Applied Superconetics, Inc.

William E Stonecipher

Bruce C Breneman

Raymond E Sarwinski

A sleeve assembly for thermally interconnecting a pulse tube, two stage cryocooler with a superconducting device includes a heat transfer cylinder, a heat transfer receptacle and a wall extending therebetween to define a passageway. The heat transfer receptacle is formed with a tapered recess wherein a tapered cooling probe of the cryocooler is urged against the heat transfer receptacle to establish thermal communication therebetween. A cooling element of the cryocooler is disposed in the heat transfer cylinder to establish thermal communication therebetween. In operation, the cryocooler moves relative to the sleeve assembly between a first configuration wherein the cryocooler is engaged with the sleeve assembly to establish thermal communication therebetween and a second configuration wherein the cryocooler is disengaged with the sleeve assembly. An expandable bellows which interconnects the cryocooler with the sleeve assembly will maintain thermal insulation therebetween when the cryocooler is disengaged from the sleeve assembly.

Cryocooler interface sleeve

A method for cooling a superconducting device by using a sleeve assembly which thermally interconnects a two stage cryocooler with the device. In operation, the cryocooler is moveable relative to the sleeve assembly between a first configuration wherein the cryocooler is engaged with the sleeve assembly, and a second configuration wherein the cryocooler is disengaged from the sleeve assembly. The cryocooler is disposed in the sleeve assembly with the cooling element of the cryocooler positioned at a distance from the cylinder of the sleeve assembly to establish thermal communication therebetween. Also, the cooling probe of the cryocooler is in contact with the receptacle of the sleeve assembly and is urged against the receptacle to establish thermal communication therebetween. A bellows joins the cryocooler with the sleeve assembly to create an enclosed chamber therebetween and helium is pumped into the sleeve assembly to maintain an operational pressure in the sleeve assembly.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

William E Stonecipher