Cryocooler Buffer Volume Design for Faster Initial Cooldown
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Solution Overview
Problem
The initial cooling time of cryocoolers is lengthy, primarily due to the decrease in working gas pressure, which affects cooling capacity and prolongs the cooldown process.
Innovation Solution
A cryocooler system with a buffer volume, supply and collection valves, and a controller that adjusts these valves based on pressure sensor readings to maintain the high pressure line within a preset range, ensuring optimal working gas circulation and pressure during initial cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cryocooler operates without pressure regulation during initial cooling, then the system structure remains simple, but the working gas pressure decreases significantly, reducing cooling capacity and prolonging cooldown time
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer volume is pre-filled with working gas before the initial cooling process begins. During cooldown, this pre-stored gas acts as a pressure reservoir, automatically compensating for pressure drops without requiring active regulation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex pressure control systems while maintaining optimal cooling performance throughout the cooldown process.
2Reliability
If pressure regulation components are added to maintain working gas pressure, then cooling capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer volume functions as a self-regulating pressure reservoir that automatically maintains optimal working gas pressure during initial cooling. As pressure drops occur naturally during cooldown, the buffer volume passively supplies additional gas to maintain pressure without requiring external control systems, sensors, or active regulation mechanisms. This self-service approach ensures reliable cooling capacity while keeping the system structure simple.
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 approach significantly shortens the initial cooling time by regulating gas pressure, thereby enhancing the cooling capacity and efficiency of the cryocooler.
Implementation Method 1
an expander capable of executing initial cooling for cooling from an initial temperature to a cryogenic temperature
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor that measures a pressure of the high pressure line
Data Source
AI summary
A cryocooler includes: an expander capable of executing initial cooling for cooling from an initial temperature to a cryogenic temperature and a steady operation of maintaining the cryogenic temperature subsequent to the initial cooling; a high pressure line which is connected to the expander and through which a working gas taken into the expander flows; a low pressure line which is connected to the expander and through which a working gas exhausted from the expander flows; a pressure sensor that measures a pressure of the high pressure line; a buffer volume for storing the working gas; a supply valve that connects the buffer volume to the low pressure line; and a controller that controls the supply valve during the initial cooling based on the pressure of the high pressure line measured by the pressure sensor to keep the pressure of the high pressure line within a preset pressure range.