Cryogenic cooling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic cooling systems face challenges in maintaining accurate temperature control due to fluctuating heat loads, harsh environmental conditions such as strong magnetic fields and radiation, and the need for durable yet expensive temperature sensors, which also complicates maintenance and installation.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic cooling system design that includes a gas circulation source, cryocooler, and temperature sensors installed away from the object to be cooled, allowing for gas flow rate control based on measured temperatures to maintain efficient cooling while minimizing the impact of harsh environments and reducing maintenance downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is installed in the object to be cooled to monitor or control temperature, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the sensor is exposed to harsh environments (strong magnetic fields, cryogenic temperatures, radiation) causing decreased reliability and increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary temperature sensor installed in the cooling gas flow path rather than directly in the object to be cooled. This sensor measures the temperature of the cooling gas, which serves as an indirect indicator of the object's temperature. The intermediary sensor is exposed to a less harsh environment (cooling gas instead of strong magnetic field and radiation), thereby improving reliability while maintaining measurement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a temperature sensor that measures the cooling gas temperature as a proxy or copy of the object's temperature. Instead of directly measuring the object's temperature with a sensor exposed to harsh conditions, the system copies the temperature information through the cooling gas, allowing standard sensors to be used without direct exposure to magnetic fields and radiation
2Reliability
If a durable temperature sensor resistant to harsh environments is used, then reliability is improved, but the cost of the sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the cooling gas as an intermediary medium, the patent allows the use of standard, inexpensive temperature sensors instead of specialized sensors designed for harsh environments. The sensor measures the cooling gas temperature rather than being exposed to strong magnetic fields and radiation, enabling the use of cost-effective standard sensors while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the use of cheaper, standard temperature sensors by relocating them to a less harsh environment. These standard sensors are more cost-effective than specialized sensors designed for cryogenic and high-magnetic field environments, reducing overall system cost while maintaining adequate measurement capability through indirect measurement of cooling gas temperature
3Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is installed in the object to be cooled, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but maintenance becomes difficult and causes downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the cooling gas flow path as an intermediary location for the temperature sensor. The sensor is installed in the cooling gas circulation system where it can easily access temperature information without being embedded in the object to be cooled. This allows maintenance personnel to access and service the sensor through the cooling gas system rather than disassembling the object to be cooled, significantly improving maintenance accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the temperature sensor from the object to be cooled and relocates it to the cooling gas flow path. This separation allows the sensor to be maintained independently without affecting the object to be cooled, enabling easy removal, replacement, or servicing of the sensor while the object remains in operation, thereby improving ease of repair and reducing downtime
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cryocooler is disposed at a great distance from the object to be cooled, then system design flexibility is improved, but maintenance of both components together becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature sensor installation with the cryocooler location by placing the sensor in the cooling gas flow path near the cryocooler. This allows both the cryocooler and temperature sensor to be maintained together in the same location, improving maintenance workability. The cooling gas circulation system serves as the connecting medium, allowing the sensor to be positioned near the cryocooler while still monitoring the object to be cooled at a distance
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 enhances temperature control accuracy, reduces sensor failure risks, and simplifies maintenance by using less expensive sensors, while maintaining efficient cooling performance and improving workability.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling gas flow path provided around or inside an object to be cooled for causing the cooling gas to flow therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a cryocooler including a cryocooler stage that cools the cooling gas
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A cryogenic cooling system 10 includes a gas circulation source 12; a cryocooler 22 including a cryocooler stage 28 that cools the cooling gas; an obj ect-to-be-cooled gas flow path 18; a gas supply line 16 that supplies a cooling gas from the gas circulation source 12 via the cryocooler stage 28 to the object-to-be-cooled gas flow path 18; a gas recovery line 20 that recovers the cooling gas from the object-to-be-cooled gas flow path 18 to the gas circulation source 12; at least one temperature sensor 38 that is installed at a measurement location away from the object-to-be-cooled gas flow path 18 along the gas supply line 16 and/or a measurement location installed away from the object-to-be-cooled gas flow path 18 along the gas recovery line 20; and a gas flow rate control unit 42 that controls the gas circulation source 12 so as to adjust a flow rate of the cooling gas flowing through the object-to-be-cooled gas flow path 18 in accordance with a measured temperature at at least one measurement location by the temperature sensor 38.