Cryogenic Test Chamber With Segmented Channels for Rapid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic testing equipment is limited in temperature range and time to reach those temperatures, consuming excessive cryogen and limiting testing capacity due to indirect cooling methods and complex insulation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic test chamber design that uses separate flows of gas and liquid cryogen at positive pressure, allowing for rapid cooling without direct contact with the sample, utilizing a series of unconnected channels and a diffuser to achieve efficient and stable temperature control from room temperature to cryogenic levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If indirect cooling methods are used with complex insulation, then temperature control is achieved, but cooling time is excessive (90 minutes or more) and cryogen consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple unconnected channels that distribute cryogen throughout the chamber. This segmentation allows simultaneous cooling of multiple zones, dramatically reducing the overall cooling time from 90+ minutes to a fraction of that time, while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces high-purity gas as an intermediary substance that mediates between the liquid cryogen and the test environment. The gas diffuses through the chamber, transferring cooling effects efficiently without requiring direct contact between liquid cryogen and test samples, thus reducing cooling time while maintaining temperature control.
2Reliability
If indirect cooling methods are used, then sample integrity is maintained, but cryogen consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid cryogen from direct contact with the test sample by using a separate gas phase cooling system. The liquid cryogen is contained in reservoirs and channels, while its cooling effect is transmitted through evaporated gas that circulates through the chamber, thus preserving sample integrity while reducing cryogen consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state parameter of the cryogen from liquid to gas for the cooling process. By evaporating the liquid cryogen and using the gas phase for cooling, the system achieves efficient heat transfer with reduced cryogen consumption, while the sample remains unaffected by direct liquid contact.
3Loss of energy
If vacuum insulation or exotic materials are used, then thermal isolation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the cryogen itself to provide thermal isolation by maintaining positive pressure within the chamber. The high-purity gas and liquid cryogen create a pressure environment that prevents external air and moisture ingress, providing self-contained thermal and environmental isolation without requiring vacuum insulation or exotic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert atmosphere using high-purity gas and liquid cryogen at positive pressure. This inert environment provides thermal isolation and prevents contamination without requiring complex vacuum insulation systems or exotic materials, simplifying the overall device design.
4Temperature
If traditional cryogenic systems are used, then temperature range is limited, but achieving those limited temperatures consumes excessive time and cryogen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling by circulating cryogen through unconnected channels before the test begins. The multiple channels are pre-cooled independently, allowing the system to rapidly reach the desired temperature range at the start of testing, thereby extending the achievable temperature range without requiring excessive cryogen quantity during the actual test.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous cooling action through circulating cryogen throughout the test duration. The unconnected channels continue to circulate cryogen, ensuring the temperature range is maintained throughout the test without interruption, allowing extended testing capability with optimized cryogen usage.
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 rapid cooling to extreme temperatures, reduces cryogen consumption, and enhances testing flexibility and efficiency by allowing samples in relative motion, while maintaining a controlled environment without vacuum insulation or exotic materials.
Implementation Method 1
flow a cryogen through a series of unconnected channels in an unsealed environment chamber at positive pressure, allowing for a large cryogen mass flow rate and improved cooling performance
Implementation Method 2
The combination of separate flows of gas and liquid, a series of stationary and floating channels, and an unsealed chamber at positive pressure is a novel concept which allows for rapid, efficient, and stable cooling
Implementation Method 3
The high-purity gas is introduced close to the test sample using a diffuser at room temperature
Implementation Method 4
The positive pressure stops air and moisture from getting into the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic testing apparatus includes a housing in which a cryogenic chamber is positioned. An upper channel is arranged around the cryogenic chamber and is configured to receive a cryogen. A lower channel is arranged below the upper channel and is configured to receive cryogen from the upper channel. As the cryogen flows through the cryogenic testing apparatus, the cryogen contacts an exterior of the cryogenic chamber. The cryogenic chamber is unsealed and is configured to receive a gas to create positive pressure within the cryogenic chamber.