Magnetic Resonance Sample Loading With Cryogenic Transfer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic resonance systems face challenges in efficiently and precisely transferring samples between different environmental conditions, such as room temperature to cryogenic environments, while minimizing mechanical contact and heat transfer, which can damage components and affect measurement quality.
Innovation Solution
A sample transfer device with a centering mechanism and actuator system aligns the sample holder with micron precision, using seals to maintain environmental integrity and a load lock mechanism to adjust pressure, allowing automated and rapid sample transfer between different environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual sample transfer is used between different environmental conditions, then operational flexibility is maintained, but mechanical wear increases and positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical transfer operations with an automated sample transfer device that uses actuation mechanisms (such as motors or pneumatic systems) to move samples between environmental chambers. This substitution eliminates human-induced mechanical wear while maintaining precise positioning through controlled actuation, directly resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and mechanical contact.
2Productivity
If rapid sample transfer is implemented, then productivity increases, but heat transfer to components increases affecting measurement quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate transfer chamber or vacuum interface between the sample loading area and the measurement chamber. This intermediary space allows samples to be transferred rapidly while maintaining thermal isolation - the transfer can occur quickly in the intermediate zone without directly exposing sensitive measurement components to heat, thus resolving the contradiction between transfer speed and heat transfer control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs vacuum environments or inert gas atmospheres in the transfer pathways and chambers. These controlled environments minimize convective and conductive heat transfer mechanisms during sample transfer, allowing rapid movement of samples while protecting sensitive components from thermal damage, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and heat transfer.
3Loss of time
If automated sample transfer device is used, then sample change time is reduced, but mechanical contact and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-contact actuation methods such as magnetic coupling, pneumatic actuation, or robotic grippers with minimal contact points to move samples through the transfer device. These mechanisms reduce mechanical wear compared to traditional contact-based transfer systems while maintaining automated operation and rapid sample change capability, directly addressing the contradiction between reduced sample change time and minimized mechanical contact.
Data Source
AI summary
In a general aspect, a sample is loaded in a magnetic resonance system. In some aspects, a magnetic resonance system includes a primary magnet that generates a primary magnetic field and a resonator that defines a sample region in the primary magnetic field. A sample transfer arm includes a first end configured to couple to a sample holder. A centering device is disposed around the sample transfer arm. A seat defines an opening. An actuator system moves the centering device to mate with the seat. Mating the centering device with the seat aligns the sample holder with the opening. The sample transfer arm is moved to transfer the sample holder from a sample loading region, through the opening, towards the sample region.