Dilution refrigeration device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dilution refrigeration devices face challenges in increasing cooling power while minimizing the volume of helium-3 required and managing the stress on components like the mixing chamber and heat exchangers at very low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a parallel pipe configuration with multiple branches for the cycle fluid, featuring counter-current heat exchangers between the mixing chamber and boiler, which subdivides the flow into parallel streams, enhancing heat exchange efficiency and reducing helium-3 volume requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the cooling power is increased, then the refrigeration capacity is improved, but the volume of helium-3 required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchange process into multiple parallel sections, each handling a portion of the total heat load. By segmenting the cooling circuit into multiple parallel flow paths with individual heat exchangers, the system achieves higher total cooling power while distributing the helium-3 requirement across multiple smaller channels, thereby reducing the volume of helium-3 needed compared to a single large-channel design
2Power
If the cooling power is increased, then the refrigeration capacity is improved, but the stress on components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into multiple parallel circuits, each operating at lower individual stress levels. By distributing the total cooling power across multiple smaller channels with lower flow rates and pressure drops, the mechanical stress on each component is reduced while the aggregate system delivers high cooling power
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic flow distribution across multiple parallel channels, allowing the system to optimize the operating conditions of each channel independently. This dynamic balancing enables high total cooling power while maintaining acceptable stress levels on individual components through adaptive flow control
3Power
If the cooling power is increased, then the refrigeration capacity is improved, but the bulk of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where heat exchangers and piping are configured in concentric or interlaced patterns. The parallel flow channels are arranged such that return lines are positioned within or alongside forward lines, creating a compact nested structure that achieves high cooling power without proportionally increasing the device bulk
4Power
If heat exchange efficiency is improved, then the cooling power is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat exchange function into multiple modular parallel sections, each with standardized heat exchanger units. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high total heat exchange efficiency through the cumulative effect of multiple simpler, identical modules rather than requiring a single complex heat exchanger, thereby improving cooling power while keeping individual component complexity manageable
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 increases cooling power while maintaining a compact design, reducing the helium-3 volume needed and optimizing the performance of heat exchangers, achieving higher efficiency and reduced bulk.
Implementation Method 1
the working circuit comprises at least a first section for heat exchange between at least some of the first set of pipes and the second set of pipes, the first heat exchange section comprising at least one heat exchanger situated between the boiler and the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 2
the first set of pipes comprises, between the mixing chamber and the boiler, a first portion with a plurality of first pipe branches that are arranged in parallel and subdivide the cycle flow into a plurality of parallel flows
Implementation Method 3
a working circuit in the form of a loop containing a cycle fluid comprising a mixture of helium-3 (3He) and helium-4 (4He)
Implementation Method 4
Refrigeration at temperatures lower than around one hundred millikelvin is used for the most part in applications for studying matter and quantum phenomena
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dilution refrigeration device for obtaining very low temperatures, in particular in the range comprised between one millikelvin and one hundred millikelvins, comprising a looped working circuit containing a cycle fluid comprising a mixture of helium isotope 3 and helium isotope 4, the working circuit comprising a first set of pipes that includes, between a mixing chamber and a boiler, a first portion having a plurality of first pipe branches arranged in parallel, subdividing a cycle flow into a plurality of parallel flows, and in that a second set of pipes comprises, between the boiler and the mixing chamber, a second portion of a plurality of second pipe branches arranged in parallel, subdividing the cycle flow into a plurality of parallel flows, and in that the first heat exchange section comprises a plurality of counterflow heat exchangers each providing heat exchange between a first pipe branch of the first portion and a second pipe branch of the second portion.