Cryogenic cooling system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cooling techniques are insufficient to maintain the desired cryogenic temperatures for quantum computer systems, particularly due to increased thermal loads from complex superconducting quantum devices and their control circuits.

Innovation Solution

A modular cryogenic cooling system comprising a payload refrigeration unit with a dilution cooler and a control refrigeration unit with separate coolers, both connected by a signal interface, allowing for independent cooling of quantum circuits and control circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single dilution refrigeration system is used to cool both quantum circuits and control circuits, then the system structure is simple, but the cooling power is insufficient to maintain desired temperatures under increased thermal loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidcooling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into separate payload refrigeration unit and control refrigeration unit, each with independent cooling components. The payload unit cools quantum circuits to milli-Kelvin temperatures while the control unit cools control circuits to higher temperatures, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific thermal requirements and improving overall cooling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If control circuits are integrated with quantum circuits in the same refrigeration environment, then thermal management is simplified, but the operational flexibility and scalability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal management complexityVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By separating control circuits and quantum circuits into different refrigeration units, the system allows independent temperature control and operational optimization for each component type, enhancing adaptability and scalability while maintaining manageable thermal control through dedicated cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A signal interface acts as an intermediary between the control refrigeration unit and payload refrigeration unit, enabling communication and control signals to be transmitted between the separated systems while maintaining their independent thermal environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If separate refrigeration units are used for control and payload circuits, then cooling power and temperature control are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides cooling functions into specialized segments: payload cooling components for quantum circuits and control cooling components for control circuits. This segmentation improves temperature control precision for each component while organizing complexity into manageable, functionally-separated modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each refrigeration unit is designed to perform multiple functions within its temperature range, including cooling various components, providing thermal stabilization, and supporting different experimental configurations, which helps justify the increased device complexity through enhanced versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 efficient and independent cooling of quantum circuits and control circuits, overcoming the limitations of current dilution refrigeration systems and improving the operational capability of quantum computer systems.

Implementation Method 1

The payload refrigeration unit comprises a payload enclosure and a dilution cooler within the payload enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDilution refrigeration:

Implementation Method 2

The dilution cooler cools a payload when the payload is thermally connected to the dilution cooler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The set of coolers cools a control circuit when the control circuit is thermally connected to the set of coolers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12204989B2Cryogenic cooling system

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method, apparatus, and system include a cooling system comprising a payload refrigeration unit, control refrigeration unit, and a signal interface. The payload refrigeration unit has a set of payload cooling components that operate to cool a payload. The control refrigeration unit has a set of control circuit cooling components in a control circuit. The signal interface connecting the payload is located in the payload refrigeration unit in the control circuit located in the control refrigeration unit.