Gas Dosing Unit for Cryoinstrument with Compressor Pressure Boost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryoinstruments experience delayed freezing power due to low gas storage temperatures, particularly at room temperatures below 18°C, leading to extended application times or impossibility of treatment.
Innovation Solution
A gas dosing unit with a pressure control module and compressor system that adjusts gas pressure to a minimum threshold using sensors and variable speed control, ensuring immediate and consistent gas flow to the cryoinstrument, even at low temperatures, without requiring pre-activation or idle phase operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gas is supplied directly from pressure storage to the cryoinstrument, then the device complexity is reduced, but the freezing power is delayed when gas storage temperature drops below 18°C
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure control module is introduced as an intermediary component between the gas storage and the cryoinstrument. This module includes a pressure reducer and control elements that regulate gas flow and pressure, ensuring reliable freezing power even when gas storage temperature is low, while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Reliability
If a pressure control module with compressor is used to ensure immediate freezing power, then the freezing power reliability is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control elements including a variable speed motor and controllable valve that adjust gas flow based on actual conditions. The motor can operate at different speeds and the valve can modulate opening degree, allowing the pressure control module to maintain reliable freezing power while adapting to varying demands and minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
A control device receives signals from pressure sensors and flow measurement devices, continuously monitoring the gas supply conditions. Based on this feedback information, the control device adjusts the motor speed and valve position to optimize gas flow, ensuring immediate and reliable freezing power while avoiding excessive energy consumption and device complexity.
3Speed
If the motor operates at high speed to build up pressure quickly, then the gas flow response time is reduced, but the noise and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor speed is dynamically adjusted based on system needs. The variable speed motor can operate at high speed when rapid pressure build-up is required for quick response, and at lower speeds during normal operation to minimize noise and energy consumption. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between response speed and noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including motor speed, valve opening degree, and pressure setpoints based on real-time conditions. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves quick gas flow response when needed while operating in quieter, more energy-efficient modes during stable operation, thereby reducing noise harmful factors.
4Productivity
If the valve is fully opened to maximize gas flow, then the productivity is improved, but the pressure control precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve operates dynamically with its opening degree continuously adjusted based on feedback from pressure sensors and flow measurement devices. The control device modulates the valve opening to maintain optimal pressure control precision while ensuring sufficient gas flow for high productivity, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from pressure sensors and flow measurement to continuously adjust valve position. This closed-loop control ensures that the valve opening is optimized in real-time to maintain precise pressure control while maximizing gas flow, thereby achieving both high productivity and precise pressure control.
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 immediate and consistent freezing power at the cryoinstrument tip, minimizing application duration and noise, suitable for very long and thin probes, and reducing energy consumption and apparatus size.
Implementation Method 1
Gas shall mainly serve as coolant for operating the cryoinstrument that shows a strong Joule-Thomson-effect and thus a distinct cold development when expanded
Implementation Method 2
The control device is configured to activate the compressor in order to increase the pressure of the gas supplied to the pressure reduction device
Implementation Method 3
At least one pressure sensor is arranged upstream the pressure reduction device in order to measure the gas pressure of the gas supplied to the pressure reduction device
Data Source
AI summary
A gas dosing unit is configured to adjust a desired gas flow and includes a pressure control module having a pressure reduction device. In case of normal room temperature, a control device controls the pressure reduction device for adjusting a desired pressure or a desired gas stream. If the room temperature and/or the temperature of the connected gas storage is lower and accordingly, the gas pressure applied at the inlet connection of the gas dosing unit is insufficient for the correct operation of the pressure control module, the control device activates a compressor arranged in the gas path, which increases the pressure upstream of the pressure control module to a value appropriate for the correct operation of the pressure control module. In doing so, the cryoinstrument can be correctly activated and used independent of the room temperature and the pressure inside the pressure storage. Operating limitations existing otherwise are avoided.