EP0576202A1 - Refroidisseur - Google Patents

Refroidisseur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0576202A1
EP0576202A1 EP93304706A EP93304706A EP0576202A1 EP 0576202 A1 EP0576202 A1 EP 0576202A1 EP 93304706 A EP93304706 A EP 93304706A EP 93304706 A EP93304706 A EP 93304706A EP 0576202 A1 EP0576202 A1 EP 0576202A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
expander
compressor
refrigerator according
displacers
regenerator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93304706A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Guruge Elmo Lakshman Perera
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BAE Systems Electronics Ltd
Original Assignee
GEC Marconi Ltd
Marconi Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GEC Marconi Ltd, Marconi Co Ltd filed Critical GEC Marconi Ltd
Publication of EP0576202A1 publication Critical patent/EP0576202A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B9/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
    • F25B9/14—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the cycle used, e.g. Stirling cycle

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a refrigerator capable of cooling miniature devices to low temperatures.
  • a refrigerator could have application, for example, for the spot cooling or freezing in biological or medical procedures, in micro-chemical analysis, for the spot cooling or temperature stabilization of certain instruments or equipment, and for the cooling of miniature super-conducting devices.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a form of refrigerator capable of achieving these and even lower temperatures.
  • a refrigerator comprises a closed cycle system employing a compressor communicating through a regenerator with an expander, and a pair of displacers communicating respectively with the passages between the compressor and regenerator and between the expander and regenerator, these elements being actuated independently in a Stirling cycle sequence to remove heat from the region around the expander.
  • the elements may be in the form of pistons operating in cylinders or movable diaphragms, actuated by electric or electronic means in the appropriate sequence, for example utilising thermal expansion, or electro-static or electro-magnetic forces.
  • the present inventions is particularly applicable to micro-refrigerators, and by appropriate construction of heat exchange surfaces, high efficiencies and low temperatures can readily be achieved.
  • the compressor, expander and displacers each has a displacement volume of not more than 2.0 x 106 ⁇ m.
  • the heat exchange surfaces can be formed by micro-machining or etching micro-sized grooves in the surfaces, i.e. grooves having a width and depth of the order of 10 microns or less.
  • the grooved surfaces may be formed of, or plated by a metal having high thermally conducting properties, such as silver or copper.
  • a metal having high thermally conducting properties such as silver or copper.
  • the platings may be broken a plurality of times in the flow direction to provide high axial thermal resistance to improve its performance.
  • the refrigerator comprises a compressor C and an expander E connected by a duct 10 in which there is located a regenerator 11.
  • the compressor, expander and displacers are shown as piston and cylinder units, although in practice these may be replaced by devices incorporating movable diaphragms; the reciprocating movement of the pistons/diaphragms, which will hereinafter be referred to as pistons for simplicity, are independently controlled, for example by electro-static or electro-magnetic forces.
  • the pistons of the displacers A and B are arranged to operate in anti-phase as indicated by the broken line 14, although they are not necessarily mechanically linked.
  • the system contains a working substance in the form of a gas, which may, for example be nitrogen, helium or hydrogen.
  • the ideal motions of the compressor C, expander E and the displacers A, B may be replaced by simple harmonic motions, as shown in Figure 4, in which the volumes of gas in the various elements are plotted against time, V cl representing the minimum volumes, and V cl + V s the maximum volumes of the elements.
  • the frequency of operation of the displacers A and B is half that of the compressor C and expander E, which are intermittently stopped over half the cycle.
  • compressor C is shown as stopped between ⁇ and 3 ⁇ and the expander betwen 0 and 2 ⁇ . Whilst the overall efficiency of the micro-refrigerator will be somewhat less than ideal, it will in general prove adequate for effective cooling to low temperatures depending upon the gas used as the working substance.
  • the regenerator 11 is conveniently constructed as illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, which represent a longitudinal section, and a transverse section across the line A-A, respectively, the regenerator being in the form of a rectangular structure formed by two superposed plates 16, 17 approximately 10mm long and 4mm wide.
  • the covered surface of the plate 16 is provided with a series of longitudinally extending micron-sized grooves 18, through which the gas is passed in use.
  • the parts of the duct 10 adjacent the compressor C and expander E may be formed as shown in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C which represent a side section, a plan section and a transverse section respectively of the relevant parts of the duct.
  • This comprises a main duct element 20 having a bore 21 which widens towards a central region 22.
  • One side of the duct element 20 is formed with an opening over this central region 22 into which is fitted, so as to close the opening, a copper block 23 having its inner surface etched with longitudinal grooves 24, to increase the surface area contacting the gaseous working fluid on its passage through the duct, and thereby enhance the heat transfer qualities.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Compressors, Vaccum Pumps And Other Relevant Systems (AREA)
EP93304706A 1992-06-24 1993-06-16 Refroidisseur Withdrawn EP0576202A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929213350A GB9213350D0 (en) 1992-06-24 1992-06-24 Refrigerator
GB9213350 1992-06-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0576202A1 true EP0576202A1 (fr) 1993-12-29

Family

ID=10717614

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93304706A Withdrawn EP0576202A1 (fr) 1992-06-24 1993-06-16 Refroidisseur

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0576202A1 (fr)
GB (2) GB9213350D0 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0678716A1 (fr) * 1994-04-18 1995-10-25 Jean Eggmann Dispositif pour le transport de la chaleur à travers une paroi isolante d'après le principe du procédé stirling
EP0695919A1 (fr) * 1994-08-01 1996-02-07 Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V. Refroidisseur Stirling
FR2747767A1 (fr) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-24 Cryotechnologies Cryostat pour refroidisseur cryogenique et refroidisseurs comportant un tel cryostat
US5968637A (en) * 1996-05-07 1999-10-19 Thomson-Csf Use of nitride barrier to prevent the diffusion of silver in glass
WO2005031141A1 (fr) * 2003-10-01 2005-04-07 Michael Cahill Moteur thermique ou pompe a chaleur

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4630626B2 (ja) * 2004-10-21 2011-02-09 株式会社サクション瓦斯機関製作所 熱機関
GB2450499A (en) * 2007-06-26 2008-12-31 Michele Chieffo Bag transportation, re-use and storage system

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SU343123A1 (ru) * Физико технический институт низких температур Украинской ССР Газовая установка
US1460677A (en) * 1922-05-22 1923-07-03 Automatic Refrigerating Compan Air-refrigerating machine
US3074244A (en) * 1961-04-12 1963-01-22 Malaker Lab Inc Miniature cryogenic engine
US3115014A (en) * 1962-07-30 1963-12-24 Little Inc A Method and apparatus for employing fluids in a closed cycle
US3220201A (en) * 1965-01-25 1965-11-30 Little Inc A Cryogenic refrigerator operating on the stirling cycle
US3296808A (en) * 1965-08-25 1967-01-10 Gen Motors Corp Heat energized refrigerator
US3367406A (en) * 1964-08-20 1968-02-06 Philips Corp Helical wound strip regenerator
US3472037A (en) * 1967-01-25 1969-10-14 Philips Corp Hot-gas reciprocating engine
US3630041A (en) * 1970-02-25 1971-12-28 Philips Corp Thermodynamic refrigerator
US3830059A (en) * 1971-07-28 1974-08-20 J Spriggs Heat engine
US4511805A (en) * 1981-07-21 1985-04-16 Bertin & Cie Convertor for thermal energy into electrical energy using Stirling motor and integral electrical generator
US4902952A (en) * 1985-11-20 1990-02-20 British Aerospace Public Limited Company Cooling apparatus

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SU343123A1 (ru) * Физико технический институт низких температур Украинской ССР Газовая установка
US1460677A (en) * 1922-05-22 1923-07-03 Automatic Refrigerating Compan Air-refrigerating machine
US3074244A (en) * 1961-04-12 1963-01-22 Malaker Lab Inc Miniature cryogenic engine
US3115014A (en) * 1962-07-30 1963-12-24 Little Inc A Method and apparatus for employing fluids in a closed cycle
US3367406A (en) * 1964-08-20 1968-02-06 Philips Corp Helical wound strip regenerator
US3220201A (en) * 1965-01-25 1965-11-30 Little Inc A Cryogenic refrigerator operating on the stirling cycle
US3296808A (en) * 1965-08-25 1967-01-10 Gen Motors Corp Heat energized refrigerator
US3472037A (en) * 1967-01-25 1969-10-14 Philips Corp Hot-gas reciprocating engine
US3630041A (en) * 1970-02-25 1971-12-28 Philips Corp Thermodynamic refrigerator
US3830059A (en) * 1971-07-28 1974-08-20 J Spriggs Heat engine
US4511805A (en) * 1981-07-21 1985-04-16 Bertin & Cie Convertor for thermal energy into electrical energy using Stirling motor and integral electrical generator
US4902952A (en) * 1985-11-20 1990-02-20 British Aerospace Public Limited Company Cooling apparatus

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Week 7315, Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; AN 73-20249U & SU-A-343 123 (LOW TEMPS-PHYSICO-TECHNIC) *

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0678716A1 (fr) * 1994-04-18 1995-10-25 Jean Eggmann Dispositif pour le transport de la chaleur à travers une paroi isolante d'après le principe du procédé stirling
EP0695919A1 (fr) * 1994-08-01 1996-02-07 Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V. Refroidisseur Stirling
NL9401251A (nl) * 1994-08-01 1996-03-01 Hollandse Signaalapparaten Bv Stirling-koeler.
US5590534A (en) * 1994-08-01 1997-01-07 Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V. Stirling cooler
FR2747767A1 (fr) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-24 Cryotechnologies Cryostat pour refroidisseur cryogenique et refroidisseurs comportant un tel cryostat
EP0803687A1 (fr) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-29 Cryotechnologies Cryostat pour refroidisseur cryogenique et refroidisseurs comportant un tel cryostat
US5968637A (en) * 1996-05-07 1999-10-19 Thomson-Csf Use of nitride barrier to prevent the diffusion of silver in glass
WO2005031141A1 (fr) * 2003-10-01 2005-04-07 Michael Cahill Moteur thermique ou pompe a chaleur

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9312208D0 (en) 1993-07-28
GB2268257A (en) 1994-01-05
GB9213350D0 (en) 1992-08-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1158256B1 (fr) Appareil frigorifique cryogénique à tube de pulsation comportant un volume tampon intégré
US10495352B2 (en) Refrigeration system including micro compressor-expander thermal units
US5813235A (en) Resonantly coupled α-stirling cooler
US4796430A (en) Cam drive for cryogenic refrigerator
US5904046A (en) Pulse tube refrigerating system
US6079960A (en) Linear compressor with a coaxial piston arrangement
EP1422485B1 (fr) Procédé de réfrigération pour supraconductivité à haute température
JP2008541004A (ja) ソリッドステート極低温冷凍機
JP3625511B2 (ja) ガスサイクル冷凍機
US5735127A (en) Cryogenic cooling apparatus with voltage isolation
EP0576202A1 (fr) Refroidisseur
US5519999A (en) Flow turning cryogenic heat exchanger
Richardson et al. A review of pulse tube refrigeration
US5345769A (en) Cryogenic refrigeration apparatus
US4404808A (en) Cryogenic refrigerator with non-metallic regenerative heat exchanger
KR100412299B1 (ko) 가스 압축 팽창기
US9127864B2 (en) Regenerative refrigerator
JPS61256158A (ja) 冷凍装置
KR20040016136A (ko) 열-음향 구동 오리피스형 맥동관 극저온 냉동장치
Yuan et al. A third order computer model for Stirling refrigerators
US6282908B1 (en) High efficiency Malone compressor
Shire et al. Investigation of microscale cryocoolers
Almtireen Cooling for Microsystems: Miniaturization Prospects for Pulse Tube Cryocooler
Gao et al. A hybrid two-stage refrigerator operated at temperatures below 4K
Hannon et al. Development of a Medium-Scale Collins-Type 10 K Cryocooler

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR IT NL

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19940630