Dual-Layer Cryogenic Chamber for Ultra-Low Impact Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cryogenic chambers for impact testing face challenges in efficiently cooling specimens to ultra-low temperatures, such as 20K, due to significant heat loss and high manufacturing and maintenance costs associated with vacuum chambers.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic chamber design featuring a rectangular container with a dual-layer sidewall structure, where a first cooling medium is supplied to a secondary space for thermal insulation, and a second cooling medium is continuously supplied to the primary space to cool the specimen, using liquefied nitrogen and liquefied helium respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a vacuum chamber is used to reduce heat loss, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal insulation layer as an intermediary substance between the inner and outer walls of the chamber. This insulation layer acts as a mediator that reduces heat transfer without requiring a vacuum environment, thereby achieving thermal insulation performance while avoiding the high costs associated with vacuum chamber manufacturing and maintenance.
2Temperature
If liquid nitrogen is used for cooling, then cooling capability is improved, but cooling limit is restricted to -196°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling process into two distinct stages using different cooling media. The first stage uses liquid nitrogen to achieve rapid cooling to -196°C, and the second stage uses liquid hydrogen to further cool the specimen from -196°C to -253°C. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the temperature limitation of individual cooling media and achieve ultra-low temperature cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses liquid nitrogen as an intermediary cooling medium in the first stage to pre-cool the specimen and chamber before introducing liquid hydrogen. This intermediary cooling approach enables the system to safely and effectively transition to the lower temperature range of liquid hydrogen, achieving the desired ultra-low temperature of -253°C.
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 design effectively cools specimens to cryogenic temperatures while significantly reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs, enabling impact testing in ultra-low temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first cooling medium is supplied to the second space, thereby blocking heat transfer between the first space and the outside
Implementation Method 2
when a temperature of the test piece (that is, specimen) is lowered by cooling the specimen through vaporized liquid nitrogen
Implementation Method 3
a second cooling medium is supplied to the first space, thereby cooling the specimen
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cryogenic chamber for impact testing, which comprises in one aspect a container having a sidewall formed by at least two layers and an upper side opened, wherein the sidewall includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall shaped to surround the first sidewall, the first sidewall partitions a first space in which a specimen may be arranged, the second space partitions a second space to perform thermal insulation treatment between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the second space has a structure in which the upper side is closed, and a first cooling medium is continuously supplied to the second space, thereby blocking heat transfer between the first space and the outside, while a second cooling medium is continuously supplied to the first space, thereby cooling the specimen.