Cryogenic pumping system and innovative integration for sub-kelvin cryogenics below 1.5k
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigeration devices for very low temperatures require significant energy and volumetric pumping capacity due to low working fluid pressure, leading to bulky and expensive systems with limited cooling power.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration device with a thermally insulated enclosure and a network of lines connecting a compressor, heat exchangers, Joule-Thomson expansion devices, and tanks, featuring a cryogenic pump to enhance fluid circulation and cooling performance without increasing device volume, utilizing helium-4 or helium-3 as the working fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a significant fluid flow rate is introduced into the first circuit to achieve significant cooling power, then cooling power is improved, but volumetric pumping capacity and device volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the first pumping member inside the thermally insulated enclosure, nesting the pump within the existing device boundaries rather than adding external pumping infrastructure. This allows increased fluid flow rate for improved cooling power while containing the volume increase within the insulated enclosure's existing space allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by introducing a pumping member that actively maintains higher pressure in the first circuit compared to conventional systems. This pressure increase enables significant cooling power with moderate flow rates, resolving the contradiction between cooling power and device volume by changing the operating pressure parameter rather than simply increasing flow rate.
2Power
If a pumping member is added to increase working fluid flow rate, then cooling power is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first pumping member serves multiple functions: it drives the working fluid circulation, maintains pressure in the first circuit, and is positioned to potentially serve as a thermal anchor point. This multi-functionality improves cooling power while minimizing the increase in device complexity by making the pump a multi-purpose component rather than a single-function addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping member is positioned inside the thermally insulated enclosure where it can utilize the cold environment for its own operation, potentially being cooled by the same working fluid it pumps. This self-service approach reduces the need for additional cooling infrastructure for the pump itself, thereby improving cooling power without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Power
If the first pumping member is placed inside the thermally insulated enclosure, then cooling power is improved without increasing device volume, but heat exchange efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing thermal insulation specifically around the pumping member when it is positioned inside the enclosure. This localized insulation approach allows the pump to operate in the cold environment without excessive heat ingress that would reduce heat exchange efficiency, while still benefiting from the compact arrangement that improves cooling power without increasing overall device volume.
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 allows for improved cooling power and miniaturization of refrigeration devices by increasing the working fluid flow rate, achieving lower temperatures and enhancing cooling efficiency while reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a first Joule-Thomson expansion device
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger comprising a first hot channel in which a first flow of working fluid to be cooled circulates and a first cold channel in which a second flow of working fluid for cooling the first flow circulates
Implementation Method 3
a thermally insulated enclosure inside which at least some of the elements are located
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration device comprising a first working circuit for circulating a first working fluid, the first working circuit comprising the following elements connected in series by a first network of lines: a first compressor; a cooling unit; a third heat exchanger; a first Joule-Thomson expansion device; a first tank configured to be in heat exchange with an object to be cooled; the refrigeration device also comprising a thermally insulated enclosure and the first working circuit comprises a first pumping member connected to the first network of lines.