Patent ID: 9261238
Filing Date: 2016-02-16
CPC Classification: F17C,Y02E

Claim Text:
1. A method for dispensing a gas, the method comprising: withdrawing a first quantity of the gas from a gas source, the first quantity of gas having an initial temperature; cooling the first quantity of gas via heat exchange with a first thermal capacitor wherein the first thermal capacitor has a temperature lower than the minimum temperature of a first target temperature range when the first quantity of gas is initially cooled by the first thermal capacitor; cooling the first quantity of gas via heat exchange with a second thermal capacitor wherein the second thermal capacitor has a temperature lower than the minimum temperature of the first target temperature range when the first quantity of gas is initially cooled by the second thermal capacitor, wherein the first quantity of gas is cooled via heat exchange with the second thermal capacitor after being cooled via heat exchange with the first thermal capacitor; heating the first quantity of gas via heat exchange with a third thermal capacitor wherein the third thermal capacitor has a temperature within the first target temperature range, wherein the first quantity of gas exchanges heat with the third thermal capacitor after being cooled via heat exchange with the second thermal capacitor; introducing the first quantity of gas from the third thermal capacitor into a first receiving vessel, the first quantity of gas thereby having a dispensing temperature within the first target temperature range, wherein the dispensing temperature is less than the initial temperature; and cooling the first thermal capacitor, the second thermal capacitor, and the third thermal capacitor via heat exchange with a refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant is cycled in a refrigeration cycle, wherein the first thermal capacitor, the second thermal capacitor, and the third thermal capacitor are cooled by the refrigerant at a time when no gas is being cooled by the first thermal capacitor, the second thermal capacitor, and the third thermal capacitor.