Integrated NMR Probehead Cooling via Cryostat Nitrogen Supply
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional NMR apparatuses with cryostats and external cryogen tanks require significant space, incur high acquisition and maintenance costs, and experience frequent downtime due to the need for separate refilling and thermal shielding, which complicates continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the nitrogen tank of the cryostat with the NMR probehead via a supply line to remove liquid nitrogen, eliminating the external cryogen tank and utilizing existing infrastructure for cooling, thereby reducing space requirements and operational complexities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an external cryogen tank is used for cooling the NMR probehead, then the cooling function is provided, but the space requirement and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the external cryogen tank with the cryostat by integrating the nitrogen supply system. The cryostat's nitrogen tank is directly connected to the probehead cooling system, eliminating the need for a separate external tank. This consolidation provides the same cooling function while significantly reducing the space occupied by stationary objects in the laboratory.
2Temperature
If an external cryogen tank is used, then cooling capacity is ensured, but acquisition and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cryostat's nitrogen tank serve multiple functions: it cools both the cryostat itself and the NMR probehead through the integrated supply system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate external tank, thereby reducing acquisition costs, maintenance expenses, and operational complexity while ensuring adequate cooling capacity for the probehead.
3Reliability
If separate refilling of cryostat and external tank is required, then thermal shielding is maintained, but downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the nitrogen supply systems, the patent enables single-point refilling of the cryostat's nitrogen tank, which simultaneously replenishes the cooling supply for both the cryostat and the probehead. This eliminates the need for separate refilling operations, reducing measurement downtime while the integrated system maintains thermal shielding effectiveness through coordinated nitrogen distribution.
4Reliability
If an external cryogen tank is used, then cooling redundancy is provided, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves cooling redundancy through the integrated system design where the cryostat's nitrogen tank and supply line serve dual purposes: maintaining cryostat thermal shielding and providing probehead cooling. This universal approach provides the same reliability and redundancy benefits as separate systems but with reduced structural complexity and fewer components.
Data Source
AI summary
An NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) apparatus has a magnet system disposed in a cryostat (1), the cryostat having at least one nitrogen tank (3b) for receiving liquid nitrogen (5b) and a room temperature bore (7) for receiving an NMR probehead (8), wherein part(s) of the probehead or the overall probehead can be cooled to cryogenic temperatures by supplying liquid nitrogen (5b) via a supply line (14). The nitrogen tank (3b) of the cryostat (1) is connected to the NMR probehead (8) by means of a supply line (14) in such a fashion that liquid nitrogen (5b) is removed from the nitrogen tank (3b) and guided to the NMR probehead (8). The overall apparatus is therefore more compact, the operating comfort of the apparatus is increased, and the costs for acquisition, operation and maintenance are considerably reduced compared to previous comparable devices.