Patent Description:
A heat transfer fluid is a gas or liquid that can enable heat transfer by serving as an intermediary in cooling on one side of a process, transporting and storing thermal energy, and heating on another side of a process. Heat transfer fluids are utilized within various applications, including industrial processes that involve heating or cooling.

The liquid phase of some heat transfer fluids can have useful heat transfer properties over a wide temperature range. For instance, some liquid phase heat transfer fluids can display useful heat transfer properties over a range of approximately negative <NUM> degrees Celsius to positive <NUM> degrees Celsius. As heat transfer fluid ages, the formation of low and high boiling compounds may result, which may require conditioning before use within a thermal fluid system. To condition the heat transfer fluid, low-boiling compounds can be vented from the system as necessary to a safe location away from users and sources of ignition while the high-boiling compounds are often very soluble in the fluid. Significant overheating or fluid contamination during heat transfer fluid conditioning can accelerate decomposition and may result in increased high-boiler and solids concentrations. In other applications, dissolved and entrained gases pose as issues in the dynamic operation of fluidic systems. To mitigate bubble generation as a result of these dynamic processes over a wide temperature range, heat transfer fluid can require fluid conditioning.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states: Disclosed is a system for purifying nitrogen and xenon in water and an isotope static analysis method thereof. The system comprises a sample container, a dry ice cold trap, a gas conveying header pipe and a rare gas mass spectrometer, and the dry ice cold trap, the gas conveying header pipe and the rare gas mass spectrometer are sequentially communicated with the sample container, the gas conveying header pipe is provided with branch pipelines respectively communicated with the cold pump and the vacuum pump set, the rare gas mass spectrometer is communicated with the vacuum pump set, and the cold pump adsorbs or releases nitrogen and/or xenon by setting different temperatures; a first valve and a second valve are arranged on the inlet side and the outlet side of the dry ice cold trap respectively, a fourth valve and a fifth valve are arranged between the gas conveying header pipe and the vacuum pump set and between the gas conveying header pipe and the cold pump respectively, and a seventh valve is arranged between the gas conveying header pipe and the rare gas mass spectrometer, a ninth valve is arranged between the rare gas mass spectrometer and the vacuum pump set; according to the invention, isotope static analysis can be successively carried out on nitrogen and xenon in the same sample, and the use amount of the sample can be saved on the basis of ensuring the measurement precision.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states: An improved refrigerant recovery and recycle system is disclosed. Refrigerant vapor, refrigerant liquid and oil entering the system from a refrigerant circuit being discharged are separated into liquid and vapor phases at near atmospheric pressure. Any remaining liquid refrigerant is vaporized within the phase separation means by heat from the surrounding environment. Oil free refrigerant vapor flows through a selective adsorption column, which removes gaseous contaminants and water vapor, into a flexible membrane variable volume storage container where it is confined at atmospheric pressure. Inventory of refrigerant vapor within the container is continuously monitored by means of a weight scale which is adapted to compensate for the buoyancy of the surrounding atmosphere. Any air that enters the system stratifies at the top of the container and is eliminated by operation of a piston pump. A comparative thermal conductivity detector monitors the contaminant concentration of the fluid being purged. An oil-free compressor facilitates recycling of the recovered refrigerant vapor through the purification process and provides the elevated vapor pressure necessary to accomplish transfer of the recycled refrigerant vapor from the system to an operating refrigerant circuit. An ejector pump provides a means of evacuating refrigerant circuits being discharged to sub-atmospheric pressure.

<CIT> relates to a device for removing moisture of drier in a refrigerator.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states: A method is provided for removing sufficient water from H2O ethanol at least <NUM> proof to produce ethanol having a proof of <NUM> or more comprising the steps of heating the ethanol water mixture until it is a vapor with sufficient superheat to maintain the vapor phase and prevent substantial capillary adsorption as the mixture passes through a dessicant bed of molecular sieves, passing the superheated ethanol water mixture through the bed to remove sufficient water to increase the proof of the ethanol of at least <NUM>, passing a portion of the dehydrated ethanol through a second dessicant bed of molecular sieves at less than atmospheric pressure to desorb the water and ethanol on the dessicant from a previous dehydration cycle, and reversing the flow through the two beds after the temperature of the first bed increases no more than about <NUM> DEG C. (<NUM> DEG F.

According to the present disclosure, a method and a system as defined in the independent claims are provided. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. Although the invention is only defined by the claims, the below embodiments, examples, and aspects are present for aiding in understanding the background and advantages of the invention. In one example, a method for conditioning and supplying a liquid to a fluid system is described. The method involves coupling a container of heat transfer fluid to an input and removing moisture from the heat transfer fluid via a molecular sieve. A pressure source is configured to push the heat transfer fluid out of the container and through the molecular sieve. The method further involves, subsequent to removing the moisture from the heat transfer fluid, separating, via an orifice coupled to a tank, the heat transfer fluid into liquid and gas particles within the tank. The method also involves removing, via a vacuum coupled to the tank, the gas particles from the tank, removing, via a filter coupled to the tank, solid particles from the liquid, and supplying, via an output, the liquid into the fluid system, wherein the pressure source is configured to push the liquid out of the tank and into the fluid system.

In another example, a system for conditioning and supplying liquid to a fluid system is described. The system includes an input configured to couple to a container of heat transfer fluid, a molecular sieve configured to remove moisture from the heat transfer fluid, and a pressure source configured to push the heat transfer fluid out of the container and through the molecular sieve. The system also includes an orifice coupled to a tank. The orifice is configured to separate the heat transfer fluid into liquid and gas particles within the tank after removal of moisture from the heat transfer fluid. The system further includes a vacuum coupled to the tank. The vacuum is configured to remove the gas particles from the tank. The system also includes a filter coupled to the tank and configured to remove solid particles from the liquid. The system also includes an output configured to supply the liquid into the fluid system. The pressure source is configured to push the liquid out of the tank and into the fluid system.

The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative examples are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative examples, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative example of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Disclosed examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all of the disclosed examples are shown. Indeed, several different examples may be described and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Heat transfer fluid can require conditioning to remove moisture, solid particles, and entrained and dissolved gases to prepare the fluid for use in various types of thermal management systems, such as within vehicles, spacecraft, and industrial applications, etc. Existing heat transfer fluid conditioning solutions typically involve multiple steps performed by physically separate equipment, which can create the potential for recontamination via contact with air during each individual process and during the transitions from process to process between the different equipment. In addition, supplementary equipment is then typically needed to transfer the conditioned heat transfer fluid into the thermal management system.

Examples presented herein relate to techniques for thermal fluid conditioning and delivery that avoid the drawbacks associated with existing heat transfer fluid conditioning processes. In particular, example systems, devices, and methods described herein enable conditioning and delivery of heat transfer fluid into a thermal management system without requiring multiple steps performed by physically separate equipment. Rather, disclosed techniques can be implemented by a singular device or system that can independently condition heat transfer fluid and deliver the fluid into a thermal management system without the need for additional equipment to facilitate the transfer into the thermal management system. The different devices and systems can involve components connected that enable efficient conditioning and delivery of liquid into a fluid system without requiring transfer of the fluid between physically separate components that require user connections.

By way of an example, a disclosed system can be configured to hook up to a standard container of heat transfer fluid (e.g., a <NUM> liter (<NUM> gallon) transport drum of a hydrocarbon) and convey the fluid through a series of valves, hoses, and tubing prior to delivery into a destination thermal management subsystem. The system prepares the heat transfer fluid for the destination thermal management system via a vacuum pump system and dry gas delivery system. The system also conditions the heat transfer fluid by removing moisture (e.g., via a molecular sieve) and entrained and dissolved gases within the fluid via an orifice aeration process before supplying the conditioned heat transfer fluid to the thermal management system. As such, the system's configuration utilizes the vacuum system and dry gas delivery system to perform both the purification as well as the transfer into the thermal management system, which removes the need for additional physically separate equipment. In addition, the mechanical structure of the system can include wheels to enable the system to change positions near the receiving thermal management system (e.g., a machine or a vehicle, such as a spacecraft).

In some implementations, valves, the vacuum pump, and other components within the system can be controlled via a computing device. The computing device may receive user instructions and responsively perform disclosed conditioning techniques to prepare and supply the heat transfer fluid into the thermal management system. The computing device can also operate to automatically perform disclosed operations to condition heat transfer fluid for delivery into a thermal management system. In other implementations, valves, the vacuum pump, and other components can be manually controlled by a user. For instance, the user can open and close valves to control the movement of the heat transfer fluid through the system. As such, the system may include gauges, scales, and other features that enable the user to review states of components within the system. For instance, a scale may measure the weight of conditioned liquid ready for delivery into a thermal management system.

Disclosed systems and devices can also receive fluid from a thermal management system. For instance, the device can be positioned by a thermal management system, which may drain used heat transfer fluid into the device. The device can prepare the used fluid for disposal and/or may recondition the fluid in some instances.

Referring now to the Figures, <FIG> illustrates a block diagram of a system <NUM> for conditioning and supplying liquid to a fluid system. In the example, the system <NUM> includes an input <NUM>, heat transfer fluid <NUM>, a molecular sieve <NUM>, a pressure source <NUM>, a tank <NUM>, an orifice <NUM>, a vacuum pump <NUM>, an output <NUM>, housing structure <NUM>, valves <NUM>, filters <NUM>, a cold trap <NUM>, a scale <NUM>, a scale display <NUM>, and a vacuum gauge display <NUM>. The elements of the system <NUM> are shown connected via connection <NUM>. In other examples, the system <NUM> can have a different configuration, which may involve more or fewer components overall. For instance, the system <NUM> may also include a computing device <NUM> in some example implementations. In addition, the configuration and size of individual components within the system <NUM> can vary based on the use of the system <NUM>.

The system <NUM> can represents a compact and portable system configured to condition and deliver heat transfer fluids directly to various types of thermal management systems. For instance, the system <NUM> can be used to condition and subsequently supply heat transfer fluids <NUM> to thermal management systems on spacecraft, vehicles, and within various industrial applications. The system <NUM> can be stationary in some examples, such as at a location that is accessible by thermal management systems (e.g., within a manufacturing setting). In other examples, the housing structure <NUM> of the system <NUM> can include wheels and/or another type of movement mechanism that allows the system <NUM> to change locations. This way, the system <NUM> can be repositioned by a spacecraft or another source selected to receive the conditioned liquid produced from the heat transfer fluid <NUM>.

The input <NUM> can enable heat transfer fluid <NUM> to be initially connected to the system <NUM> for subsequent conditioning and delivery. In the example, the input <NUM> is configured to couple to a container containing the heat transfer fluid <NUM>. For instance, the container of heat transfer fluid <NUM> can be a transport drum of hydrocarbon liquid (e.g., a synthetic hydrocarbon based liquid). As such, the input <NUM> can include one or more hoses and/or tubes (represented by connection <NUM>), which can extend into the container and access the heat transfer fluid <NUM>. As such, the type and quantity of heat transfer fluid <NUM> can vary within examples and may depend on the device or system using the conditioned heat transfer fluid <NUM> produced by the system <NUM>. In some cases, the heat transfer fluid <NUM> can be generic heat transfer fluid (e.g., an off-the-shelf fluid).

The system <NUM> also includes a molecular sieve <NUM> that is configured to remove moisture from the heat transfer fluid <NUM>. To enable the molecular sieve <NUM> to remove the moisture, the system <NUM> includes a pressure source <NUM> that can supply pressure to push the heat transfer fluid out <NUM> of its container and through the molecular sieve <NUM>. In some example examples, the pressure source <NUM> is a tank containing an inert gas, such as helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, or radon. The pressure source <NUM> can differ in other examples. As such, the pressure source <NUM> can connect to the container of heat transfer fluid <NUM> via one or multiple tubes (represented by connection <NUM>) that enable gas pressure to flow into the container to push out the heat transfer fluid <NUM> and through the molecular sieve <NUM>. This way, the molecular sieve <NUM> can remove moisture of the heat transfer fluid <NUM> and prepare the heat transfer fluid <NUM> for further conditioning within the system <NUM>. The pressure source <NUM> can provide different ranges of pressure within examples. For instance, the pressure source <NUM> can supply low pressure (e.g., less than <NUM> pounds per square inch (PSI) (<NUM> bar = <NUM> psi), medium pressure (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> PSI), or high pressure (e.g., greater than <NUM> PSI). Other pressure ranges can be used.

The configuration of the molecular sieve <NUM> can vary within examples. In practice, the molecular sieve <NUM> can be a material with pores, which may be uniform in size. The pores can have diameters that are similar in size to small molecules, which allows the moisture to be removed from the heat transfer fluid <NUM>. In particular, contaminants and moisture cannot flow through the pores, which results in the molecular sieve <NUM> removing moisture while allowing a remainder of the heat transfer fluid <NUM> to flow through. In some examples, multiple molecular sieves can be used. In such cases, the molecular sieves can be redundant and/or different in configuration to further enhance moisture removal from the heat transfer fluid <NUM> by increasing the quantity of pores that the heat transfer fluid <NUM> experiences. In some cases, different materials are used within the molecular sieve <NUM> or multiple molecular sieves <NUM>, which can remove moisture through the application of different sized pores.

After the molecular sieve <NUM> removes moisture from the heat transfer fluid <NUM>, the system <NUM> can then cause the heat transfer fluid <NUM> to pass through an orifice <NUM>, which is coupled to the tank <NUM>. In practice, the orifice <NUM> is configured to separate the heat transfer fluid <NUM> into liquid and gas particles within the tank <NUM>. The pressure source <NUM> can push the heat transfer fluid <NUM> through tubes connected to the orifice <NUM> to enable the orifice <NUM> to separate the heat transfer fluid <NUM> into liquid and gas particles. In some examples, the orifice <NUM> can include various types of agitation that further separate the heat transfer fluid <NUM> into liquid and gas particles. For instance, the orifice <NUM> can include an aerometer, metal mesh matrix, and/or sponges. In some examples, the diameter can be <NUM> to <NUM> inches (<NUM> inch = <NUM>) for the orifice, which can vary in other cases. The diameter of the orifice <NUM> can influence the rate at which the heat transfer fluid <NUM> can be separated into liquid and gas within the tank <NUM>.

The separation of the heat transfer fluid <NUM> into liquid and gas particles by the orifice <NUM> allows the vacuum pump <NUM> to remove the gas particles from the tank <NUM> and other components within the system <NUM>. This removal of gas particles can take out contaminants from the heat transfer fluid <NUM> thereby producing a conditioned liquid that can be used within a fluid system. In practice, the vacuum pump <NUM> is connected to the tank <NUM> and can remove gases from the tank <NUM> to enable the orifice <NUM> to separate the heat transfer fluid <NUM> into gas and liquid. The vacuum pump <NUM> can regulate the pressure within the system <NUM> and enable the pressure source <NUM> to supply pressure that moves the heat transfer fluid <NUM> through the different components.

The configuration of the orifice <NUM> can differ within the examples. The vacuum pump <NUM> can be controlled by a user in some examples. For instance, the user can power on and power off the vacuum pump <NUM>. In other examples, the vacuum pump <NUM> is controlled via computing device. The computing device may power on the vacuum pump <NUM> in response to other aspects within the system <NUM>, such as the connection of the heat transfer fluid <NUM> to the input <NUM>. In some implementations, the vacuum pump <NUM> can be operated at different settings, such as a high power setting and a low power setting. In addition, the type of the vacuum pump <NUM> can differ in some implementations. The vacuum pump <NUM> can be a dry scroll pump.

After the vacuum pump <NUM> removes the gas particles from the tank <NUM>, the system <NUM> is configured to supply the liquid within the tank <NUM> into a thermal management system via the output <NUM> of the system <NUM>. The output <NUM> may include one or more tubes that extend into the tank <NUM> and also connect to the receiving thermal management system, such as a spacecraft or another type of system or device that uses the conditioned liquid produced from the heat transfer fluid <NUM>.

In addition, the system <NUM> includes a housing structure <NUM>, which represents a mechanical structure for the system <NUM>. In some examples, the housing structure <NUM> is configured with wheels to enable the system <NUM> to be moved around, such as to a location nearby the destination thermal management system. The different components of the system <NUM> are positioned on and connected to together relative to the housing structure <NUM> to allow mobility of the system <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> can also include other components, such as valves <NUM>, filters <NUM>, a cold trap <NUM>, a scale <NUM>, a scale display <NUM>, and a vacuum gauge display <NUM>. The valves <NUM> are devices that can regulate and control the flow of a fluid (e.g., gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or slurries), by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways (represented by connection <NUM>). The system <NUM> can incorporate valves <NUM> at various positions to regulate and control pressure from the pressure source <NUM> and/or to control the flow of the heat transfer fluid <NUM> through the system <NUM>. In some examples, the valves <NUM> are manually adjusted via a user. For instance, the user may open, close, or partially open/close the valves <NUM> to enable the system <NUM> to condition and supply the heat transfer fluid <NUM>. A computing device (e.g., computing device <NUM>) may also control the valves <NUM> in some implementations. The valves <NUM> can also include pressure release valves that can allow gas pressure to be vented from the system <NUM>. Similarly, the system <NUM> can also include one or more filters <NUM>, which can be positioned at various locations relative to other components within the system <NUM>. The filters <NUM> can separate solids from fluids (liquids or gases) by serving as a medium through which only the fluid can pass.

The cold trap <NUM> can be coupled to and provide protection for the vacuum pump <NUM>. The cold trap <NUM> can condense the permanent gases into a liquid or solid and can prevent vapors from entering the vacuum pump <NUM> where they would condense and contaminate it. The cold trap can be a device that condenses vapors except the permanent gases into a liquid or solid.

The scale <NUM> can be connected to the tank <NUM> and enable the weight of the tank <NUM> to be measured and displayed on the scale display <NUM>. This way, users can view how much liquid volume is positioned within the tank <NUM>. Similarly, the settings of the vacuum pump <NUM> can be displayed on the vacuum gauge display <NUM>. The scale <NUM> can be calibrated based on the weight of the tank <NUM> to enable a user to review and understand the volume of liquid located within the tank <NUM>. In some examples, a computing device may adjust one or more valves <NUM> based on the weight of the liquid in the tank <NUM> provided by the scale <NUM>. For instance, the computing device may provide a signal to adjust a valve <NUM> (or automatically adjust the valve <NUM>) in response to the weight of the liquid and the tank <NUM> surpassing a predefined threshold. The predefined threshold may depend on the destination thermal management system.

In addition, the connection <NUM> shown in <FIG> is included to represent various types of interconnections between components within the system <NUM>. As such, the connection <NUM> may include various types of tubes, hoses, wired and/or wireless connections, among others. In addition, gauges can be positioned at various points along the tubes/hoses to enable the pressure or other measurements to be displayed.

In other examples, the system <NUM> can use other components, different quantities of components, and other arrangements. For instance, the system <NUM> can also include a computing device <NUM>, which can be communicate with one or more components of the system <NUM> via a wired or wireless connection. The computing device <NUM> can be used to adjust valves <NUM>, the vacuum pump <NUM>, and/or other components within the system <NUM>. In other examples, a user may physically adjust the valves <NUM>, the input <NUM>, the vacuum pump <NUM> and/or other components within the system <NUM>.

In addition to supplying a thermal management system with conditioned heat thermal fluid, the system <NUM> can also receive heat thermal fluid from the thermal management system. For instance, a spacecraft or another thermal management system application may drain used thermal fluid back into the system <NUM> via the output <NUM> or another receiving connection.

<FIG> illustrates a device configuration diagram for conditioning and delivering heat transfer fluid, according to an example implementation. In the example configuration diagram, the device <NUM> includes components arranged to condition and supply liquid to a fluid system. In other examples, the arrangement of components can differ for the device <NUM>. In addition, the configuration can include more or fewer components in other potential arrangements.

As shown in the example implementation, the device <NUM> includes an input <NUM> configured to couple to a container <NUM> of heat transfer fluid. The input <NUM> and the container <NUM> as well as other components are connected together via tubes <NUM>, which can include various types of connections between components. The size and configuration of the tubes <NUM> can differ within examples. In some instances, the container <NUM> can be a transport drum of hydrocarbon liquid or can have another configuration in some cases.

The device <NUM> also includes a molecular sieve <NUM>, which is configured to remove moisture from the heat transfer fluid. In practice, a pressure source <NUM> is configured to push the heat transfer fluid out of the container <NUM> and through the molecular sieve <NUM>. To enable pressure and the heat transfer fluid to flow through components of the device <NUM>, the device <NUM> includes multiple valves (i.e., valve 220A, valve 220B, valve 220C, valve 220D, valve 220E, valve 220F, valve <NUM>, valve <NUM>, valve <NUM>, valve 220J, valve <NUM>, valve <NUM>, valve <NUM>, valve 220N, valve 220O, valve 220P, valve 220Q, valve 220R, and valve <NUM>). For instance, opening valves 220A-220C and valve 220E may enable gas pressure to flow from the pressure source <NUM> and into the container <NUM> holding heat thermal fluid. The gas pressure from the pressure source <NUM> can push the heat thermal fluid into the device <NUM> via the input <NUM> and through the molecular sieve <NUM> when the valve <NUM> positioned in between the input <NUM> and the molecular sieve <NUM> is open. For instance, the pressure source <NUM> can be a tank holding an inert gas that can flow through the device <NUM> pending on the current states of valves 220A-<NUM>.

In the example implementation shown in <FIG>, the device <NUM> further includes a filter <NUM> and a valve 220J is positioned between the molecular sieve <NUM> and the orifice <NUM>. The filter <NUM> can further remove particles from the heat transfer fluid while the valve 220J can be used to limit the heat transfer fluid's access to the orifice <NUM>. When the valve 220J is opened, the heat transfer fluid can flow through the molecular sieve <NUM> and the filter <NUM> before being separated into gas particles and liquid within the tank <NUM> by the orifice <NUM>. To enable the separation of the heat transfer fluid within the tank <NUM>, the tank <NUM> is connected to a vacuum <NUM>. In the example, the vacuum <NUM> is able to remove gas particles from the tank and within the device <NUM> when a valve 220Q and a valve <NUM> are open. In addition, the vacuum <NUM> is coupled to a cold trap <NUM> that is configured to provide protection the vacuum <NUM> during operation. The cold trap <NUM> can be configured to prevent undesired materials from entering into the vacuum <NUM>. For instance, the cold trap <NUM> can remove unwanted contaminants (e.g., water, solvents, acidic or alkaline compounds) from the gas stream or to prevent pump back streaming. These conditions can cause a loss of efficiency or damage when introduced into or emanating from the vacuum <NUM>. In some examples, the cold trap <NUM> is a glass, tank, dry ice, vacuum cold trap vessel, or another configuration of cold trap.

As shown in <FIG>, the orifice <NUM> is included within the device <NUM> to separate the heat transfer fluid into liquid and gas particles within the tank <NUM> after removal of moisture from the heat transfer fluid by the molecular sieve <NUM>. The size of the tank <NUM> can vary and may depend on the desired liquid supply required by the thermal management system coupled at the output <NUM>. As such, the vacuum <NUM> can remove air and/or other gas particles from the tank <NUM> to enable the orifice <NUM> to separate the heat transfer fluid into the liquid and the gas particles within the tank <NUM>.

The device <NUM> is further configured with an output <NUM>, which is configured to supply the liquid into a fluid system. In practice, the pressure source <NUM> is configured to push the liquid out of the tank <NUM> and into the fluid system. The output <NUM> is configured to supply the liquid into the fluid system after removal of the gas particles by the vacuum <NUM>. In some examples, the fluid system may be positioned on a spacecraft and can be configured to reduce the potential of bubbles being created in the spacecraft's propulsion system by using the liquid to slowly supply the propulsion system. The device <NUM> also includes pressure release valves <NUM> that can be used to release pressure produced by the pressure source <NUM> and pressure gauges <NUM> to indicate pressure within the device <NUM> relative to various components. The pressure gauges <NUM> allow a user to monitor the processes performed by the device <NUM>, which also can signal if the user should open a pressure release valve <NUM> in some situations if pressure is too high.

The device <NUM> also includes a scale <NUM>, which is positioned under the tank <NUM>. The scale <NUM> can measure a weight of the tank <NUM> when the tank <NUM> includes liquid and subsequently display the weight of the tank <NUM> on a scale display <NUM> for the user or users to review. Similarly, the device <NUM> also includes a vacuum gauge display <NUM> configured to display a status of the vacuum <NUM>.

As further shown, the device <NUM> includes a housing structure <NUM>, which may further include wheels. The input <NUM>, the molecular sieve <NUM>, the pressure source <NUM>, the orifice <NUM>, the tank <NUM>, the vacuum <NUM>, the valves 220A-<NUM>, the filters <NUM>, and the output <NUM>, among other components are positioned on and/or connected to the housing structure <NUM> to enable the device to change positions. The housing structure and wheels enable the device <NUM> to be moved to a position nearby the fluid system receiving the conditioned liquid produced by the device <NUM>. The device <NUM> further includes a sample output <NUM>. This enables liquid from the tank <NUM> to be obtained and sampled. The device also includes a drain connection <NUM> configured to connect to a drain to remove heat transfer fluid from the device <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a device <NUM> for conditioning and delivering heat transfer fluid, according to an example implementation. The device <NUM> may represent a physical build of the device configuration diagram depicted in <FIG> and/or the system <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In other examples, the device <NUM> may be a variation of the example devices and systems described herein.

As shown in <FIG>, the device <NUM> includes an input <NUM> connected to a transport drum of hydrocarbon liquid <NUM>. The device <NUM> also includes a tank <NUM> for receiving the hydrocarbon liquid after a molecular sieve removes moisture from the hydrocarbon liquid and an orifice <NUM> coupled to the tank <NUM> that can separate the hydrocarbon liquid into gas particles and liquid. The device <NUM> also includes the vacuum <NUM> coupled to the cold <NUM> and a scale <NUM> positioned under the tank <NUM>. The device <NUM> includes housing <NUM> that is a cart that enables configuration of the different components of the device <NUM> for operations. As shown, the housing <NUM> includes wheels <NUM> to enable movement of the device <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts another view of the device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As shown in this view depicted in <FIG>, the device <NUM> further includes a molecular sieve <NUM>, valves <NUM>, filters <NUM>, gauges <NUM>, displays <NUM>, pressure gauges <NUM>, pressure relief valves <NUM>, and additional coupling points <NUM>. The device <NUM> also includes an output <NUM> for supplying conditioned liquid to a thermal management system. The device <NUM> can also be configured to receive liquid from a thermal management system via the output <NUM> or another coupling component. The coupling points <NUM> may enable fluid to flow into a system from the device <NUM> and/or be used to receive fluid from the system. In addition, coupling points <NUM> can allow testing liquids prior to supplying the liquid into a system.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of a method <NUM> for conditioning and supplying a liquid to a fluid system. The method <NUM> could be implemented by the system <NUM> shown in <FIG> or device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and/or device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In other examples, components of the devices and/or systems may be arranged to be adapted to, capable of, or suited for performing the functions, when operated in a specific manner.

The method <NUM> may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Although the blocks are illustrated in a sequential order, these blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also, the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.

Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves coupling a container of heat transfer fluid to an input. For instance, the container can be coupled to the input <NUM> of the system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, to the device <NUM> shown in <FIG> or the device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In some examples, a transport drum of hydrocarbon liquid is coupled to the input of the receiving device or system.

Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves removing moisture from the heat transfer fluid via a molecular sieve. A pressure source is configured to push the heat transfer fluid out of the container and through the molecular sieve. For instance, the system <NUM> is shown in <FIG> with the molecular sieve <NUM> that can remove moisture from the heat transfer fluid <NUM> pushed out of the container by the pressure source <NUM>.

Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves separating, via an orifice coupled to a tank, the heat transfer fluid into liquid and gas particles within the tank subsequent to removing the moisture from the heat transfer fluid. For the system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the pressure source <NUM> can further push the heat transfer fluid through the orifice <NUM>, which is configured to separate the heat transfer fluid into liquid and gas within the tank <NUM>.

Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves removing, via a vacuum coupled to the tank, the gas particles from the tank. The system <NUM> includes a vacuum pump <NUM> that can remove gas particles from the tank <NUM>, which leaves the conditioned liquid inside the tank <NUM>.

Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves removing, via a filter coupled to the tank, solid particles from the liquid. For instance, the system <NUM> can include filters <NUM> coupled to the downstream and upstream of the tank, which can be used to filter solid particles from the heat transfer fluid and the conditioned liquid prior to delivery into a fluid system. The type and quantity of filters can vary within examples.

Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves supplying, via an output, the liquid into the fluid system. The pressure source is configured to push the liquid out of the tank and into the fluid system. For the system <NUM>, the pressure source <NUM> can push the liquid out of the tank <NUM> and into the fluid system via the output <NUM>. In some instances, the liquid may be supplied to the fluid system once the tank accumulates a given volume of liquid in some examples. The given volume of liquid can depend on the fluid system. For instance, the fluid system can be part of a spacecraft that has specific liquid requirements.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of a method <NUM> for use with the method <NUM> shown in <FIG>. At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> involves opening a valve at the pressure source such that gas pressure enters into the container and pushes the heat transfer fluid out of the container and through the molecular sieve. For the system <NUM>, one or more valves <NUM> can be opened to allow the pressure source to provide gas pressure that enters into the container and pushes the heat transfer fluid <NUM> out of the container and through the molecular sieve <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of a method <NUM> for use with the method <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves applying a filter to remove particles from the heat transfer fluid subsequent to removing the moisture from the heat transfer fluid. The filter is coupled to the molecular sieve. For instance, the heat transfer fluid can be separated into the liquid and the gas particles within the tank subsequent to applying the filter to remove particles from the heat transfer fluid.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of a method <NUM> for use with the method <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves removing, using the vacuum, gas from the tank to enable the orifice to separate the heat transfer fluid into the liquid and the gas particles within the tank. In some examples, the vacuum removes the gas particles from the tank while coupled to a cold trap. The cold trap is configured to protect the vacuum pump during removal of the gas particles.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of a method <NUM> for use with the method <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves measuring a weight of the tank when the tank includes the liquid. The tank is positioned on a scale. Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves displaying the weight on a display interface.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of a method <NUM> for use with the method <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> involves filtering the liquid prior to supplying the liquid into the fluid system.

By the term "substantially" or "about" used herein, it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations, friction, and other factors known to skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude and/or occlude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for conditioning and supplying a liquid to a fluid system (<NUM>) comprising:
coupling a container (<NUM>) of heat transfer fluid (<NUM>) to an input (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
removing moisture from the heat transfer fluid (<NUM>) via a molecular sieve (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein a pressure source (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to push the heat transfer fluid (<NUM>) out of the container (<NUM>) and through the molecular sieve (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
subsequent to removing the moisture from the heat transfer fluid (<NUM>), separating, via an orifice (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to a tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the heat transfer fluid (<NUM>) into liquid and gas particles within the tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
removing, via a vacuum (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the gas particles from the tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
removing, via a filter (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), solid particles from the liquid; and
supplying, via an output (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the liquid into the fluid system (<NUM>), wherein the pressure source (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to push the liquid out of the tank (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and into the fluid system (<NUM>).