System for converting cryocooled refrigeration platforms to cryogenic plant-based cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultra-low temperature cooling systems, such as dilution refrigerators, are inefficient and costly when used in facilities with larger, more efficient cooling systems, limiting their effectiveness and increasing operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A system is developed to retrofit existing cryocooler-based refrigeration platforms by integrating interface modules with heat exchangers and connections to cryogenic liquid or gas sources, allowing them to operate with cryogenic plants, thereby enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple ultra-low temperature dilution refrigerators are used, then ultra-low temperature cooling capability is achieved, but operational cost increases and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dilution refrigerator units with a single shared cryogenic plant (liquid helium or nitrogen system). Instead of each refrigerator operating independently with its own cooling system, they are merged into a coordinated system where the cryogenic plant serves as a common resource, reducing total energy consumption and operational costs while maintaining ultra-low temperature capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogenic plant is designed to serve multiple dilution refrigerator units simultaneously, making it a universal cooling system. The interface module enables the cryogenic plant to provide cooling services to various refrigerator units, maximizing resource utilization and eliminating the inefficiency of duplicate cooling systems.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple ultra-low temperature dilution refrigerators are deployed, then cooling capacity is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components: multiple dilution refrigerator units can be independently selected based on specific cooling capacity needs, while sharing a common cryogenic plant infrastructure. This segmentation allows flexible scaling of cooling capacity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the complex cryogenic distribution system is shared rather than replicated.
3Temperature
If cryocooler-based refrigeration is used, then ultra-low temperature cooling is provided, but efficiency is reduced compared to plant-based systems
Solution Approach 1:
The interface module acts as an intermediary between the dilution refrigerator and the cryogenic plant. It enables efficient thermal coupling and heat transfer between the refrigerator's cooling stages and the plant-based cryogenic coolant, allowing the system to leverage the high efficiency of plant-based cooling while maintaining the precise ultra-low temperature control needed for quantum computing applications.
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 retrofitting system enables efficient ultra-low temperature cooling by leveraging larger scale cooling systems, improving operational efficiency and reducing costs by utilizing cryogenic liquids or gases, such as liquid nitrogen and helium, without altering the existing refrigerators.
Implementation Method 1
The disclosed systems can include an interface module, an inlet line that connects the interface module to a cryogenic liquid or gas source, and a return line that connects the interface module to the cryogenic liquid or gas source
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to a system for retrofitting a cooling system that includes an interface module configured to be installed in a refrigerator, comprising an inlet connection, outlet connection, and heat exchange vessel, along with an inlet line connecting the interface module to a coolant plant, and a return line connecting the interface module to the coolant plant.