

The gas vaporized as described above is at an extremely low temperature of -170° C., and as described above, rigid pipes are used for the gas transportation pipes.

The mechanism of FIGS. 3-5 is used to attach the arm 24 to the distal end of a rigid conduit and bring the arm close to the affected area of a stationary patient.

In Fig. 3, 25 and 26 are hollow joints that are installed with their centers aligned, and the stepped portion 21 of the joint 25 is located on the side where both joints face each other.
is provided with a ring-shaped backing 28 made of a slippery elastic material such as Teflon, and both joints are brought into contact with each other through this backing.

Also, a ring-shaped backing 30 is attached to the stepped portion 29 on the opposite side of the joint 25 in the same manner as described above, and a washer 31 and a coil spring 32 are arranged on the backing 30.

Here, a forest-like cylindrical union 33 with a part of the inner wall cut out
The two joints are joined by pressing the inner bottom of the pot against the spring 32 and screwing it into the line cut portion provided on the outer wall of the joint 26.

In this way, the joint 25 can be made coaxial with the joint 26 and can be pivoted relative to the joint 26.

Further, to explain other joints with reference to FIG. 5, hollow joint 3
5 has a ring-shaped backing 3 similar to the above.
6 is provided, and a hollow ball 31 that is coaxial with the hollow shaft of the joint 35 is stacked on the joint 35.

On the opposite side of the backing 36 is another ring-shaped backing 38.
around the ball, a retaining ring 39 having inward and outward flanges on both sides, respectively, is disposed around the backing, and the coil 41
is disposed on the outer periphery of the ring 39 on the outward flange 40, and then the forest-shaped cylindrical union 42 is inserted from the ball 37 side and the screws on the inner wall of the union and the screws on the outer wall of the joint 35 are screwed together to form the joint 35. The ball 37 is connected.

A hollow cylinder 43 protrudes from the nuclear sphere 37 in the direction of extension of the hollow shaft.
An injection pipe 44 integrated with the arm body 24 is attached to the cylinder.

In this mechanism, the integrated ball 37 and cylinder 43 together with the joint 35 form a ball joint and not only rotate around the axis of the joint, but also move conically with respect to the center of the sphere to the extent that the cylinder 43 and ring 39 contact each other. be able to.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the above-mentioned joint attached to the end mechanism, in which a pedestal 50 is attached to the end of the pipe 6a so as to be airtight with respect to the pipe 6a and to be able to rotate around the pipe axis.

In addition, the pedestal 51 is connected to the pedestal 50 by connecting the pedestal 51 to the joints 25 and 2 shown in FIG.
6, the rigid tube 52 protruding from the frame 51 perpendicular to the conduit 6a can assume a three-dimensional position relative to the tube 6a.

When the pedestal 53 and the pedestal 54 attached to the end of the tube 52 are arranged in the same relationship as the pedestals 51 and 52, the rigid tube 55 that protrudes airtight from the pedestal 54 is moved closer to the affected area of the patient with respect to the tube 6a. become.

Furthermore, when the mechanism shown in FIG. 5 is attached to the end of the tube 55,
The arms can spray the cold gas while going around the legs or knees of the patient who is lying down.

As described above, the present invention vaporizes the liquefied gas from the liquefied gas storage tank using the evaporator at a position near the end to be treated,
Using a rigid pipe, vaporized gas can be supplied to the end demand area from any three-dimensional direction, thereby shortening the gas transport distance from the evaporator to the demand area.

When excessive liquefied gas flows into the evaporator, the evaporation chamber quickly detects the amount of liquid flowing in, and when the amount reaches a predetermined amount, the valve mechanism upstream of the evaporation chamber is closed and the evaporation chamber is closed to the downstream demand point. Prevent liquefied gas from escaping without being vaporized.

The pressure of the vaporized gas prevents the liquid sent from the storage tank to the evaporation chamber from being forced back into the storage tank, thereby preventing the liquid stored in the storage tank from spewing out wastefully.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an explanatory elevational view of other mechanisms of the evaporator, Figs. It is a perspective view of a cylinder mechanism. 1: storage tank, 4: pipe, 5: switch, 6: pipeline, 7: filter, 8: solenoid valve, 9.12: evaporation chamber, 10.18: detection float, 13: backflow prevention valve.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a flow path for supplying the vaporized cryogenic gas by vaporizing a fluid to be discharged from a liquefied gas storage tank to a pipe in the pipe, the liquefied gas is The evaporator is equipped with an evaporator that guides the liquefied gas to evaporate from liquid to gas, and the evaporator includes a valve that prevents the liquid from flowing into the evaporator when the liquid of the liquefied gas flowing into the device reaches a predetermined amount. A cryogenic gas supply channel characterized by having a mechanism. 2. The evaporator includes an evaporation chamber that receives the liquid and evaporates the received liquid by heat conduction from a wall surface, and a solenoid valve provided upstream of the evaporation chamber, and the evaporation chamber includes a solenoid valve that is provided upstream of the evaporation chamber. 2. The cryogenic gas supply channel described in 1 above, comprising a detector that detects that the liquid level of the liquid has reached a predetermined height and operates the electromagnetic valve. 3. The evaporation device includes an evaporation chamber that receives the liquid and evaporates the received liquid by heat conduction from a wall surface, and a check valve provided in an inflow path to the evaporation chamber, and a gas flow into the evaporation chamber. The pole according to item 1 above, wherein a float valve is provided which floats on the level of the liquid received into the room in an area immediately below the outlet and closes the gas outlet when the liquid level rises, and the inlet passage is opened below the outlet. Low temperature gas supply channel. 4. Downstream from the evaporator, the supply flow path includes a first joint that rotates around the axis of the flow path and communicates with the flow path in an airtight manner;
At least one joint assembly comprising a second joint pivoting on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the second joint and communicating airtightly with the first joint to form a flow path downstream. The cryogenic gas supply channel described in L.1, characterized in that: 5 The end of the supply flow path opens to an injection pipe communicating with the bottom of the arm body, and the injection pipe is spherically freely connected to the flow path axis of the joint so as to communicate with the first joint in an airtight manner. 4. The cryogenic gas supply channel as described in 4 above.