Heat exchanger with aerodynamic inefficiencies for increased cryocooling efficiency

A system comprising:

• a cryogenic chamber;
• and
• a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cryogenic chamber, the heat exchanger comprising:
• a dividing structure configured to define, at least in part, a first volume and a second volume, the dividing structure configured to permit a flow of a working fluid from the first volume to the second volume and configured to control a ratio of an upstream pressure in the first volume to a downstream pressure in the second volume by inducing an aerodynamic resistance in the flow of the working fluid between the first volume and the second volume.

A method for cooling an interior of an environmental control chamber, the method comprising:

• providing a dividing structure of a heat exchanger, the dividing structure configured to define, at least in part, a first volume and a second volume, the dividing structure configured to permit a flow of a working fluid from the first volume to the second volume and configured to control a ratio of an upstream pressure in the first volume to a downstream pressure in the second volume by inducing an aerodynamic resistance in the flow of the working fluid between the first volume and the second volume;
• coupling a working fluid source to the dividing structure via a coupling portion of the dividing structure;
• coupling a thermal conduit to the heat exchanger, wherein the thermal conduit is in thermal communication with the interior of the environmental control chamber;
• and
• causing operation of the working fluid source to cause working fluid to flow through an upstream flow conduit of the heat exchanger to the first volume, interact with the thermal conduit while the working fluid is within the first volume to cause cooling of the interior of the environmental control chamber, and flow through a return flow path of the dividing structure from the first volume to the second volume.