Helium Transport Container Spring Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transport containers for helium have limited holding times due to rapid pressure increase, requiring frequent replenishment of cryogenic liquids for cooling, which affects the thermal insulation and structural integrity during temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
The transport container design includes an inner container for helium, a thermally insulated thermal shield actively cooled by cryogenic liquids, and a suspension system with spring devices to manage thermal expansion and maintain structural integrity, allowing for extended helium storage by minimizing heat transfer and preventing structural deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the thermal shield is cooled with liquid nitrogen to maintain thermal insulation, then the holding time for liquid helium is extended, but the supply of liquid nitrogen is limited to approximately 35 days requiring frequent replenishment
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal shield is pre-cooled with liquid nitrogen before the inner container is filled with liquid helium. This preliminary cooling action ensures that the thermal shield maintains its low temperature throughout the transport process, extending the holding time of liquid helium without requiring frequent replenishment of cooling agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spring devices with adjustable pretension forces that can be set based on expected temperature variations. By adjusting the spring pretension parameter, the suspension system compensates for thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining structural integrity throughout the extended holding period without requiring intervention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid suspension rods are used to support the inner container, then structural stability is maintained, but thermal expansion and contraction cause mechanical stress and potential deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid suspension rods with spring devices that can dynamically adjust their length and tension. These spring devices absorb thermal expansion and contraction forces through elastic deformation, preventing mechanical stress concentration and potential deformation while maintaining structural stability during temperature fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring devices are specifically designed to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the inner container and thermal shield. The elastic elements in the spring devices expand and contract with temperature changes, compensating for dimensional changes and preventing mechanical stress on the suspension system.
3Duration of action of moving object
If sophisticated thermal insulation is provided to prevent pressure increase, then the holding time is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal shield as an intermediary component between the inner container and the outer environment. This thermal shield, when cooled with liquid nitrogen, creates a cold barrier that significantly reduces heat transfer to the liquid helium. This single intermediary element provides effective thermal insulation without requiring complex multi-layer insulation 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 design significantly extends the holding time for liquid helium by maintaining effective thermal insulation and structural stability, reducing the need for frequent cryogenic liquid replenishment and preventing mechanical stress on the suspension rods, thus ensuring safe and efficient helium transport.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first suspension rods has a first spring device and at least one of the second suspension rods has a second spring device in order to ensure a spring pretension of the first suspension rods and the second suspension rods for different heat expansions of the inner container and the thermal shield
Implementation Method 2
The thermal shield shields an inner container of the transport container. The liquid or cryogenic helium is accommodated in the inner container
Implementation Method 3
The transport container may be cooled for example with the aid of liquid nitrogen. This involves providing a thermal shield cooled with the liquid nitrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A transport container for helium, having an inner container for receiving helium, a thermal shield actively coolable with the aid of a cryogenic liquid and in which the inner container is accommodated, an outer container in which the thermal shield and inner container are accommodated, and a carrying ring provided on the thermal shield. The inner container is suspended from the carrying ring with the aid of first suspension rods, wherein the carrying ring is suspended from the outer container with the aid of second suspension rods, wherein at least one of the first suspension rods has a first spring device and at least one of the second suspension devices has a second spring device in order to ensure a spring pretension of the first suspension rods and the second suspension rods for different heat expansions of the inner container and the thermal shield.