Integrated dilution refrigerators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dilution refrigerators face issues such as high maintenance costs due to liquid cryogens, mechanical vibrations, and large footprints, which hinder scalability and usability in quantum computing applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of a compact, closed-cycle dilution refrigerator with integrated helium cleaning devices, a cooldown turbo charger, and nanomaterial heat exchangers, along with vibration isolation and modular design, to reduce mechanical vibrations and maintenance needs, and integrate with commercial server racks for space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid nitrogen and 4He baths are used for precooling, then cooling performance is improved, but maintenance costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the liquid cryogen baths (liquid nitrogen and liquid 4He) from the precooling system, replacing them with a closed-cycle cryocooler. This removes the need for periodic refilling, handling, and disposal of liquid cryogens, thereby reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining the precooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of liquid cryogen handling with an automated closed-cycle cryocooler system. The cryocooler uses mechanical refrigeration cycles to generate cold temperatures without requiring liquid cryogens, thus eliminating the associated maintenance burden.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional heat exchangers are used, then heat exchange function is provided, but device footprint and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchanger functionality directly into the thermalization plate structure. The thermalization plate incorporates integrated heat exchange channels and surfaces, eliminating the need for separate, discrete heat exchanger components. This integration reduces the overall device footprint while maintaining effective heat exchange between the helium mixture and the thermalization stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermalization plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermalization stage for cooling the helium mixture, provides heat exchange surfaces for thermal coupling, and structurally supports the dilution insert. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device footprint.
3Temperature
If dilution refrigerator is designed for quantum computing applications, then cooling capability is improved, but scalability and usability are hindered by large footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dilution refrigerator into modular components: a base unit containing the cryocooler and control systems, and interchangeable dilution inserts containing the still, mixing chamber, and experimental apparatus. This modular segmentation allows different insert configurations to be attached to the same base unit, enabling scalability across multiple applications and reducing the need for multiple full-sized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a vertically-oriented, floor-standing dilution refrigerator design to a horizontally-integrated design that can be mounted on optical tables or rack-mounted in server configurations. This dimensional reconfiguration reduces the footprint and enables integration with existing quantum computing infrastructure.
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 solution enables reliable, easy-to-maintain, and compact dilution refrigerators that can be scaled for quantum technologies, reducing mechanical vibrations and maintenance costs while integrating with commercial infrastructure for efficient cooling and reduced space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the channels are configured to allow helium to flow through the first thermalization plate during operation of the dilution refrigerator
Implementation Method 2
a first thermalization plate of the plurality of thermalization plates comprises an integrated heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
the dilution insert comprises a still configured to perform cooling by distilling 3He vapor from a mixture of 3He and 4He
Implementation Method 4
the at least one heat exchanger comprises a nanomaterial
Data Source
AI summary
A dilution refrigerator is provided. The dilution refrigerator includes a plurality of thermalization plates configured to be cooled to a plurality of temperatures, and a first thermalization plate of the plurality of thermalization plates includes an integrated heat exchanger. The integrated heat exchanger includes channels formed in the first thermalization plate, and the channels are configured to allow helium to flow through the first thermalization plate during operation of the dilution refrigerator to improve heat exchange and cooling power of the dilution refrigerator.