Rapid sample changing device suitable for extremely low temperature system and low temperature system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a quick sample changing device suitable for an extremely low temperature system and a low temperature system, the quick sample changing device comprises a vacuum transition cavity, a sample seat, a fastening manipulator and a quick sample changing rod, one end of the vacuum transition cavity is connected with the low temperature system; one end of the sample seat is used for mounting a sample support, a locking bolt is arranged in the sample seat, and the sample seat is detachably connected with the sample receiving mechanism through the locking bolt; and the vacuum pump is movably mounted in the vacuum transition cavity. The fastening manipulator is movably mounted in the vacuum transition cavity, a fastening rod is mounted in the fastening manipulator, and one end of the fastening rod is in transmission connection with the locking bolt end; one end of the quick sample changing rod extends into the vacuum transition cavity and is in transmission connection with the other end of the fastening rod; the quick sample changing rod is fed into the low-temperature system or taken out, and the quick sample changing rod drives the locking bolt in the sample seat to be fixedly connected with the sample receiving mechanism; the device can effectively shorten the sample changing time and the lowest temperature recovery time of the system, and the experiment efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of low-temperature sample exchange, in particular to a rapid sample exchange device suitable for an extremely low-temperature system and a low-temperature system. Background Art

[0002] Mechanical refrigerators are typically pulse tube refrigerators or Gifford-Mcmahon GM refrigerators. These two types of refrigerators can reach temperatures below 4K at the secondary cold head and are used for pre-cooling the system. If lower temperatures are required, a 1K-class, 3He-class, or dilution refrigeration unit is added to reduce the minimum temperature to 1K, 300mK, or 10mK. It is also necessary to isolate the room temperature from heat leakage during daily life. Currently, the commonly used isolation methods are vacuum insulation and radiation-proof insulation. However, to reach the target low temperature, the system cooling time varies from 20 to 50 hours.

[0003] Based on the above system, if you want to measure at the lowest temperature level in the system, you need to install the sample to the lowest temperature position in advance. The usual operation method is to restore the system to room temperature, then open the outer vacuum chamber, remove the radiation shield step by step to expose the lowest temperature level, install the sample, and then restore it in sequence. After installation, the temperature is lowered again. Because this sample replacement process destroys the vacuum and low-temperature operating environment of the entire system, the system needs to be re-evacuated and cooled to the target low temperature. The whole process takes 20-50 hours. Therefore, the existing sample replacement method is time-consuming and the experimental efficiency is extremely low. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to address the deficiencies in the prior art, this application proposes a rapid sample changing device suitable for an ultra-low temperature system, which can achieve rapid sample transfer without destroying the vacuum and low-temperature operating environment of the entire system, effectively shorten the sample changing time and the time it takes for the system to return to the lowest temperature, and improve experimental efficiency.

[0005] The technical solutions adopted in this utility model are as follows:

[0006] A rapid sample changing device suitable for an extremely low temperature system, comprising:

[0007] A vacuum transition chamber, one end of which is connected to the cryogenic system, and the interior of the vacuum transition chamber is vacuum;

[0008] A sample holder movably mounted in the vacuum transition chamber, one end of the sample holder being used to mount a sample holder, the sample holder having a built-in locking bolt, and being detachably connected to the sample receiving mechanism via the locking bolt;

[0009] a fastening manipulator movably mounted in the vacuum transition chamber, wherein the fastening manipulator is provided with a fastening rod, one end of the fastening rod being drivingly connected to the end of a locking bolt in the sample holder; and

[0010] A quick sample changing rod, one end of which extends into the vacuum transition chamber and is transmission-connected to the other end of the fastening rod;

[0011] The fast sample changing rod, the fastening rod and the locking bolt are coaxially arranged, and the fast sample changing rod drives the fastening rod and the locking bolt to move or rotate along the axial direction.

[0012] Furthermore, the end faces on both sides of the sample holder are aligned and connected with the fastening manipulator and the sample receiving mechanism on the same side of the end faces through the alignment device and the alignment hole.

[0013] Furthermore, the locking bolt is arranged axially inside the sample holder, and the locking bolt passes through the end faces of both sides of the sample holder; one end of the locking bolt close to the sample holder is provided with a thread, and is opposite to the threaded hole on the sample receiving mechanism; the other end of the locking bolt is transmission-connected to the fastening rod.

[0014] Furthermore, the locking bolt and the fastening rod are connected in transmission through the cooperation of the inner hexagonal hole and the outer hexagonal head.

[0015] Furthermore, the vacuum transition chamber is connected to an external auxiliary vacuum pump group.

[0016] Furthermore, at least one layer of guide partition is provided in the vacuum transition chamber, and a sealing ring is provided at the connection between the rapid sample changing rod and the guide partition.

[0017] Furthermore, a plurality of guide rods are distributed in an array outside the vacuum transition chamber and around the rapid sample changing rod, and the rapid sample changing rod is slidably connected to the guide rods via a slider.

[0018] A low-temperature system capable of achieving rapid sample exchange, the system comprising:

[0019] A vacuum chamber, wherein a vacuum valve is provided on the vacuum chamber;

[0020] Multiple layers of low-temperature radiation shielding screens are nested in the vacuum chamber. The low-temperature radiation shielding screens are provided with a low-temperature fast-entry door, which is coaxially arranged with the vacuum valve.

[0021] The sample receiving mechanism is located in the innermost low-temperature radiation shield;

[0022] The above-mentioned rapid sample changing device connected to the vacuum valve is suitable for an extremely low temperature system.

[0023] Beneficial effects of the utility model:

[0024] The rapid sample changing device designed in this application can realize the rapid transmission of samples without destroying the vacuum and low-temperature operating environment of the entire system. After the sample change is completed, it only takes 4-8 hours to return to the lowest temperature, which can effectively shorten the sample changing time and the time for the system to return to the lowest temperature, thereby improving experimental efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 1a is a schematic diagram of the process of delivering samples to the cryogenic system, and 1b is a schematic diagram of the process of taking samples out of the cryogenic system.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the rapid sample changing device;

[0027] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the rapid sample changer;

[0028] Figure 4 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the rapid sample changing device;

[0029] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the sample holder structure.

[0030] In the figure, 1. sample receiving mechanism, 2. sample holder, 3. first low-temperature fast entry door, 4. second low-temperature fast entry door, 5. third low-temperature fast entry door, 6. vacuum valve, 7. fast sample changing rod, 8. vacuum chamber, 9. third layer of low-temperature radiation protection screen, 10. second layer of low-temperature radiation protection screen, 11. first layer of low-temperature radiation protection screen, 12. vacuum transition chamber, 13. upper guide partition, 14. lower guide partition, 15. sealing ring, 16. guide rod, 17. fastening manipulator, 18. alignment device, 19. sample holder end plate, 20. refrigerator, 21. locking bolt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0032] Example 1,

[0033] This application designs a rapid sample changing device suitable for ultra-low temperature systems, the structure of which is as follows: Figure 2-5 As shown, it includes: a vacuum transition chamber 12, a fast sample changing rod 7, a fastening manipulator 17 and a sample holder 2; the specific structure is as follows:

[0034] One end of the vacuum transition chamber 12 is connected to the cryogenic system. At least one guide partition is provided in the vacuum transition chamber 12. The guide partition can not only guide the rapid sample change rod 7 to move in the vacuum transition chamber 12, but also isolate the interior of the vacuum transition chamber 12 from the outside world, thereby maintaining the vacuum environment in the vacuum transition chamber 12.

[0035] At least one fast sample changing rod 7 is provided, one end of which passes through the guide partition and extends into the vacuum transition chamber 12. The fast sample changing rod 7 can move axially in the vacuum transition chamber 12 and can also rotate around the axial direction.

[0036] The fastening manipulator 17 is located in the vacuum transition chamber 12, and one end of the fastening manipulator 17 is connected to the end of the fast sample changing rod 7. The fast sample changing rod 7 can push the fastening manipulator 17 to move axially in the vacuum transition chamber 12, or it can drive the fastening rod in the fastening manipulator 17 to rotate forward or reverse. Figure 4 As shown, the apparatus comprises two end caps, which are fixedly connected and spaced apart. At least one fastening rod is disposed axially between the two end caps, and the bottom of the fastening rod is detachably connected to the end of a rapid sample changer 7. The rapid sample changer 7 can drive the fastening rod to move or rotate axially. The top of the fastening rod is detachably connected to the bottom of the sample holder 2.

[0037] The sample holder 2 is used to fix the sample holder, which is used to install the sample. The sample holder 2 is initially located in the vacuum transition chamber 12 and is pushed into the cryogenic system by the rapid sample change rod 7. Figure 5 The sample holder 2 has a cylindrical structure, and is provided with a sample holder end plate 19 at both ends. The sample holder end plates 19 at both ends can be detachably connected to the alignment device 18. The alignment devices 18 at both ends can be respectively engaged with the sample receiving mechanism 1 and the fastening manipulator 17. Therefore, the alignment device 18 can achieve rapid alignment between the sample holder 2 and the sample receiving mechanism 1 and the fastening manipulator 17.

[0038] A locking bolt 21 is axially disposed within the sample holder 2, extending through the sample holder end plates 19 at both ends of the sample holder 2. One end of the locking bolt 21, located near the sample holder 2, is threaded and engages with a threaded hole in the sample receiving mechanism 1, thereby securing the sample holder 2 to the sample receiving mechanism 1. The other end of the locking bolt 21 is drivingly connected to a fastening rod on the rapid sample changer 7. The fastening rod drives the locking bolt 21 to rotate forward or reverse, connecting or disconnecting the locking bolt 21 from the sample receiving mechanism 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, a flange is provided at the top of the vacuum transition chamber 12. This flange and fasteners securely connect the vacuum transition chamber 12 to the entrance of the outermost chamber of the cryogenic system. This connection requires sealing. A vacuum valve 6 is provided at the entrance of the chamber. This valve isolates the vacuum transition chamber 12 from the interior of the cryogenic system.

[0040] In this embodiment, the vacuum transition chamber 12 is connected to an external auxiliary vacuum pump group, which is used to evacuate the vacuum transition chamber 12 into a vacuum environment, generally at 1*10 -5 mbar.

[0041] In this embodiment, the guide baffles are provided on both sides: an upper guide baffle 13 and a lower guide baffle 14, from top to bottom. The rapid sample changer 7 passes through the upper guide baffle 13 and the lower guide baffle 14, respectively. To ensure a seal between the rapid sample changer 7 and the guide baffles, sealing rings 15 are provided at the connection between the rapid sample changer 7 and each guide baffle to ensure that the vacuum environment within the vacuum transition chamber 12 is not disrupted.

[0042] In this embodiment, in order to ensure the stability of the sample pushing process, multiple rapid sample changing rods 7 can be arranged in an array.

[0043] In this embodiment, guide rods 16 are further provided. These guide rods 16 are arranged in an array around the rapid sample changer rods 7. The rapid sample changer rods 7 are slidably connected to the guide rods 16 via sliders. Thus, when the rapid sample changer rods 7 are pushed or pulled, the guide rods 16 ensure stability. One end of the guide rods 16 is connected to a flange at the bottom of the vacuum transition chamber 12, and the other end is mounted on a stop plate to maintain equal spacing and uniform arrangement of the guide rods 16.

[0044] In this embodiment, the vacuum transition chamber 12 may be a multi-section structure, with a guide partition provided between each section, and adjacent vacuum transition chambers 12 and guide partitions are fixedly connected by flanges and bolts and nuts.

[0045] In this embodiment, the vacuum transition chamber 12 may be an integral structure, with the guide baffles directly welded inside the chamber.

[0046] In this embodiment, the ends of the fastening rod in the fastening manipulator 17 and the fast sample changing rod 7 and the locking bolt 21 can be connected in the form of a hexagonal head and a hexagonal hole. After the fast sample changing rod 7, the fastening rod, and the locking bolt 21 are connected in sequence, the quick sample changing rod 7 can be rotated synchronously to achieve the connection or separation between the locking bolt 21 and the sample receiver.

[0047] In this embodiment, the alignment devices 18 can be provided on both side end surfaces of the sample holder 2, and alignment holes corresponding to the alignment devices 18 can be provided on the end surfaces of the sample receiving mechanism 1 or the fastening manipulator 17. Alternatively, the alignment devices 18 can be fixed to the end surfaces of the sample receiving mechanism 1 or the fastening manipulator 17, and alignment holes corresponding to the alignment devices 18 can be provided on both side end surfaces of the sample holder 2. The alignment devices 18 can cooperate with the alignment holes to achieve rapid alignment. One or more alignment devices 18 can be provided; when multiple alignment devices 18 are provided, all alignment devices 18 can have the same structure or different structures.

[0048] More specifically, the electrical connector of the sample holder 2 can be connected to the electrical connector on the rapid sample change rod 7 to prevent static electricity from damaging the sample during the sample transfer process.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] Based on the rapid sample changing device for a very low temperature system disclosed in the above embodiment 1, the present application also designs a low temperature system capable of rapid sample changing, the system comprising a vacuum chamber 8, wherein a multi-layer low temperature radiation shield is nested in the vacuum chamber 8, such as Figure 1 From the inside to the outside, the first layer of low-temperature radiation shield 11, the second layer of low-temperature radiation shield 10, and the third layer of low-temperature radiation shield 9 are sequentially installed. A sample receiving mechanism 1 is provided inside the innermost layer of low-temperature radiation shield for receiving and fixing the sample holder 2 sent in by the rapid sample changing device.

[0051] More specifically, each layer of low-temperature radiation protection screen is provided with a low-temperature fast entry door, such as the first low-temperature fast entry door 3, the second low-temperature fast entry door 4, and the third low-temperature fast entry door 5; and the low-temperature fast entry doors of each layer are coaxially arranged to facilitate the rapid sample changing device to pass through in sequence.

[0052] More specifically, a vacuum valve 6 is provided on the vacuum chamber 8 , and the vacuum valve 6 is arranged opposite to the low-temperature fast-entry door. The rapid sample changing device can quickly pass through the vacuum valve 6 and the low-temperature fast-entry door.

[0053] More specifically, the vacuum chamber 8, the third layer of low-temperature radiation shield 9, and the second layer of low-temperature radiation shield 10 are connected to a refrigerator 20, which is used to cool the entire system. The refrigerator 20 can be a pulse tube refrigerator or a GM refrigerator.

[0054] More specifically, the low-temperature fast-entry door is generally made of aluminum or copper, with low-temperature lubricating materials such as Teflon or PEEK and a spring, to facilitate the entry and exit of components such as the rapid sample change rod 7 and the sample holder 2.

[0055] During operation, the sample is first mounted on the sample holder, which is then fixed to the sample holder 2. After the sample holder 2 is assembled, it is placed into the vacuum transition chamber 12. One end of the sample holder 2 (not the side where the sample holder is located) and the fastening manipulator 17 are quickly aligned by means of the alignment device 18 and the alignment hole. At this point, the quick sample changing rod 7 and the fastening rod on the fastening manipulator 17 are also aligned and connected.

[0056] After the above assembly is completed, the vacuum transition chamber 12 is connected to the inlet of the outermost layer of the cryogenic system; and then the vacuum transition chamber 12 is evacuated using an external auxiliary vacuum pump set.

[0057] After completing the above preparations, open the vacuum valve 6 and the cryogenic fast-entry door in the cryogenic system. Push the rapid sample changer 7 to push the sample holder 2 into the cryogenic system until it approaches the sample receiving mechanism 1. The sample holder 2 is quickly aligned with the sample holder 2 by means of the alignment device 18 and the alignment hole. After alignment is complete, the fast sample changer 7 rotates, driving the fastening rod and locking bolt 21 to rotate synchronously. The locking bolt 21 screws into the connection hole in the sample receiving mechanism 1, connecting the sample holder 2 to the sample receiving mechanism 1 and completing the rapid loading of the sample into the cryogenic system. The rapid sample changer 7 can then be pulled outward to remove it from the cryogenic system.

[0058] On the contrary, when the sample holder 2 needs to be removed from the cryogenic system, the above steps are repeated to push the quick sample change rod 7 into the cryogenic system, and the quick sample change rod 7 is rotated in the opposite direction to drive the locking bolt 21 to rotate, so that the sample holder 2 is separated from the sample receiving mechanism 1, and then the entire sample holder is withdrawn from the cryogenic system.

[0059] The above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the design concepts and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the contents of the present invention and implement them accordingly. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Therefore, any equivalent changes or modifications based on the principles and design concepts disclosed in the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rapid sample changing device suitable for a very low temperature system, characterized in that: include: A vacuum transition chamber (12), one end of the vacuum transition chamber (12) is connected to a cryogenic system, and the interior of the vacuum transition chamber (12) is vacuum; A sample holder (2) is movably mounted in a vacuum transition chamber (12), one end of the sample holder (2) being used for mounting a sample holder, and the sample holder (2) has a built-in locking bolt (21) and is detachably connected to the sample receiving mechanism (1) via the locking bolt (21); A fastening manipulator (17) is movably mounted in the vacuum transition chamber (12), wherein a fastening rod is mounted in the fastening manipulator (17), and one end of the fastening rod is in driving connection with the end of a locking bolt (21) in the sample holder (2); as well as A quick sample changing rod (7), one end of which extends into the vacuum transition chamber (12) and is transmission-connected to the other end of the fastening rod; The fast sample changing rod (7), the fastening rod, and the locking bolt (21) are coaxially arranged, and the fast sample changing rod (7) drives the fastening rod and the locking bolt (21) to move or rotate along the axial direction.

2. A rapid sample changing device suitable for a cryogenic system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end faces on both sides of the sample holder (2) are aligned and connected with the fastening manipulator (17) and the sample receiving mechanism (1) on the same side of the end faces through an alignment device (18) and an alignment hole.

3. A rapid sample changing device suitable for a cryogenic system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking bolt (21) is arranged axially inside the sample holder (2), and the locking bolt (21) passes through the end faces of both sides of the sample holder (2); one end of the locking bolt (21) close to the sample holder (2) is provided with a thread, and is opposite to the threaded hole on the sample receiving mechanism (1); the other end of the locking bolt (21) is transmission-connected to the fastening rod.

4. A rapid sample changing device suitable for a cryogenic system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking bolt (21) and the fastening rod are connected in transmission via the cooperation of the inner hexagonal hole and the outer hexagonal head.

5. The rapid sample changing device for a cryogenic system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vacuum transition chamber (12) is connected to an external auxiliary vacuum pump group.

6. The rapid sample changing device for a cryogenic system according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one layer of guide partition is provided in the vacuum transition chamber (12), and a sealing ring (15) is provided at the connection between the quick sample changing rod (7) and the guide partition.

7. The rapid sample changing device for a cryogenic system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of guide rods (16) are distributed in an array outside the vacuum transition chamber (12) and around the quick sample changing rod (7). The quick sample changing rod (7) is slidably connected to the guide rod (16) via a slider.

8. A low temperature system capable of rapid sample exchange, characterized in that the system include: A vacuum cavity (8), wherein a vacuum valve (6) is provided on the vacuum cavity (8); Multiple layers of low-temperature radiation shielding screens are nested in the vacuum cavity (8), and the low-temperature radiation shielding screens are provided with a low-temperature fast-entry door, which is coaxially arranged with the vacuum valve (6); A sample receiving mechanism (1) is provided in the innermost low-temperature radiation shield; A rapid sample changing device suitable for an extremely low temperature system as claimed in claim 1, connected to the vacuum valve (6).

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