Cold Shield Support Structure for Cryogenic Sensor Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold shield technologies for sensor systems at cryogenic temperatures often cause thermal and mechanical distortion, leading to inefficiencies and mechanical stress on the sensor platform.
Innovation Solution
A cold shield system with a support structure that maintains a separation between the cold shield and the sensor platform, allowing only desired radiation to reach the sensor while providing thermal and mechanical protection, and enabling direct cooling of the cold shield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the cold shield is positioned close to the sensor platform for effective shielding, then the shielding effectiveness is improved, but thermal and mechanical distortion occurs on the sensor platform
Solution Approach 1:
A support structure serves as an intermediary element between the cold shield and the sensor platform. This support structure maintains a controlled separation distance that prevents direct thermal and mechanical contact while still allowing the cold shield to provide effective radiation shielding. The support structure acts as a mediator that transmits minimal thermal and mechanical stress while maintaining the shielding function.
2Device complexity
If the cold shield is supported directly by the sensor platform, then the structural support is simplified, but the sensor platform size increases and mechanical stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into separate components: a support structure that holds the cold shield and a sensor platform that supports the sensor system. This segmentation allows the cold shield to be supported independently from the sensor platform, enabling the sensor platform to be reduced in size while still providing necessary support and maintaining mechanical stability.
3Temperature
If the cold shield is cooled to cryogenic temperatures for sensor system performance, then the sensor system cooling effectiveness is improved, but mechanical contraction distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as a mechanical intermediary that decouples the thermal contraction of the cold shield from the sensor platform. As the cold shield contracts during cooling, the support structure absorbs and accommodates this contraction through its flexible or compliant design, preventing the distortion from being transmitted to the sensor platform while maintaining the cryogenic temperature environment.
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
This solution reduces thermal and mechanical influence on the sensor platform, allows for a smaller sensor platform design, and prevents mechanical distortion due to cooling contraction, while ensuring effective thermal protection and direct cooling paths.
Implementation Method 1
The cold shield allows first radiation to reach the sensor system and prevents second radiation from reaching the sensor system
Implementation Method 2
The separation may thermally protect the sensor platform and thus the sensor system from the thermal influence of the cold shield
Implementation Method 3
the cold shield support may provide a direct cooling path to cool the cold shield
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a system may include a sensor platform, a cold shield, and a support system. The sensor platform supports a sensor system. The cold shield allows first radiation to reach the sensor system and prevents second radiation from reaching the sensor system. The support system is coupled to the cold shield and the platform, and supports the cold shield and maintains a separation between the cold shield and the platform.