Thermally Isolated Cryogenic Imaging Sensor With Vacuum Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic storage devices face challenges in maintaining a cool internal environment due to energy-emitting elements like camera systems, which increase heat and reduce the cooling lifespan of cryogens, especially in smaller vessels where every watt of cooling power is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A thermally isolated sensor arrangement with a vacuum-sealed housing, low thermal conductivity wire suspension, and an optical window made of quartz, along with a CMOS sensor and LED array, minimizes contact with the internal cryogenic environment, relying on self-heating effects to maintain operating conditions while reducing input power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a camera system with metallic housing, electric circuit boards and lights is inserted into the cryogenic storage device, then visual inspection capability is improved, but heat input to the internal environment increases and cooling lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is segmented into two separate environments: the sensor array operates in a warm, accessible housing for easy maintenance and power supply, while only the optical components (lens and optical window) extend into the cryogenic environment. This segmentation eliminates unnecessary heat-generating components from the cold environment, reducing thermal load on the cryogen.
Solution Approach 2:
A vacuum-insulated housing acts as an intermediary barrier between the warm camera system and the cold cryogenic environment. The vacuum layer provides thermal isolation, allowing the camera to function externally while minimizing heat transfer to the stored cryogenic materials, thus preserving cooling lifespan.
2Reliability
If a heating resistor is added to ensure operable temperature of the CMOS sensor, then sensor operation reliability is improved, but input power and heat input to the cryogenic environment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The CMOS sensor and heating resistor are extracted from the cryogenic environment and placed in a warm housing. This allows the sensor to operate at optimal temperature without requiring additional heating power in the cold environment, eliminating the trade-off between sensor reliability and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor housing provides a self-heating environment through ambient temperature or passive thermal insulation, eliminating the need for active heating resistors. The sensor operates reliably using the natural thermal environment of the housing, reducing input power requirements.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the camera system is thermally isolated from the cryogenic environment, then cooling lifespan is extended, but contact with the internal environment is minimized which may affect imaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path extends through the vacuum insulation layer, allowing light to traverse the thermal barrier without conducting heat. The optical window serves as a bridge that transmits photons while blocking thermal conduction, decoupling the thermal and optical dimensions of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin optical window made of cryogenically-transparent material provides thermal isolation while allowing optical transmission. This thin film structure minimizes thermal conduction pathways while maintaining imaging capability, balancing thermal isolation with optical access.
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 solution effectively reduces heat input, extends the cooling lifespan of cryogens, and allows for efficient imaging and manipulation of objects within the cryogenic environment without compromising the cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
conduction and convection phenomena heat up the internal environment of the cryogenic storage device
Implementation Method 2
conduction and convection phenomena heat up the internal environment of the cryogenic storage device
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum-sealed housing accommodating the sensor and light source
Implementation Method 4
a wire suspension characterized by low thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 5
an optical window mounted within the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally isolated sensor arrangement for imaging an object of interest within a cryogenic environment comprises: (a) a sensor configured for imaging the object of interest; (b) a light source configured for illuminating the object of interest; (c) a vacuum sealed housing accommodating the sensor and light source; the housing having an aperture and an optical window mounted within the aperture; and (d) means for securing the sensor and light source within the housing. The means for securing the sensor and light source further comprises a wire suspension characterized by low thermal conductivity.