Sorbent Helium Reservoir for Precise Pressure Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Regulation and control of helium pressure in helium gas-filled tubes is challenging, and existing solutions require large helium vessels, necessitating the need for helium reservoirs to manage and supply helium effectively.
Innovation Solution
A reservoir system that includes a thermally conductive surface, a meshed vessel with compartments, a sorbent material, and a temperature control device to store and regulate helium gas, allowing for precise control of pressure within gas-filled tubes by adjusting the temperature of the sorbent material to release or absorb helium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If helium gas is used to fill gas-filled tubes to improve secondary electron yield and ionization rate, then the performance of the gas-filled tube is improved, but the regulation and control of helium pressure becomes challenging and requires large helium vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature of the sorbent material to regulate helium pressure. By changing the temperature parameter, the sorbent material's capacity to hold helium changes, thereby controlling the pressure of helium supplied to the gas-filled tube without requiring large storage vessels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the sorbent material in response to temperature changes. The sorbent material transitions between adsorbing and releasing helium based on temperature, enabling precise pressure control through thermal regulation rather than mechanical pressure control
2Quantity of substance
If large helium vessels are used to store and regulate helium pressure, then sufficient helium supply is ensured, but the size and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temperature as a controllable parameter to regulate the amount of helium released from the sorbent material. By adjusting temperature, the system can precisely control helium supply quantity without requiring proportionally large storage volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The sorbent material acts as an intermediary between the helium storage and the gas-filled tube. It mediates the helium supply by adsorbing and releasing helium based on temperature, eliminating the need for direct large-volume storage vessels
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 system enables precise regulation of helium pressure within gas-filled tubes, improving the efficiency of ionization processes and reducing the need for large helium vessels, allowing for finer control and efficient operation of gas-filled tubes like plasma switches.
Implementation Method 1
the reservoir gas is retained by the sorbent material at the storage temperature
Implementation Method 2
a first portion of the temperature control device is in physical contact with at least a portion of the thermally conductive surface, and a change in the temperature of the temperature control device changes the temperature of the sorbent material
Data Source
AI summary
A reservoir for storing and supplying a portion of a reservoir gas into a gas-filled tube is presented. The reservoir includes a first vessel having a thermally conductive surface, a meshed vessel having a lid, and placed inside the first vessel to form a cavity between the meshed vessel and the first vessel, at least one tray placed inside the meshed vessel to divide an inner space of the meshed vessel into a plurality of compartments, a sorbent material placed inside the plurality of compartments in the meshed vessel, a temperature control device positioned such that a first portion of the temperature control device is in physical contact with at least a portion of the thermally conductive surface, and a change in the temperature of the temperature control device changes the temperature of the sorbent material, wherein the reservoir gas is retained by the sorbent material at the storage temperature.