Insulating Device with Magnetic Levitation for Cryogenic Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating devices for storing and transporting liquefied gases at very low temperatures lack effective insulation, leading to inefficient heat transfer and potential material brittleness.
Innovation Solution
The insulating device features an inner shell with a superconductor and a magnetically interacting outer shell, minimizing mechanical contact and convective heat transfer through contactless supporting forces, while maintaining material stability at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner shell is made of conventional material, then the material is easy to manufacture, but the material becomes brittle at very low temperatures and may crack or deform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by selecting a superconductor material that maintains its properties at very low temperatures (below -150°C), transforming the material's thermal response characteristics to prevent brittleness and deformation in cryogenic conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure where the inner shell is made of superconductor material, potentially combined with other materials that maintain dimensional stability at low temperatures, creating a composite system that overcomes the limitations of conventional single materials
2Strength
If mechanical contact between inner shell and outer shell is increased, then structural support is improved, but convective heat transfer increases and insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical contact-based support system with a magnetic field-based support system. Magnets mounted on the outer shell interact with the superconductor inner shell to provide levitation and positional stability without physical contact, thereby eliminating convective heat transfer through mechanical interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the inner and outer shells. The magnetic field serves as the mediating mechanism that transmits supporting forces without requiring direct material contact, thus preventing heat transfer while maintaining structural integrity
3Ease of manufacture
If the inner shell is fixed rigidly to the outer shell, then manufacturing is simplified, but thermal insulation is reduced due to increased heat conduction paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the support function from the thermal conduction path by using magnetic levitation. The supporting force is provided by the magnetic field rather than through thermal-conductive mechanical connections, separating the structural support function from the heat transfer pathway
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 achieves long-lasting, high-efficiency insulation by minimizing heat transfer and ensuring the inner shell remains dimensionally stable, even under extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet assigned to the outer shell, which is designed for a force-transmitting interaction with the superconductor for the contactless provision of supporting forces for the inner shell
Implementation Method 2
the inner shell is assigned a superconductor
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating device for insulating a useable space from an external environment, with an inner shell which borders a useable space and which is surrounded by an outer shell, the inner shell being movably accommodated in the outer shell and delimiting an insulating space with the outer shell, and the inner shell being assigned a superconductor is assigned to the inner shell, and with a magnet assigned to the outer shell, which magnet enables a force-transmitting interaction with the superconductor for the contactless provision of supporting forces for the inner shell.