Cryogenic NMR Probe Rapid Exchange Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The time required to exchange and prepare cryogenic NMR probes is excessively long, leading to prolonged measurement times and reduced throughput due to the need for cooling and vacuum pumping sequences, which is not as efficient as with ordinary probes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a loading platform, vertical drive mechanism, spacing mechanism, probe cooling device, flexible transfer tubes, and vacuum pumping system allows for rapid attachment and detachment of cryogenic NMR probes, ensuring they are quickly cooled and evacuated, enabling rapid probe selection and high-sensitivity measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a cryogenic probe is used to achieve high-sensitivity measurements, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the time required for probe exchange and preparation is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is pre-cooled and pre-evacuated before being installed in the NMR spectrometer. The cooling portion cools the detection module in advance, and the vacuum pumping system evacuates the probe interior beforehand, so that when the probe is exchanged, it is already in the required operational state, eliminating the need for time-consuming cooling and evacuation sequences during probe replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The probe exchange process is divided into independent stages: probe installation, cooling, and evacuation. These operations are performed separately and in parallel where possible, allowing the probe to be mechanically exchanged quickly while cooling and evacuation proceed independently, thereby reducing the total time required for probe preparation
2Measurement precision
If a cryogenic probe with cooling and vacuum systems is used, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe design integrates multiple functions into a single modular unit: the detection module, cooling portion with refrigerant circulation, and vacuum system are combined in one probe assembly. This allows the probe to perform cooling, evacuation, and NMR detection functions simultaneously, reducing the need for separate systems and simplifying the overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The detection module is nested within the probe body, which contains the cooling portion, which in turn is within the vacuum-sealed probe interior. This nested structure allows multiple subsystems to be integrated compactly, reducing spatial requirements and simplifying the external appearance and handling of the probe while maintaining all necessary functions
3Productivity
If rapid probe exchange is implemented, then measurement throughput is improved, but the reliability of maintaining proper cooling and vacuum conditions may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is pre-cooled and pre-evacuated before exchange, ensuring that when it is installed in the spectrometer, the cooling and vacuum conditions are already established and stable. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming sequences during probe replacement while maintaining reliable operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling and vacuum systems operate continuously to maintain stable conditions throughout the probe exchange process. The refrigerant circulation and vacuum pumping continue without interruption, ensuring that the probe remains in the required operational state throughout the exchange and measurement process, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling rapid throughput
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 enables the rapid loading of an optimum cryogenic probe, reducing measurement time and enhancing throughput by streamlining the exchange process, allowing for high-sensitivity measurements and efficient operation of the NMR spectrometer.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling portion for cooling the detection module by a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum pumping system for evacuating the interior of the probe
Implementation Method 3
transfer tubes made of a flexible material and each including a refrigerant supply line for supplying the refrigerant from the probe cooling device into the probe and a refrigerant discharge line for causing the refrigerant discharged from the probe to be returned to the probe cooling device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for attaching and detaching a cryogenic probe to and from a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer. The device permits the probe to be loaded in the spectrometer in a shortened time and achieves high measurement throughput. The device has loading platforms (11-1, 11-2) on which cryogenic probes (P1, P2) are loaded. Each loading platform has a horizontal drive mechanism, a vertical drive mechanism, and a spacing mechanism. The device further includes probe cooling devices (14-1, 14-2) for circulating a refrigerant to and from the cryogenic probes (P1, P2) via transfer tubes (12-1, 12-2) made of a flexible material, thus cooling the probes (P1, P2). A temperature-controlled gas feeder (18) supplies a temperature variable gas for temperature adjustment to the probes (P1, P2). A vacuum pumping system (15) evacuates the interiors of the probes (P1, P2) via vacuum pipes (17-1, 17-2) made of a flexible material.