Accelerator Cavity Cooling Rings for Low-Resistance Cryogenic Cooldown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conduction cooling methods for accelerator cavities face issues with thermal contact resistance due to material shrinkage and oxide formation, leading to prolonged cooldown times and performance degradation from magnetic fields.
Innovation Solution
A conduction cooling system using niobium cooling rings and copper conduction links with specific connection assemblies, along with a thermal switch and forced convective gas flow, to maintain mechanical pressure and reduce thermal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If aluminum links are used for conduction cooling, then thermal conductivity is high, but thermal contact resistance increases due to material shrinkage and oxide formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the conduction cooling link from aluminum to copper, exploiting copper's superior thermal conductivity and resistance to oxide formation. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining low thermal contact resistance while achieving fast cooldown times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction with copper conduction links combined with specific connection assemblies. This composite approach optimizes both thermal performance and mechanical reliability, resolving the contradiction between cooldown speed and thermal contact stability.
2Reliability
If pressure retention devices such as disc springs are used, then mechanical pressure is maintained, but magnetic fields are introduced causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful disc spring component from the system, replacing it with a magnetic-field-compatible pressure retention mechanism. This elimination of the harmful element resolves the contradiction by maintaining mechanical pressure without introducing magnetic interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that provides mechanical pressure retention without magnetic properties. This intermediary replaces the problematic disc spring, resolving the contradiction between pressure maintenance and magnetic field avoidance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates faster cooldown times and reduces magnetic interference, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of accelerator cavities.
Implementation Method 1
selecting the materials in the at least one connection assembly to experience greater thermal contraction than the cooling ring and the conduction link when cooled
Implementation Method 2
a circulator configured to force gas through the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
The series of interconnected cooling tubes are connected to the cavity via one of brazing and welding
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for bolted joint conduction cooling of accelerator cavities comprises a conduction cooling system. The conduction cooling system comprises mounting at least one cooling ring to a cavity and a conduction link joined to the cooling ring with at least one connection assembly. The materials in the at least one connection assembly can be selected to experience greater thermal contraction than the cooling ring and the conduction link when cooled. A fast conduction cooling system can comprise a cryocooler in thermal communication with a conduction cooling apparatus affixed to a cavity via a conduction path and a thermal switch in the conduction path between the cryocooler and the conduction cooling apparatus wherein a thermal conductance of the thermal switch decreases as a function of temperature.