Progressive Thermal Drying Chamber for Quantum Circuit Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal drying chambers for quantum circuits are inefficient, inaccurate, and burdensome, often causing structural damage due to abrupt temperature changes and lack of precise control, with safety features not being adequately designed.
Innovation Solution
A progressive thermal drying chamber that uses a temperature-controlled heating channel, in-line heater element, flow rate controller, and electronic control circuitry to gradually increase the temperature of a quantum circuit, maintaining a relative humidity threshold and automating the drying process to prevent water condensation and ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional thermal drying chambers heat the inert gas to a temperature believed to be sufficient, then the quantum circuit can be dried, but the temperature control is inaccurate and may cause structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using a temperature sensor to continuously monitor the temperature of the inert gas and a controller to adjust the heating element accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate temperature control within ±1°C of the target temperature, preventing both overheating and inadequate drying that could damage the quantum circuit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the temperature parameter of the inert gas during the drying process. The system transitions from room temperature to a controlled elevated temperature (e.g., 50°C, 75°C, or 100°C) based on the drying requirements, with precise control to maintain the temperature within a narrow range to avoid thermal shock to the quantum circuit
2Extent of automation
If conventional thermal drying chambers are operated without continuous human oversight, then operation becomes more autonomous, but safety issues arise due to lack of monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating system where the temperature sensor and controller work together to automatically monitor and adjust the heating process without human intervention. The system self-corrects temperature deviations and manages the drying process autonomously while maintaining safety through continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The automated feedback control system continuously monitors temperature and adjusts heating accordingly, enabling safe autonomous operation. The controller receives temperature feedback from the sensor and automatically modulates the heating element to maintain safe operating conditions without requiring human oversight
3Productivity
If heat and inert gas escape to other parts of the thermal drying chamber, then the chamber structure is simple, but the drying efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and directs the heated inert gas flow through a controlled path that delivers the gas directly to the quantum circuit probe. By taking out the useful heated gas from the general chamber environment and directing it specifically to where it is needed, the system improves drying efficiency without requiring a completely complex chamber structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the thermal drying chamber into distinct functional zones: a heating zone where the inert gas is heated, a delivery zone where the heated gas flows to the probe, and a drying zone where the probe is positioned. This segmentation allows efficient heat and gas utilization while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
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
The solution enhances the efficiency and accuracy of the thermal drying process, reduces the risk of structural damage, and improves safety by automating the control of temperature and humidity, ensuring a controlled transition from near absolute zero to room temperature without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
an in-line heater element configured to heat an inert gas to provide the heated inert gas
Implementation Method 2
a heated combination, including heated ambient air and a heated inert gas, to flow into the probe compartment to progressively thermally dry the quantum circuit
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described herein that are capable of progressively thermally drying a quantum circuit. An inert gas is progressively heated by a heater element to provide a heated inert gas. Heated ambient air and the heated inert gas combine in a heating channel, causing a combination of the heated ambient air and the heated inert gas to flow into a probe compartment to progressively thermally dry a quantum circuit therein. A flow rate of the inert gas is controlled to cause the combination to have a relative humidity less than or equal to a threshold. A temperature of the heater element may be controlled to be approximately equal to a progressively increasing target temperature within a tolerance of 3.0° C. Heating of the inert gas may be initiated based on detection of the inert gas, and the flow and heating of the inert gas may be automatically discontinued.