A cooling fluid transfer device for a closed loop continuous flow system
By employing multi-layer insulation and ultra-high vacuum flange design in the coolant transfer device, the problem of high coolant loss during liquid helium transfer is solved, achieving low-loss coolant transfer, which is suitable for closed-loop continuous flow systems.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- EPIN (SHANGHAI) INSTR TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
AI Technical Summary
In closed-loop continuous flow systems in cryogenic applications, high coolant loss occurs during liquid helium transport, especially due to the limited cooling capacity of the refrigeration module, necessitating improved insulation performance during transport.
A coolant transfer device was designed, which adopts a multi-layer heat insulation structure, including a first vacuum bellows, a return gas pipe, a second vacuum bellows, and a heat insulation and radiation protection film. Combined with an ultra-high vacuum flange and a support structure, it forms a multi-layer thermal shield, optimizes the effects of heat conduction and heat radiation, and achieves ultra-high vacuum compatibility.
It significantly reduces coolant loss, improves thermal insulation performance during transmission, is compatible with ultra-high vacuum systems, and has a simple structure with low vibration.
Smart Images
Figure CN224339764U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and in particular to a coolant transfer device for a closed-loop continuous flow system. Background Technology
[0002] A closed-loop continuous flow system is a widely used technology in cryogenic applications. Its key feature is that the coolant circulates within a closed pipe or container, thereby transferring energy and maintaining stable system operation. A typical closed-loop continuous flow system includes a refrigeration module and a coolant transfer module. The coolant, after being cooled by the refrigeration module, is then transported by the coolant transfer module to the target area to be cooled, absorbs heat, and returns to the refrigeration module.
[0003] Liquid helium is a common coolant in cryogenic applications. When liquid helium is used as a coolant, the refrigeration module may include, for example, a helium liquefaction device, which obtains cryogenic liquid helium by liquefying helium gas. This liquid helium is then transported to the target location via a liquid helium transport device, and the vaporized helium gas from the cooling process is recovered via a recovery device. However, due to limitations in the refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration module, losses during liquid helium transport must be minimized to achieve the desired cooling capacity. Therefore, the liquid helium transport device typically requires extremely high insulation performance. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address some or all of the problems in the prior art, this utility model provides a coolant transfer device for a closed-loop continuous flow system, comprising:
[0005] Transmission pipes, used for circulating coolant; and
[0006] A heat insulation layer is disposed on the outer surface of the transmission pipe.
[0007] Furthermore, the heat insulation layer includes:
[0008] A first vacuum bellows is fitted onto the transmission tube. The length of the first vacuum bellows is shorter than that of the transmission tube, and both ends of the transmission tube are partially uncovered by the first vacuum bellows.
[0009] Furthermore, the heat insulation layer also includes:
[0010] The return gas pipe is fitted onto the outside of the first vacuum bellows.
[0011] Furthermore, the heat insulation layer also includes:
[0012] At least one heat-insulating and radiation-proof film is applied to the outer surface of the return gas pipe.
[0013] Furthermore, the heat insulation layer also includes:
[0014] A second vacuum bellows is fitted onto the return gas pipe. The length of the second vacuum bellows is shorter than that of the return gas pipe, and both ends of the return gas pipe are partially uncovered by the second vacuum bellows.
[0015] Further, the transmission tube includes:
[0016] A coolant inlet is located at the first end of the transmission pipe and connected to a coolant liquefaction device;
[0017] A coolant outlet is located at the second end of the transmission pipe relative to its first end and is connected to the target end to be cooled.
[0018] A return gas inlet, located at the first end of the return gas pipe and connected to the target end to be cooled, is provided to recover the vaporized coolant; and
[0019] A return gas outlet is located at the second end of the return gas pipe relative to its first end, and is connected to the coolant liquefaction device via a pump unit.
[0020] Furthermore, the coolant transfer device further includes:
[0021] A first ultra-high vacuum flange is disposed at the first end of the second vacuum bellows and is connected to the vacuum chamber of the coolant liquefaction device via a copper gasket; and
[0022] The second ultra-high vacuum flange is located at the second end of the second vacuum bellows opposite to its first end, and is connected to the vacuum cavity of the cooling target end through a copper gasket.
[0023] Furthermore, the coolant transfer device further includes:
[0024] The first support structure has one end fixed to the first ultra-high vacuum flange and covers the first end of the return gas pipe that is not covered by the second vacuum bellows.
[0025] The second support structure has its first end fixed to the second ultra-high vacuum flange and covers the second end of the return gas pipe that is not covered by the second vacuum bellows.
[0026] An ultra-high vacuum sealing cover, fixed to the second end of the second support structure opposite to its first end, the return gas inlet passing through the ultra-high vacuum sealing cover and connected to the return gas pipe; and
[0027] The third support structure has its first end connected to the second end of the first vacuum bellows and covers the second end of the transmission tube that is not covered by the first vacuum bellows.
[0028] Furthermore, the first support structure has a thin-walled, hollow design; and
[0029] The second and third support structures are designed with thin-walled stainless steel tubes.
[0030] Furthermore, the coolant transfer device further includes:
[0031] A return gas heat exchange module is disposed on the surface of the second support structure.
[0032] Furthermore, the return gas heat exchange module includes a heat exchange copper tube, which is wound around the surface of the second support structure.
[0033] Furthermore, the coolant is liquid helium.
[0034] This invention provides a coolant transfer device for a closed-loop continuous flow system, comprising a multi-layer thermal shielding structure, providing excellent heat preservation during transfer and thus minimizing coolant loss. Furthermore, the coolant transfer device features optimized design at all points affected by heat conduction and radiation, further reducing coolant loss during transfer. All seals on the coolant transfer device are ultra-high vacuum seals, compatible with ultra-high vacuum systems. Its overall structure is simple, compact, and exhibits minimal vibration transmission. Attached Figure Description
[0035] To further illustrate the above and other advantages and features of the various embodiments of the present invention, a more specific description of the various embodiments of the present invention will be presented with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are therefore not intended to limit its scope. In the drawings, for clarity, the same or corresponding parts will be indicated by the same or similar reference numerals.
[0036] Figure 1 This diagram shows a schematic representation of a coolant transfer device for a closed-loop continuous flow system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] Figure 2 This diagram shows a partially enlarged schematic of the first end of a coolant transfer device for a closed-loop continuous flow system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0038] Figure 3 This diagram shows a partially enlarged schematic of the second end of a coolant transfer device for a closed-loop continuous flow system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0039] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the components in the drawings may be shown exaggeratedly for illustrative purposes and are not necessarily to scale. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for components that are identical or have the same function.
[0040] In this invention, unless otherwise specified, "arranged on," "arranged above," and "arranged on top of" do not exclude the possibility of an intermediate element between them. Furthermore, "arranged on or above" merely indicates the relative positional relationship between two components, and in certain cases, such as when the product orientation is reversed, it can also be converted to "arranged below or under," and vice versa.
[0041] In this utility model, the various embodiments are merely intended to illustrate the solution of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting.
[0042] In this utility model, unless otherwise specified, the quantifiers “one” and “one” do not exclude scenarios involving multiple elements.
[0043] It should also be noted that in the embodiments of this utility model, only a portion of the parts or components may be shown for clarity and simplicity. However, those skilled in the art will understand that, under the teachings of this utility model, the required parts or components can be added according to the specific scenario.
[0044] It should also be noted that within the scope of this utility model, the terms "same," "equal," and "equal to" do not mean that the two values are absolutely equal, but rather allow for a certain reasonable error. That is to say, the terms also cover "substantially the same," "substantially equal," and "substantially equal to." Similarly, in this utility model, the terms indicating direction, such as "perpendicular to" and "parallel to," also cover the meaning of "substantially perpendicular to" and "substantially parallel to."
[0045] In order to improve the heat preservation performance and reduce coolant loss during the coolant transmission process in a closed-loop continuous flow system, this utility model provides a coolant transmission device for a closed-loop continuous flow system, which has multiple layers of heat insulation on the surface of the coolant transmission pipe.
[0046] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0047] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the structure of a coolant transfer device for a closed-loop continuous flow system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, a coolant transfer device for a closed-loop continuous flow system includes a transfer pipe 101 and a multi-layer heat insulation layer 102 disposed on the outer surface of the transfer pipe 101.
[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the first and second ends of the transmission pipe 101 are respectively connected to a coolant inlet 111 and a coolant outlet 112, wherein the coolant inlet 111 is connected to a coolant liquefaction device, and the coolant outlet 112 is connected to the target end to be cooled. To accommodate ultra-high vacuum, in one embodiment of this invention, as... Figure 1 As shown, the first and second ends of the transmission pipe 101 are respectively provided with a first ultra-high vacuum flange 131 and a second ultra-high vacuum flange 132. The first ultra-high vacuum flange 131 is connected to the vacuum chamber of the coolant liquefaction device through a copper gasket. The vacuum chamber of the coolant liquefaction device is usually in a high vacuum state. The second ultra-high vacuum flange 132 is connected to the vacuum chamber of the cooling target end through a copper gasket. The vacuum chamber of the cooling target end can be, for example, an analytical chamber, which is in an ultra-high vacuum state.
[0049] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The figures show partially enlarged schematic diagrams of the first and second ends of a coolant transfer device for a closed-loop continuous flow system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-layer heat insulation layer includes a first vacuum bellows 121, a return gas pipe 122, and a second vacuum bellows 123.
[0050] The first vacuum bellows 121 is sleeved on the transmission pipe 101. The length of the first vacuum bellows 121 is shorter than that of the transmission pipe 101, and both ends of the transmission pipe 101 are partially uncovered by the first vacuum bellows 121. In one embodiment of this invention, the first vacuum bellows 121 shares the same vacuum with the vacuum chamber of the coolant liquefaction device. The first vacuum bellows 121 is used to isolate external heat conduction to the transmission pipe 101, serving as a first layer of thermal insulation.
[0051] In one embodiment of this utility model, to reduce coolant loss, a return gas circuit is also provided, as shown in the figure. The return gas circuit includes a return gas pipe 122, and return gas inlet 141 and return gas outlet 142 disposed at both ends of the return gas pipe 122. The return gas pipe 122 is sleeved on the outside of the first vacuum bellows 121. The return gas inlet 141 is disposed at the first end of the return gas pipe 122 and connected to the target end to be cooled to recover vaporized coolant. The return gas outlet 142 is disposed at the second end of the return gas pipe 122 relative to its first end and is connected to a coolant liquefaction device via a pump unit. In one embodiment of this utility model, as... Figure 3As shown, the return air inlet 141 is located on one side of the coolant outlet 112. In one embodiment of this utility model, as... Figure 2 As shown, the return gas outlet 142 is fitted onto the portion of the transmission pipe 101 not covered by the first vacuum bellows 121, and is located between the coolant inlet 111 and the first ultra-high vacuum flange 131. After the coolant vaporizes, it can be returned to the coolant liquefaction device through the return gas pipe 122 by relying on the pressure difference provided by the pump set. Because the vaporized coolant is still at a low temperature, the gaseous coolant flowing back during operation can make the temperature of the return gas pipe 122 much lower than room temperature, thus allowing the return gas pipe 122 to be regarded as a second heat radiation shielding layer, further reducing the external heat radiation to the transmission pipe 101 and reducing losses. In one embodiment of this utility model, in order to further reduce the temperature of the return gas pipe 122, the outside of the return gas pipe 122 is also covered with a multi-layer heat insulation and radiation protection film 105.
[0052] The second vacuum bellows 123 is sleeved on the return gas pipe 122. The length of the second vacuum bellows 123 is shorter than that of the return gas pipe 122, and both ends of the return gas pipe 122 are partially uncovered by the second vacuum bellows 123. In one embodiment of this utility model, the second vacuum bellows 123 also shares the same vacuum with the vacuum chamber of the coolant liquefaction device, which can further isolate the return gas pipe 122 from external heat conduction.
[0053] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the first ultra-high vacuum flange 131 is disposed at the first end of the second vacuum bellows 123, so that the coolant inlet 111, the return gas outlet 142 and the portion of the first end of the return gas pipe 122 not covered by the second vacuum bellows 123 all share the same vacuum with the vacuum chamber of the coolant liquefaction device. The second ultra-high vacuum flange 132 is disposed at the second end of the second vacuum bellows 123 opposite to its first end, so that the coolant outlet 112, the return gas inlet 141 and the portion of the second end of the return gas pipe 122 not covered by the second vacuum bellows 123 all share the same vacuum with the vacuum chamber of the cooling target end.
[0054] To support the return gas pipe 122 that is not covered by the second vacuum bellows 123, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the first end and the second end of the return gas pipe 122, which is not covered by the second vacuum bellows 123, are respectively provided with a first support structure 161 and a second support structure 162. One end of the first support structure 161 is fixed to the first ultra-high vacuum flange 131, and can simultaneously support the first vacuum bellows 121 and the return gas pipe 122. In one embodiment of this utility model, to reduce losses caused by solid thermal conductivity, the first support structure 161 adopts a thin-walled hollow design. Similarly, the first end of the second support structure 162 is fixed to the second ultra-high vacuum flange 132, and can simultaneously serve as an ultra-high vacuum seal, structural support, and solid thermal conductivity isolation. In one embodiment of this utility model, to reduce losses caused by solid thermal conductivity, the second support structure 162 adopts a thin-walled stainless steel pipe design.
[0055] As mentioned above, in the embodiments of this utility model, two vacuum chambers are included. Since the coolant liquefaction device involves multiple thermal radiation shielding structures, although it does not affect the ultimate vacuum level, it significantly reduces the vacuum pumping speed. Furthermore, the coolant liquefaction device does not have high vacuum requirements. Therefore, in one embodiment of this utility model, all components affecting the vacuum pumping speed are separated into the vacuum chambers of the coolant liquefaction device. Based on this, in one embodiment of this utility model, an ultra-high vacuum sealing cover 107 is also provided at the second end of the second support structure 162 opposite to its first end. The ultra-high vacuum sealing cover 107 isolates the first vacuum bellows 121 and the second vacuum bellows 123 from the vacuum chamber at the cooling target end. Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the ultra-high vacuum sealing cover 107 is welded simultaneously with the return gas inlet 141, the return gas pipe 122, and the second support structure 162. The return gas inlet 141 passes through the ultra-high vacuum sealing cover 107 and is connected to the return gas pipe 122.
[0056] In one embodiment of this invention, a third support structure 163 is provided on the second end of the transmission pipe 101 not covered by the first vacuum bellows 121. The first end of the third support structure 163 is connected to the second end of the first vacuum bellows 121, and its second end is welded to the transmission pipe 101. In one embodiment of this invention, the third support structure 163 adopts a thin-walled design, which simultaneously serves as an ultra-high vacuum seal and isolates heat conduction, further reducing heat conduction from the ultra-high vacuum sealing cover 107 to the transmission pipe 101.
[0057] In one embodiment of this utility model, a return gas heat exchange module 108 is further provided on the surface of the second support structure 162. In one embodiment of this utility model, the return gas heat exchange module 108 includes a heat exchange copper tube, which is wound around the surface of the second support structure 162 and reinforced in terms of structure and thermal conductivity by brazing. The return gaseous coolant preferentially passes through the return gas heat exchange module 108 before entering the return gas inlet 141 and returning to the coolant liquefaction device.
[0058] The coolant transfer device described above can be applied to closed-loop continuous flow systems for the transfer of liquid helium. It is compatible with ultra-high vacuum and is designed with a 3-layer thermal shielding structure. It has optimized designs for all heat conduction and heat radiation effects, resulting in low liquid helium loss during the transfer process.
[0059] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and not as limitations. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various combinations, modifications, and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present invention disclosed herein should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments disclosed above, but should be defined solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A cooling fluid transfer device for a closed loop continuous flow system, characterized in that, include: A transfer pipe, configured to circulate coolant; A first vacuum bellows is fitted onto the transmission tube. The length of the first vacuum bellows is less than that of the transmission tube, and both ends of the transmission tube are partially not covered by the first vacuum bellows. A return gas pipe is fitted onto the outside of the first vacuum bellows; A second vacuum bellows is fitted onto the return gas pipe. The length of the second vacuum bellows is shorter than that of the return gas pipe, and both ends of the return gas pipe are partially uncovered by the second vacuum bellows. At least one layer of heat insulation and radiation protection film is disposed between the return gas pipe and the second vacuum bellows.
2. The cooling fluid delivery device of claim 1, wherein The transmission tube includes: A coolant inlet is located at the first end of the transmission pipe and connected to a coolant liquefaction device; A coolant outlet is located at the second end of the transmission pipe relative to its first end and is connected to the target end to be cooled. A return gas inlet, located at the first end of the return gas pipe and connected to the target end to be cooled, is configured to recover vaporized coolant; and A return gas outlet is located at the second end of the return gas pipe relative to its first end, and is connected to the coolant liquefaction device via a pump unit.
3. The cooling fluid delivery device of claim 2, wherein Also includes: The first ultra-high vacuum flange is located at the first end of the second vacuum bellows and is connected to the vacuum chamber of the coolant liquefaction device through a copper gasket. as well as The second ultra-high vacuum flange is located at the second end of the second vacuum bellows opposite to its first end, and is connected to the vacuum cavity of the cooling target end through a copper gasket.
4. The cooling fluid delivery device of claim 3, wherein Also includes: The first support structure has one end fixed to the first ultra-high vacuum flange and covers the first end of the return gas pipe that is not covered by the second vacuum bellows. The second support structure has its first end fixed to the second ultra-high vacuum flange and covers the second end of the return gas pipe that is not covered by the second vacuum bellows. An ultra-high vacuum sealing cover is fixed to the second end of the second support structure opposite to its first end, and the return gas inlet passes through the ultra-high vacuum sealing cover and is connected to the return gas pipe. as well as The third support structure has its first end connected to the second end of the first vacuum bellows and covers the second end of the transmission tube that is not covered by the first vacuum bellows.
5. The cooling fluid delivery device of claim 4, wherein, The first support structure is a thin-walled hollow design; and The second and third support structures are designed with thin-walled stainless steel tubes.
6. The cooling fluid delivery apparatus of claim 4, wherein, Also includes: A return gas heat exchange module is disposed on the surface of the second support structure.
7. The cooling fluid delivery device of claim 6, wherein The return gas heat exchange module includes a heat exchange copper tube, which is wound around the surface of the second support structure.
8. The cooling fluid delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The coolant is liquid helium.