Cryocooler-Based Superconducting Gravity Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low-temperature superconducting devices for measuring gravity require periodic supplementation of liquid helium, leading to high costs, complex operation, and limited long-term standalone operation due to heat leakage and large volume, making them unsuitable for various field environments.
Innovation Solution
A low-temperature superconducting device utilizing a cryocooler to maintain a low-temperature environment, featuring a cryocooler, anti-radiation barrel, rotor chamber, superconducting rotor, levitation coils, electrodes, and a magnetic shielding chamber, where the superconducting rotor is levitated and displaced feedback currents adjust levitation forces to measure gravity changes, enabling long-term operation and use in diverse environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid helium cooling technique is used, then low-temperature superconducting environment is achieved, but periodic supplementation is required due to heat leakage and volatilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cooling parameter from liquid helium (requiring periodic replenishment) to a cryocooler system (providing continuous cooling). This parameter change enables long-term standalone operation by eliminating the need for periodic liquid helium supplementation while maintaining the low-temperature superconducting environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical liquid helium cooling system with a cryocooler-based mechanical cooling system. This substitution eliminates the need for liquid helium handling, storage, and periodic replenishment, thereby achieving reliable long-term standalone operation in field environments.
2Temperature
If liquid helium cooling technique is used, then low-temperature superconducting environment is achieved, but operation becomes complex and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex liquid helium cooling system with a more operationally simple cryocooler system. The cryocooler eliminates the need for liquid helium handling, storage, and periodic replenishment procedures, significantly reducing operational complexity and making the device more suitable for field use.
3Temperature
If liquid helium cooling technique is used, then low-temperature superconducting environment is achieved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cooling system parameter from liquid helium (requiring large storage volume) to a compact cryocooler system. This parameter change reduces the overall device volume by eliminating the need for large liquid helium storage tanks and associated infrastructure.
4Temperature
If liquid helium cooling technique is used, then low-temperature superconducting environment is achieved, but cost increases due to periodic supplementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the liquid helium cooling system with a cryocooler system, eliminating the need for continuous liquid helium consumption. This substitution dramatically reduces operational costs by removing the requirement for periodic liquid helium purchase, handling, and replenishment.
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 device achieves long-term standalone operation and improved accuracy in measuring gravity changes, reducing operational complexity and costs while being suitable for various field environments by using a cryocooler to maintain low temperatures and leveraging feedback currents to stabilize the superconducting rotor.
Implementation Method 1
the superconducting rotor is levitated by the upper levitation coil and the lower levitation coil
Implementation Method 2
the secondary coldhead of a cryocooler is able to reach a temperature below 4K
Implementation Method 3
Low-temperature superconducting devices for measuring gravity designed by taking advantages of low-temperature superconducting magnetic shielding property
Data Source
AI summary
A low-temperature superconducting device for measuring gravity, includes a low-temperature container, a cryocooler, a rotor chamber, a superconducting rotor, an upper levitation coil, a lower levitation coil, an upper electrode, an intermediate electrode, a lower electrode, a magnetic shielding chamber and a superconducting quantum interference device. By cooling the whole low-temperature superconducting device using a cryocooler, the intermediate electrode disposed in the body of the magnetic shielding chamber will generate an output voltage when the superconducting rotor is displaced due to a change of gravity. Thus, the superconducting quantum interference device can make the superconducting rotor return to the central balance position by adjusting the operating current of the upper levitation coil or the lower levitation coil. A change of gravity can be determined based on the operating current fed back to the upper levitation coil or the lower levitation coil.