Patent Application
20240102701
This patent application claims the benefit and priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202211169079.1 filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on Sep. 26, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety as part of the present application.
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, in particular to a sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism.
In order to reduce background noise and improve the signal-to-noise ratio, the sensitivity and the resolution of optical detectors such as a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), a superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD), a superconducting terahertz detector and a millimeter and submillimeter wave detector, the optical detectors, as well as optical equipment and electronic equipment attached to the optical detectors usually need to work in a sub-Kelvin profound hypothermia environment. At present, a single one adiabatic demagnetizing refrigerator, or both an adiabatic demagnetizing refrigerator and a dilution refrigerator are usually used to form the sub-Kelvin profound hypothermia environment.
The present disclosure aims to provide a sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism. A throttling refrigeration unit, a pulse tube refrigeration unit, an adsorption refrigeration unit and a dilution refrigeration unit are combined in the refrigeration mechanism, so that the refrigeration effect of the refrigeration mechanism is improved in a multi-stage pre-cooling mode.
In order to achieve the-mentioned purpose, some embodiments provide the following solutions.
Disclosed is a sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism, including a pulse tube refrigeration unit, first pre-cooling heat exchangers, a throttling refrigeration unit, second pre-cooling heat exchangers, an adsorption refrigeration unit, a third pre-cooling heat exchanger and a dilution refrigeration unit, where the pulse tube refrigeration unit includes a pulse tube refrigeration part, and the pulse tube refrigeration part is connected with the throttling refrigeration unit through the first pre-cooling heat exchangers so as to pre-cool the throttling refrigeration unit; the throttling refrigeration unit includes a throttling refrigeration part, and the throttling refrigeration part is connected with the adsorption refrigeration unit through the second pre-cooling heat exchangers so as to pre-cool the adsorption refrigeration unit; the adsorption refrigeration unit includes an adsorption refrigeration part, and the adsorption refrigeration part is connected with the dilution refrigeration unit through the third pre-cooling heat exchanger so as to pre-cool the dilution refrigeration unit; and the dilution refrigeration unit includes a dilution refrigeration part, and the dilution refrigeration part is a refrigeration terminal of the sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism.
Preferably, the throttling refrigeration unit includes a throttling compressor, a throttling valve and the throttling refrigeration part, an output end of the throttling compressor is connected with an input end of the throttling valve, an output end of the throttling valve is connected with an input end of the throttling refrigeration part, and an output end of the throttling refrigeration part is connected with an input end of the throttling compressor; and the first pre-cooling heat exchangers are located between the throttling compressor and the throttling valve and configured for cooling gas output by the throttling compressor.
Preferably, the throttling refrigeration unit further includes counter-flow heat exchangers, and the counter-flow heat exchangers are located between the throttling compressor and the throttling valve and configured for cooling gas output by the throttling compressor.
Preferably, the pulse tube refrigeration unit is a two-stage pulse tube refrigeration unit and includes a primary pulse tube phase modulation component, a pulse tube main drive compressor, a secondary pulse tube phase modulation component, a primary pulse tube hot end, a secondary pulse tube hot end, a primary pulse tube heat regenerator, a secondary pulse tube high-temperature section heat regenerator, a pulse tube intermediate heat exchanger, a secondary pulse tube low-temperature section heat regenerator and the pulse tube refrigeration part; an output end of the pulse tube main drive compressor is connected with each of the primary pulse tube hot end and the secondary pulse tube hot end; the primary pulse tube phase modulation component, the primary pulse tube hot end, the primary pulse tube heat regenerator and the pulse tube intermediate heat exchanger are sequentially connected; the secondary pulse tube phase modulation component, the secondary pulse tube hot end, the secondary pulse tube high-temperature section heat regenerator, the pulse tube intermediate heat exchanger, the secondary pulse tube low-temperature section heat regenerator and the pulse tube refrigeration part are sequentially connected; the first pre-cooling heat exchangers include a primary first pre-cooling heat exchanger and a secondary first pre-cooling heat exchanger, the primary first pre-cooling heat exchanger is connected with the pulse tube middle heat exchanger, and the secondary first pre-cooling heat exchanger is connected with the pulse tube refrigeration part.
Preferably, the adsorption refrigeration unit is a two-stage adsorption refrigeration unit and includes a primary adsorption pump, a secondary adsorption pump, a primary evaporator, a secondary evaporator and the adsorption refrigeration part; the second pre-cooling heat exchangers include a primary second pre-cooling heat exchanger and a secondary second pre-cooling heat exchanger; the primary adsorption pump is connected with the primary evaporator through a primary pipeline; the secondary adsorption pump is connected with the secondary evaporator through a secondary pipeline; the primary second pre-cooling heat exchanger is in contact with each of the primary pipeline, the secondary pipeline and the throttling refrigeration part for heat exchange, the secondary second pre-cooling heat exchanger is in contact with each of the primary evaporator and the secondary pipeline for heat exchange, and the adsorption refrigeration part is in contact with the secondary evaporator.
Preferably, the dilution refrigeration unit includes a suction pump, a mixing chamber, a distiller and the dilution refrigeration part; an input end of the suction pump is connected with a first output end of the distiller through a 3He circulating pipeline, an output end of the suction pump is connected with a first input end of the mixing chamber through the 3He circulating pipeline, and an output end of the mixing chamber is connected with an input end of the distiller through a 3He-4He mixed fluid circulating capillary tube; a second output end of the distiller is connected with a second input end of the mixing chamber through a 4He circulating pipeline; the dilution refrigeration part is connected with the mixing chamber; the third pre-cooling heat exchanger is in contact with each of the 3He-4He mixed fluid circulating capillary tube, the 4He circulating pipeline and the 3He circulating pipeline, and the adsorption refrigeration part is in contact with the third pre-cooling heat exchanger.
Preferably, the dilution refrigeration unit further includes a first intermediate heat exchanger, a second intermediate heat exchanger and a third intermediate heat exchanger, and the 3He circulating pipeline passes through the first intermediate heat exchanger, the second intermediate heat exchanger and the third intermediate heat exchanger; the first pre-cooling heat exchangers include a primary first pre-cooling heat exchanger and a secondary first pre-cooling heat exchanger; the first intermediate heat exchanger is in contact with the primary first pre-cooling heat exchanger; the second intermediate heat exchanger is in contact with the secondary first pre-cooling heat exchanger; and the third intermediate heat exchanger is in contact with the throttling refrigeration part.
Preferably, the sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism further including a first cold screen, a second cold screen, a third cold screen and a shell, where the first pre-cooling heat exchangers include a primary first pre-cooling heat exchanger and a secondary first pre-cooling heat exchanger; the first cold screen and the throttling refrigeration part are enclosed into a first closed space, the second cold screen and the secondary first pre-cooling heat exchanger are enclosed into a second closed space, the third cold screen and the primary first pre-cooling heat exchanger are enclosed into a third closed space, and the shell is enclosed into a fourth closed space; the first closed space, the second closed space, the third closed space and the fourth closed space are sequentially nested from inside to outside; the dilution refrigeration part and the adsorption refrigeration part are located inside the first closed space; and the pulse tube refrigeration part is located inside the third closed space and located outside the second closed space.
Preferably, the throttling refrigeration part is connected with one of the first pre-cooling heat exchangers through a first heat switch.
Compared with the prior art, some embodiments have the following technical effects.
According to the sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism, a multi-stage pre-cooling mode is adopted. Compared with the mode that a single refrigeration unit is used for direct refrigeration, lower refrigeration temperature and larger cooling capacity can be obtained. In addition, the tail end of the sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism is a dilution refrigeration unit, and the refrigeration mode of the dilution refrigeration unit is a continuous refrigeration mode, so that the temperature of the dilution refrigeration part can be kept below 300 mK and even below 50 mK for a longer time. A sub-Kelvin profound hypothermia environment required by the work of various devices (such as an aviation detector, as well as optical devices and electronic devices attached to the aviation detector) is provided.
To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings to be used in the embodiment. Apparently, the drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art may still obtain other drawings from these drawings without creative efforts.
Reference signs in the drawings: 1.1 throttling compressor; 1.2 low-pressure pipeline; 1.3 high-pressure pipeline; 1.4 primary counter-flow heat exchanger; 1.5 primary first pre-cooling heat exchanger; 1.6 secondary counter-flow heat exchanger; 1.7 secondary first pre-cooling heat exchanger; 1.8 supporting structure; 1.9 first heat switch; 1.10 throttling valve; 1.11 third-stage counter-flow heat exchanger; 1.12 throttling refrigeration part; 1.13 first cold screen; 1.14 second cold screen; 1.15 third cold screen; 1.16 shell; 2.1 primary pulse tube phase modulation component; 2.2 pulse tube main drive compressor; 2.3 secondary pulse tube phase modulation component; 2.4 primary pulse tube hot end; 2.5 secondary pulse tube hot end; 2.6 sealing flange plate; 2.7 primary pulse tube heat regenerator; 2.8 secondary pulse tube high-temperature section heat regenerator; 2.9 pulse tube intermediate heat exchanger; 2.10 secondary pulse tube low-temperature section heat regenerator; 2.11 pulse tube refrigeration part; 3.1 primary adsorption pump; 3.2 secondary adsorption pump; 3.3 second heat switch; 3.4 third heat exchanger; 3.5 primary second pre-cooling heat exchanger; 3.6 primary evaporator; 3.7 secondary second pre-cooling heat exchanger; 3.8 secondary evaporator; 3.9 adsorption refrigeration part; 4.1 suction pump; 4.23He circulating pipeline; 4.3.1 first intermediate heat exchanger; 4.3.2 second intermediate heat exchanger; 4.3.3 third intermediate heat exchanger; 4.44He circulating pipeline; 4.5 distiller; 4.63He-4He mixed fluid circulating capillary tube; 4.7 third pre-cooling heat exchanger; 4.8 mixed fluid stop valve; 4.9 fourth heat switch; 4.10 mixing chamber; and 4.11 dilution refrigeration part.
The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiment in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by the skilled person in the art under the premise of without contributing creative labor belong to the scope protected by the present disclosure.
The present disclosure aims to provide a sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism. A throttling refrigeration unit, a pulse tube refrigeration unit, an adsorption refrigeration unit and a dilution refrigeration unit are combined in the refrigeration mechanism, and the refrigeration effect thereof is improved in a multi-stage pre-cooling mode.
To make the foregoing objective, features and advantages of the present disclosure clearer and more comprehensible, the present disclosure is further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments. The sub-Kelvin temperature zone in the embodiment refers to a temperature zone with a temperature range of 5 mK to 300 mK.
Referring to
The working process of the sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism is as follows. The pulse tube refrigeration unit firstly works, so that the pulse tube refrigeration part 2.11 reaches a first predetermined temperature range (such as 15 K to 90 K) to pre-cool the throttling refrigeration unit. Then, the throttling refrigeration unit works, so that the throttling refrigeration section 1.12 reaches a second predetermined temperature range (such as 1.5 K to 6 K) to pre-cool the adsorption refrigeration unit. Then, the adsorption refrigeration unit works so that the adsorption refrigeration part 3.9 reaches a third predetermined temperature range (such as 300 mK to 1 K) to pre-cool the dilution refrigeration unit. Finally, the dilution refrigeration unit works, the dilution refrigeration part 4.11 serves as a refrigeration terminal, and the temperature of the dilution refrigeration part 4.11 is the lowest refrigeration temperature of the sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism. According to the sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism, a multi-stage pre-cooling mode is adopted. Compared with the mode that a single refrigeration unit is used for direct refrigeration, lower refrigeration temperature and larger cooling capacity can be obtained. In addition, the tail end of the sub-Kelvin temperature zone refrigeration mechanism is a dilution refrigeration unit, and the refrigeration mode of the dilution refrigeration unit is a continuous refrigeration mode, so that the temperature of the dilution refrigeration part 4.11 can be kept below 300 mK and even below 50 mK for a longer time. A sub-Kelvin profound hypothermia environment required by the work of various devices (such as an aviation detector, as well as optical devices and electronic devices attached to the aviation detector) is provided.
Referring to
After the helium is compressed by the throttling compressor 1.1, the compressed helium enters the throttling valve 1.10 for throttling refrigeration, and obtains a corresponding refrigeration temperature and refrigeration capacity at the throttling refrigeration part 1.12. Before the compressed helium enters the throttling valve 1.10, the first pre-cooling heat exchangers are used as intermediate structures at the first pre-cooling heat exchangers, so that the pulse tube refrigeration part 2.11 pre-cools the compressed helium.
Before the compressed helium enters the throttling valve 1.10, in order to further cool the compressed helium, in the embodiment, the throttling refrigeration unit further includes counter-flow heat exchangers, and the counter-flow heat exchangers are located between the throttling compressor 1.1 and the throttling valve 1.10 and used for cooling the gas output by the throttling compressor 1.1. The number and the connecting sequence of the first pre-cooling heat exchangers and the counter-flow heat exchangers can be selected by those skilled in the art as required. For example, referring to
Referring to
The minimum temperature range of the pulse tube intermediate heat exchanger 2.9 is about 60 K to 1000 K, so as to pre-cool the primary first pre-cooling heat exchanger 1.5 and the secondary pulse tube low-temperature section heat regenerator 2.10. After the secondary pulse tube low-temperature section heat regenerator 2.10 is pre-cooled, the minimum temperature range of the pulse tube refrigeration part 2.11 is about 15 K to 20 K.
Referring to
When in use, the throttling refrigeration part 1.12 pre-cools the primary second pre-cooling heat exchanger 3.5, the primary second pre-cooling heat exchanger 3.5 pre-cools the refrigerant in the primary pipeline, and the primary evaporator 3.6 pre-cools the refrigerant in the secondary pipeline through the secondary second pre-cooling heat exchanger 3.7.
Referring to
When the mixed solution of 3He and 4He is at 860 mK or above, the solution of 3He can be dissolved in the solution of 4He in any proportion. However, when the temperature of the mixed solution is decreased below 860 mK, the mixed solution is separated into two phases. The phase containing more 3 He is referred to as the concentrated phase, and the phase containing less 3He is referred to as the diluted phase. The 3He in the mixing chamber 4.10 is in the concentrated phase. The adsorption refrigeration part 3.9 cools a fluid in the 3He-4He mixed fluid circulating capillary tube 4.6, so that the temperature of the distiller 4.5 is kept below 860 mK. Since the saturated vapor pressure of 3 He is much higher than that of 4He, the 3He in the distiller 4.5 is pumped out by the suction pump 4.1, during which the 3He vaporizes and absorbs heat. In order to maintain the equilibrium of the two phases, 3He atoms in the mixing chamber 4.10 enter the distiller 4.5 through the 3He-4He mixed fluid circulating capillary tube 4.6, and the pumped 3He is condensed and refilled into the concentrated phase of the mixing chamber 4.10, so as to form a circulation. The 3He releases heat during condensation, and the heat can be transferred to the adsorption refrigeration part 3.9 to maintain the low temperature of the 3He. At the same time, the 4He in the distiller 4.5 is pumped into the mixing chamber 4.10 by a suction pump for 4 He, and then 4 He in the mixing chamber 4.10 enters the distiller 4.5 through the 3He-4He mixed fluid circulating capillary tube 4.6 to complete the circulation of 4He in the system.
Referring to
Referring to
The first cold screen, the second cold screen and the third cold screen are made of materials with good heat conduction performance, and an oxygen-free copper is preferably selected as the material with good heat conduction performance in the embodiment. For example, when the temperature of the first closed space is decreased, the temperature of the first cold screen 1.13 on the outer side of the first closed space can be quickly decreased along with the first closed space, so that the cooling capacity in the first closed space can be reduced. The insides of both the shell 1.16 and the third cold screen 1.15 are vacuumized for forming vacuum environment (the vacuum degree is kept above 10−4 Pa), so that gas flow and heat transfer therein are limited, and the influence of gas convection on the refrigeration effect can be reduced. In the embodiment, the shell 1.16 is preferably made of stainless steel, and the heat conduction performance of the shell 1.16 is weaker than that of the oxygen-free copper, so as to reduce the cooling amount in the fourth closed space to be dissipated to the outside through the shell 1.16.
In the embodiment, the sealing flange plate further includes a sealing flange plate 2.6. The sealing flange plate 2.6 is fixedly connected with each of the primary pulse tube heat regenerator 2.7, the secondary pulse tube high-temperature section heat regenerator 2.8 and the shell 1.16. The primary pulse tube hot end 2.4 and the secondary pulse tube hot end 2.5 are both located outside the fourth closed space. The primary pulse tube heat regenerator 2.7 and the secondary pulse tube high-temperature section heat regenerator 2.8 are located inside the fourth closed space and outside the third closed space.
Referring to
The heat switch has the characteristics that the thermal resistance is smaller when the heat switch is switched on, and the heat resistance is larger when the heat switch is switched off. When the temperature of the throttling refrigeration part 1.12 is increased to a predetermined degree, the first heat switch 1.9 is switched on, so that the throttling refrigeration part 1.12 is cooled by the secondary first pre-cooling heat exchanger 1.7. When the temperature of the throttling refrigeration part 1.12 is decreased to a predetermined degree, the first heat switch 1.9 is switched off. In a similar way, when the temperature of the primary adsorption pump 3.1 is increased to a predetermined degree, the second heat switch 3.3 is switched on, so that the throttling refrigeration part 1.12 cools the primary adsorption pump 3.1. When the temperature of the primary adsorption pump 3.1 is decreased to a predetermined degree, the second heat switch 3.3 is switched off. In a similar way, when the temperature of the secondary adsorption pump 3.2 is increased to a predetermined degree, the third heat switch 3.4 is switched on, so that the throttling refrigeration part 1.12 cools the secondary adsorption pump 3.2. When the temperature of the adsorption pump 3.2 is decreased to a predetermined degree, the third heat switch 3.4 is switched off. When the temperature of the mixing chamber 4.10 is increased to a predetermined degree, the fourth heat switch 4.9 is switched on, so that the adsorption refrigeration part 3.9 cools the mixing chamber 4.10. When the temperature of the mixing chamber 4.10 is decreased to a predetermined degree, the third heat switch 3.4 is switched off.
The adsorption capacity of adsorbent materials (such as activated carbon) in the primary adsorption pump 3.1 and the secondary adsorption pump 3.2 for the refrigerant (such as helium) is increased along with the decrease of a temperature of the adsorbent materials. When the second heat switch 3.3 is switched on, the temperature of the primary adsorption pump 3.1 is decreased, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent material in the primary adsorption pump 3.1 for the refrigerant is enhanced. The condensed refrigerant in the primary evaporator 3.6 evaporates to absorb heat, so that the secondary second pre-cooling heat exchanger 3.7 is cooled, so as to cool the refrigerant in the secondary pipeline connected with the secondary second pre-cooling heat exchanger 3.7. Then, the temperature of the secondary evaporator 3.8 is decreased. When the third heat switch 3.4 is switched on, the temperature of the secondary adsorption pump 3.2 is decreased, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent material in the secondary adsorption pump 3.2 for the refrigerant is enhanced, and the condensed refrigerant in the secondary evaporator 3.8 evaporates to absorb heat, so that the secondary evaporator 3.8 is cooled.
Specific examples are used for illustration of the principles and implementation methods of the present disclosure. The description of the above-mentioned embodiments is used to help illustrate the method and the core principles of the present disclosure; and meanwhile, those skilled in the art can make various modifications in terms of specific embodiments and scope of application in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. In conclusion, the content of this specification shall not be construed as a limitation to the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202211169079. 1 | Sep 2022 | CN | national |
