APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONDENSATION-AND FROST-FREE SURFACES ON CRYOGENIC COMPONENTS

摘要

Apparatus that prevents the buildup of frost or ice on plumbing in a cryogenic delivery system (10) and on cryogenically cold surfaces (14a) exposed to ambient air. The plumbing is sealed within a casing that includes a microporous membrane (14). A purge gas stream is fed into the casing at an effective pressure, causing the purge gas to diffuse through the microporous membrane (14) and prevent frost or ice formation on an exterior surface (14a) of the apparatus or around a cryogenic discharge nozzle (420).