Patent ID: 8809679

Claim:
A method of maintaining an operating cryogenic temperature range of a low temperature system, comprising the steps of: coupling an attachment surface of a heat intercept to a temperature-critical aspect of said low temperature system, said attachment surface conforming to the shape of said temperature-critical aspect, said attachment surface formed of a heat conductive material, said heat intercept including a heat sink, an inlet channel, and an outlet channel, said inlet channel and said outlet channel extending away from said heat sink, said heat sink positioned in abutting relation to said temperature-critical aspect of said low temperature system, said heat sink having a first interior with a plurality of fins affixed therewithin, said inlet channel having a second interior, said outlet channel having a third interior, said first interior of said heat sink being in open communication with said second interior of said inlet channel, said first interior of said heat sink being in open communication with said third interior of said outlet channel; and injecting a cryogenic gaseous medium into said inlet channel, wherein said cryogenic gaseous medium enters said heat sink through said inlet channel and exits said heat sink through said outlet channel, wherein said cryogenic gaseous medium has a higher temperature when exiting said heat sink than when entering said heat sink.