Lumped Parameter Model for Structural Analysis of Over-Constrained Multi-Legged Parallel Mechanism Supporting System Applied to Cryogenic Devices

While the design of a cryostat is being developed, one of the most relevant sub-systems is the internal supporting system that sustains the cooled component. According to the literature, the arrangement and number of supports chosen often result in a multi-leg over-constrained architecture. These ar...

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Main Authors: Luca Piacentini, Luca Dassa, Diego Perini, Andris Ratkus, Toms Torims, Stefano Uberti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Machines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/2/129
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author Luca Piacentini
Luca Dassa
Diego Perini
Andris Ratkus
Toms Torims
Stefano Uberti
author_facet Luca Piacentini
Luca Dassa
Diego Perini
Andris Ratkus
Toms Torims
Stefano Uberti
author_sort Luca Piacentini
collection DOAJ
description While the design of a cryostat is being developed, one of the most relevant sub-systems is the internal supporting system that sustains the cooled component. According to the literature, the arrangement and number of supports chosen often result in a multi-leg over-constrained architecture. These are usually studied by means of finite element analysis tools alone, which makes studies like the optimization of supporting systems computationally expensive. This paper proposes a more structured and general analytical model compared to the existing models for this application. The proposed lumped parameter model allows designers to study the influence of external loads, pre-load, and cool-down on stress levels and deformation status of the supports of the cryogenic device as well as the consequent misalignment of the cooled component. The general lumped parameter model for <i>n</i> tie-rods of different shapes, dimensions, and materials is proposed. Two particularized models of eight and eleven supports are validated by comparing the results with those from standard finite element analysis software. Results show that the proposed model has a strong agreement with finite element simulations, and the median of relative errors is about 1.4%. This accuracy is obtained for models of randomly arranged supports, which proves the effectiveness of the model in predicting results even for non-symmetrical support configurations. Comparable and accurate results are obtained, which are about 130 times faster than in finite element analysis, thus proving the effective reduction in computational cost. Additionally, the proposed code lets designers change input parameters in a quicker and reliable way.
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spelling doaj-art-3d2a8874ac124ee0a5fd0d62a8d7f2e52025-08-20T02:03:40ZengMDPI AGMachines2075-17022025-02-0113212910.3390/machines13020129Lumped Parameter Model for Structural Analysis of Over-Constrained Multi-Legged Parallel Mechanism Supporting System Applied to Cryogenic DevicesLuca Piacentini0Luca Dassa1Diego Perini2Andris Ratkus3Toms Torims4Stefano Uberti5Institute of Particle Physics and Accelerator Technologies, 1048 Riga, LatviaOrganisation Européenne pour la Recherche Nucléaire, 1211 Geneve, SwitzerlandOrganisation Européenne pour la Recherche Nucléaire, 1211 Geneve, SwitzerlandInstitute of Particle Physics and Accelerator Technologies, 1048 Riga, LatviaInstitute of Particle Physics and Accelerator Technologies, 1048 Riga, LatviaDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyWhile the design of a cryostat is being developed, one of the most relevant sub-systems is the internal supporting system that sustains the cooled component. According to the literature, the arrangement and number of supports chosen often result in a multi-leg over-constrained architecture. These are usually studied by means of finite element analysis tools alone, which makes studies like the optimization of supporting systems computationally expensive. This paper proposes a more structured and general analytical model compared to the existing models for this application. The proposed lumped parameter model allows designers to study the influence of external loads, pre-load, and cool-down on stress levels and deformation status of the supports of the cryogenic device as well as the consequent misalignment of the cooled component. The general lumped parameter model for <i>n</i> tie-rods of different shapes, dimensions, and materials is proposed. Two particularized models of eight and eleven supports are validated by comparing the results with those from standard finite element analysis software. Results show that the proposed model has a strong agreement with finite element simulations, and the median of relative errors is about 1.4%. This accuracy is obtained for models of randomly arranged supports, which proves the effectiveness of the model in predicting results even for non-symmetrical support configurations. Comparable and accurate results are obtained, which are about 130 times faster than in finite element analysis, thus proving the effective reduction in computational cost. Additionally, the proposed code lets designers change input parameters in a quicker and reliable way.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/2/129cryostatsupporting systemanalytical modelover-constrained
spellingShingle Luca Piacentini
Luca Dassa
Diego Perini
Andris Ratkus
Toms Torims
Stefano Uberti
Lumped Parameter Model for Structural Analysis of Over-Constrained Multi-Legged Parallel Mechanism Supporting System Applied to Cryogenic Devices
Machines
cryostat
supporting system
analytical model
over-constrained
title Lumped Parameter Model for Structural Analysis of Over-Constrained Multi-Legged Parallel Mechanism Supporting System Applied to Cryogenic Devices
title_full Lumped Parameter Model for Structural Analysis of Over-Constrained Multi-Legged Parallel Mechanism Supporting System Applied to Cryogenic Devices
title_fullStr Lumped Parameter Model for Structural Analysis of Over-Constrained Multi-Legged Parallel Mechanism Supporting System Applied to Cryogenic Devices
title_full_unstemmed Lumped Parameter Model for Structural Analysis of Over-Constrained Multi-Legged Parallel Mechanism Supporting System Applied to Cryogenic Devices
title_short Lumped Parameter Model for Structural Analysis of Over-Constrained Multi-Legged Parallel Mechanism Supporting System Applied to Cryogenic Devices
title_sort lumped parameter model for structural analysis of over constrained multi legged parallel mechanism supporting system applied to cryogenic devices
topic cryostat
supporting system
analytical model
over-constrained
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/2/129
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