Device that implements a cryogenic space environment that uses room temperature nitrogen gas and controls temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for implementing a cryogenic space environment require a separate liquid nitrogen tank that is difficult to manage and can only maintain a temperature at -196 degrees Celsius, limiting the control of cryogenic temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
A device that controls the temperature of a shroud in a vacuum container by using a closed system with a liquefaction tank and pressure tank to liquefy and vaporize gas-phase working fluid, allowing for adjustable saturation temperatures between the triple point and critical point, eliminating the need for liquid nitrogen and simplifying management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid nitrogen is supplied to the shroud to maintain cryogenic temperature, then the temperature can be maintained at -196 degrees Celsius, but the temperature control is restricted and a separate liquid nitrogen tank is required which is difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the working fluid from liquid (liquid nitrogen) to gas phase, and controls temperature by adjusting pressure parameters. The pressure tank controls the pressure of gas-phase working fluid, which changes the saturation temperature according to the pressure-temperature relationship of the working fluid, enabling flexible temperature control without being restricted to -196°C
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pressure tank as an intermediary component between the working fluid storage and the shroud. The pressure tank mediates the delivery of working fluid by controlling its pressure, allowing precise regulation of the saturation temperature of the working fluid supplied to the shroud, thereby achieving flexible temperature control
2Temperature
If liquid nitrogen is used as working fluid, then cryogenic temperature can be achieved, but a separate fluid storage container is required that is difficult to handle and manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the working fluid storage and pressure control into a single integrated pressure tank system. The pressure tank both stores the gas-phase working fluid and controls its pressure, eliminating the need for a separate liquid nitrogen storage container and simplifying the overall system structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses gas-phase working fluid that can be easily replenished from standard gas cylinders rather than requiring specialized liquid nitrogen storage containers. The gas-phase working fluid system is simpler, cheaper, and easier to manage while achieving the same cryogenic temperature control function
3Ease of operation
If the shroud is exposed to the outside atmosphere, then liquid nitrogen can be supplied, but the temperature can be restrictively maintained only at -196 degrees Celsius
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter of the working fluid system. By controlling the pressure in the pressure tank, the saturation temperature of the working fluid can be adjusted to different values according to the pressure-temperature relationship, enabling the shroud to maintain various temperatures within a predetermined range rather than being restricted to -196°C
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
Enables precise control of temperatures within a predetermined range, reducing the complexity and cost of managing cryogenic fluids, and allowing for temperatures higher or lower than -196 degrees Celsius to be maintained within the vacuum container.
Implementation Method 1
a cryogenic refrigerator liquefying working fluid
Implementation Method 2
a shroud disposed inside the vacuum container to exchange heat between working fluid supplied into the shroud and the inside of the vacuum container
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum container maintaining a vacuum state through a vacuum pump
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device for implementing a space environment. More specifically, in order to implement a space environment, while a shroud is disposed inside a vacuum container, an internal pressure of the shroud is controlled to adjust a saturation temperature of working fluid by forming a closed system including a cryogenic refrigerator. As a result, the environment can be implemented at a required temperature. At this time, the pressure can be adjusted by supplying room-temperature gas as working fluid into the closed system, which may result in costs being reduced because there is no need to manage a liquid bombe, and the working fluid injected inside can be used in a recycled manner.