Lateral suspension device for mechanical support of spaceflight adr salt pill

Abstract

The disclosed subject matter relates to a suspension device for use with a low temperature refrigeration system, such as an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator. A support ring is included with three spring-loaded tension assemblies equally spaced about the periphery of the support ring in which the tension assemblies each have a pulley, about which is positioned a plurality of bands of material made of a material having a low coefficient of thermal conductivity and high strength. Connected to this hand is a ring that laterally supports a cylindrical salt pill

1 . A suspension device for use with a refrigerator, comprising:
 a. a ring-shaped support base;   b. at least three tension assemblies, each comprising pulleys and tensioning elements;   c. further comprising a plurality of bands of material that is entrained about the pulleys and held in a taut state by the tensioning elements;   wherein each tension assembly is urged by its tensioning clement in a generally radially outward direction with respect to the support base.   
     
     
         2 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bands comprise 8 bands. 
     
     
         3 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bands are made of a material having a low coefficient of thermal conductivity and high strength. 
     
     
         4 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bands comprise an aramid fiber. 
     
     
         5 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the tension assembly comprises:
 a. a tension arm having a central portion and side portions attached to the central portion;   b. a pivot point about which the tension arm may pivot with respect to the base via one of its side portions;   and wherein the tensioning element provides a compressive force to the other of the side portions of the tension arm.   
     
     
         6 . The suspension device of  claim 5 , wherein the tensioning element comprises a Belleville washer. 
     
     
         7 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , each tension assembly comprising a tension arm having side portions that are each connected via a tensioning element to a bracket attached to the support base and wherein said tensioning element urges the tension arm in a generally radially outward direction. 
     
     
         8 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the tension assemblies comprise grooves to accommodate the plurality of bands. 
     
     
         9 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , further comprising a centrally disposed collar, said collar having three arms, each of which arms having a hole through which the plurality of bands can pass. 
     
     
         10 . The suspension device of  claim 9 , wherein the collar is a split ring. 
     
     
         11 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , comprising a salt pill and a centrally disposed collar for laterally securing the salt pill, wherein the collar is attached to the plurality of bands. 
     
     
         12 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the number of tension assemblies is three. 
     
     
         13 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the ring-shaped support base is made of magnesium. 
     
     
         14 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the ring-shaped support base is made of non-ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         15 . The suspension device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a salt pill and a collar linking the salt pill to the plurality of bands, and secures the salt pill against lateral movement. 
     
     
         16 . The suspension device of  claim 15 , wherein the suspension device is mechanically stable even when cooled to within one degree of absolute zero. 
     
     
         17 . The suspension device of  claim 7 , wherein the tensioning elements are springs. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for signal detection comprising:
 a. an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator, including a quantity of salt that is contained within a housing having first and second ends connected to the salt in such a way as to limit the thermal gradient between the salt and the housing;   b. a laterally constraining suspension connecting one of the first or second ends of the housing to a surrounding magnet to stabilize that end of the housing against lateral movements of the housing with respect to the magnet, wherein the housing is centrally disposed in the laterally constraining suspension and connected thereto via a plurality of bands made of a material having a low coefficient of thermal conductivity and high strength;   c. a gimbal suspension securing the other of the first or second ends of the housing not connected to the magnet against axial and lateral movement; and   d. a detector in thermal communication with the housing.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the laterally constraining suspension comprises:
 a. a ring-shaped base;   b. a plurality of elements that are tensioned to fix the plurality of bands of material tautly in place; and   c. a collar that connects the housing to the plurality of hands.   
     
     
         20 . The suspension device of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of bands comprise 8 hands.