Cryogenic Cooling Gas Flow Control with Remote Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic cooling systems face challenges in maintaining accurate temperature control and durability of temperature sensors in harsh environments, such as strong magnetic fields and radiation, which can lead to downtime and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic cooling system design that includes a temperature sensor installed in the cryocooler stage, away from the object to be cooled, allowing for remote monitoring and control of the cooling gas flow rate based on measured temperatures, thereby reducing the impact of harsh environments and improving maintenance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is installed in the object to be cooled for direct temperature monitoring, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but the sensor durability deteriorates due to exposure to harsh environments such as strong magnetic fields and radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (cooling gas) and an intermediary measurement location (gas flow path away from the object) to indirectly measure the temperature of the object. The temperature sensor measures the cooling gas temperature instead of directly measuring the object temperature, thereby protecting the sensor from harsh environments while still enabling accurate temperature control through feedback control of the cooling gas flow rate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the measurement function by measuring the temperature of the cooling gas as a proxy for the object temperature. Instead of placing the sensor directly on the object, the system measures the temperature of the cooling gas in the flow path, which correlates with the object temperature, thereby achieving indirect measurement that protects the sensor
2Reliability
If the temperature sensor is positioned away from the object to be cooled, then sensor durability is improved, but temperature measurement accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the temperature sensor continuously measures the cooling gas temperature, and this measurement is fed back to control the cooling gas flow rate. The gas flow rate control unit adjusts the flow rate based on the temperature measurement to maintain the object at the target temperature, ensuring accurate temperature control even with indirect measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the direct measurement step by measuring the cooling gas temperature in the flow path instead of directly measuring the object temperature. This indirect approach allows the system to bypass the harsh environment at the object location while still obtaining sufficient temperature information for effective control
3Productivity
If the cooling gas flow rate is increased to improve cooling performance, then cooling efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the cooling gas flow rate based on real-time temperature measurements. The gas flow rate control unit continuously adjusts the flow rate according to the measured temperature and target temperature, increasing flow rate when cooling is needed and reducing it when the target temperature is reached, thereby optimizing both cooling efficiency and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the cooling system dynamically by adjusting the cooling gas flow rate based on temperature measurements. The system transitions between different flow rate states (high flow when cooling is needed, low flow when target temperature is reached) to optimize the balance between cooling performance and energy consumption
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 the durability and cost-effectiveness of temperature sensors, reduces downtime, and maintains efficient cooling performance by optimizing gas flow rates according to temperature measurements, while minimizing the influence of strong magnetic fields and radiation.
Implementation Method 1
a cryocooler including a cryocooler stage that cools the cooling gas
Implementation Method 2
causing the cooling gas to flow therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic cooling system includes a gas circulation source; a cryocooler including a cryocooler stage that cools the cooling gas; an object-to-be-cooled gas flow path; a gas supply line that supplies a cooling gas from the gas circulation source via the cryocooler stage to the object-to-be-cooled gas flow path; a gas recovery line that recovers the cooling gas from the object-to-be-cooled gas flow path to the gas circulation source; at least one temperature sensor installed at a measurement location away from the object-to-be-cooled gas flow path along the gas supply line and/or a measurement location installed away from the object-to-be-cooled gas flow path along the gas recovery line; and a gas flow rate control unit that controls the gas circulation source to adjust a flow rate of the cooling gas flowing through the object-to-be-cooled gas flow path in accordance with a measured temperature at at least one measurement location.