Joule-thomson cryocooler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing JT cryocoolers face insufficient heat exchange areas due to small-sized cooling stages, leading to inadequate pre-cooling of refrigerant gas.
Innovation Solution
A stage extension component is attached to the pre-cooling stage of the JT cryocooler, expanding the heat exchange area by thermally coupling refrigerant pipes to the stage extension component, which is cooled by the pre-cooling stage, thereby enhancing the pre-cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a small-sized cooling stage is used in the pre-cooling cryocooler, then the device complexity is reduced and commercially available GM cryocoolers can be used, but the heat exchange area becomes insufficient leading to inadequate pre-cooling of refrigerant gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the cooling stage in the axial direction by attaching a stage extension component to the bottom surface of the cooling stage. This dimensional extension increases the heat exchange area without requiring a larger radial footprint, thereby maintaining compact device geometry while solving the insufficient heat exchange area problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling stage is divided into two functional parts: the original cooling stage and the attached stage extension component. This segmentation allows the stage extension to be designed and attached separately, increasing heat exchange area without redesigning the entire cooling stage assembly.
2Productivity
If the pre-cooling stage is made larger to increase heat exchange area, then sufficient pre-cooling of refrigerant gas is achieved, but the device complexity increases and specialized design is required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the radial size of the cooling stage, the patent extends it axially by attaching the stage extension component. This approach increases heat exchange area and pre-cooling efficiency while maintaining a compact overall device structure, avoiding the need for specialized large-scale designs.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact cooling stage is used, then the device size is reduced, but the heat exchange area is insufficient for adequate refrigerant gas pre-cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by extending the cooling stage in the axial direction rather than increasing radial dimensions. The stage extension component adds heat exchange area while maintaining a compact radial footprint, thus keeping the overall device size small while providing sufficient heat exchange area.
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
The expanded heat exchange area ensures sufficient pre-cooling of refrigerant gas, allowing the use of commercially available GM cryocoolers and reducing the need for specialized design, while facilitating maintenance through detachable attachment.
Implementation Method 1
a stage extension component (50) attached to a pre-cooling stage (25) of a pre-cooling cryocooler (20) and cooled by the pre-cooling stage (25)
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant pipe (44a) mounted on the stage extension component (50) to enable heat exchange with the stage extension component (50)
Implementation Method 3
a JT valve that enables cooling of a refrigerant gas using JT expansion
Data Source
AI summary
A Joule-Thomson cryocooler includes a pre-cooling cryocooler that includes a pre-cooling stage, a stage extension component that is attached to the pre-cooling stage and is cooled by the pre-cooling stage, and a refrigerant pipe that is mounted on the stage extension component to enable heat exchange with the stage extension component.