Granted Patent B2

US 6,904,758 · App. 10/671,762 · Granted Jun 14, 2005

Abstract

Claims (34)

1. A cryogenic vessel comprising:

a first, outer vessel assembly having an outer vessel and a liquid fill line;

a second, ullage space vessel having a bottom and disposed within said first, outer vessel, adjacent to the top of said first, outer vessel;

said liquid fill line assembly having a venturi assembly adjacent the bottom of said ullage space vessel; and

said venturi assembly structured to create a low pressure zone, relative to said ullage space vessel during a fill procedure whereby, during a fill procedure, fluid is drawn from said ullage space vessel into said fill line assembly.

2. The cryogenic vessel of claim 1 , wherein:

said fill line assembly extends through said ullage space vessel;

said venturi assembly includes a tubular body having an inner surface with a first diameter, an outer surface, and a venturi opening;

said venturi opening in fluid communication with said ullage space vessel; and

said fill line assembly having a second diameter, wherein said venturi assembly first diameter is smaller than said fill line assembly second diameter.

3. The cryogenic vessel of claim 2 , wherein said venturi opening is disposed adjacent to the bottom of the ullage space vessel.

4. The cryogenic vessel of claim 3 , wherein:

said ullage space vessel having a first and a second opening in said ullage space vessel sidewall;

said second opening disposed at the bottom of said ullage space vessel sidewall;

said fill line assembly further includes a first portion and a second portion;

said first portion extending through said ullage space vessel and coupled to said venturi assembly;

said venturi assembly extending through said ullage space vessel second opening; and

said second portion coupled to said venturi assembly and extending outside of said ullage space vessel.

5. The cryogenic vessel of claim 4 , wherein said second pipe portion includes a spray head.

6. The cryogenic vessel of claim 5 , wherein said first, outer vessel assembly includes a vent line extending through said outer vessel and into said ullage space vessel.

7. The cryogenic vessel of claim 6 , wherein said vent line is in communication with the first outer vessel.

8. The cryogenic vessel of claim 5 , wherein said vent line is in communication with the first outer vessel.

9. The cryogenic vessel of claim 3 , wherein:

said ullage space vessel has a plurality of openings in said ullage space vessel sidewall at the bottom of said ullage space vessel sidewall;

said fill line assembly further includes a first pipe portion and a second portion;

said first portion extending through said ullage space vessel and coupled to a plurality of venturi assemblies; and

each said venturi assembly extending through one of said ullage space vessel plurality of openings.

10. The cryogenic vessel of claim 1 , wherein said first, outer vessel assembly includes a vent line extending through said outer vessel and into said ullage space vessel.

11. The cryogenic vessel of claim 10 , wherein said vent line is in communication with the first outer vessel.

12. The cryogenic vessel of claim 11 , wherein said vent line is in communication with the first outer vessel.

13. The cryogenic vessel of claim 1 , wherein:

said fill line assembly extends below said ullage space vessel;

said ullage space vessel includes a drain pipe extending, and in fluid communication with, the bottom of said ullage space vessel and said fill line assembly; and

said drain pipe coupled to said fill line assembly at said venturi assembly.

Assignments (12)