Cryogenic cooling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic cooling systems face challenges in shortening the initial cooling time of objects, such as superconducting electromagnets, from room temperature to target cooling temperatures, as existing systems often require extended periods due to suboptimal cooling gas flow rate management.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic cooling system that employs a control device to manage the cooling gas flow rate according to a predetermined pattern, switching from a higher initial average flow rate to a lower average flow rate after a transition timing, thereby increasing the cooling capacity and reducing the initial cooling time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a constant high flow rate is maintained throughout initial cooling, then cooling speed is improved, but cooling capacity decreases due to insufficient heat exchange time
Solution Approach 1:
The gas circulation source dynamically adjusts the flow rate of cooling gas based on real-time temperature feedback. During early cooling stages when temperature difference is large, higher flow rates are applied for rapid cooling. As the system approaches target temperature, the flow rate is automatically reduced to allow sufficient heat exchange time, thereby maintaining optimal cooling capacity throughout the cooling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (flow rate) of the cooling gas based on the cooling stage and temperature conditions. By varying the flow rate parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a constant value, the system optimizes both cooling speed and cooling capacity at different phases of the cooling process.
2Productivity
If feedback control is implemented to optimize flow rate, then cooling efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by using temperature sensors to monitor the temperature of the object being cooled and using this information to adjust the flow rate of cooling gas through the gas circulation source. This closed-loop control optimizes cooling efficiency by automatically adapting to changing thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically regulates the cooling process based on temperature feedback without requiring manual intervention. The gas circulation source self-adjusts the flow rate according to the cooling stage and temperature difference, enabling the system to optimize its own performance autonomously.
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 allows for more efficient cooling of objects, reducing the initial cooling time while maintaining or enhancing the cooling capacity, and simplifies the control system by eliminating the need for feedback control, thereby reducing complexity and potential failure risks.
Implementation Method 1
a cryocooler including a cryocooler stage that cools the cooling gas
Implementation Method 2
a cooling gas flow path that causes a cooling gas to flow from the gas circulation source via the cryocooler stage and the object to be cooled to the gas circulation source
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic cooling system includes a gas circulation source; a cryocooler that cools a cooling gas; a cooling gas flow path that causes a cooling gas to flow from the gas circulation source to the object to be cooled; and a control device that controls the gas circulation source so as to execute initial cooling of the object to be cooled according to a prescribed flow rate pattern. The prescribed flow rate pattern is predetermined such that the cooling gas flows through the cooling gas flow path at a first average flow rate, and the cooling gas flows through the cooling gas flow path at a second average flow rate. The second average flow rate is smaller than the first average flow rate such that the cooling capacity of the cryogenic cooling system is increased.