Connecting structure for superconducting device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic cooling apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a stable cryogenic state due to difficulties in quickly installing and replacing sensors without compromising the vacuum state, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A connecting structure with a separate sensor port and purge port allows for the easy separation and installation of sensors within the cryogenic cooling apparatus, preventing external air and moisture ingress and maintaining the vacuum state, while a corrugate tube on the pipe part minimizes heat conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is installed on the surface of the refrigerant container, then the temperature can be measured to estimate the refrigerant and object temperature, but when the sensor malfunctions it requires releasing the vacuum state of the entire system for repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vacuum insulation part into multiple separate vacuum containers (first vacuum container and second vacuum container) with independent vacuum states. The temperature sensor is installed in the first vacuum container, allowing its vacuum state to be independently managed. When sensor maintenance is needed, only the first vacuum container needs to be depressurized, not the entire system, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining measurement capability and minimizing system downtime.
2Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is directly installed on the object or refrigerant, then direct temperature measurement is achieved, but thermal invasion through the connection wire occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the refrigerant container surface as an intermediary medium. Instead of directly connecting the temperature sensor to the object or refrigerant (which would cause thermal invasion through wires), the sensor measures the temperature of the refrigerant container surface, which thermally equilibrates with the refrigerant. This indirect measurement approach eliminates thermal invasion while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Productivity
If a separate sensor port is provided for sensor installation, then sensor maintenance can be performed without releasing the entire vacuum system, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vacuum insulation system into multiple independent vacuum containers, each with its own vacuum state and sensor port. This segmentation allows the sensor port to be accessible from the outside while maintaining independent vacuum control. The modular structure, though more complex than a single vacuum container, enables high-speed sensor replacement without system-wide vacuum disruption, achieving net productivity improvement.
4Ease of repair
If the vacuum state is released for sensor repair, then the sensor can be accessed and replaced, but external air and moisture flow into the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a segmented vacuum system where the first vacuum container housing the sensor can be independently depressurized through its dedicated sensor port. This segmentation confines air and moisture ingress to only the first vacuum container during sensor maintenance, protecting the rest of the system (including the second vacuum container and refrigerant) from contamination while maintaining sensor accessibility.
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
Enables quick maintenance of sensors without disrupting the entire system's vacuum state, reducing downtime and costs, and maintaining the superconductivity condition of the superconducting cable.
Implementation Method 1
a corrugate tube on the pipe part minimizes heat conduction
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum insulation part may be provided at an outer side of the cooling part for vacuum insulation
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connecting structure for a superconductive device serving as a cryogenic cooling apparatus, which is capable of stably maintaining a cryogenic condition by quickly separating and installing a sensor included in the connecting structure for a superconducting device connected to a superconducting cable for maintenance by releasing a vacuum state of only a region of the connecting structure other than the whole connecting structure.