Abstract: A superconductive device (e.g., magnet) having a superconductive lead assembly and cooled by a cryocooler coldhead having first and second stages. A first ceramic superconductive lead has a first end thermally connected to the first stage and a second end thermally connected to the second stage. A jacket of open cell material (e.g., polystyrene foam) is in surrounding compressive contact with the first ceramic superconductive lead, and a rigid, nonporous support tube surrounds the jacket. This protects the first ceramic superconductive lead against shock and vibration while in the device. The rigid support tube has a first end and a second end, with the second end thermally connected to the second stage.

Abstract: A low-temperature refrigeration system (10) is disclosed for accurately maintaining an instrument (11) with a time varying heat output at a substantially constant predetermined cryogenic temperature. The refrigeration system (10) controls the temperature of the instrument (11) by accurately adjusting the pressure of coolant at a heat exchanger interface (12) associated with the instrument (11). The pressure and flow of coolant is adjusted through the use of one or two circulation loops and/or a non-mechanical flow regulator (24) including a heater (32). The refrigeration system further provides a thermal capacitor (16) which allows for variation of the cooling output of the system (10) relative to a cooling output provided by a cooling source (14).

Abstract: A heat exchanger, as mounted on the outdoor unit or indoor unit of an air conditioner system, is formed with a plurality of passages for a refrigerant. To this heat exchanger, there is connected a refrigerant distributor for distributing the refrigerant to the individual passages or for collecting the distributed refrigerant. This refrigerant distributor is constructed by soldering two corrugated plate members to form a refrigerant conduit between the corrugations. Before these plate members are soldered, the refrigerant conduit is either partially constricted to form a throttle portion or partially bulged to form a filter portion by fitting a filter member in the bulging portion when the plate members are soldered. Thus, the refrigerant distributor can set the diversion of the refrigerant to a predetermined ratio by the simple device while reducing the space and lowering the cost.

Abstract: A NMR measurement apparatus comprising a cryostat (10) in which a superconducting magnet coil system (9) is disposed in a first tank (8) having cryogenic liquid and surrounded by additional cooling devices such as radiation shields (5, 6), superinsulating foil (7) and, if appropriate, a second tank (3) having cryogenic liquid, is characterized by a pulse tube cooler (11) cryotechnically connected to at least one of the additional cooling devices in a good heat conducting fashion with this cooling device being mechanically attached in the cryostat (10) in such a fashion that vibrational and cryotechnical decoupling is achieved between the cooling device and the first tank (8) having the cryogenic liquid and, in particular, between the cooling device and the superconducting magnet coil system (9).

Abstract: A cryogenic cooling apparatus is provided, wherein the degree of freedom of installation and use is increased without deteriorating the reliability or stability and the range of uses of the apparatus is also increased. A coil unit and a refrigeration unit are positioned such that a second heat conductive member disposed on an extendible wall of a vacuum container and a fourth heat conductive member disposed on an extendible wall of another vacuum container face each other coaxially. In this state, the coil unit and refrigeration unit are relatively moved to approach each other, and thus the second heat conductive member and fourth heat conductive member come in contact. If the coil unit and refrigeration unit are further moved, the extendible wall extends and consequently the second heat conductive member comes in contact with a first heat conductive member. In addition, the extendible wall contracts and consequently the fourth heat conductive member comes in contact with a third heat conductive member.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooling apparatus (cryocooler) with voltage isolation includes a cold end structure, which may be placed in thermally and electrically conductive contact with an electrically charged structured to be cooled, a warm end, and an electrically insulating structure between the warm end and the cold end structure of the apparatus so as to electrically isolate the cold end structure from the warm end. Two cold fingers, each comprising a cold end structure, a warm end, and the insulating structure, may be conveniently combined into a single cooling apparatus for the cooling of two electrically charged structures at different voltage levels, e.g., conductive electrical leads to a cryogenic superconductive energy storage device. The electrically insulating structure is selected so as to provide both electrical isolation and to contain a cryogenic working fluid within the cold finger of the cryocooler.

Abstract: A cooling system for an electron microscope specimen comprises a refrigerant container, a passage for introducing the refrigerant into a heat-exchanging position, a flow rate-adjusting valve mounted in an exhaust passage and a control unit. The flow rate of gas produced by evaporation is adjusted by a rate-adjusting valve. The control unit establishes either a maximum flow rate mode for rapid cooling or a minimum flow rate mode for observation of an image.

Abstract: A heat pump heating and cooling system includes a compressor, indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, and two expansion devices. Interposed between the expansion devices is a cut-off device which permits refrigerant to flow between the indoor and outdoor heat exchanges while the compressor is operating, and blocks such flow while the compressor is idle, thereby isolating high and low pressure fluids from one another while the compressor is idle.

Abstract: In a "permanent" magnet system based on high-temperature superconductors, a superconducting magnet is cooled to a temperature below its critical temperature with a cooler. The magnet is coupled to a cold body of solid nitrogen which is insulated to minimize heat input to the system. The superconducting magnet is energized to generate a magnetic field and the cooler is removed. Unlike conventional superconducting magnets in which the magnet operating temperature is maintained at a fixed point, in the system of the present invention the operating temperature is allowed to rise from an initial value of approximately 20 K to as high as 63 K (the melting point of nitrogen), enabling operation over an extended period without the aid of direct cooling. The superconducting magnet is recooled periodically to lower its temperature to approximately 20 K. The magnetic field is maintained and the system is fully operable during the recooling process.

Abstract: A cooling device for cooling of current leads (6, 7) in the bushings of a cryotank (1), wherein the current leads in the gas-filled part of the cryotank are designed as plate-formed sub-leads (12) surrounded by a casing (8) of insulating material with an inner open part of rectangular shape. Between all the sub-leads inside the cryotank there are arranged a number of rows of inclined transverse ribs (13a, 13b, . . . 13n, 14a, 14b . . . 14n) of insulating material. On the inner walls of the casing, facing the plate edges of the sub-leads, and at the ends of the transverse ribs, shelves (15, 16) are fixed whereby spiral cooling coils are formed around the current leads from the lower edge of the casing.

Abstract: A multiroom airconditioner includes a plurality of indoor units, each of them having an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger and a device for equalizing the pressure of the refrigerant flowing from the indoor units to the outdoor unit, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger is divided into an identical number of sections as that of the indoor heat exchanger, each of the sections being connected to each of the indoor units in one to one basis.

Abstract: An indium gasket having a configuration which allows the indium to reach its yield point at a relatively low contact pressure. The indium gasket is provided with a multiplicity of openings which are filled by the deforming indium during compression between the cryocooler and the cryocooler interface sleeve of a superconducting magnet system. The creation of openings in the gasket has the effect of decreasing the mechanical interface pressure at which the indium yields. The indium flows at a mechanical interface pressure that does not exceed the structural strength requirements of the cryocooler. The indium flows into the empty spaces formed by the openings, thereby providing the necessary thermal conductance between the cryocooler and the interface sleeve. The result is a relatively small temperature difference between the interface sleeve and the cryocooler during cooling of the superconducting magnets.

Abstract: A cryogenic cold shelf for use in a freeze drying system having a cryogen distributor for passing cryogenic fluid into the shelf volume of the cold shelf at differing rates so as to even refrigeration provided over the entire shelf resulting in a uniform temperature over the cold shelf.

Abstract: A cryogen recondensing system magnetic resonance imager superconducting magnet and a cryogen recondensing system with a rare earth displacement material cryocooler and superconductive lead bismuth magnetic sleeve provides superconducting current flow of currents induced by movement of the rare earth displacer which generate opposing magnetic fields to shield the superconducting magnet from the magnetic interference of the cryocooler rare earth displacer. Strips of high conductivity wave-shaped aluminum or sapphire rods may be embedded in the surface of the sleeve to lower the thermal resistance of the superconducting shield to enable it to quickly reach superconducting temperature.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a dewar and a refrigerator/liquefier which meets the variable demands of a superconducting magnet within the dewar. The system is sized to meet average loads over a defined duty cycle, and is variably operable to meed demands. In the preferred embodiment, a first supply of fluid circulates through a "condenser" element positioned in a dewar ullage to liquefy a separate supply of fluid in the dewar, and to refrigerate a pulsed cryogenic load therein, such as a superconducting magnet. A portion of the first supply of fluid may be diverted to refrigerate a second pulsed cryogenic load, such as magnet current leads permanently connected to the magnet. The dewar includes a cold gas vapor storage chamber separate from the dewar ullage, and the chamber is preferably located within the inner core of a solenoid superconducting magnet for compact and thermally efficient design. Responsive, independent adjustment of refrigeration to pulsed cryogenic loads is made possible.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus generates a radiofrequency magnetic field to excite magnetization spins of a subject placed in a static magnetic field, and which receives magnetic resonance signals generated from the excited magnetization spins so as to generate an image of the subject based on the received magnetic resonance signals. A superconducting coil carries out at least one of generation of the radiofrequency magnetic field and a reception of the magnetic resonance signals. A cryostat has a refrigerant container therein. The refrigerant container contains refrigerant and the superconducting coil. A flow space is formed between the refrigerant container and a surface of the cryostat. Fluid having appropriate temperature and amount of supply is made to flow to the flow space, thereby temperature of a surface of the cryostat can be maintained in a predetermined range. The subject is directly placed on the surface of the cryostat.

Abstract: A long-term thermally stable cryostat (40). The cryostat (40) pre-cools an incoming high-pressure gas, converts it to a cold liquid, contains the liquid, and cools an item by allowing the liquid to acquire heat from the item and boil into an exhaust gas, while maintaining an absolute pressure in the container to reduce thermal noise due to altitude-induced pressure changes. In specific embodiments, the cryostat (40) includes a hollow mandrel (52) disposed within a cooling volume (64) mounted within a dewar vacuum area (58). Pre-cooling fins (44) spiral around the hollow mandrel (52) within the cooling volume (64) and circulate an incoming high-pressure gas around the mandrel (52). A flow restrictor (60) receives the incoming gas from the pre-cooling fins (44) and releases it into the cooling volume (64), thereby converting the incoming gas into a cold liquid which can acquire heat from the item and boil into an exhaust gas.

Abstract: To prevent refrigerant leakage when operating in a metering mode, a refrigerant expansion device, designed to selectively operate in either the meteting or bypass mode of operation, has a cylindrical ring installed to tightly hold the meteting piston in its metering position so as to prevent leakage ofrefrigerant therearound.

Abstract: A demountable thermal coupling for engaging a refrigeration unit with a cryogenic device includes a collet assembly which is slidingly mounted against a retainer ring in the passageway of a sleeve assembly. When the refrigeration unit is engaged with the sleeve assembly, the collet assembly closes onto a cooling probe of the refrigeration unit to establish a thermal contact between the cooling probe and the collet assembly. An interconnect between the collet and the superconducting device then allows the cooling probe to cool the superconducting device. Withdrawal of the cooling probe from the collet disengages the refrigeration unit from the superconducting device.

Abstract: A two-phase nozzle having a converging diverging configurations is equipped with a flow divider at its inlet. The flow divider is arranged to act upon an incoming flow of two-phase liquid to break the liquid phase into finely divided droplets which are directed into the nozzle entrance region so that minimum contact is made with the inside wall of the nozzle. The finely divided droplets are thus thoroughly dispersed in the gas phase of the mixture producing maximum acceleration of the fluid through the nozzle.

Abstract: An improved actively shielded superconducting magnet in which the main and bucking coils are directly wound onto respective coil support structures made of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy. The main and bucking coil cartridges are held in a fixed concentric relationship via a pair of flanges located at opposite ends of a helium vessel. During manufacture of the main and bucking coil cartridges, the outer diameters of the respective coil support structures are machined with high precision. Also, the diameters of two concentric grooves are precisely machined on the inner surface of each helium vessel end flange to match the outer diameters of the main and bucking coil support structures, so that at room temperature the main and bucking coil cartridges can slide smoothly into these grooves. The helium vessel is made of aluminum alloy and has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is greater than that of the fiber-reinforced epoxy coil support structures.

Abstract: A dewar assembly has a wall contacting a liquefied gas within the interior of the dewar assembly. The dewar assembly is processed so as to remove the stable gaseous film boiling layer that is normally present between the liquefied gas and the wall. The processing is preferably accomplished by reducing the pressure on the liquefied gas to reduce its temperature and the temperature of the wall, and then returning the pressure over the liquefied gas to ambient to produce a temperature in the liquefied gas which is temporarily greater than that of the wall. The existing gaseous film boiling layer is removed, so that thermal and acoustic variations present in the system due to the presence of the film boiling layer are eliminated, and the liquefied gas attains a more direct contact with the wall.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: A sleeve assembly for reducing the thermal conduction heat load from the bellows penetration tube to the heliumvessel of a superconducting magnet assembly. The sleeve assembly is designed to force helium boil-off gas to flow in intimate contact with the bellows convolutions. The helium boil-off gas thereby intercepts or removes a portion of the heat that would normally be conducted from the bellows convolutions to the helium vessel. The sleeve assembly consists of a circular cylindrical rolled tube made of laminated thermosetting material. The outer diameter of the tube is wrapped with tape in a helical pattern. The diameter of the sleeve and the thickness of the tape wrapping are selected so that the outer circumferential surface of the helically wrapped tape abuts the inner diameter of the bellows. The sleeve is fabricated with a relatively small thickness to minimize thermal con-duction load.

Abstract: A refrigerant expansion device for expanding refrigerant flowing within a refrigerant line from a condenser to an evaporator in a refrigeration system. The refrigerant expansion device includes a tubular restrictor having a cylindrical main portion and a tapered nozzle portion wherein the nozzle portion includes an outlet end having an orifice. A solder ring is disposed about the tapered nozzle portion and may be press fit onto the restrictor for secure engagement therewith. During the expansion device fabrication, the tubular restrictor is inserted into the refrigerant line to a predetermined position. The exterior of the refrigerant line is then heated at the predetermined position such that heat is transferred through the refrigerant line and melts the solder ring thereby brazing the restrictor to the refrigerant line at the predetermined position.

Abstract: There is provided a cooling chamber which communicates with a nozzle pipe. A heat absorption portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of an expansion chamber of a cryopump and the heat absorption portion is disposed inside the cooling chamber. For example, ordinary temperature nitrogen gas is supplied to the cooling chamber as a cooling medium, the heat of the nitrogen gas is absorbed by the heat absorption portion of the cryopump, and then the nitrogen gas is jetted from a tip end opening of the inner pipe. With such an arrangement, it is possible to easily cool an object to be cooled such as a sample using a cooling medium which costs less than liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A cryocooler system (20) includes a heat sink (24), such as a Stirling cycle heat engine having a cold cylinder sleeve (26) and a cold gas pocket region (32) within the cold cylinder sleeve (26). An adapter (36) is sealed to the cold cylinder sleeve (26) with a hermetic seal, such as a welded joint (38). A copper cold tip (28) has a first end (34) directly contacting the cold gas pocket region (32) within the cold cylinder sleeve (26). The periphery of the cold tip (28) is welded, preferably by frictional welding, to the adapter (36). The cold tip (28) thereby provides a hermetic seal to the end of the cold cylinder sleeve (26) to retain the working gas within the cold gas pocket region (32) and also to provide an unimpeded heat flow path to the cold gas pocket region (32).

Abstract: A superconductive magnet has a superconductive coil surrounded by a thermal shield surrounded by a vacuum enclosure. The thermal shield has one and preferably several flexible layers of thermally conductive material. A first flexible blanket of multi-layer thermal insulation surrounds the thermal shield within the vacuum enclosure, and a second such flexible blanket surrounds the superconductive coil within the thermal shield. A cryocooler coldhead has a first stage in thermal contact with each of the flexible layers of the thermal shield. At least most of the weight of the thermal shield is supported by the flexible blankets.

Abstract: A dual capillary inlet cryogenic test chamber having the ability to continuously regulate temperature between about 1.5 K. and 400 K. A controllably heated capillary tube is located in the cryogenic reservoir, spaced from the test chamber and thermally insulated from the cryogen. This capillary tube has a characteristic impedance to fluid flow. A second low temperature, high impedance capillary tube inlet is also in the cryogenic reservoir and is connected between the cryogen reservoir and the test chamber. The combination of a control system with pressure and temperature feedback, combined with the two inlet tubes of different impedance, enables the apparatus to operate continuously and stably at any temperature within its operating range, or to smoothly sweep through any predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: In a low-temperature current transfer structure including a conductor with a cold end for connection to a superconductive component and a warm end for connection to a bus, there are provided heat exchange regions around the conductor at the cold end and a heat exchange region within the conductor at the warm end where the conductor is hollow cylindrical and, in a transition zone, includes passages for conducting coolant from the heat exchange regions around the conductor to the heat exchange region within the hollow conductor at the warm end to which electrical connectors are mounted on the outside. The arrangement permits heating of the coolant within the conductor close to ambient temperature so that no condensation or icing of the structure occurs and no insulation is needed at the connector end. Also the amount of coolant required is reduced so that also cooling equipment requirements are reduced.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: The cylindrical chamber allows one to quickly package a test fixture with attached sample, cool it to liquid-nitrogen temperature in a few minutes, and warm it back up to room temperature in a few minutes in a dry, helium or nitrogen atmosphere, which prevents water or ice from condensing on the test fixture and sample.

Abstract: A portable contamination-sensitive component transport container provides a continuously purged environment for the components. The container includes an attached cryogenically liquefied inert gas insulated storage vessel from which vaporized liquefied inert gas is used to generate a gaseous nitrogen purge to the container.

Abstract: A super-conducting electro-magnet for use in an MRI system comprising a helium vessel within which magnet windings are positioned, a vacuum chamber within which the helium vessel is contained, at least one thermal shield positioned between the helium vessel and the vacuum chamber, a service turret having a neck tube which is arranged to extend through the thermal shield within the vacuum chamber so as to communicate with the helium vessel for filling purposes, the thermal shield being thermally coupled to the service turret neck tube by means of a plurality of flexible connector strips fabricated from laminated conductive material which at one end are secured to the thermal shield and which at the other end thereof are secured to the service turret neck tube, sufficient strips being provided substantially to surround the service turret neck tube thereby to provide a substantially continuous thermally conductive junction between the service turret neck tube and the thermal shield.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Abstract: A device for cryoprotecting thermolabile products. A container (20) receives an annular rack (40) which is sealed by an enclosure (60). The enclosure (60) includes an outer stationary toroid (70) and a rotatable core (90). A robotic arm (160) is adapted to move and is supported by the core (90). The robotic arm (160) accesses an interior of the enclosure (60). An access portal (80) allows removal and placement of thermolabile products constrained by a holder (150). The robotic arm (160) accesses product and holder (150) and embarks upon controlled freezing of the product and its location in the rack (40) until subsequent retrieval. A computer controls the rate of freezing and stores in memory the location of all of the stored products. The robotic arm (160) reads the product in storage to assure the correct product is being accessed.

Abstract: A super-conducting magnet, particularly suitable for use with an MRI system is provided. The super-conducting magnet includes a closed loop former, a coil winding around the former of a material which is super-conducting at low temperatures, a vacuum vessel containing the former and also of closed loop shape to define a passage through the magnet for receipt of objects to be investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance, electrical connection for the coil winding, a thermal shield within the vacuum vessel and around the former, characterized in that the former is non-electrically conductive and in that refrigeration is provided, operatively connected to the coil winding and the thermal shield, the refrigeration being such that no liquid reservoir for liquid helium or liquid nitrogen is required.

Abstract: Cooling apparatus has a cryogenic cooler which is connected thermally by a heat transfer system to a hot object to be cooled, wherein the heat transfer system is constructed of a cold finger, a heat sink or energy control module, and a thermal diffuser. The cold finger thermally connects the heat sink to the cooler, and the diffuser thermally connects the hot object to the heat sink. The heat sink is formed of a thermally conductive material, preferably lithium which has a high energy storage capacity, and which is enclosed within a housing of thermally conductive material to prevent interaction of the lithium chemically with the external environment. The diffuser is fabricated of solid industrial diamond which has great thermal diffusivity at cryogenic temperatures to distribute, virtually instantaneously, and over a wide area of the heat sink much larger than the hot object, the energy dissipated within the hot object.

Abstract: A cryogenic cold head in a canister is partially surrounded by an isolation mass. An open portion of the mass permits access for connection of a vapor compression refrigeration unit to the cold head, which is highly conductive. Straps of braided copper suspend the isolation mass from the cold head. The isolation mass and straps have a fundamental frequency that is below the first harmonic frequency at the cold head as caused by the refrigeration unit. A temperature differential between the cold head and a device-mounting interface on the isolation mass is preferably less than 2.5K per watt of heat transferred. The device to be cooled is mounted directly to the isolation mass when the mass of the device is insignificant relative to the isolation mass. For further vibration isolation, the device is separated from the isolation mass by another braided strap.

Abstract: A superconducting deflection electromagnet apparatus for deflecting an electron beam includes a liquid helium reservoir 21 disposed outside of the magnetic shield 11 surrounding the cryostat 4 accommodating the upper and lower liquid helium containers 2 in which coil assemblies 1, 31, 32 are disposed. Preferably, the upper and lower liquid helium containers 2 are supported from the cryostat 4 by means of the thermally insulating support members 5, 6 and 8 whose positions are adjustable by means of the threaded projections 5a, 6a and 8a and the nuts 52, 53, 62, 63, 82, 83 engaging therewith. The nuts secure the respective thermally insulating support members to the cap-shaped fixing members 44, 47, 49 attached to the extensions 43, 45, 49 of the cryostat 4.

Abstract: In a superconducting magnet system which has a superconducting coil member, a cryocooler for cooling the superconducting coil member into the superconducting state, and a current lead for supplying an electric current to the superconducting coil member, the current lead is made of a high-temperature superconducting material and is also cooled by the cryocooler into the superconducting state with the current lead kept in contact with the cryocooler.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus especially for cooling high-temperature-superconducting lectronic components includes a cold gas cooling machine, such as a Stirling machine, thermally connected to a pressure vessel serving as a cold reservoir vessel. The pressure vessel contains a working medium having a triple point in the temperature range from about 60K to about 90K and a critical temperature at least as high as the maximum operating room temperature of the apparatus. The working medium is propane, for example. A cooling surface of the electronic component is thermally connected to the pressure vessel. In the method of operating the apparatus, the electronic component does not require continuous cooling. During a charging or refrigerating phase, the cooling machine freezes the working medium. Then during a useful cooling phase, the cooling machine is switched off and the electronic component is operated while being cooled by the frozen working medium.

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive system and method for regulating the temperature of a cryogenic liquid in a storage vessel (2), such as vehicle refueling station, comprises inner and outer walls (6, 8) defining a inner chamber (12) for housing the cryogenic liquid. To provide a variable thermal resistance around the inner chamber, a thermal control fluid is disposed within an insulation space (10) between the inner and outer walls. A fluid conduit (30) has an inlet and outlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a heat exchanger coil (36) disposed within the insulation space. A control valve (38) allows the cryogenic liquid to flow through the fluid conduit so that the cryogenic liquid is in heat exchange relationship with the thermal control gas as the liquid passes through the coil (i.e., the cryogenic liquid cools and condenses the thermal control gas to reduce the control gas pressure).

Abstract: A helium cooled superconducting magnet assembly including helium gas recondensing apparatus to return liquid helium to the helium supply in the helium vessel includes a recondenser positioned in the helium vessel above the helium supply connected to a cryocooler in a dual-sleeve assembly enabling breaking of thermal joints with thermal isolation from the helium for servicing of the cryocooler during superconducting operation of the magnet assembly, and providing recondensing of helium gas to fall by gravity back to the helium supply.

Abstract: The invention is a microcomponent sheet architecture wherein macroscale unit processes are performed by microscale components. The sheet architecture may be a single laminate with a plurality of separate microcomponent sections or the sheet architecture may be a plurality of laminates with one or more microcomponent sections on each laminate. Each microcomponent or plurality of like microcomponents perform at least one unit operation. A first laminate having a plurality of like first microcomponents is combined with at least a second laminate having a plurality of like second microcomponents thereby combining at least two unit operations to achieve a system operation.

Abstract: A cryogenically efficient interface which enables the quick loading of completely configured Independent Measurement Inserts in a direction perpendicular to the temperature gradient of a cryogenic cooling source. An air lock and precooling means provide a method for loading independent measurement inserts directly into the cryostat vacuum without applying an undue initial or steady thermal load on the cooling source. A heat switch provides means for establishing variable thermal contact between the contoured independent measurement inserts and the cold stage of a cryogenic cooling source. There is a free selection in the cryogenic cooling source which may be used and also in the types of measurements which may be configured and loaded by the means of appropriately configured idependent measurement inserts. Loading of measurement inserts may be carried out in any direction.

Abstract: A low-temperature refrigeration system (10) is disclosed for accurately maintaining an instrument (11) with a time varying heat output at a substantially constant predetermined cryogenic temperature. The refrigeration system (10) controls the temperature of the instrument (11) by accurately adjusting the pressure of coolant at a heat exchanger interface (12) associated with the instrument (11). The pressure and flow of coolant is adjusted through the use of one or two circulation loops and/or a non-mechanical flow regulator (24) including a heater (32). The refrigeration system further provides a thermal capacitor (16) which allows for variation of the cooling output of the system (10) relative to a cooling output provided by a cooling source (14).

Abstract: A superconducting apparatus is provided with a cryostat, a superconducting magnet contained in the cryostat, an emergency gas discharge pipe connected with the cryostat, and an emergency discharge valve disposed midway of the discharge pipe for discharging to an external environment an emergency discharge gas generated at quenching. In addition, the superconducting apparatus is provided with a gas heating unit for heating the emergency discharge gas flowing inside the discharge pipe.

Abstract: An expansion valve used in an air conditioner having a passage for a liquid-phase refrigerant sent from a reservoir to a valve body, and a passage for a vapor-phase refrigerant after passing an evaporator 8. The refrigerant passage includes a valve chamber to control the amount of the refrigerant passing through the valve by means of a member configured to engage with a valve seat. The valve member is operated by a valve driving rod which can move in the axial direction in response to the temperature and pressure of the vapor-phase refrigerant. An orifice is interposed between a liquid-phase refrigerant inlet port and the valve chamber to decrease that bubbles contained in the refrigerant entering into the valve chamber by means of its throttling hole. Also the passage from the valve chamber to the valve seat is tapered to prevent collapse of bubbles.

Abstract: A stacked multistage Joule-Thomson (J-T) cryostat is described in which each stage comprises a thermally conducting material plate member with fluid passages formed therein and in which the stages are stacked one above the other but separated from each other by thermally insulating standoff supports. Each successive stage in the stack is cooled to successively lower temperature zones by J-T expansion and liquefaction of different coolant gases. Each stage has a restricting passageway connected to a different high pressure gas coolant supply and forming a throttle valve opening into two-phase (liquid-vapor) coolant reservoir passages. The reservoir passages in all but the coldest stage are in heat exchange relation with the high pressure supply passages of the lower boiling temperature coolant gases. The coldest stage is in heat exchange relation with a cold surface on which a device to be cooled can be mounted.