Cryogenic cooling system with vent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic cooling systems face safety risks due to high pressure build-ups caused by frozen contaminants, which can lead to system damage or operator safety hazards, and existing solutions rely on user-installed vents that may not be practical for all sample probes.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic cooling system with a vent extending along the outside of the vessel, featuring a pressure relief element that opens to release gas when internal pressure exceeds a safety threshold, providing a safety mechanism independent of the sample probe and allowing for more flexible use with various probes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing member is provided to prevent ingress of contaminants, then the sealing performance is improved, but the risk of pressure build-up increases when contaminants do enter and freeze
Solution Approach 1:
A vent is introduced as an intermediary component between the vessel interior and exterior environment. The vent includes a vent channel with a vent inlet positioned at the warm end and a vent outlet positioned at the cold end, allowing controlled gas flow to prevent pressure build-up while maintaining the sealing member's integrity for normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by introducing a pressure relief mechanism that activates when pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The vent channel allows gas to flow through when pressure differential exceeds the threshold, transitioning from a completely sealed state to a pressure-relief state
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a vent is coupled to the sample probe by radiation baffles, then pressure relief is achieved, but the device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vent is merged with the vessel structure itself rather than being a separate component attached to the sample probe. The vent channel is formed as an integral part of the vessel wall or as a separate but structurally integrated component, eliminating the need for separate vent assemblies on each sample probe
Solution Approach 2:
The vent structure serves multiple functions: it provides pressure relief, maintains thermal gradient through strategic inlet/outlet positioning, and can be integrated with the vessel's existing structural components. This universal design works with different sample probe configurations without requiring probe-specific modifications
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent inlet is positioned at the cold end, then pressure relief is effective, but thermal contamination and heat ingress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vent channel is designed with different thermal characteristics at different locations. The vent inlet is positioned at the warm end where heat ingress is acceptable, while the vent outlet is positioned at the cold end where gas discharge occurs. The channel itself is designed to minimize thermal conduction, creating local quality differences that optimize both pressure relief and thermal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The vent channel extends along the longitudinal axis of the vessel from the warm end to the cold end, utilizing the thermal gradient dimension. By positioning the inlet at the warm end and outlet at the cold end, the system uses the temperature differential along the vessel's length to achieve pressure relief while minimizing heat transfer to the cold region
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 prevents dangerous pressure build-ups by allowing gas to escape externally, ensuring safety and flexibility in probe selection, while also optimizing space within the vessel for other components.
Implementation Method 1
one or more cooling members thermally coupled to the vessel so as to produce a thermal gradient along the longitudinal axis of the vessel
Implementation Method 2
the pressure relief element is configured to open and close said pathway in dependence on the pressure within the vessel such that, when the pressure of a gas inside the vessel exceeds a safety threshold, the pressure relief element is opened so as to enable a flow of said gas from the inside of the vessel to the environment external to the vessel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A cryogenic cooling system is provided having a vessel, the vessel comprising extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a sample probe movable along the longitudinal axis. One or more cooling members are thermally coupled to the vessel so as to produce a thermal gradient along the longitudinal axis of the vessel. A vent extends along the outside of the vessel and is configured to provide a pathway for a flow of gas from an inlet of the vent to an outlet of the vent. The inlet is in gaseous communication with the inside of the vessel and the outlet is in gaseous communication an environment external to the vessel. The inlet is arranged at a position along the vessel configured to obtain a temperature below 63 kelvin during operation of the one or more cooling members, and the outlet is arranged at a position configured to maintain a temperature above 273 kelvin when the outlet has a temperature below 63 kelvin. The vent further comprises a pressure relief element configured to open and close said pathway in dependence on the pressure within the vessel such that, when the pressure of a gas inside the vessel exceeds a safety threshold, the pressure relief element is opened so as to enable a flow of said gas from the inside of the vessel to the environment external to the vessel.