NMR Fluid Piping with Dual Exhaust Branches for Low-Temperature Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current NMR systems face challenges in achieving high rotational speeds and maintaining low temperatures, leading to inefficient operation and high costs, particularly below 100K, due to thermal management issues and material compatibility problems, which affect the accuracy and durability of NMR analysis.
Innovation Solution
A fluid channeling system with a dual exhaust circuit that separates the refrigerant flow for cooling the sample from other flows, allowing for flexible operation by regulating flow rates through parallel branches and heat exchangers, improving thermal management and reducing the need for helium, which is costly and complex to handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single integrated fluid channeling system is used to supply multiple flows (rotation, cooling, bearing), then the system structure is simple, but thermal management efficiency deteriorates due to thermal cross-contamination between flows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fluid channeling system into separate channels: a first channel supplies rotation and bearing flows, while a second channel supplies cooling flow. This segmentation prevents thermal cross-contamination between the cooling flow and other flows, improving thermal management efficiency while maintaining reasonable system complexity through modular design.
2Temperature
If helium is used as refrigerant for low temperature operation below 100K, then cooling performance is improved, but operational cost and system complexity increase due to helium handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables flexible switching between different refrigerant types (helium, nitrogen, or mixed composition) and adjusts their proportions based on operating temperature requirements. This parameter change approach allows efficient low-temperature operation below 100K using helium when necessary, while reducing to nitrogen or using mixed compositions at higher temperatures to simplify handling and reduce costs.
3Speed
If high rotational speed is achieved for magic angle rotation, then NMR detection sensitivity is improved, but thermal management difficulty increases due to friction and energy dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function into a dedicated second channel that independently supplies cooling flow to the rotation assembly. This separate cooling channel actively removes heat generated by friction and energy dissipation during high-speed rotation, enabling sustained high rotational speeds without thermal overload.
4Temperature
If separate channels are used for different fluid flows, then thermal management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional piping and control components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the fluid channeling system with multi-functional capability: the first channel supplies both rotation flow and bearing flow, while the second channel supplies cooling flow. This universal design achieves thermal management efficiency through separation of cooling functions while minimizing device complexity by having each channel perform multiple related functions rather than requiring entirely separate systems for each function.
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 configuration enhances the efficiency of refrigerant management, allowing for stable operation at low temperatures and maintaining consistent rotation frequencies, thereby improving the performance and durability of NMR systems while reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first flow having a function of rotating the sample holder... a second flow having a function of bringing the sample to a suitable temperature
Implementation Method 2
A first flow has the function of rotating the sample holder, by acting on the blades or vanes of a turbine driving a rotor
Implementation Method 3
A third flow creates an aerostatic lift bearing for the rotor in the stator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Fluid channeling system (150) for an NMR system (100), characterized in that the channeling system (150) comprises an exhaust circuit (160) of the NMR system (100) comprising a first fluid circulation branch ( 161) and a second fluid circulation branch (162).