Cryocooler and cryogenic system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cryocoolers experience a significant heat load and reduced cooling capacity due to direct exposure of ambient temperature refrigerant gas to the low-temperature section, leading to decreased condensing efficiency in refrigerant recondensing.

Innovation Solution

The cryocooler design incorporates a refrigerant gas introduction port oriented perpendicularly or obliquely with respect to the axial direction, diverting the refrigerant gas flow away from the cooling stage and regenerator tube, thereby reducing direct heat input and enhancing condensing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the refrigerant gas introduction port is oriented in the axial direction to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat input to the cooling stage increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidheat input to cooling stage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant gas introduction port is oriented obliquely or perpendicularly to the axial direction of the cryocooler, creating an asymmetric flow path that diverts the refrigerant gas away from the cooling stage. This asymmetric orientation prevents direct axial flow onto the cooling stage, thereby reducing heat input while maintaining structural feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The refrigerant gas introduction port is positioned to introduce gas from a different dimensional direction (radial or oblique direction) rather than purely axially. This dimensional change in flow introduction causes the gas to deviate from the cooling stage axis, reducing direct heat exposure while preserving structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the refrigerant gas flows directly onto the cooling stage to enhance heat exchange, then the condensing efficiency improves, but the cooling capacity of the cryocooler decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensing efficiencyVSAvoidcooling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerant gas flow path is segmented into distinct zones: an introduction zone where gas enters obliquely, a deviation zone where flow is redirected away from the cooling stage, and a condensing zone where gas is condensed without directly impacting the cooling stage. This segmentation allows condensing efficiency to improve while protecting cooling capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The oblique introduction port configuration acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the incoming refrigerant gas and the cooling stage. It redirects the gas flow through a controlled path that enables condensing efficiency while preventing direct heat load on the cooling stage, thus preserving cooling capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If the refrigerant gas introduction port is positioned to avoid the cooling stage, then the cooling capacity is maintained, but the condensing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidcondensing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the recondensing chamber are assigned different functional qualities: the area near the oblique introduction port is designed for flow deviation and gradual cooling, while the region around the cooling stage is optimized for condensing. This local quality differentiation allows the system to maintain cooling capacity while achieving condensing efficiency through spatially distributed heat exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration reduces heat input to the cooling stage and regenerator tube, improving the refrigerant condensing efficiency and maintaining the cooling capacity of the cryocooler.

Implementation Method 1

The refrigerant gas introduction port is perpendicularly or obliquely oriented with respect to an axial direction of the cryocooler so that a refrigerant gas flow exiting the refrigerant gas introduction port deviates from the cooling stage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow deviation:

Implementation Method 2

a cooling stage that is disposed inside the recondensing chamber when the attachment flange is attached to the recondensing chamber, and cooled to a cryogenic temperature which enables the refrigerant gas to be condensed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS11333408B2Cryocooler and cryogenic system

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

A cryocooler includes an attachment flange including a refrigerant gas introduction port through which refrigerant gas is introduced into a recondensing chamber from an ambient temperature environment, and attachable to the recondensing chamber, and a cooling stage that is disposed inside the recondensing chamber when the attachment flange is attached to the recondensing chamber. The refrigerant gas introduction port is perpendicularly or obliquely oriented with respect to an axial direction of the cryocooler so that a refrigerant gas flow exiting the refrigerant gas introduction port deviates from the cooling stage.