Multi-Dewar Stirling Cooling With Independent Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for optical systems require multiple dedicated compressors for each dewar, leading to increased size, weight, and complexity due to differing cooling requirements, which degrades image quality.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system utilizing a single Stirling cycle refrigerator with a compressor, two expanders, and a gas control valve to independently control the temperature of multiple dewars, allowing for separate cooling of each dewar through compressor speed and gas flow regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple dedicated compressors are used for each dewar, then independent temperature control of each dewar is achieved, but system size, weight, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple compressor functions into a single compressor by using multiple expanders (first expander, second expander) that can independently control cooling for each dewar. The single compressor drives multiple expanders through a shared refrigerant circuit, eliminating the need for multiple separate compressors while maintaining independent temperature control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single compressor serves multiple functions by cooling multiple dewars simultaneously through the multi-expander configuration. The compressor acts as a universal cooling source that can independently regulate temperature for the first dewar via the first expander and for the second dewar via the second expander, making one component perform the work of multiple dedicated compressors.
2Ease of operation
If multiple dedicated compressors are used for each dewar, then independent temperature control of each dewar is achieved, but system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple compressor units into a single compressor unit that serves multiple dewars through the multi-expander architecture. This consolidation significantly reduces the overall weight of the cooling system compared to having separate compressors for each dewar, while still enabling independent temperature regulation for each optical imaging device.
3Device complexity
If a single compressor is used for multiple dewars, then system size and complexity are reduced, but independent temperature control capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into independent thermal zones by providing separate expanders for each dewar. The first expander is dedicated to cooling the first dewar, and the second expander is dedicated to cooling the second dewar. This segmentation allows each dewar to be independently controlled despite sharing a common compressor, as each expander can be adjusted separately to meet specific cooling requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control elements including a first control valve and a second control valve that can independently regulate refrigerant flow to each expander. This dynamic adjustment capability enables each dewar's temperature to be independently controlled and optimized based on its specific cooling requirements, even though both are served by a single compressor.
4Temperature
If multiple compressors are used, then each dewar can be cooled to predetermined temperatures independently, but heat dissipation management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces control valves as intermediary elements between the compressor and each expander. The first control valve and second control valve act as mediators that independently regulate refrigerant flow to each expander, enabling precise temperature control for each dewar. This intermediary control mechanism simplifies heat dissipation management by providing dedicated flow regulation for each thermal zone without requiring separate compressors.
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
Enables independent temperature control of multiple dewars with reduced system size and complexity, maintaining image quality by efficiently managing heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
a Stirling cycle refrigerator. The Stirling cycle refrigerator can include a compressor, a first expander in fluid communication with the compressor and in thermal communication with the first dewar, and a second expander in fluid communication with the compressor and in thermal communication with the second dewar
Implementation Method 2
a first expander in fluid communication with the compressor and in thermal communication with the first dewar, and a second expander in fluid communication with the compressor and in thermal communication with the second dewar
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system includes a first dewar configured to house a first optical imaging device, a second dewar configured to house a second optical imaging device, and a Stirling cycle refrigerator. The Stirling cycle refrigerator can include a compressor, a first expander in fluid communication with the compressor and in thermal communication with the first dewar, and a second expander in fluid communication with the compressor and in thermal communication with the second dewar.