Refrigeration device and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a cryogenic refrigeration device comprising an enclosure (2) delimiting a vacuum-sealed volume closed by a cover (3), the device (1) comprising at least one cryogenic cooler (4) mounted through the cover (3) of the type using a cold source of cryogenic cycle fluid such as helium, the device (1) comprising at least one thermally conductive plate (5, 6) intended to receive and cool a component, and cooled by a flow of cycle fluid via a cycle fluid circuit (8) supplying a set of heat exchanger(s) (7, 17), the cycle fluid circuit (8) having a cycle fluid supply pipe (18) first to a collector (7) mounted on the plate (5, 6), the cycle fluid circuit (8) having at least one transfer pipe (28) configured to transfer cycle fluid from the collector (7) to at least one heat exchanger (17) mounted on the same plate (5),the cycle fluid circuit (8) having at least one return pipe (38) configured to return fluid having circulated in the at least one heat exchanger (17) to the collector (7 Abstract figure: Fig. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Refrigeration device and method

[0001] The invention relates to a refrigeration device and method.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a cryogenic refrigeration device comprising an enclosure delimiting a sealed vacuum volume closed by a cover, the device comprising at least one cryogenic cooler mounted through the cover and having a first portion located outside the enclosure and a second portion located in the enclosure, the cryogenic cooler being of the type using a cold source of cryogenic cycle fluid such as helium, the device comprising at least one thermally conductive plate intended to receive and cool a component, for example a set of cable(s), the at least one plate being cooled by a flow of cycle fluid via a cycle fluid circuit supplying a set of heat exchanger(s) in heat exchange respectively with the plate.

[0003] The invention relates to a refrigeration device for cooling elements to a cryogenic temperature below 100K and in particular below 50K and / or below 4K.

[0004] In particular, the invention relates to refrigeration devices which make it possible to cool to very low temperatures, of the order of millikelvin ("subKelvin refrigeration"). These very low temperatures are conventionally obtained via a dilution refrigerator or a Joule Thomson type cryogenic cooler using He4 or He3.

[0005] In these devices, it is necessary to provide cooling power up to a temperature of, for example, 4K to one or more refrigeration stages. An installation of this type must be able to be cooled quickly when it is started up. In addition, the experimental surface available for the samples or cables to be cooled must be optimized.

[0006] Dilution refrigerators require a supply of cooling power at a temperature below 4K to operate. This cooling power is generally supplied from pulsed gas tubes ("dry" dilution refrigerators) or via a liquid helium bath ("wet" dilution refrigerators). Cooling with 3He or a 3He-4He mixture is generally required for use at temperatures below 1K.

[0007] However, pulsed tubes have a limited unit power; a significant number, several dozen, of pulsed tubes are required to obtain sufficient power for current and future needs. This number of pulsed gas tubes limits the experimental surface area available for cooling equipment and samples. It is necessary also cool 3He or a 3He-4He mixture for use at temperatures below 2K. In addition, the cooling time with this type of technology is relatively long. Therefore, this solution does not provide very high cooling power to the samples to be cooled and also generates vibrations.

[0008] In addition, the increase in the power to be extracted can be slowed down by the contact thermal resistances of the trays. For high-power dilution refrigerators, one of the critical needs is to pre-cool several thousand cables or samples. This cold power can be installed in the central part of the tray to cool the samples or cables at the edge of the tray. The increase in distances between a specific cold point that provides the cold power (pulsed gas tube) and the sample to be cooled faces significant thermal resistances (conduction in the large tray and intermediate contact resistances). This is a reason for the loss of thermal efficiency. Thus, the increase in power does not necessarily allow efficient cooling.

[0009] An aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.

[0010] To this end, the device according to the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the cycle fluid circuit has a cycle fluid supply line first to a collector mounted on the plate, the cycle fluid circuit having at least one transfer line configured to transfer cycle fluid from the collector to at least one heat exchanger mounted on the same plate, the cycle fluid circuit having at least one return line configured to return fluid having circulated in the at least one heat exchanger to the collector.

[0011] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: - the device comprises several heat exchangers mounted on the same tray and respective transfer lines for transferring cycle fluid from the collector to the heat exchangers, the heat exchangers of the same tray being supplied with cycle fluid in parallel from the supply line via the collector, - the fluid supply line passes through the cover at the level of a support plate sealingly closing a passage through the cover, the support plate, the collector and the supply line being mechanically connected to each other forming a physical entity which can be mounted / dismounted relative to the enclosure, for example relative to the cover, the cycle fluid circuit has a return line connecting the collector to a portion of the refrigerator and configured to return the heated cycle fluid having circulated through all or part of the heat exchanger assembly(s), the return line passes through the cover at the support plate and is also connected to the latter and to the collector, the collector is a heat exchanger in thermal exchange with the plate and has an internal circuit for circulating the cycle fluid in order to transfer cold power to the plate, the heat exchanger(s) comprise or consist of at least one of: a plate mounted on or in a housing of the plate, the plate having an internal circuit for circulating the cycle fluid in order to transfer cold power to the plate, a cycle fluid circulation pipe submerged and winding in the thickness of the plate, the heat exchanger(s) are connected to the collector via a set of removable fluid connections, for example at least at one end of the transfer pipe and / or the return pipe, the device comprises several plates arranged in a distribution direction in the enclosure and intended to be cooled to respective determined temperatures, at least two plates each comprise a collector and at least one heat exchanger connected to the collector via a transfer pipe, the collectors of at least two separate trays are supplied with cycle fluid by respective supply lines, the collector of a first plate is supplied with cycle fluid by a fluid supply pipe, the collector and / or the heat exchanger(s) of a second plate being supplied with cycle fluid having circulated in at least one exchanger and / or collector of the first plate via a set of connecting pipes, at least part of the heat exchangers is provided with at least one of: an exchanger temperature sensor, a heating member configured to regulate the temperature of the heat exchanger, the cycle fluid circuit comprises one or more controllable valve(s), for example at the level of at least one fluid supply line and configured to regulate the cycle fluid flow rate, for example according to a setpoint and / or a measurement from a temperature sensor, at least a part of the heat exchangers and / or collector are housed in respective corresponding housings formed in the respective plates, a peripheral edge of the heat exchangers and / or collector being in contact with a mating edge of the respective heat exchangers delimiting the housing, - at least part of the heat exchanger and / or collector assembly are mounted in the respective housings of the trays by being inserted into said housings with transverse and / or parallel displacement relative to the planes of the trays.

[0012] The invention also relates to a refrigeration method using a device according to any one of the characteristics above or below, comprising a step of storing and / or producing a liquid cryogenic cycle fluid at the refrigerator, a step of circulating said cryogenic fluid in the enclosure to the at least one collector and from the collector to the at least one heat exchanger to cool at least to the plate, the method comprising a step of returning reheated cycle fluid having circulated in at least one heat exchanger to a portion of the refrigerator with a view to cooling it to restart a circulation cycle in the enclosure.

[0013] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features within the scope of the claims.

[0014] Other features and advantages will appear on reading the description below, given with reference to the figures in which: Brief description of the figures

[0015] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0016] [Fig-1] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a first example of embodiment of a refrigeration installation according to the invention,

[0017] [Fig.2] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a second example of embodiment of a refrigeration installation according to the invention,

[0018] [Fig.3] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a third example of embodiment of a refrigeration installation according to the invention,

[0019] [Fig.4] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a fourth example of embodiment of a refrigeration installation according to the invention,

[0020] [Fig.5] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a fifth example of embodiment of a refrigeration installation according to the invention,

[0021] [Fig.6] is a schematic and partial view, in perspective, illustrating a first possible embodiment of the first example of embodiment,

[0022] [Fig.7] is a schematic and partially transparent view, from below, of the detail of [Fig.6],

[0023] [Fig.8] is a schematic and partial perspective view illustrating a second possible embodiment of the first example of embodiment,

[0024] [Fig.9] is a schematic and partially transparent view, from below, of the detail of [Fig.8],

[0025] [Fig. 10] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a detail of a sixth example of embodiment of a refrigeration installation according to the invention,

[0026] [Fig. 11] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a detail of a seventh example of embodiment of a refrigeration installation according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig. 12] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a detail of an exemplary embodiment of a pumped bath type heat exchanger which can be used in the refrigeration installation according to the invention,

[0028] [Fig. 13] is a schematic and partial view, in horizontal section, of the heat exchanger of [Fig. 12],

[0029] [Fig. 14] is a schematic and partial view, in vertical section, illustrating a detail of another exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger which can be used in the refrigeration installation according to the invention. Detailed description

[0030] In all the figures, the same references refer to the same elements.

[0031] In this detailed description, the following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not mean that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0032] The cryogenic refrigeration installation 1 illustrated in [Fig.l] comprises an enclosure 2 delimiting a volume closed by a cover 3, for example made of stainless steel or aluminum. Preferably, the volume is under vacuum and houses at least one plate 5 (only one in this example) which is a thermal conductor and forms a thermal stage. As described below, several plates may be provided to form thermal stages at respective temperatures which may decrease according to a distribution direction (for example vertically from top to bottom).

[0033] A bundle of cables to be cooled (not shown) can be mounted on a set of support plate(s) mounted on the at least one tray 5. That is to say that cables can extend into the enclosure 2 and in heat exchange with the tray(s).

[0034] Other components may be cooled at the level of the plate(s) 5. The The device may thus comprise for this purpose a set of passages formed through the cover 3 and the tray(s) for the passage of cable(s) and / or equipment(s) in the enclosure 2.

[0035] The at least one tray 5 is cooled by a cryogenic cooler or refrigerator 4 to a determined temperature.

[0036] The cryogenic cooler 4 may be mounted through the cover 3 with a first portion located outside the enclosure 2 and a second portion located inside the enclosure 2.

[0037] The cryogenic cooler 4 preferably comprises a cryogenic cycle fluid (for example based on helium) and a cycle fluid circuit 8 ensuring circulation and heat exchange of the cycle fluid at the level of at least one plate 5.

[0038] The set of plates is cooled by a flow of cycle fluid via the cycle fluid circuit 8 supplying a set of heat exchanger(s) 17 in heat exchange respectively with the plate 5.

[0039] That is to say that, instead of cooling the plate(s) 5, 6 by conduction only by pulsed gas tubes for example or a helium bath, the device 1 provides for transferring the cold power via a flow of cycle fluid.

[0040] Preferably, the cycle fluid contains or consists of helium. The cycle fluid may be cooled to a supercritical or superfluid state, for example to a temperature below 4K or below 2K before being put into heat exchange with the plate(s) 5, 6. This makes it possible to distribute the cold power very efficiently to where it is needed.

[0041] As mentioned and illustrated, the cryogenic cooler 4 may be mounted through the cover 3 and may have a first end or portion located outside the enclosure 2 and a second end or portion located within the enclosure 2. The cooler 4 is configured to provide cold at its second portion.

[0042] The cooler 4 is for example of the type using a cold source of liquefied cycle fluid such as helium or nitrogen. The cold power of the refrigerator is stored and / or produced at its first end and this cold power is transferred to the plates 5, 6 via a flow of the cycle fluid transferring cold power from the first end to the second end of the cooler. After heat exchange with the plate(s) 5, 6 the cycle fluid is returned to a hot part of the cooler 4 to restart the cycle (compression, expansion, etc.).

[0043] The cooler 4 comprises for example a cycle circuit configured to subject the cycle fluid to a thermodynamic cycle bringing the cycle fluid to at least one cold end of the cycle circuit at a cryogenic temperature of completed via an expansion of the compressed cycle fluid. The cycle fluid circuit comprising, for example, a cycle fluid compression mechanism (compressor(s)), at least one cycle fluid cooling member (heat exchanger(s)), a cycle fluid expansion mechanism (valve(s) and / or turbine(s)) and at least one heating member (heat exchanger(s)) for the expanded cycle fluid. The heating and cooling may be provided in part at least by one or more counter-current heat exchangers for simultaneously cooling and heating two parts of the cycle circuit.

[0044] The cryogenic cooler 4 uses for example a cycle fluid comprising at least one of: helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, argon, neon. The device 1 comprises a circuit 8 with a set of supply lines 18 for at least a portion of the cold cycle fluid to the plate(s) 5, 6 to be cooled.

[0045] As visible in [Fig.l], the cycle fluid circuit 8 has a cycle fluid supply pipe 18 firstly towards a collector 7 mounted on the plate 5. The cycle fluid circuit 8 also has a transfer pipe 28 configured to transfer cycle fluid from the collector 7 to at least one heat exchanger 17 mounted on the same plate 5 (two heat exchangers 17 in this example).

[0046] The cycle fluid circuit 8 has at least one return pipe 38 configured to return fluid having circulated in the at least one heat exchanger 17 to the collector 7.

[0047] This architecture makes it possible to transfer the cold cycle fluid to a collector carried by the plate 5 and to distribute this cold power to one or more heat exchangers 7 of the plate 5.

[0048] This allows for the distribution of cold power in an efficient and homogeneous manner over large areas from a reduced number of supply pipes 18 (in particular just one).

[0049] In the case (as illustrated in [Fig.l]) where several heat exchangers 17 are mounted on the same plate 5, respective transfer lines 28 may be provided to transfer cycle fluid from the collector 7 to the heat exchangers 17. In this case, the heat exchangers 17 of the same plate 5 may be supplied with cycle fluid in parallel from the supply line 18 via the collector 7.

[0050] After circulating in the heat exchangers 17, the relatively hotter cycle fluid can be returned to the collector 7 via respective return pipes 38. Then this hot cycle fluid can be returned to the refrigerator 4 via a return pipe 48 for example to be cooled again and to start a cycle again.

[0051] Note that the supply pipe 18 (or the supply pipes 18 because there may be several) and the return pipe 48 (or the return pipes 48 because there may be several) are preferably contained in a sheath 12 or line thermally insulated under vacuum to prevent thermal ingress. The sheath 12 may in particular be provided between the cover 9 and the external portion of the refrigerator 4.

[0052] The fluid supply pipe 18 (and the return pipe 48) can pass through the cover 3 at the level of a plate 9 or support flange sealingly closing a passage through the cover 3.

[0053] The support plate 9, the collector 7 and the supply and return pipes 18 and 48 can be mechanically connected to each other, forming a physical entity which can be mounted / dismounted relative to the enclosure 2, for example vertically relative to the cover 3. For example, a tool such as a guide or vertical support can be used to support this assembly during mounting / dismounting relative to the enclosure and the plates.

[0054] [Fig.6] and [Fig.7] illustrate an example of a collector structure 7 associated with two heat exchangers 17 which receives the cold cycle fluid (via the supply pipe 18) and immediately distributes it to the heat exchangers 17 via transfer pipes 28. In addition, the collector 7 receives the cycle fluid flows having circulated in the heat exchangers 17 via return pipes 38 and can return this relatively hotter cycle fluid, for example in the return pipe 48. That is to say, in this example, unlike the heat exchangers 17, the collector 7 is not configured to ensure an optimized heat exchange with the plate which carries it. For example, the heat exchangers 17 comprise an internal circuit 70 for circulating the cycle fluid which winds to optimize the heat exchange with the plate 5. The collector 7 may be devoid of such an internal circuit as illustrated.

[0055] On the other hand, and as illustrated in the variant of [Fig.8] and [Fig.9], the collector 7 can also be a heat exchanger in thermal exchange with the plate 5 (configured for this), for example by having an internal circuit 70 for circulating the cycle fluid in order to transfer cold power to the plate 5.

[0056] As illustrated, the heat exchangers 17 may be connected to the collector 7 via a set of removable fluid connections 171. For example, at least one of the ends of the transfer pipe 28 and / or the return pipe 38 may be provided with such a connection 171 allowing easy assembly / disassembly with respect to the collector / exchanger. This makes it possible in particular to easily connect the exchangers 17 to the collector 7 after assembly or before disassembly of the assembly of collector(s) 7 and pipes 18, 48 as described previously.

[0057] Alternatively or in combination, a portion of the circuit conduit assembly 8 of cycle fluid ensuring the circulation of the cycle fluid to or from the heat exchangers 7, 17 and / or collectors 7 can be welded and / or brazed on the heat exchangers 7, 17 or collectors 7.

[0058] At least a portion of these conduits of the cycle fluid circuit 8 ensuring the circulation of the cycle fluid to or from the heat exchangers 7, 17 and / or from or to the collector(s) 7 may be configured to have a determined flexibility, for example a bent portion, making it possible to absorb the variations in dimensions due to the variations in temperatures between the ambient temperature when stopped and a cryogenic operating temperature of the device 1.

[0059] In the aforementioned examples, the heat exchangers 17 comprise or consist of a plate mounted on or in a housing of the plate 5 and having an internal circuit 70 for circulating the cycle fluid in order to transfer cold power to the plate 5.

[0060] [Fig.6] and [Fig.8] further schematically illustrate the fact that at least a portion of the heat exchangers 17 may be provided with a sensor 10 for measuring the temperature of the exchanger and / or a heating member 11 configured to regulate the temperature of the heat exchanger 17. For example, each heat exchanger 17 has such a sensor 10 and / or a heating member 11.

[0061] Similarly, the heating member(s) 11 can provide this temperature control.

[0062] Thus, the device 1 may comprise one or more controllable valve(s) 13 in the cycle fluid circuit 8, for example at the level of at least one fluid supply pipe 38 and configured to regulate the cycle fluid flow rate, for example as a function of a setpoint and a measurement from the temperature sensor(s) 10 (see [Fig. 11]).

[0063] At least a portion of the heat exchangers 17 and / or collector 7 may be housed in respective corresponding housings formed in the respective trays 5, 6. For example, a peripheral edge of the heat exchangers 17 and / or collector 7 is in contact with a mating edge of the respective heat exchangers 17 delimiting the housing (cf. [Fig. 10]).

[0064] At least a part of the heat exchanger assembly 17 and / or collector 7 can be mounted in the respective housings of the plates by being inserted into said housings with displacement transverse to the planes of the plates 5, 6 (see vertical mounting [Fig. 10]).

[0065] Of course, these housings can open onto the edge of the tray to allow mounting / dismounting of the heat exchangers 17 and / or collectors 7 in a direction parallel to the plane of the tray.

[0066] However, this embodiment is in no way limiting. Thus, for example, at least one of the heat exchangers 17 may be a simple cycle fluid circulation pipe submerged and winding through the thickness of the plate 5 (see [Fig.5]). In this case, the possible temperature sensor 11 may measure the temperature at the level of the plate for example.

[0067] Similarly, as a variant or in combination, at least one heat exchanger 7 may comprise a pumped bath system as illustrated in [Fig. 12] and [Fig. 13]. That is to say that the heat exchanger 17 comprises an internal volume provided with fins 172 and intended to receive a volume of cycle fluid via at least one inlet 173 and one outlet 174 provided to allow circulation of this fluid. The heat exchanger 171 is for example placed on a plate 5 or a plate itself on the plate 5.

[0068] It should also be noted that on at least one of the heat exchangers 17 there may be a set of several exchangers in series on the plate. That is to say that a transfer pipe 28 may supply a first heat exchanger 17 which itself then supplies at least one other heat exchanger 17 in series.

[0069] As illustrated in [Fig.2], [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], the device 1 may comprise several plates 5, 6 (two in this example) arranged in a distribution direction in the enclosure 2, for example vertical. The plates 5, 6 are intended to be cooled to respective determined temperatures, for example decreasing towards the bottom of the enclosure 2.

[0070] Each of the trays 5, 6 comprises a collector 7 and two heat exchangers 17 connected to the collector 7 via transfer and return pipes 18 as described above.

[0071] In the embodiment of [Fig. 2], the collectors 7 of the two trays 5, 6 are connected to the cryogenic cooler by respective supply lines 18 and respective separate lines 48. That is to say, the two collectors 7 and respective trays are supplied with separate cycle fluid flows at respective temperatures which may be different. These two flows may be two separate flows from the same refrigerator circuit and / or flows belonging to two separate coolers. As illustrated, the supply line 18 and return line 48 of the lowest tray 6 may pass through or via the collector 7 of the preceding (upper) tray. Similarly, the collectors 7 of the two trays (or more if applicable) may be integral so that they can be mounted or removed together from the enclosure 2, for example vertically.

[0072] In the embodiment of [Fig. 3], the first collector 7 of a first lower tray 6 is connected to the cryogenic cooler by a supply pipe 18 (through the collector 7 of the second upper tray). The first collector 7 supplies the heat exchangers 17 of the first tray via pipes 28 of respective transfer lines and recovers the cycle fluid which has circulated in the heat exchangers 17 of this first plate 6 then directs this fluid towards the second collector 7 of the second upper plate 5. This second collector 7 supplies the heat exchangers 17 of the second plate 5 (transfer lines) and recovers the cycle fluid (return lines 38) before returning it to the cooler (return line 48).

[0073] The embodiment of [Fig.4] differs from that of [Fig.3] only in that the cycle fluid which has circulated in the heat exchangers 17 of the first plate 6 is then sent directly respectively into the heat exchangers 17 of the first plate (via connecting pipes 248 without passing through the collector 7 of the second plate 5).

[0074] That is to say that in these two embodiments, the collector 7 or the heat exchangers 17 of a second plate 5 are supplied with relatively hotter cycle fluid having already circulated in at least one heat exchanger 17 and / or collector of a first plate 6 (relatively colder). The same cycle fluid flow is therefore used to cool two plates 5, 6 in series.

[0075] Thus, this makes it possible to bring cycle fluid first to a first set of heat exchangers 17 intended to be cooled to a first temperature and then to transfer cycle fluid having circulated in the first set of heat exchangers 17 to a second set of heat exchangers 7 intended to be cooled to a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

[0076] Thus, two separate collectors 7 and plates 5, 6 can be cooled to respective temperatures which can be different via the same cycle fluid flow.

[0077] This can of course be adapted for more than two trays.

[0078] The cycle fluid circulating in the supply line 18 and / or in the supply line return 48 is in liquid, gaseous or supercritical form, the state of the fluid in the supply line 18 may be different from the state in the return line 48.

[0079] Just as for the collectors 7 of several trays, the heat exchangers 17 of the same tray or of separate trays can, if necessary, be mechanically connected to each other by a set of conduits of the cycle fluid circuit 8 ensuring the circulation of the cycle fluid to or from the heat exchangers. This makes it possible to mount the assembly in the enclosure 2 in a single operation.

[0080] Heat exchangers 17 and / or collectors 7 can be mechanically connected to each other only by the set of pipes of the cycle fluid circuit 8.

[0081] The invention is not limited to the examples described or illustrated comprising one or two trays.

[0082] The shape of the trays illustrated (circular) is not limiting (any other shape, for example polygonal, can be considered).

[0083] The device 1 may comprise more than two plates distributed according to a distribution direction in the enclosure 2 and forming thermal stages. These plates may be cooled to respective determined temperatures, for example decreasing in the distribution direction.

[0084] [Fig. 11] schematically illustrates a variant with four collectors. The first collector 7 at the lower end receives a cycle fluid flow from the supply pipe 18 and distributes it in parallel to two heat exchangers 17 via transfer pipes 18. These two exchangers then return the fluid to it via return pipes 38. The first collector 7 then sends this cycle fluid flow to a second collector 7 above via a connecting pipe 148. The second collector 7 distributes it in parallel to two heat exchangers 17 via transfer pipes 18. These two exchangers 17 then return the fluid to it via return pipes 38. The second collector 7 then sends this cycle fluid flow to a third collector 7 above via a connecting pipe 148. This third collector 7 then distributes the fluid in parallel to two heat exchangers 17 via transfer pipes 18.These two exchangers 17 then return the fluid to it via return pipes 38. This third collector returns the cycle fluid to the cooler via a return pipe 48. The fourth collector receives a flow of cycle fluid from another supply pipe 18 and distributes it in parallel to two associated heat exchangers 17 via transfer pipes 18. These two heat exchangers 17 then return the fluid to it via return pipes 38. This fourth collector 7 then returns the cycle fluid to the cooler via another return pipe 48.

[0085] The trays can be spaced from each other via supports or spacers, for example made of composite material.

[0086] At least one of the trays can be connected to a thermal screen (set of wall(s)) forming a volume encompassing at least one following tray. The tray and the corresponding screen encompass the following trays and screens according to a distribution direction. That is to say that the trays and screens can be nested in the manner of “nesting” pieces.

[0087] In the operating configuration, the cover 3 can be at ambient temperature (at least for its outer face) and the inner trays in the enclosure 2 can be cooled to decreasing temperatures (for example respectively to 90K, 50K, 10K and 3K in the case of four trays).

[0088] As schematically illustrated in [Fig. 14], at least one of the heat exchangers 17 described above can be used to exchange heat with another fluid of the installation, for example to cool this other fluid. For example, the heat exchanger is put into heat exchange, for example with another heat exchanger 19 receiving a flow of hotter fluid to be cooled, for example He3 or a He3-He4 mixture. As illustrated, the two exchangers can be placed side by side and / or arranged on either side of a plate and / or a tray.

Claims

Claims

1. Cryogenic refrigeration device comprising an enclosure (2) delimiting a vacuum-sealed volume closed by a cover (3), the device (1) comprising at least one cryogenic cooler (4) mounted through the cover (3) and having a first portion located outside the enclosure (2) and a second portion located inside the enclosure (2), the cryogenic cooler (4) being of the type using a cold source of cryogenic cycle fluid such as helium, the device (1) comprising at least one thermally conductive plate (5, 6) intended to receive and cool a component, for example a set of cable(s), the at least one plate (5, 6) being cooled by a flow of cycle fluid via a cycle fluid circuit (8) supplying a set of heat exchanger(s) (7, 17) in heat exchange respectively with the plate (5, 6),characterized in that the cycle fluid circuit (8) has a cycle fluid supply line (18) first to a collector (7) mounted on the plate (5, 6), the cycle fluid circuit (8) having at least one transfer line (28) configured to transfer cycle fluid from the collector (7) to at least one heat exchanger (17) mounted on the same plate (5), the cycle fluid circuit (8) having at least one return line (38) configured to return fluid having circulated in the at least one heat exchanger (17) to the collector (7).,

2. Refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises several heat exchangers (17) mounted on the same plate (5, 6) and respective transfer pipes (28) for transferring cycle fluid from the collector (7) to the heat exchangers (17), the heat exchangers of the same plate (5) being supplied with cycle fluid in parallel from the supply pipe (18) via the collector (7).

3. Refrigeration device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fluid supply pipe (18) passes through the cover (3) at a support plate (9) sealingly closing a passage through the cover (3), the support plate (9), the collector (7) and the supply pipe (18) being mechanically connected to each other, forming a physical entity which can be mounted / dismounted relative to the enclosure (2), for example relative to the cover (3).

4. A refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 3, characterized in that the cycle fluid circuit (8) has a return pipe (48) connecting the collector (7) to a part of the refrigerator and configured to return the reheated cycle fluid having circulated in all or part of the heat exchanger assembly (7, 17).

5. Refrigeration device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the return line (48) passes through the cover (3) at the level of the support plate (9) and is also connected to the latter and to the collector (7).

6. Refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the collector (7) is a heat exchanger in heat exchange with the plate (5) and has an internal circuit (70) for circulating the cycle fluid in order to transfer cold power to the plate (5).

7. Refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the heat exchanger(s) (17) comprise or consist of at least one of: a plate mounted on or in a housing of the plate (5, 6), the plate having an internal circuit (70) for circulating the cycle fluid in order to transfer cold power to the plate (5), a cycle fluid circulation pipe submerged and winding in the thickness of the plate (5, 6).

8. Refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the heat exchanger(s) (17) are connected to the collector (7) via a set of removable fluid connections (171), for example at least at one end of the transfer pipe (28) and / or the return pipe (38).

9. Refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises several trays (5, 6) arranged in a distribution direction in the enclosure (2) and intended to be cooled to respective determined temperatures, at least two trays (5, 6) each comprise a collector (7) and at least one heat exchanger (17) connected to the collector (7) via a transfer pipe (18).

10. Refrigeration device according to claim 9, characterized in that the collectors (7) of at least two separate trays (5, 6) are supplied with cycle fluid by respective supply lines (18).

11. Refrigeration device according to claim 10, characterized in that that the collector (7) of a first plate (6) is supplied with cycle fluid by a fluid supply pipe (18), the collector (7) and / or the heat exchanger(s) (17) of a second plate (5) being supplied with cycle fluid having circulated in at least one exchanger and / or collector of the first plate (6) via a set of connecting pipes (148, 248).

12. Refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least a portion of the heat exchangers (17) is provided with at least one of: a temperature sensor (10) of the exchanger, a heating member (11) configured to regulate the temperature of the heat exchanger (17).

13. Refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the cycle fluid circuit (8) comprises one or more controllable valve(s) (13), for example at the level of at least one fluid supply pipe (38) and configured to regulate the cycle fluid flow rate, for example as a function of a setpoint and / or a measurement from a temperature sensor (10).

14. Refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least a part of the heat exchangers (17) and / or collector (7) are housed in respective corresponding housings formed in the respective trays (5, 6), a peripheral edge of the heat exchangers (17) and / or collector (7) being in contact with a mating edge of the respective heat exchangers (17) delimiting the housing.

15. Refrigeration device according to claim 14, characterized in that at least part of the set of heat exchangers (17) and / or collector (7) are mounted in the respective housings of the trays by being inserted into said housings with transverse and / or parallel displacement relative to the planes of the trays (5,6).

16. A refrigeration method using a device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a step of storing and / or producing a liquid cryogenic cycle fluid at the refrigerator (4), a step of circulating said cryogenic fluid in the enclosure (2) to the at least one collector (7) and from the collector (7) to the at least one heat exchanger (7, 17) to cool at least one tray, the method comprising a step of returning the reheated cycle fluid having circulated in at least one heat exchanger (7, 17) to a portion of the refrigerator (4) for cooling to restart a circulation cycle in the enclosure (2).

Images