Cryogenic cooling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic cooling systems face challenges in efficient installation and thermalization due to manufacturing tolerances, leading to misaligned components and reduced thermal performance, which complicates the setup and operation of complex low-temperature experiments.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic cooling system design featuring a primary and secondary insert with adjustable members that allow for conductive thermal contact between plates, accommodating misalignments and enabling self-supporting configurations for easier assembly and disassembly, thereby simplifying the installation process and improving thermal communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modular inserts are used to accommodate growing experimental services, then adaptability and ease of installation are improved, but manufacturing tolerances accumulate causing misaligned joints and poor thermalisation
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting members are designed with adjustable characteristics, allowing dynamic modification of the insert structure during assembly. This enables compensation for accumulated manufacturing tolerances by adjusting the position and orientation of modular components to achieve proper alignment and thermal contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing geometric parameters of the modular inserts and connecting members during assembly. By adjusting dimensions, positions, and orientations of components, the system compensates for manufacturing variations and achieves the required alignment precision for thermal contact between plates.
2Reliability
If extensive adjustments are made to achieve proper thermalisation, then thermal contact is improved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting members are designed to automatically facilitate thermal contact between plates through their adjustable characteristics. The system enables operators to achieve proper thermalisation more easily by providing built-in adjustment mechanisms that guide the assembly process and reduce the need for complex external adjustment procedures.
3Ease of operation
If modular inserts are made demountable for easier assembly and disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but structural stability and thermal contact reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting members incorporate adjustable characteristics that allow the demountable insert structure to dynamically adapt during assembly. This ensures that even though the insert is demountable, the thermal contact reliability is maintained through real-time adjustment of connection parameters during the assembly process.
4Manufacturing precision
If manufacturing tolerances are tightened to improve alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than requiring tight manufacturing tolerances, the system uses adjustable connecting members that allow post-manufacturing alignment. This dynamic adjustment capability compensates for standard manufacturing tolerances, achieving the required alignment precision without increasing manufacturing stringency.
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 reduces the need for extensive adjustments, enhances thermal conductance, and allows for modular upgrades and remote assembly of experimental services, increasing efficiency and reducing experimental downtime by facilitating better thermal contact and alignment between components.
Implementation Method 1
the adjustment members cause the primary and secondary contact surfaces of the respective primary and secondary plates to be brought into conductive thermal contact
Data Source
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AI summary
A cryogenic cooling system is provided comprising a primary insert (118) and a demountable secondary insert (128). The primary insert (118) comprises a plurality of primary plates (111, 112), each primary plate having a primary contact surface, and one or more primary connecting members (117) arranged so as to connect the plurality of primary plates (111, 112). The demountable secondary insert (128) comprises a plurality of secondary plates (121, 122), each secondary plate having a secondary contact surface, and one or more secondary connecting members (127) arranged so as to connect the plurality of secondary plates (121, 122) such that the secondary insert (128) is self-supporting. One or more adjustment members are configured such that, when the secondary insert (128) is mounted to the primary insert (118), the adjustment members cause the primary and secondary contact surfaces of the respective primary (111, 112) and secondary plates (121, 122) to be brought into conductive thermal contact.