A very low temperature thermomechanical refrigeration system

Abstract

The extremely low-temperature elastic heat refrigeration system provided in the application is characterized in that when a magnetic field is applied to magnetostrictive material, the magnetostrictive material changes in length direction and generates stress, and the driving force required in the loading process is transmitted to the elastic heat material; the elastic heat material gradually transforms from austenite to martensite under the driving force, the temperature of each point in the elastic heat material rises, and heat is released to the outside world; when the magnetic field applied to the magnetostrictive material is removed, the magnetostrictive material returns to the original state in the length direction, and the driving force applied to the elastic heat material is unloaded; the elastic heat material transforms from martensite to austenite, the temperature of each point in the elastic heat material decreases, heat is absorbed from the outside world, and a refrigeration effect is generated, so that the load is cooled. The extremely low-temperature elastic heat refrigeration system provided in the application utilizes the stress generated by the magnetostrictive material when the magnetic field changes to drive the elastic heat working medium to realize refrigeration. Compared with the traditional elastic heat refrigeration system, the huge driving structure is reduced, and the whole is compact and small in size.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of cryogenic refrigeration technology, and in particular to a cryogenic elastothermic refrigeration system. Background Technology

[0002] Ultra-low temperature refrigeration technology has significant application value in cutting-edge physics research, quantum computing, and other fields. Based on the current research status of ultra-low temperature refrigeration technology, in addition to improving refrigeration system design and enhancing refrigeration performance, further research is needed to explore cryogenic refrigeration systems that are simple in structure, highly thermally efficient, and operate independently of gravity to meet the comprehensive needs of future technological development. Elastic-thermal refrigeration technology is a novel solid-state refrigeration technology that utilizes the alternating absorption and release of latent heat during the phase transition of an elasto-thermal working fluid to achieve refrigeration. The elasto-thermal effect is similar to the magnetocaloric effect, with the driving force changing from a magnetic field to a stress field. When a load is applied to the elasto-thermal working fluid, the fluid transforms from austenite to martensite under stress, its entropy decreases, and it releases heat to the outside; when the load is removed, the fluid transforms from martensite to austenite, its entropy increases, and it absorbs heat from the outside, thus producing a refrigeration effect. Elastic-thermal refrigeration technology has advantages such as high theoretical efficiency, simple stress-driven mechanism, wide temperature range, and independence from gravity, and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of the most promising new refrigeration technologies. This refrigeration technology is expected to become a highly efficient and reliable ultra-low temperature refrigeration technology.

[0003] Elastic-thermal refrigeration systems require a driving device to power the phase change refrigeration of the elasto-thermal working fluid. This device typically needs to provide a stress greater than 100 MPa to the elasto-thermal working fluid, while the axial strain during the martensitic phase transformation of the elasto-thermal working fluid is generally less than 10%. Therefore, the driving device selected for an elasto-thermal refrigeration system should meet the characteristics of high driving force and small displacement.

[0004] Traditional elasto-thermal refrigeration systems mostly use linear motors or rotary motors with screws and other electric drive methods. Their operating characteristics are not compatible with the output characteristics required by the elasto-thermal refrigeration system, resulting in a large ratio of system drive mass to refrigerant mass and a large overall system size. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a compact and small-sized cryogenic elastothermic refrigeration system to address the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as the large ratio of system drive mass to refrigerant mass and the large size of the entire system.

[0006] To solve the above problems, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] This application provides an ultra-low temperature elastic-thermal cooling system, including: a support structure, a driving device, an elastic-thermal material and a load. The driving device includes a magnetostrictive material and a magnet disposed around the magnetostrictive material. The support structure is a closed structure. The magnetostrictive material and the elastic-thermal material are fixedly disposed inside the support structure. The load is thermally connected to the support structure.

[0008] When a magnetic field is applied to the magnetostrictive material, the magnetostrictive material changes in the length direction and generates stress, and transmits the driving force required for the loading process to the elastothermal material. Under the driving force, the elastothermal material gradually transforms from austenite to martensite, and the temperature at various points inside the elastothermal material rises and releases heat to the outside.

[0009] When the magnetic field applied to the magnetostrictive material is removed, the magnetostrictive material returns to its original state along its length and unloads the driving force applied to the elastothermal material. The elastothermal material transforms from martensite to austenite, and the temperature at various points inside the elastothermal material decreases, absorbing heat to the outside and generating a cooling effect, thereby cooling the load.

[0010] In some embodiments, a precooling plate disposed outside the support structure is also included, which can absorb the heat generated by the elastothermal material during the application of load.

[0011] In some embodiments, the precooling plate is flexibly connected to the support structure.

[0012] In some embodiments, the precooling plate is further provided with a plurality of ribs that extend into the interior of the support structure.

[0013] In some embodiments, a mechanical connector is further provided between the magnetostrictive material and the elastothermal material, the mechanical connector being able to transfer the stress generated by the magnetostrictive material when the magnetic field changes to the elastothermal material.

[0014] In some embodiments, a thermal switch assembly is also included, the thermal switch assembly comprising an adsorption bed and a heater and connecting pipe connected to the adsorption bed, the heater being weakly thermally connected to the precooling plate, and the connecting pipe extending inside the support structure.

[0015] In some embodiments, when the power to the heater is turned on, the adsorption bed heats up and releases the adsorbed gas, thus discharging the heat released by the elastothermal material through the ribs of the precooling plate; when the power to the heater is turned off, the adsorption bed adsorbs the gas, blocking the transfer of heat between the precooling plate and the support structure.

[0016] In some embodiments, the adsorbent in the adsorption bed includes activated carbon.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the technical effects achieved by this application are as follows:

[0018] The cryogenic elastothermal cooling system provided in this application, when a magnetic field is applied to the magnetostrictive material, causes the magnetostrictive material to change along its length and generate stress, transmitting the driving force required for the loading process to the elastothermal material. Under the driving force, the elastothermal material gradually transforms from austenite to martensite, and the temperature at various points inside the elastothermal material increases, releasing heat to the outside. When the magnetic field applied to the magnetostrictive material is removed, the magnetostrictive material returns to its original state along its length and unloads the driving force applied to the elastothermal material. The elastothermal material transforms from martensite to austenite, and the temperature at various points inside the elastothermal material decreases, absorbing heat to the outside and generating a cooling effect, thereby cooling the load. The cryogenic elastothermal cooling system provided in this application utilizes the stress generated by the magnetostrictive material when the magnetic field changes to drive the elastothermal working fluid to achieve cooling. Compared with traditional elastothermal cooling systems, it reduces the bulky driving structure, making it compact and small in size. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this application or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultra-low temperature elastothermal refrigeration system provided in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0022] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0023] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultra-low temperature elastothermal refrigeration system 100 provided in one embodiment of this application, including: a support structure 110, a driving device 120, an elastothermal material 130, and a load 140. The connection relationship between the various components and their working mode are further described below.

[0026] The driving device 120 includes a magnetostrictive material 121 and a magnet 122 disposed around the magnetostrictive material 121. The support structure 110 is a closed structure, the magnetostrictive material 121 and the elastothermal material 130 are fixedly disposed inside the support structure 110, and the load 140 is thermally connected to the support structure 110.

[0027] It is understandable that the magnetostrictive effect refers to the phenomenon that when a magnetic field is applied to a magnetostrictive material, the magnetic molecules inside the material, which were originally arranged randomly, will rearrange along the direction of the magnetic field, resulting in a change in the length or volume of the material; after the external magnetic field is removed, the size can return to its original state.

[0028] In this embodiment, the magnetostrictive material 121 and the elastothermal material 130 are arranged opposite to each other.

[0029] It is understandable that the quantity and structure of the required magnetostrictive and elastothermal materials can be changed according to needs, and are not limited to the structure and quantity shown in the figure; the arrangement of the magnetostrictive and elastothermal materials is not limited to the current description, such as stacking them in layers.

[0030] In some embodiments, the drive device 120 is not limited to the magnetostrictive material 121, but may also use a piezoelectric material to generate stress by applying an electric field to drive the elastothermal material.

[0031] The above-mentioned cryogenic thermoelectric refrigeration system operates as follows:

[0032] When a magnetic field is applied to the magnetostrictive material 121, the magnetostrictive material 121 changes in the length direction and generates stress, and transmits the driving force required for the loading process to the elastothermal material 130. Under the driving force, the elastothermal material 130 gradually transforms from austenite to martensite, and the temperature at various points inside the elastothermal material 130 rises, releasing heat to the outside.

[0033] When the magnetic field applied to the magnetostrictive material 121 is removed, the magnetostrictive material 121 returns to its original state in the length direction and unloads the driving force applied to the elastothermal material 130. The elastothermal material 130 transforms from martensite to austenite, the temperature of each point inside the elastothermal material 130 decreases, heat is absorbed to the outside, and a cooling effect is generated, which cools the load 140.

[0034] In some embodiments, a precooling plate 150 is also included outside the support structure 110, which can absorb the heat generated by the elastothermal material 130 during the application of load.

[0035] Furthermore, the precooling plate 150 is connected to the support structure 110 via a flexible connector 170.

[0036] In some embodiments, the flexible connection can be achieved through a spring connection. It is understood that the flexible connection between the precooling plate 150 and the support structure 110 provides elastic support.

[0037] In some embodiments, the precooling plate 150 is further provided with a plurality of ribs 151, which extend into the interior of the support structure 110.

[0038] It is understood that the rib 151 can absorb the heat generated by the elastothermal material during the application of load and transfer the heat to the precooling plate 150.

[0039] In some embodiments, a mechanical connector 123 is further included between the magnetostrictive material 121 and the elastothermal material 130. The mechanical connector 123 can transfer the stress generated by the magnetostrictive material 121 when the magnetic field changes to the elastothermal material 130. The mechanical connector 123 is made of a material with low thermal conductivity.

[0040] In some embodiments, a thermal switch assembly 160 is also included, which includes an adsorption bed 161 and a heater 162 and a connecting pipe 163 connected to the adsorption bed 161. The heater 162 is weakly thermally connected to the precooling plate 150, and the connecting pipe 163 extends inside the support structure 110.

[0041] Furthermore, when the power supply to the heater 162 is turned on, the adsorption bed 161 heats up and releases the adsorbed gas, thus discharging the heat released by the elastothermal material 130 through the ribs 151 of the precooling plate 150; when the power supply to the heater 162 is turned off, the adsorption bed 161 adsorbs the gas, blocking the transfer of heat between the precooling plate 150 and the support structure 110.

[0042] In some embodiments, the adsorbent in the adsorption bed 161 includes activated carbon.

[0043] It is understandable that the adsorption and desorption process of the adsorbent can be controlled by the heater 162. The weak thermal connection can dissipate the heat released during adsorption and also ensure that the heat of the heater 162 is not quickly conducted away during desorption.

[0044] The cryogenic elastothermal refrigeration system provided in this application utilizes the stress generated by the magnetostrictive material when the magnetic field changes to drive the elastothermal working fluid to achieve refrigeration. Compared with the traditional elastothermal refrigeration system, it reduces the bulky driving structure and is more compact and smaller in size.

[0045] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application, and only specifically describe the technical principles of this application. These descriptions are only for explaining the principles of this application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application in any way. Based on this explanation, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application, as well as other specific embodiments of this application that can be conceived by those skilled in the art without creative effort, should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A cryogenic elastic-thermal refrigeration system, characterized in that, include: The support structure includes a driving device, an elastic-thermal material, and a load. The driving device includes a magnetostrictive material and a magnet disposed around the magnetostrictive material. The support structure is a closed structure. The magnetostrictive material and the elastic-thermal material are fixedly disposed inside the support structure. The load is thermally connected to the support structure. When a magnetic field is applied to the magnetostrictive material, the magnetostrictive material changes in the length direction and generates stress, and transmits the driving force required for the loading process to the elastothermal material. Under the driving force, the elastothermal material gradually transforms from austenite to martensite, and the temperature at various points inside the elastothermal material rises and releases heat to the outside. When the magnetic field applied to the magnetostrictive material is removed, the magnetostrictive material returns to its original state along its length and unloads the driving force applied to the elastothermal material. The elastothermal material transforms from martensite to austenite, and the temperature at various points inside the elastothermal material decreases, absorbing heat to the outside and generating a cooling effect, thereby cooling the load.

2. The cryogenic elastic-thermal refrigeration system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a precooling plate disposed outside the support structure, which can absorb the heat generated by the elastothermal material during the application of load.

3. The cryogenic elastic-thermal refrigeration system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The precooling plate is flexibly connected to the supporting structure.

4. The cryogenic elastic-thermal refrigeration system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The precooling plate is also provided with several ribs, which extend into the interior of the support structure.

5. The cryogenic elastic-thermal refrigeration system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a mechanical connector disposed between the magnetostrictive material and the elastothermal material, the mechanical connector being able to transfer the stress generated by the magnetostrictive material when the magnetic field changes to the elastothermal material.

6. The cryogenic elasto-thermal refrigeration system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a thermal switch assembly, which includes an adsorption bed and a heater and a connecting pipe connected to the adsorption bed. The heater is weakly thermally connected to the precooling plate, and the connecting pipe extends inside the support structure.

7. The cryogenic elastic-thermal refrigeration system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, When the power to the heater is turned on, the adsorption bed heats up and releases the adsorbed gas, thus discharging the heat released by the elastothermal material through the ribs of the precooling plate. When the power to the heater is turned off, the adsorption bed adsorbs the gas, blocking the transfer of heat between the precooling plate and the support structure.

8. The cryogenic elastic-thermal refrigeration system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The adsorbent in the adsorption bed includes activated carbon.

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