Cryogenic Refrigeration Manifold Design for Distributed Cooling Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic refrigeration devices face challenges in efficiently cooling samples to very low temperatures due to limited cooling power, long cooling times, and increased thermal resistance, which restricts experimental surface area and thermal efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The proposed refrigeration device incorporates a cycle-fluid circuit with a manifold and heat exchangers arranged in a configuration that allows for efficient distribution of cooling power across multiple plates, using a single conveying pipe and return pipe to circulate cryogenic-cycle fluid, thereby optimizing cooling efficiency and reducing thermal resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple gas-filled pulse tubes are used to increase cooling power, then cooling power is improved, but device complexity and experimental surface area are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cooling function by separating the pulse tube (cooling power generation) from the heat exchangers (cooling power distribution). This allows a single pulse tube to serve multiple heat exchangers through a shared helium circulation system, reducing the number of pulse tubes needed while maintaining high cooling power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The helium circulation system serves multiple functions: it cools the pulse tube, distributes cooling power to multiple heat exchangers, and enables flexible configuration of cooling zones. This multi-functionality allows a single circulation system to replace what would traditionally require multiple independent cooling systems.
2Power
If multiple gas-filled pulse tubes are used to increase cooling power, then cooling power is improved, but available experimental surface area is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into a compact central helium circulation system and distributed heat exchangers that can be positioned across available experimental surfaces. This segmentation allows the cooling infrastructure to occupy minimal space while providing widespread cooling capability across large experimental areas.
3Area of stationary object
If distance between cold point and sample is increased to cool samples at plate edges, then cooling coverage is improved, but thermal resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helium circulation system acts as an intermediary thermal transport medium, carrying cooling power from the central cold point to distributed heat exchangers positioned near samples. This fluid-mediated heat transfer eliminates the need for long thermal conduction paths through the plate, maintaining low thermal resistance while extending cooling coverage to plate edges and corners.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses helium gas circulation (a pneumatic/hydraulic approach) to transport thermal energy, replacing reliance on solid thermal conduction through the plate. This allows cooling power to be delivered efficiently to remote locations without suffering from the increasing thermal resistance that plagues long conduction paths.
4Temperature
If conventional dilution refrigerator systems are used, then sub-kelvin cooling capability is achieved, but cooling time is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling by pre-cooling the helium circulation system and heat exchangers before sample insertion. This preliminary action allows the majority of the cooling to occur rapidly through the high-capacity helium circulation, rather than requiring slow conductive cooling of the entire system from ambient temperature.
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 configuration enables efficient cooling of samples to sub-kelvin temperatures, improving thermal efficiency and reducing the number of conveying pipes needed, while also optimizing the experimental surface area available for cooling equipment and samples.
Implementation Method 1
a stream of cycle fluid circulates in a cycle-fluid circuit towards a set of heat exchangers respectively in a heat-exchange relationship with the plates
Implementation Method 2
a cryogenic cooler of the He4 or He3 Joule-Thomson type
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cryogenic refrigeration device comprising an enclosure delimiting a fluidtight vacuum volume closed by a cover, the device comprising at least one cryogenic cooler mounted through the cover and of the type that employs a cold source of cryogenic-cycle fluid such as helium, the device comprising at least one heat-conducting plate intended to receive and cool a component and cooled by a stream of cycle fluid via a cycle-fluid circuit supplying a set of heat exchangers, the cycle-fluid circuit having a pipe conveying cycle fluid first of all to a manifold mounted on the plate, the cycle-fluid circuit having at least one transfer pipe configured to transfer cycle fluid from the manifold to at least one heat exchanger mounted on the same plate, the cycle-fluid circuit having at least one return pipe configured to return fluid that has circulated through the at least one heat exchanger to the manifold.