Cryocooler Cooldown Method Using Dynamic High-Pressure Line Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryocoolers face challenges in shortening cooldown time from room temperature to cryogenic temperatures, as existing methods are inefficient in optimizing refrigerant gas volume and compressor operation frequency for rapid cooling.
Innovation Solution
The method involves increasing the volume of the high pressure line during cooldown, controlling the compressor operation frequency based on pressure or differential pressure, and then decreasing the volume once the cryogenic temperature is reached to maintain the cold head at that temperature, utilizing a buffer volume that connects and disconnects as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the volume of the high pressure line is increased during cooldown, then the cooling capacity is improved and cooldown time is shortened, but the device complexity increases due to the buffer volume component
Solution Approach 1:
The high pressure line volume is dynamically adjusted during operation. A buffer volume is connected to the high pressure line during cooldown to increase volume and improve cooling capacity, then disconnected after cooldown to return to normal operation configuration. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize performance for different operational phases without permanently increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer volume is pre-configured and connected before the cooldown process begins. By having the additional volume ready in advance, the system can immediately utilize the increased cooling capacity when needed, rather than having to modify the system structure during the cooldown process itself.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor operation frequency is controlled based on pressure during cooldown, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor operation frequency is controlled based on feedback from pressure sensors that monitor the high pressure line pressure. The control system adjusts the compressor frequency in response to pressure conditions, optimizing cooling efficiency during the cooldown process. This feedback mechanism allows automatic adaptation to changing system conditions without requiring complex manual control.
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 cooldown time of the cryocooler, enhancing its cooling capacity and efficiency during the process, particularly suitable for conduction cooling methods.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the cold head from the room temperature to a cryogenic temperature
Implementation Method 2
a compressor, a cold head, a high pressure line through which a refrigerant gas is supplied from the compressor to the cold head
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a starting method for a cryocooler, the cryocooler including a compressor, a cold head, a high pressure line, and a low pressure line, the method including increasing a volume of the high pressure line when the cold head is at a room temperature, cooling the cold head from the room temperature to a cryogenic temperature while controlling an operation frequency of the compressor based on a pressure of the high pressure line or a differential pressure between the high pressure line and the low pressure line, after the volume of the high pressure line has been increased, decreasing the volume of the high pressure line after the cold head has been cooled to the cryogenic temperature, and maintaining the cold head at the cryogenic temperature after the volume of the high pressure line has been decreased.