External Coolant Circulation for Reliable Superconducting Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of mechanical elements in low-temperature environments is low, which can lead to reduced cooling performance in superconducting devices, necessitating a more reliable cooling system and method.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system and method that utilize a flow generator outside the low-temperature chamber to circulate low-temperature fluid, employing general-purpose components not designed for low-temperature environments, with a coolant circuit, heat exchangers, and a heating device to ensure the fluid is heated to a guaranteed operating temperature before circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical elements are placed inside the low-temperature chamber to circulate coolant, then the cooling function is achieved, but the reliability of the system deteriorates due to low reliability of mechanical elements in low-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The flow generator is extracted from the low-temperature chamber and placed in the ambient temperature environment. This separates the mechanical component that requires reliable operation from the extreme low-temperature environment where its reliability would be compromised, while still achieving the coolant circulation function through thermal coupling via the heat exchanger.
2Productivity
If specialized low-temperature equipment is used inside the chamber, then the cooling performance is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary component that couples the ambient temperature flow generator with the low-temperature coolant. This mediator allows the flow generator to operate in a favorable temperature environment while still effectively driving the coolant circulation in the low-temperature chamber, eliminating the need for specialized low-temperature mechanical equipment.
3Reliability
If the flow generator is placed outside the low-temperature chamber, then the reliability of mechanical elements is improved, but additional heating and cooling components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger serves multiple functions: it acts as a thermal coupling device between the ambient temperature flow generator and the low-temperature coolant, serves as a heating component to prevent freezing of the coolant in the external piping, and enables the flow generator to operate in a favorable temperature environment. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the heat exchanger by eliminating the need for specialized low-temperature mechanical components.
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 approach enhances the reliability and efficiency of the cooling system by using standard components outside the low-temperature environment, improving the overall performance and reducing the need for specialized low-temperature equipment, while precooling the superconducting device to minimize the use of extremely low-temperature liquids.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger configured to cool the fluid flowing in the first part toward the coolant outlet
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger configured to heat the fluid flowing in the second part
Implementation Method 3
a flow generator provided outside the low-temperature chamber and located in a third part of the coolant line connecting the first part and the second part, the flow generator being configured to generate a flow in the coolant line
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for cooling a superconducting device by a low-temperature fluid is provided. A flow generator for producing a flow in the low-temperature fluid is provided in the cooling system. The low-temperature fluid flowing through the superconducting device is heated. The flow generator is used to produce a flow in the heated low-temperature fluid. The low-temperature fluid is cooled and supplied to the superconducting device.