Cryogenic Insulation with Stainless Steel Mesh for Rotating Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-layer insulation for cryogenic components, such as those in high-speed superconducting rotating electrical machines, fails to withstand motion-induced forces, leading to reduced insulating efficiency due to fatigue, tearing, or delamination.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic insulation system comprising an inner multi-layer insulating material of alternating metalized polymer film and polymer netting, surrounded by an outer stainless steel supporting mesh, with optional spacers and adhesive tape for enhanced stability and minimal compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-layer insulation is wrapped around a rotating cryogenic component, then insulating efficiency is improved, but the insulation deteriorates due to fatigue, tearing, or delamination from motion-induced forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multi-layer insulating material (alternating layers of metalized polymer film and polymer netting) with an outer supporting mesh. This composite structure provides both thermal insulation and mechanical strength to withstand motion-induced forces during rotation, preventing fatigue, tearing, and delamination while maintaining insulating efficiency.
2Reliability
If the multi-layer insulation is made lighter and more delicate, then insulating performance is improved, but resistance to forces from motion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the insulation system into distinct functional layers: an inner multi-layer insulating material (with alternating layers of metalized polymer film and polymer netting) for thermal insulation, and an outer supporting mesh for mechanical strength. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, enabling the lightweight insulating material to maintain high insulating performance while the separate mesh structure provides resistance to centripetal forces during rotation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional cryogenic tape is used to hold insulation in position, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates under high-speed rotation due to fatigue and delamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an outer supporting mesh that acts as a flexible protective shell around the multi-layer insulation. This mesh structure provides mechanical reinforcement that prevents fatigue and delamination during high-speed rotation, while still allowing the insulation system to be wrapped and installed relatively easily around the cryogenic component, maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 solution provides improved resistance to motion-induced forces, maintaining insulating efficiency and preventing delamination, while minimizing compression that could reduce thermal insulation performance.
Implementation Method 1
it is generally necessary to further insulate the component in order to prevent radiation heat loads warming the component
Implementation Method 2
cryogenic components are insulated by wrapping the component in multi-layer insulation
Implementation Method 3
This effect is particularly pronounced for cryogenic components that rotate during operation and which are subject to large centripetal forces
Data Source
AI summary
Insulation for a cryogenic component is described. The insulation includes an inner portion formed of a multi-layer insulating material comprising alternating layers of metalized polymer film and polymer netting. An outer supporting mesh surrounds the inner portion and is formed of stainless steel. The insulation is particularly suitable for insulating cryogenic components that move during operation since the supporting mesh acts to support the inner portion against damage caused by forces resulting from motion of the cryogenic component.