Cryogenic Cold Link with Multiple Coolers to Reduce Thermal Stress
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large imaging detectors with higher resolutions and complex read out integrated circuits in infrared cameras generate more heat, requiring increased cooling power, but existing solutions with larger cryogenic coolers face challenges due to size, weight, and input power limitations, and inefficient cryo-switches complicate systems when using multiple coolers.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic cold link system with multiple cold fingers connected to a planar platform, where each cold finger is fluidly coupled to a cryocooler, and the second cold finger includes a flexure region to mitigate thermal stresses and absorb thermal energy, allowing for thermal energy transfer and cooling without the need for cryo-switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If larger cryogenic coolers are used to increase cooling power, then cooling performance is improved, but size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cooling system into multiple separate cryogenic coolers (first cryogenic cooler and second cryogenic cooler), each connected to its own cold finger. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high total cooling power without requiring a single large, heavy cooler, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling power and weight.
2Power
If multiple cryogenic coolers are used to increase cooling power, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to cryo-switches
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple cold fingers and their associated cryogenic coolers into a single integrated cold link assembly that connects to one detector. This consolidation eliminates the need for complex cryo-switches to manage multiple separate cooling paths, reducing device complexity while maintaining high cooling power through the combined operation of multiple coolers.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connections are used between cold fingers and platform, then structural stability is improved, but thermal stresses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the mechanical parameter of the cold finger connections by introducing flexure regions that allow controlled movement. This parameter change enables the system to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction differences between components, reducing thermal stresses while maintaining structural stability through the flexure mechanisms.
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 system effectively increases cooling performance by thermally combining multiple cryogenic coolers, reducing size and weight, and minimizing thermal stresses, while maintaining efficient heat removal from imaging detectors, suitable for applications with space and weight constraints.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting the thermal energy through the platform and into multiple cold fingers
Implementation Method 2
The second cold finger has a flexure region at the end portion
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a substantially planar platform. The device also includes a detector connected to the platform. The device further includes multiple cold fingers including a first cold finger and a second cold finger. Each cold finger has an end portion connected to the platform. Each cold finger is configured to be fluidly coupled to a corresponding cryocooler. Each cold finger is configured to absorb thermal energy generated by the detector. The second cold finger has a flexure region at the end portion.