Cryostat Centering Elements With Thermal Tension Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryostat configurations face challenges in maintaining centering of cryocontainers relative to each other and the outer jacket without overloading centering elements, leading to potential heat bridges and vacuum breakdowns due to thermal contraction and asymmetric openings, which complicate the compensation of torque generated during evacuation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of actuators connected to centering elements with different thermal expansion coefficients and mechanical translating elements ensures a nearly constant pressure or tension state, compensating for thermal changes and maintaining centering without overloading, using materials like fiber glass reinforced plastic and copper to minimize heat input and withstand mechanical loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If centering elements are used to maintain centering of cryocontainers relative to the outer jacket, then centering is improved, but the centering elements become overloaded during thermal contraction leading to heat bridges and vacuum breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces actuators that dynamically adjust the length of centering elements in response to thermal contraction. Instead of using fixed rigid centering elements that become overloaded during cooling, the system actively modifies the centering element dimensions to maintain appropriate clearance and prevent vacuum breakdown while preserving centering stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces actuators as intermediary devices between the cryocontainer and the outer jacket. These actuators mediate the thermal contraction process by controllably adjusting the centering element lengths, preventing direct contact between the cryocontainer and outer jacket that would cause vacuum breakdown, while still maintaining proper centering.
2Manufacturing precision
If actuators are added to maintain centering during thermal changes, then centering precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thermal expansion/contraction properties of the actuator materials to automatically adjust centering element lengths in response to temperature changes. By selecting materials with appropriate thermal coefficients, the system achieves precise centering control through passive thermal response rather than complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the centering elements by introducing actuators that can modify the length of these elements. This allows the system to adapt to thermal contraction by dynamically adjusting geometric parameters, achieving precise centering control without requiring complex mechanical structures.
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 ensures continuous centering of cryocontainers, preventing heat bridges and vacuum breakdowns, even with asymmetric openings, by maintaining a consistent tension state in centering elements across temperature changes, thus optimizing cryogenic fluid management and reducing cryogenic losses.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator (7) which exerts a pressure or tensile force on the respective centering element (4), and which is mounted to the cryocontainer (1) at at least one contact point, wherein, through fixation of the actuator (7) to the cryocontainer (1) at the contact point, through thermal changes in size of the cryocontainer (1), through thermal changes in the size of individual components of the actuator (7), and optionally through mechanical translation, a mechanical tension is generated in the corresponding centering elements (4)
Implementation Method 2
The cryocontainers contract to a greater or lesser extent during cooling (depending on their final operating temperature), whereas the outer vacuum shell remains at room temperature and maintains its size
Data Source
AI summary
A cryostat configuration has at least three centering elements (4) which are distributed about the periphery of a cryocontainer (1). Each end (6) of the centering elements (4) facing away from an outer jacket (3) of the cryostat configuration is connected to an actuator (7) which exerts a pressure or tensile force on the respective centering element (4) to generate a mechanical tension in a corresponding centering element (4) which loads the centering elements (4) with a nearly constant pressure or tension, irrespective of the temperature changes within the cryostat configuration. This yields a cryostat configuration which permits pressure centering without overloading the centering elements.