Thermal link assembly and cryostat using same

A cryostat for a receiver system used in a radio telescope, comprising:

• a vacuum container;
• a plurality of cartridges capable of insertion into and removal from said vacuum container, each cartridge having i) at least one thermally conductive cold plate which is generally disk-shaped and has a peripheral cylindrical surface and ii) a receiver mounted on said cold plate;
• at least one temperature stage constructed in said vacuum container, said temperature stage having a thermally conductive base plate;
• a cryogenic cooler for heat lift of said temperature stage;
• a plurality of thermal link assemblies, each secured to said base plate and providing thermal connection between said base plate and one said cold plate;
• and
• each said thermal link assembly comprising:
• an annular ring made of thermally conductive material, said annular ring being generally in a shape of a revolution with respect to an axis;
• said annular ring including an annular base portion to be secured to said base plate and a series of contact tongues arranged along said base portion, each contact tongue having a stem and a head;
• each said stem having i) a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to said axis of said annular ring, ii) a first longitudinal end connected to said base portion, and iii) a second longitudinal end connected to said head;
• each said head having a contact surface to be in contact with said peripheral cylindrical surface of said cold plate;
• each said stem being capable of twisting and bending elastic deformation with respect to said longitudinal axis, so that said contact surface of said head is capable of tilting in any direction and displacing in the radial direction of said annular ring;
• and
• an annular band fitted around said annular ring for exerting a force to said head of each contact tongue so as to urge said contact surface of said head against said peripheral cylindrical surface of said cold plate.

A thermal link assembly for providing thermal connection between a first thermally conductive part and a second thermally conductive part which is generally disk-shaped and has a peripheral cylindrical surface, said thermal link assembly comprising:

• an annular ring made of thermally conductive material;
• said annular ring including an annular base portion adapted to be secured to said first part and a series of contact tongues arranged along said base portion, each said contact tongue having a stem and a head;
• each said stem having i) a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to an axis of said annular ring, ii) a first longitudinal end connected to said base portion, and iii) a second longitudinal end connected to said head;
• each said head having a contact surface adapted to contact said peripheral cylindrical surface of said second part;
• each said stem being capable of twisting and bending elastic deformation with respect to said longitudinal axis, so that said contact surface of each said head is capable of tilting in any direction and displacing in the radial direction of said annular ring;
• and
• an annular band which fits around said annular ring and exerts a force to said head of each contact tongue so as to urge said contact surface of said head against said peripheral cylindrical surface of said second part.