Patent ID: 6189336
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B30B,C01B

Abstract:
A liquid carbon dioxide conversion apparatus for converting liquid carbon dioxide to compressed solid carbon dioxide, said apparatus comprising:a compression housing defining a compression chamber having opposed forward and rearward ends and at least one transfer portal in fluid communication with said compression chamber;means for converting liquid carbon dioxide to particulate solid carbon dioxide, including at least one snow accumulation chamber in fluid communication with said at least one transfer portal;means for transferring particulate solid carbon dioxide from each said snow accumulation chamber to said compression chamber through said at least one transfer portal; anda compression piston movably mounted in said compression chamber and configured for compressing particulate solid carbon dioxide accumulated within said compression chamber, wherein said compression piston is reciprocally movable between a first position adjacent said rear end and a second position adjacent said forward end, said at least one transfer portal being at least partially open when said compression piston is located within a first range extending between said first position and a third position and said at least one transfer portal is sealed by said compression piston when said compression piston is located within a second range extending from said third position to said second position, said third position being intermediate said first and second positions;wherein said means for converting liquid carbon dioxide is operable only while said at least one transfer portal is sealed by said compression piston and said means for converting liquid carbon dioxide is operable while said compression piston is in motion.