Composite Tensile Support Bands for Compact Cryostat Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tensile support bands for concentric vessels in cryogenic applications are bulky and complex due to high aspect ratio cross-sections, making them susceptible to bending loads and requiring large mounting points, which limits space efficiency and increases costs in applications like superconducting magnet cryostats.
Innovation Solution
A low aspect ratio tensile support band with a reduced width and increased thickness, combined with a simple hook-style mounting point, allowing for compact installation and reduced sensitivity to bending loads, while maintaining the required tensile strength and diameter-to-thickness ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high aspect ratio tensile support bands are used to achieve high tensile strength, then strength is improved, but device complexity and mounting point size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the tensile support band by reducing the aspect ratio (width-to-thickness ratio) from conventional high values (>10) to lower values (1-5). This parameter change allows the band to be less sensitive to bending loads while maintaining sufficient tensile strength through optimized cross-sectional area and material properties, thereby simplifying the mounting point design and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes composite materials with optimized fiber reinforcement to achieve high tensile strength in bands with reduced aspect ratio. The composite material properties compensate for the reduced geometric advantage, allowing lower aspect ratio bands to maintain required strength levels without requiring complex mounting arrangements.
2Strength
If high aspect ratio tensile support bands are used to achieve high tensile strength, then strength is improved, but the minimum separation between concentric vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the aspect ratio parameter from high to low, the invention reduces the height required for mounting points while maintaining tensile strength through optimized cross-sectional area. This allows the tensile support band system to fit within smaller gaps between concentric vessels, reducing the minimum separation distance required in cryogenic applications.
3Reliability
If conventional mounting points with bearing arrangements are used to support misalignment, then reliability is improved, but mounting point height and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the tensile support band (reducing aspect ratio) to inherently reduce sensitivity to bending loads from misalignment. This parameter change allows for simpler mounting point designs without bearing arrangements, as the low aspect ratio band geometry itself provides tolerance to misalignment through reduced bending sensitivity.
4Device complexity
If low aspect ratio tensile support bands are used to reduce mounting point size, then device complexity is reduced, but tensile strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the cross-sectional area and material properties of low aspect ratio bands to compensate for the reduced geometric advantage. By carefully selecting the thickness and width dimensions along with high-strength composite materials, the tensile strength requirement is met while maintaining the simplified low aspect ratio geometry and simple mounting points.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of high-performance composite materials with optimized fiber orientation and reinforcement provides the necessary tensile strength in low aspect ratio bands. The material properties compensate for the reduced geometric efficiency, allowing simple mounting designs to support the required loads.
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
The solution enables a 60% reduction in mounting point height, improved space efficiency, and reduced bending moments on vessels, along with cost savings and simplified installation, without compromising tensile strength or thermal properties.
Implementation Method 1
the support structure conducts very little heat... made of fibre-reinforced composite materials... very low thermal conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A support system comprising a number of racetrack-shaped tensile support bands held in tension between a supported article and a supporting article, respective curved end portions of each tensile support band being retained by respective mounting points mounted on respective surfaces of the supported article and the supporting article, respectively. At least one of the tensile support bands is arranged so that the curved end portions lie in a plane substantially parallel to the surface upon which the respective mounting point is mounted; and at least one mounting point is a monolithic mounting point having a curved surface which is complementary to an inner curved surface of an end of the tensile support band.