Patent Publication Number: US-11638883-B1

Title: System and method for recycling helium

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG.  1    is a process flow diagram of the system for recycling helium. 
       FIG.  2    is a flowchart setting forth the method of operating the system. 
       FIG.  3    shows an exemplary bursting chamber for the present system. 
       FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a bursting mechanism for the present system. 
       FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a bursting mechanism for the present system. 
       FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a bursting mechanism for the present system. 
       FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a bursting mechanism for the present system. 
       FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a bursting mechanism for the present system. 
       FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a bursting mechanism for the present system. 
       FIG.  10    is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a bursting mechanism for the present system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG.  1    shows a process flow diagram of the system for recycling helium gas  100 . Thus, in  FIG.  1    the process begins in a bursting chamber  101 . The bursting chamber  101  is a pressure vessel that is capable of withstanding significant vacuum. By way of example, and without limitation, the bursting chamber may be able to structurally withstand a vacuum of 30 inches of mercury or more. The bursting chamber may be constructed of steel or acrylic polymer or other materials known in the art for fabricating chambers capable of withstanding significant vacuums. The bursting chamber  101  is equipped with a re-sealable lid, which will be discussed in greater detail below. Inside the bursting chamber  101  is bursting mechanism (not shown) which will also be discussed in greater detail below. The bursting chamber  101  may be provided with a vent  102 . In the process flow diagram of  FIG.  1   , the vent  102  is a valve that may be opened to allow the bursting chamber  101  to equalize its pressure with the atmosphere. Any mechanism known in the art to allow the bursting chamber  101  to come to equal pressure with the atmosphere may be used as the vent  102  in the system  100 . By way of example and without limitation, the vent  102  may be a manually-controlled valve or it may be an electrically actuated valve, particularly in cases where the process described in  FIG.  1    is automatically controlled. Additionally, the bursting chamber  101  may be provided with a pressure indicator  103 . In one embodiment the pressure indicator  103  may be a gauge. It should be appreciated that the pressure indicator  103  may also be an electrically-operated pressure sensor, particularly in cases where the process described in  FIG.  1    is automatically controlled. 
     As can be seen in  FIG.  1   , the bursting chamber  101  is connected via line  104  to a compressor  105 , thus the bursting chamber  101  and compressor  105  are in fluid communication. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the compressor  105  performs two functions in the process described in  FIG.  1   . First, the compressor  105  evacuates the air from the bursting chamber  101 , prior to the initiation of the bursting process. Second, once the balloons charged to the bursting chamber  101  have been burst, the compressor  105  compresses the resulting helium gas and transfers the compressed helium gas into the helium storage tank  106 . The compressor  105  may be any compressor known in the art, including both positive displacement compressors as well as dynamic compressors. The compressor  105  may be cooled by air, water or other fluids or it may be un-cooled. The compressor  105  may have a single stage or it may have multiple stages, depending on the desired final pressure of helium in the helium storage tank  106 . It also should be appreciated that two or more compressors  105  could be operated in series to achieve the desired final pressure of helium in the helium storage tank  106 . The compressor  105  may be manually-controlled or it may be electrically-actuated, particularly in cases where the process described in  FIG.  1    is automatically controlled. 
     Disposed between the output  107  of compressor  105  and the helium storage tank  106  are the evacuation valve  108  and the control valve  109 . As discussed above, the compressor  105  evacuates the air from the bursting chamber  101 . To do so, the evacuation valve  108  is opened and control valve  109  is closed. Compressor  105  is then activated, drawing air out of the bursting chamber  101  and venting it out of evacuation valve  108 . When all the air has been evacuated from the bursting chamber  101 , evacuation valve  108  may be closed, and then control valve  109  can be opened. The bursting process (discussed below) can then take place, and the resultant compressed helium gas flows through control valve  109  into helium storage tank  106 . When all of the helium gas has been evacuated from the bursting chamber  101 , the control valve  109  may be closed to retain the compressed helium gas in the helium storage tank  106 . The evacuation valve  108  may also perform the function of draining any condensate that collects in the output  107  of compressor  105 . It should be appreciated that evacuation valve  108  and control valve  109  may be any types of valve known in the art and suitable for use with compressed gasses. By way of example and without limitation, either or both of the evacuation valve  108  and control valve  109  may be manually-controlled valves or they may be electrically actuated valves, particularly in cases where the process described in  FIG.  1    is automatically controlled. Control valve  109  may further be provided with a one-way check valve fitting to prevent the backflow of compressed helium gas out of the helium storage tank  106  into the system  100 . 
     The helium storage tank  106  may be used to store helium recovered by the system  100 . The helium storage tank  106  may be fitted with a pressure indicator  110  to indicate the pressure of the recycled helium in the tank. The pressure indicator  110  may be a gauge or an electrically operated pressure sensor. The recycled helium collected in helium storage tank  106  may be used in a number of different ways. First, the recycled helium may be used as-is to fill new balloons. Second, the recycled helium may be blended with virgin helium and then used to fill new balloons. Finally, helium storage tanks  106  from numerous installations at various locations may be collected to a central location, and their contents may be purified and/or compressed to a higher pressure and the resultant purified and/or compressed helium could be reused for filling balloons. Alternatively, in all three of the foregoing scenarios, the helium could be re-purposed for a use other than filling balloons. 
       FIG.  2    shows a flowchart of the process  200  of recycling helium. In step  201 , a user charges balloons to be recycled into, optionally readies the bursting mechanism, and seals, the bursting chamber. As recited above, the bursting chamber is provided with a resealable lid. By way of example, and without limitation, the bursting chamber lid may have an o-ring disposed between the lid and the body of the chamber, and the lid may be secured to the body of the chamber by clamps. Alternatively, the bursting chamber lid may have a gasket disposed between the lid and the body of the chamber and the lid may be secured to the body by nuts and threaded studs. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any lid sealing arrangement can be used to seal the bursting chamber so long as it is suitable for use with the substantial vacuum used in this process. It may also be necessary in this step for the user to ready the bursting mechanism. Several embodiments of bursting mechanisms are discussed below. In some embodiments of the bursting mechanism, the user may be required to position, cock, assemble or otherwise make ready the bursting mechanism so it can be activated at the required time. These preparations must be made prior to sealing the bursting chamber. 
     In step  202 , the bursting chamber is evacuated by opening the evacuation valve and activating compressor. If the process is being conducted manually, the user my open the valve manually and turn on the compressor. Alternatively, if the process is automated, the user may simply activate the system, and appropriate process controls automatically open the valve and activate the compressor. 
     In step  203 , when the bursting chamber is evacuated, the evacuation valve is closed. The bursting chamber is evacuated when the pressure indicator on the bursting chamber indicates there is a desired amount of vacuum in the chamber. If the process is being conducted manually, the user may close the valve manually. Alternatively, if the process is automated, appropriate process controls automatically close the valve upon receiving an appropriate signal of the presence of vacuum from the pressure indicator on the bursting chamber. 
     In step  204 , the bursting mechanism is activated, either automatically by the system or by input from the user. The bursting mechanism bursts the balloons contained in the bursting chamber. In step  205 , either the user manually, or the system automatically, opens the control valve to allow helium to flow from the bursting chamber, through the compressor and into the helium storage tank. In step  206 , the control valve is closed when all helium has been removed from bursting chamber. All of the helium is removed from the chamber when the pressure indicator on the bursting chamber indicates there is a desired amount of vacuum in the chamber. If the process is being conducted manually, the user may close the valve manually. Alternatively, if the process is automated, appropriate process controls automatically close the valve upon receiving an appropriate signal of the presence of vacuum from the pressure indicator on the bursting chamber. Finally, in step  207 , the vent on bursting chamber is opened and the user cleans balloon remnants from chamber. As with all the prior steps, the vent could be opened manually, or it could be opened automatically by the system. Opening the vent allows the pressure in the bursting chamber to equilibrate with atmospheric pressure, so the chamber can be opened. 
       FIG.  3    shows an exemplary bursting chamber  300  for use with the present system. It should be appreciated that the bursting chamber shown in  FIG.  3    does not have a bursting mechanism disposed within it. In use, one of the forms of bursting mechanisms shown and disclosed in  FIGS.  4  through  10    are disposed inside the bursting chamber to accomplish the bursting function. As can be seen in  FIG.  3   , the bursting chamber  300  has a lid  301  and a body  302 . In  FIG.  3   , the bursting chamber  300  is shown as a generally rectangular box, but it should be appreciated that the bursting chamber may take any shape known in the art, including without limitation, cylindrical shapes or cubes. The lid  301  is secured to the body  302  by clamps  303 . An o-ring gasket  304  is disposed at the interface between the body  302  and lid  301  to ensure an airtight seal between them. While the specific embodiment shown in  FIG.  3    uses the clamps  303  and o-ring gasket  304  to releasably seal the bursting chamber, it should be appreciated that any arrangement for releasably sealing the chamber known in the art and capable of withstanding the vacuum pressures associated with this process is within the scope of this disclosure. By way of example, and without limiting the foregoing, the bursting chamber lid may have a gasket disposed between the lid and the body of the chamber and the lid may be secured to the body by nuts and threaded studs. The bursting chamber  300  may be fabricated from any material known in the art capable of withstanding the vacuum pressures associated with this process. By way of example and without limiting the foregoing, the bursting chamber may fabricated from acrylic polymer or steel. If the bursting chamber is fabricated from acrylic polymer it is transparent, so the user may monitor the progress of the bursting process in the chamber. On the other hand, if the bursting chamber  300  is fabricated from a material which is not transparent, such as steel, an aperture of transparent material may be provided in the bursting chamber, to allow the user to monitor the process taking place inside the chamber. The bursting chamber  300  may also be provided with valves  305  and  306 . One of valves  305  or  306  may be used as a vent valve as described with respect to the process flow diagram of  FIG.  1    and one of valves  305  or  306  may connect the bursting chamber  300  to the compressor as described with respect to the process flow diagram of  FIG.  1   . Finally a pressure indicator, such as gauge  307  may be provided to indicate the pressure in the bursting chamber  300 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that any suitable pressure indicator can be used in place of gauge  307 , including electronic pressure transducers or other sensors capable of measuring vacuum pressures associated with this process. 
       FIG.  4    shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of bursting mechanism  400 . In this cross-sectional view the bursting chamber has a lid  401  and a body  402 . Disposed within the bursting chamber is a platform  403  with spikes  404 . The platform  403  is secured to springs  405 , which are further anchored to the interior surface of the bursting chamber body  402 . A trigger mechanism  406  is disposed at the bottom of the bursting chamber and allows for the selective triggering of release of platform  403 . It should be appreciated that the bursting mechanism  400  shown in  FIG.  4    is shown in a ready to operate mode, i.e. that the springs  405  are under tension and that the system is held in the ready state by the trigger mechanism  406 . When the trigger mechanism  406  is released, the spring force of the springs  405  draws the platform  403  up toward the underside of the lid  401 , thereby impinging any balloons disposed between the lid  401  and the platform  403  on the spikes  404  and bursting said balloons. The trigger mechanism may be a mechanical linkage actuated by a user or it could be an electrical trigger, using magnets or electric current to release the platform upon activation by user. It will further be appreciated that as the user is preparing the system for operation, the user will put the bursting mechanism into the ready state by pushing down on the platform, thereby creating spring tension in the springs  405  and engaging the platform  403  with the trigger mechanism  406 . It should further be appreciated that while the spikes  404  are shown on the platform  403 , it would be equally acceptable to locate the spikes on the underside of lid  401  and thereby utilize a platform  403  with no spikes on it. Alternatively, the spikes  404  could be disposed on both the platform  403  and the underside of the lid  401 . In another embodiment, the orientation of the elements shown in  FIG.  4    may be reversed, i.e. the platform  403  may be secured by a trigger mechanism  406  to the lid  401  and the springs  405  may be disposed to pull the platform down toward the bottom of the bursting chamber. 
       FIG.  5    shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of bursting mechanism  500 . In this cross-sectional view the bursting chamber has a lid  501  and a body  502 . Disposed within the bursting chamber is a platform  503  with spikes  504 . The platform  503  is secured to spring  505 , which is further anchored to the interior surface of the bursting chamber body  502 . The platform is also secured at a lower edge to a hinge  507 . A trigger mechanism  506  is disposed at the bottom of the bursting chamber and allows for the selective triggering of release of platform  503 . It should be appreciated that the bursting mechanism  500  shown in  FIG.  5    is shown in a ready to operate mode, i.e. that the spring  505  is under tension and that the system is held in the ready state by the trigger mechanism  506 . When the trigger mechanism  506  is released, the spring force of the spring  505  draws the platform  503  up toward the side wall  508  of the bursting chamber through the arc of rotation of the hinge  507 , thereby impinging any balloons disposed between the side wall  508  and the platform  503  on the spikes  504  and bursting said balloons. The trigger mechanism may be a mechanical linkage actuated by a user or it could be an electrical trigger, using magnets or electric current to release the platform upon activation by user. It will further be appreciated that as the user is preparing the system for operation, the user will put the bursting mechanism into the ready state by pushing down on the platform, thereby creating spring tension in the spring  505  and engaging the platform  503  with the trigger mechanism  506 . It should further be appreciated that while the spikes  504  are shown on the platform  503 , it would be equally acceptable to locate the spikes on the side wall  508  and thereby utilize a platform  503  with no spikes on it. Alternatively, the spikes  504  could be disposed on both the platform  503  and the side wall  508 . In another embodiment, the orientation of the elements shown in  FIG.  5    may be reversed, i.e. the platform  503  may be secured by a trigger mechanism  506  side wall  508  and the springs  505  may be disposed to pull the platform down toward the bottom of the bursting chamber. 
       FIG.  6    shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of bursting mechanism  600 . In this cross-sectional view the bursting chamber has a lid  601  and a body  602 . Disposed within the bursting chamber is a platform  603  with spikes  604 . The platform  603  rides in a plurality of tracks  607 , which are further anchored to the interior surface of the bursting chamber body  602 . A trigger mechanism  606  is disposed at the top of the bursting chamber and allows for the selective triggering of release of platform  603 . Additionally a weight  605  may be placed on top of the platform  603 . It should be appreciated that the bursting mechanism  600  shown in  FIG.  6    is shown in a ready to operate mode, i.e. that the system is held in the ready state by the trigger mechanism  606 . When the trigger mechanism  606  is released, the platform  603  and weight  605  are pulled by gravity down the tracks  607 , thereby impinging any balloons disposed between the platform  603  and the bottom surface of the bursting chamber  608  on the spikes  604  and bursting said balloons. The trigger mechanism may be a mechanical linkage actuated by a user or it could be an electrical trigger, using magnets or electric current to release the platform upon activation by user. It will further be appreciated that as the user is preparing the system for operation, the user will put the bursting mechanism into the ready state by positioning the platform  603  in the tracks  607 , putting the weight  605  on top of the platform  603  and engaging the platform  603  with the trigger mechanism  606 . It should further be appreciated that while the spikes  604  are shown on the platform  603 , it would be equally acceptable to locate the spikes on the bottom surface of the bursting chamber  608  and thereby utilize a platform  603  with no spikes on it. Alternatively, the spikes  604  could be disposed on both the platform  603  and on the bottom surface of the bursting chamber  608 . 
       FIG.  7    shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of bursting mechanism  700 . In this cross-sectional view the bursting chamber has a lid  701  and a body  702 . Disposed within the bursting chamber is a platform  703  with spikes  704 . The platform  703  is connected to a hinge  707 , which is further anchored to the interior surface of the bursting chamber body  702 . A trigger mechanism  706  is disposed at the top of the bursting chamber and allows for the selective triggering of release of platform  703 . Additionally a weight  705  may be placed on top of the platform  703 . It should be appreciated that the bursting mechanism  700  shown in  FIG.  7    is shown in a ready to operate mode, i.e. that the system is held in the ready state by the trigger mechanism  706 . When the trigger mechanism  706  is released, the platform  703  and weight  705  are pulled down by gravity and swing through the rotational arc of hinge  707 , thereby impinging any balloons disposed between the platform  703  and the side surface of the bursting chamber  708  on the spikes  704  and bursting said balloons. The trigger mechanism may be a mechanical linkage actuated by a user or it could be an electrical trigger, using magnets or electric current to release the platform upon activation by user. It will further be appreciated that as the user is preparing the system for operation, the user will put the bursting mechanism into the ready state by putting the weight  705  on top of the platform  703  and engaging the platform  703  with the trigger mechanism  706 . It should further be appreciated that while the spikes  704  are shown on the platform  703 , it would be equally acceptable to locate the spikes on the side surface of the bursting chamber  708  and thereby utilize a platform  703  with no spikes on it. Alternatively, the spikes  704  could be disposed on both the platform  703  and on the side surface of the bursting chamber  708 . 
       FIG.  8    shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a bursting mechanism  800 . In this cross-sectional view the bursting chamber has a lid  801  and a body  802 . Disposed within the bursting chamber is a platform  803  with spikes  804 . The platform  803  is connected to a cylinder  805 . Cylinder  805  may be a hydraulically or pneumatically operated cylinder. In operation, after loading the balloons into the bursting chamber  101 , the user activates cylinder  805 , which drives the platform  803  up toward the underside of the lid  801 , thereby impinging any balloons disposed between the lid  801  and the platform  803  on the spikes  804  and bursting said balloons. It should further be appreciated that while the spikes  804  are shown on the platform  803 , it would be equally acceptable to locate the spikes on the underside of the lid  801  and thereby utilize a platform  803  with no spikes on it. Alternatively, the spikes  804  could be disposed on both the platform  803  and on the underside of the lid  801 . It should further be appreciated that the orientation of the components may be reversed, e.g. the cylinder  805  could be positioned on the lid  801  and drive the platform  803  downwards, so that the balloons were burst by contact between the platform  803  and the bottom surface of the body  802 . 
       FIG.  9    shows a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a bursting mechanism  900 . In this cross-sectional view the bursting chamber has a lid  901  and a body  902 . On top of the lid  901  is a motor  903  connected via a shaft  904  to a set of rotating blades  905  disposed within the bursting chamber. In operation, after loading the balloons into the bursting chamber  101 , the user activates the motor  903 , which drives the rotating blades  905 , bursting said balloons. It should further be appreciated that while the rotating blades  905  are shown, it would be equally acceptable to use, for example, paddles with spikes on them to accomplish the bursting function in this embodiment. One of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that any motor driven bursting apparatus could be used in place of the blades  905  shown in  FIG.  9   . 
       FIG.  10    shows a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a bursting mechanism  1000 . In this cross-sectional view the bursting chamber has a lid  1001  and a body  1002 . Disposed within the bursting chamber is an array of resistive heating elements  1003 , in electrical communication with a controller  1004  outside the bursting chamber. In operation, after loading the balloons into the bursting chamber  101 , the user activates the controller  1004 , to turn on the resistive heating elements  1003 . When the balloons come in contact with the resistive heating elements  1003 , they are melted, thereby bursting said balloons. It should further be appreciated that while the resistive heating elements  1003  are shown, it would be equally acceptable to use other forms of heating elements to accomplish the bursting function in this embodiment. One of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that any heating element capable of heating the balloon material to a point where bursting may occur is within the scope of this disclosure. 
     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the forgoing disclosure has been set forth in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the disclosure is not intended to be necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples and uses described herein are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.