EP1312875A1 - Stirling-kühlvorrichtung, -kühlkammer und -kühlschrank - Google Patents

Stirling-kühlvorrichtung, -kühlkammer und -kühlschrank Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1312875A1
EP1312875A1 EP01955705A EP01955705A EP1312875A1 EP 1312875 A1 EP1312875 A1 EP 1312875A1 EP 01955705 A EP01955705 A EP 01955705A EP 01955705 A EP01955705 A EP 01955705A EP 1312875 A1 EP1312875 A1 EP 1312875A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
temperature
low
refrigerator
temperature portion
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Withdrawn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
EP01955705A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1312875A4 (de
Inventor
Hengliang Zhang
Wei Chen
Takashi Nishimoto
Masaaki Masuda
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Sharp Corp
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Sharp Corp
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Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2000256074A external-priority patent/JP2002071237A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2001014357A external-priority patent/JP2002221384A/ja
Application filed by Sharp Corp filed Critical Sharp Corp
Publication of EP1312875A1 publication Critical patent/EP1312875A1/de
Publication of EP1312875A4 publication Critical patent/EP1312875A4/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F25B25/00—Machines, plants or systems, using a combination of modes of operation covered by two or more of the groups F25B1/00 - F25B23/00
    • F25B25/005—Machines, plants or systems, using a combination of modes of operation covered by two or more of the groups F25B1/00 - F25B23/00 using primary and secondary systems
    • 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
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • 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
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F25D11/02—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures
    • F25D11/025—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures using primary and secondary refrigeration systems
    • 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
    • F25B2309/00—Gas cycle refrigeration machines
    • F25B2309/06—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the refrigerant being carbon dioxide
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cooling apparatus, cooler, and refrigerator employing a Stirling chiller.
  • Reference numeral 20 represents a Stirling chiller
  • reference numerals 21 and 22 respectively represent a heat releaser portion and a radiator of the Stirling chiller 20
  • reference numeral 23 represents a water pump for the cooling water circulated to cool the heat releaser portion 21
  • reference numeral 24 represents a refrigerant cooler portion for cooling a secondary refrigerant with the cold obtained from the Stirling chiller 20
  • reference numeral 25 represents a refrigerant pipe through which the secondary refrigerant is circulated so that the cold is transferred to inside a cooling chamber 27
  • reference numeral 26 represents a refrigerant pump for circulating the secondary refrigerant through the refrigerant pipe 25.
  • the transfer of the cold produced by the Stirling chiller 20 to the cooling chamber 27 is achieved by exploiting the sensible heat of the secondary refrigerant, such as ethanol free from phase change.
  • the secondary refrigerant such as ethanol free from phase change.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a Stirling cooling apparatus or cooler that complies with the regulation of refrigerants based on HCFCs and HFCs and that offers improved cooling efficiency by exploiting latent heat.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a large-capacity, low-power-consumption refrigerator that offers good heat exchange efficiency.
  • a Stirling cooling apparatus is provided with: a Stirling chiller having a high-temperature portion whose temperature rises as the Stirling chiller is operated and a low-temperature portion whose temperature falls as the Stirling chiller is operated; an evaporator provided integrally with or separately from the Stirling chiller; and a refrigerant circulation circuit for transferring cold produced by the low-temperature portion to the evaporator by means of a refrigerant circulated between the low-temperature portion and the evaporator by a refrigerant circulation means.
  • the refrigerant is a natural refrigerant that liquefies in the low-temperature portion and vaporizes in the evaporator.
  • the natural refrigerant carbon dioxide can suitably be used, which is inexpensive and harmless to the environment and to humans.
  • carbon dioxide has a low critical point (about 31 °C) and a high critical pressure (about 74 bar).
  • the refrigerant circulation means needs to have sufficiently high resistance to pressure and hermeticity.
  • the refrigerant is circulated around the refrigerant circulation circuit by the refrigerant circulation means so as to transfer the cold to the evaporator.
  • the refrigerant circulation means for example, a pump
  • part of the refrigerant may vaporize as a result of a local rise in the temperature thereof that arises around the power transmission mechanism (hereinafter, this phenomenon will be referred to as "cavitations").
  • the refrigerant is cooled to a predetermined supercooled state by the low-temperature portion.
  • a gas-liquid separator in the path within the refrigerant circulation circuit which the refrigerant takes after flowing out of the low-temperature portion before flowing into the refrigerant circulation means, a gas-liquid separator may be arranged that separates the refrigerant into a gas phase and a liquid phase and that permits only the refrigerant in the liquid phase to be supplied to the refrigerant circulation means.
  • the refrigerant that has flown out of the low-temperature portion in the form of a gas-liquid mixture is then separated into two phases, i.e. a gas phase and a liquid phase, by the gas-liquid separator so that only the refrigerant in the liquid phase flows into the refrigerant circulation means. This helps stabilize the operation of the refrigerant circulation means.
  • the refrigerant circulation means may be composed of a gas-liquid separator, which is arranged in a path within the refrigerant circulation circuit which the refrigerant takes after flowing out of the low-temperature portion before flowing into the refrigerant circulation means and in a position higher than the evaporator, and which separates the refrigerant into a gas phase and a liquid phase and permits only the refrigerant in the liquid phase to be supplied to the refrigerant circulation means.
  • the difference in specific gravity between the refrigerant in the liquid phase at the outlet of the gas-liquid separator and the refrigerant inside the evaporator is exploited as a power source for circulating the refrigerant.
  • the Stirling chiller when the Stirling chiller is driven, the cold produced by the low-temperature portion is collected as latent heat by the refrigerant circulating around the refrigerant circulation circuit.
  • the refrigerant then vaporizes in the evaporator, absorbing heat of vaporization and thereby cooling the surrounding air.
  • the refrigerant circulates around the refrigerant circulation circuit spontaneously by exploiting the difference in specific gravity between the refrigerant in different phases.
  • this Stirling cooling apparatus When this Stirling cooling apparatus is incorporated in a refrigerator, the cold produced by the low-temperature portion of the Stirling chiller is transferred by the refrigerant circulating around the refrigerant circulation circuit so as to efficiently cool the inside of the refrigerator chamber.
  • a low-temperature-side evaporator for releasing cold to inside a refrigerator chamber is arranged in a position lower than a low-temperature portion of the Stirling chiller which produces the cold; a circuit is arranged in such a way that a refrigerant is circulated between the low-temperature-side evaporator and the low-temperature portion; and the refrigerant liquefies by absorbing the cold in the low-temperature portion, then flows to the low-temperature-side evaporator by exploiting the difference in height between the low-temperature portion and the low-temperature-side evaporator, then vaporizes by releasing the cold inside the low-temperature-side evaporator, and then flows in a vaporized state back to the low-temperature portion.
  • a high-temperature-side condenser for releasing heat to outside a refrigerator chamber is arranged in a position higher than a high-temperature portion of the Stirling chiller which produces the heat; a circuit is arranged in such a way that a refrigerant is circulated between the high-temperature-side condenser and the high-temperature portion; and the refrigerant vaporizes by absorbing the heat in the high-temperature portion, then flows in a vaporized state to the high-temperature-side condenser, then liquefies by releasing the heat inside the high-temperature-side condenser, and then flows back to the high-temperature portion by exploiting the difference in height between the high-temperature-side condenser and the high-temperature portion.
  • a low-temperature-side evaporator for releasing cold to inside a refrigerator chamber is arranged in a position lower than a low-temperature portion of the Stirling chiller which produces the cold;
  • a circuit is arranged in such a way that a first refrigerant is circulated between the low-temperature-side evaporator and the low-temperature portion; the first refrigerant liquefies by absorbing the cold in the low-temperature portion, then flows to the low-temperature-side evaporator by exploiting the difference in height between the low-temperature portion and the low-temperature-side evaporator, then vaporizes by releasing the cold inside the low-temperature-side evaporator, and then flows in a vaporized state back to the low-temperature portion;
  • a high-temperature-side condenser for releasing heat to outside the refrigerator chamber is arranged in a position higher than a high-temperature
  • the condenser and the evaporator can be formed in the desired sizes. This makes it possible to efficiently transfer the heat in the low-temperature and high-temperature portions, of which the sizes are limited in consideration of the efficiency of the reverse Stirling cycle, to air, which has low thermal conductivity. This helps realize large-capacity refrigerators.
  • the refrigerant is circulated by exploiting the difference in height, without the use of external power prepared specially for the circulation of the refrigerant. This helps realize low-power-consumption refrigerators.
  • a gas-liquid separator may be provided additionally. This helps increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulated.
  • the refrigerant carbon dioxide or water may be used, which is a non-flammable, non-toxic natural refrigerant. This helps realize refrigerators friendly to humans and to the global environment.
  • the height of the refrigerators may be used effectively to arrange the low-temperature-side and high-temperature-side heat exchanger portions.
  • the refrigerator chamber may be divided into an upper section serving as a refrigerator compartment, a middle section serving as a vegetables compartment, and a lower section serving as a freezer compartment. This contributes to effective use of the cold air inside the refrigerator chamber.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the Stirling cooling apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the "chiller system" also) of the first embodiment.
  • reference numeral 1 represents a Stirling chiller
  • reference numeral 2 represents a high-temperature portion whose temperature rises as the Stirling chiller 1 is operated
  • reference numeral 3 represents a low-temperature portion that produces cold as the Stirling chiller 1 is operated
  • reference numeral 4 represents a high-temperature-side heat exchanger for releasing heat from the high-temperature portion to the surrounding space.
  • a cooling chamber 10 is arranged next to the Stirling chiller 1.
  • an evaporator 7 is provided in a space secured inside a heat-insulation wall so as to communicate with the space inside the cooing chamber 10.
  • a condenser 5 is provided.
  • the condenser 5, a circulation pump 6, and the evaporator 7 are connected to one another successively with refrigerant piping 8 to form a refrigerant circulation circuit.
  • arrows indicate the direction of the flow of the refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant is used carbon dioxide, which is a natural refrigerant.
  • the Stirling chiller 1 has, as a working fluid, helium or nitrogen sealed in a cylinder, and has one power piston (not shown) and one displacer (not shown) arranged parallel to an axis common to them.
  • the power piston is driven with a linear motor (not shown)
  • the power piston and the displacer reciprocate along the same axis inside the same cylinder with a predetermined phase difference.
  • the Stirling chiller 1 used in this embodiment is not limited to a Stirling chiller of the type in which a power piston is driven with a linear motor as described above, but may be a Stirling chiller of any other type.
  • waste heat (hereinafter referred to simply as “heat” also) is transferred to the high-temperature portion 2 of the Stirling chiller 1, raising the temperature of the high-temperature portion 2, and simultaneously cryogenic cold is produced in the low-temperature portion 3. Then, in the high-temperature-side heat exchanger 4 arranged so as to be in contact with the high-temperature portion 2, the waste heat is released out of the Stirling chiller 1 by air or water used as a heat carrier.
  • the circulation pump 6 is also driven so that the refrigerant is circulated around the refrigerant circulation circuit in the direction indicated by the arrows. Since carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant, the circulation pump 6 is designed to be resistant to and hermetic up to a pressure of at least 74 bar. In this refrigerant circulation circuit, the refrigerant is condensed by the condenser 5 fitted to the low-temperature portion 3, and thereby the cold originating from the low-temperature portion 3 is stored mainly in the form of latent heat in the refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant having been condensed by the condenser 5 and now in a low-temperature, liquid state, then flows through the refrigerant piping 8 by the action of the circulation pump 6 so as to flow into the evaporator 7.
  • the refrigerant vaporizes.
  • the refrigerant having vaporized in the evaporator 7 and now in a gaseous state, then flows through refrigerant piping 8 back to the condenser 5. As long as the circulation pump 6 is driven, this cycle of events is repeated.
  • the loading amount of the refrigerant is so determined that, at operating temperature, the refrigerant in the liquid phase completely fills at least the total volume inside that portion of the refrigerant circulation circuit, i.e. mainly the refrigerant piping 8, which starts at the point where the refrigerant is completely liquefied by the condenser 5, runs through the circulation pump 6, and ends at the entrance of the evaporator 7.
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the Stirling cooling apparatus of this embodiment.
  • such members as are common to the cooling apparatus of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and described above are identified with the same reference numerals, and their detailed explanations will not be repeated.
  • the refrigerant circulation circuit is formed by connecting a condenser 5, a gas-liquid separator 9, a circulation pump 6, and an evaporator 7 to one another successively with refrigerant piping 8.
  • arrows indicate the direction of the flow of the refrigerant.
  • carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant.
  • the gas-liquid separator 9 is arranged on the downstream side of the condenser 5 in the refrigerant circulation circuit, and is placed in a position lower than the condenser 5 and higher than the circulation pump 6.
  • arrows indicate the direction of the flow of the refrigerant.
  • carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant.
  • the configuration and operation of the Stirling chiller 1 shown in Fig. 2 are the same as in the first embodiment described above, and therefore its explanations will not be repeated.
  • the circulation pump 6 is also driven so that the refrigerant is circulated around the refrigerant circulation circuit in the direction indicated by the arrows. Since carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant, the circulation pump 6 is designed to be resistant to and hermetic up to a pressure of at least 74 bar. In this refrigerant circulation circuit, the refrigerant is condensed by the condenser 5 fitted to the low-temperature portion 3, and thereby the cold originating from the low-temperature portion 3 is stored mainly in the form of latent heat in the refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant having been condensed by the condenser 5 and now in a low-temperature, partly gaseous and partly liquid state, then flows into the gas-liquid separator 9 arranged on the downstream side of the condenser 5.
  • the gas-liquid separator 9 the refrigerant is separated into a gas phase and a liquid phase.
  • the separated refrigerant in the liquid phase is then compressed by the circulation pump 6, and then flows through the refrigerant piping 8 into the evaporator 7.
  • the refrigerant vaporizes, it absorbs heat of vaporization from the surroundings, and thereby transfers cold to inside the cooling chamber 10.
  • the refrigerant having vaporized in the evaporator 7 and now in a gaseous state, then flows through the refrigerant piping 8 back to the condenser 5. As long as the circulation pump 6 is driven, this cycle of events is repeated.
  • the gas-liquid separator 9 is arranged on the downstream side of the condenser 5 in the refrigerant circulation circuit, and is placed in a position lower than the condenser 5 and higher than the circulation pump 6. This permits that portion of the refrigerant piping 8 leading from the liquid surface inside the gas-liquid separator 9 to the entrance of the circulation pump 6 to be filled with the refrigerant in the liquid phase in the form of an upright column. The pressure of this column of the refrigerant prevents cavitation in the circulation pump 6, and thereby ensures normal circulation of the refrigerator.
  • Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the Stirling cooling apparatus of this embodiment.
  • such members as are common to the cooling apparatus of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and described earlier are identified with the same reference numerals, and their detailed explanations will not be repeated.
  • the refrigerant circulation circuit is formed by connecting a condenser 5, a gas-liquid separator 9, and an evaporator 7 to one another successively with refrigerant piping 8a and 8b.
  • arrows indicate the direction of the flow of the refrigerant.
  • carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant.
  • the gas-liquid separator 9 is arranged on the downstream side of the condenser 5 in the refrigerant circulation circuit, and is placed in a position lower than the condenser 5 and higher than the evaporator 7.
  • arrows indicate the direction of the flow of the refrigerant.
  • carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant.
  • the configuration and operation of the Stirling chiller 1 shown in Fig. 2 are the same as in the first embodiment described above, and therefore its explanations will not be repeated.
  • the refrigerant is condensed by the condenser 5 fitted to the low-temperature portion 3, and thereby the cold originating from the low-temperature portion 3 is stored mainly in the form of latent heat in the refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant having been condensed by the condenser 5 and now in a low-temperature, partly gaseous and partly liquid state, then flows into the gas-liquid separator 9 arranged on the downstream side of the condenser 5. In the gas-liquid separator 9, the refrigerant is separated into a gas phase and a liquid phase.
  • the separated refrigerant in the liquid phase then flows through the refrigerant piping 8a into the evaporator 7.
  • the refrigerant vaporizes.
  • the refrigerant absorbs heat of vaporization from the surroundings, and thereby transfers cold to inside the cooling chamber 10.
  • the refrigerant having vaporized in the evaporator 7 and now in a gaseous state, then flows through the refrigerant piping 8b back to the condenser 5. This cycle of events is repeated.
  • the gas-liquid separator 9 is arranged on the downstream side of the condenser 5 in the refrigerant circulation circuit, and is placed in a position lower than the condenser 5 and higher than the evaporator 7.
  • the refrigerant in the liquid phase fills the piping 8a leading to the entrance of the evaporator 7, and on the other hand the refrigerant in the gas phase flows through the refrigerant piping 8b leading from the exit of the evaporator 7 to the condenser 5.
  • the refrigerant circulates around the refrigerant circulation circuit spontaneously by exploiting the difference in specific density between the refrigerant in the liquid and gas phases.
  • this configuration eliminates the need for a circulation pump 6 for forcibly circulating the refrigerant around the refrigerant circulation circuit. This helps reduce the costs accordingly and realize a energy-saving Stirling cooling apparatus.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the refrigerator of this embodiment. It is to be understood that, although a refrigerator incorporating the Stirling cooling apparatus of the third embodiment described above is taken up as an example in the following description, the configuration of this embodiment applies also to a refrigerator incorporating a Stirling cooling apparatus in which the refrigerant is forcibly circulated by the action of a circulation pump as in the first and second embodiments.
  • a Stirling chiller 1 is arranged so as to lay horizontally, with a condenser 5 fitted to the low-temperature portion 3 (not shown) of the Stirling chiller 1. Moreover, a gas-liquid separator 9 is provided in a position lower than the condenser 5. On the other hand, in a lower rear portion of the refrigerator 17, an evaporator 7 is arranged. The condenser 5, the gas-liquid separator 9, and the evaporator 7 are connected to one another successively with refrigerant piping 8a and 8b to form a refrigerant circulation circuit.
  • the refrigerant in the liquid phase fills the refrigerant piping 8a.
  • the refrigerant in the gas phase vaporized in the evaporator 7 flows up through the refrigerant piping 8b, which leads from the exit of the evaporator 7 to the entrance of the condenser 5.
  • the pressure resulting from the difference between the gravity acting on the refrigerant in the liquid phase inside the refrigerant piping 8a and the gravity acting on the refrigerant in the gas phase inside the refrigerant piping 8b causes the refrigerant to flow upward through the refrigerant piping 8a and downward through the refrigerant piping 8b.
  • a means such as a circulation pump, for forcibly circulating the refrigerant, the refrigerant can be circulated spontaneously around the refrigerant circulation circuit.
  • the refrigerant condenses by releasing heat through the condenser 5 to the high-temperature portion 2 (not shown) of the Stirling chiller 1, and vaporizes by absorbing heat from the cold air circulating inside the refrigerator chamber of the refrigerator 17.
  • the cold air cooled by the evaporator 7 is then blown into the refrigerator chamber by a cold air circulation fan 13 as indicated by arrows, and thereby the space inside the refrigerator chamber is cooled. In this way, the cold produced by the Stirling chiller 1 is transferred to the refrigerator 17 through the refrigerant circulation circuit formed by the condenser 5, the gas-liquid separator 9, and the evaporator 7.
  • the air outside the refrigerator 17 is introduced into the refrigerator 17 through an air suction duct 14 and is exhausted out of the refrigerator 17 through an air exhaust duct 15 by a fan 12. Meanwhile, by the air passing through the air suction duct 14 and the air exhaust duct 15, the waste heat transmitted to the high-temperature portion 2 of the Stirling chiller 1 is released out of the refrigerator 17 through the high-temperature-side heat exchanger 4.
  • FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of the chiller system of the refrigerator of this embodiment.
  • such members as are common to the cooling apparatus of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and described earlier are identified with the same reference numerals, and their detailed explanations will not be repeated.
  • This chiller system is composed of a Stirling chiller 1 having a low-temperature portion 3 and a high-temperature portion 2, a low-temperature-side heat exchanger portion 30, and a high-temperature-side heat exchanger portion 31.
  • the low-temperature-side heat exchanger portion 30 is a circulation circuit composed of a low-temperature-side condenser 32 formed by a copper pipe wound around the low-temperature portion 3, a low-temperature-side gas-liquid separator 9 connected to the low-temperature-side condenser 32 by a copper pipe 33 and arranged in a position lower than the low-temperature portion 3, a low-temperature-side evaporator 7 connected to the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 9 by a copper pipe 34 and arranged in a still lower position, and a copper pipe 35 connecting together the evaporator 7 and the low-temperature-side condenser 32.
  • carbon dioxide is sealed in this circuit.
  • the high-temperature-side heat exchanger portion 31 is a circulation circuit composed of a high-temperature-side evaporator 36 formed by a copper pipe wound around the high-temperature portion 2, a high-temperature-side condenser 38 connected to the evaporator 36 by a copper pipe 37 and arranged in a position higher than the high-temperature portion 2, a gas-liquid separator 40 connected to high-temperature side condenser 38 by a copper pipe 39 and arranged in a position lower than the high-temperature-side condenser 38 and higher than the high-temperature portion 2, and a copper pipe 41 connecting together the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 40 and the evaporator 36.
  • a refrigerant water is sealed in this circuit.
  • arrows indicate the direction of the flow of the refrigerants.
  • the cold generated in the low-temperature portion 3 is transmitted to the low-temperature-side condenser 32, where most of the refrigerant liquefies.
  • the refrigerant now in a partly liquid and partly gaseous state, then flows through the copper pipe 33 into the low-temperature side gas-liquid separator 9 by exploiting the difference in height between the low-temperature-side condenser 32 and the low-temperature-side gas-liquid separator 9.
  • the refrigerant in the liquid phase collects.
  • the refrigerant in the liquid phase then flows from the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 9 through the copper pipe 34 into the low-temperature-side evaporator 7.
  • the refrigerant in the liquid phase exchanges the cold it has been carrying with the heat of the air inside the refrigerator chamber through the wall surface of the low-temperature-side evaporator 7. In this way, as the refrigerant in the liquid phase vaporizes, it produces cold air inside the refrigerator chamber.
  • the refrigerant now in a vaporized state, flows through the copper pipe 35 into the low-temperature-side condenser 32 by exploiting the difference in height between the low-temperature-side evaporator 7 and the low-temperature-side condenser 32 and the difference in pressure resulting from the difference in specific gravity between the refrigerant in the gas and liquid phases.
  • the use of latent heat obtained through vaporization and liquefaction of the refrigerant contributes to better heat transmission efficiency than when sensible heat is exploited.
  • This makes it possible to efficiently transmit the cold in the low-temperature portion 3 to the low-temperature-side evaporator 7, and thereby enhance the heat exchange efficiency of a refrigerator.
  • the low-temperature-side condenser 32 and the low-temperature-side evaporator 7 can be formed in the desired sizes. This makes it possible to efficiently transfer the cold in the low-temperature portion 3, of which the size is limited in consideration of the efficiency of the reverse Stirling cycle, to the air, which has low thermal conductivity, inside the refrigerator chamber. This helps realize a large-capacity refrigerator.
  • carbon dioxide is used, which is a non-flammable, non-toxic natural refrigerant. This helps realize a refrigerator friendly to humans and to the global environment.
  • the heat produced in the high-temperature portion 2 is transmitted to the high-temperature-side evaporator 36, where the refrigerant vaporizes.
  • the refrigerant now in a gaseous state, then flows through the copper pipe 37 into the high-temperature-side condenser 38 by exploiting the difference in height between the evaporator 36 and the high-temperature-side condenser 38.
  • the refrigerant liquefies as it exchanges the heat it has been carrying with the air outside the refrigerator chamber through the wall surface of the high-temperature-side condenser 38.
  • the refrigerant now in a partly liquid and partly gaseous state, then flows from the bottom of the high-temperature-side condenser 38 through the copper pipe 39 into the high-temperature-side gas-liquid separator 40, where the refrigerant in the liquid phase collects.
  • the refrigerant in the liquid phase then flows through the copper pipe 41 into the evaporator 36 exploiting the difference in height between the high-temperature-side gas-liquid separator 40 and the evaporator 36.
  • the use of latent heat obtained through liquefaction and vaporization of the refrigerant contributes to better heat transmission efficiency than when sensible heat is exploited.
  • This makes it possible to efficiently transmit the heat in the high-temperature portion 2 to the high-temperature-side condenser 38, and thereby enhance the heat exchange efficiency of the refrigerator.
  • the high-temperature-side evaporator 36 and the high-temperature-side condenser 38 can be formed in the desired sizes. This makes it possible to efficiently transfer the heat in the low-temperature portion 2, of which the size is limited in consideration of the efficiency of the reverse Stirling cycle, to the air, which has low thermal conductivity, outside the refrigerator chamber.
  • the refrigerant water is used, which is a non-flammable, non-toxic natural refrigerant. This helps realize a refrigerator friendly to humans and to the global environment.
  • the low-temperature-side gas-liquid separator 9 and the high-temperature-side gas-liquid separator 40 are provided for the purpose of increasing the flow rate of circulation of the refrigerant, and may be omitted.
  • the flow rate of circulation of the refrigerant is determined by optimizing the difference in height between the low-temperature portion 3 and the low-temperature-side evaporator 7 and the difference in height between the high-temperature portion 2 and the high-temperature-side condenser 38.
  • the low-temperature-side evaporator 7 and the high-temperature-side condenser 38 are each formed in the shape of a box in their simplest form. However, forming them, for example, in the shape of a tube with fins helps increase their surface area and thereby enhance heat exchange efficiency.
  • the low-temperature-side condenser 32 and the high-temperature-side evaporator 36 may be removably kept in contact with, or brazed to, or formed integrally with the low-temperature portion 3 and the high-temperature portion 2, respectively.
  • the low-temperature portion 3 or the high-temperature portion 2 may be formed in the shape of a doughnut having a cavity inside, with the refrigerant passed through the cavity, so as to serve simultaneously as a low-temperature-side condenser or a high-temperature-side condenser, respectively.
  • the chiller system described above provided with a low-temperature-side heat exchanger portion 30 or a high-temperature-side heat exchanger portion 31, is a highly versatile chiller system that finds wide application in many industrial fields, such as food distribution, environment testing, medicine, biotechnology, and semiconductor manufacture, as well as in home-use appliances and the like.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the refrigerator of this embodiment. It is to be noted that, in the following description, a refrigerator incorporating the Stirling cooling apparatus of the fifth embodiment described above is taken up as an example.
  • the Stirling chiller 1 is arranged; in a back lower portion of the refrigerator 42, the low-temperature-side heat exchanger portion 30 is arranged; and, in the back upper portion of the refrigerator 42, the high-temperature-side heat exchanger portion 31 is arranged.
  • the low-temperature-side evaporator 7 is arranged inside a cold air duct 43 inside the refrigerator chamber of the refrigerator 42, and the high-temperature-side condenser 38 is arranged inside an air exhaust duct 15 inside the refrigerator chamber of the refrigerator 42.
  • the refrigerator chamber of the refrigerator 42 is divided into an upper section serving as a refrigerator compartment 44, a central section serving as a vegetables compartment 45, and a lower section serving as a freezer compartment 46.
  • the cold air duct 43 communicates with the refrigerator compartment 44, the vegetables compartment 45, and the freezer compartment 46.
  • the refrigerator compartment 44 and the vegetables compartment 45 communicate with each other.
  • the heat produced in the high-temperature portion 2 is released through the high-temperature-side condenser 38 to the air surrounding it.
  • a fan 12 discharges the warm air inside the air exhaust duct 15 out of the refrigerator chamber of the refrigerator 42 and takes in the air outside refrigerator chamber of the refrigerator 42 to prompt heat exchange.
  • the fan 12 may be omitted; in that case, the air inside the air exhaust duct 15 and the air outside the refrigerator chamber of the refrigerator 42 are circulated by natural convection.
  • the cold produced in the low-temperature portion 3 is transferred through the low-temperature-side evaporator 7 to the air inside the cold air duct 43.
  • a cold air circulation fan 13 passes the cold air inside the cold air duct 43 into the freezer compartment 46, and passes part of the cold air into the refrigerator compartment 44.
  • the cold air passed into the refrigerator compartment 44 then flows into the vegetables compartment 45, and then flows through the cold air duct 43 back to near the evaporator 7.
  • the use of latent heat obtained through vaporization and liquefaction of the refrigerant contributes to better heat transmission efficiency than when sensible heat is exploited.
  • cold is efficiently transferred to inside the refrigerator or cooler chamber, or heat is efficiently released to outside the refrigerator or cooler chamber.
  • the condenser and the evaporator can be formed in the desired sizes. This makes it possible to efficiently transfer the heat in the low-temperature and high-temperature portions, of which the sizes are limited in consideration of the efficiency of the reverse Stirling cycle, to air, which has low thermal conductivity. This helps realize large-capacity refrigerators.
  • the refrigerant is circulated by exploiting the difference in height, without the use of external power prepared specially for the circulation of the refrigerant. This helps realize low-power-consumption refrigerators. Moreover, the provision of the gas-liquid separator ensures stable circulation of the refrigerant without the use of a means for forcibly circulating the refrigerant. This helps reduce costs and save energy. Moreover, the use of carbon dioxide or water, which is a non-flammable, non-toxic natural refrigerant, as the refrigerant helps realize refrigerators friendly to humans and to the global environment.
  • the refrigerator chamber by dividing the refrigerator chamber into an upper section serving as a refrigerator compartment, a middle section serving as a vegetables compartment, and a lower section serving as a freezer compartment, it is possible to effectively use the cold air inside the refrigerator chamber.
  • the incorporation of the Stirling cooling apparatus helps realize coolers that produce far lower noise, that have far simpler configurations, and that save far more space than conventional vapor-compression-type coolers employing a compressor.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Sorption Type Refrigeration Machines (AREA)
EP01955705A 2000-08-25 2001-08-13 Stirling-kühlvorrichtung, -kühlkammer und -kühlschrank Withdrawn EP1312875A4 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2000256074 2000-08-25
JP2000256074A JP2002071237A (ja) 2000-08-25 2000-08-25 スターリング冷却装置及び冷却庫
JP2000014357 2001-01-23
JP2001014357A JP2002221384A (ja) 2001-01-23 2001-01-23 冷蔵庫
PCT/JP2001/006994 WO2002016836A1 (fr) 2000-08-25 2001-08-13 Refroidisseur a cycle de stirling, chambre de refroidissement et refrigerateur

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1312875A1 true EP1312875A1 (de) 2003-05-21
EP1312875A4 EP1312875A4 (de) 2004-05-26

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EP01955705A Withdrawn EP1312875A4 (de) 2000-08-25 2001-08-13 Stirling-kühlvorrichtung, -kühlkammer und -kühlschrank

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EP (1) EP1312875A4 (de)
KR (1) KR20030029843A (de)
CN (1) CN1447890A (de)
BR (1) BR0113516A (de)
CA (1) CA2420028A1 (de)
RU (1) RU2253075C2 (de)
TW (1) TW514716B (de)
WO (1) WO2002016836A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

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EP1696231A1 (de) * 2005-02-25 2006-08-30 Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. Gaschromatographievorrichtung
US7487643B2 (en) 2003-07-23 2009-02-10 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Loop type thermo syphone, heat radiation system, heat exchange system, and stirling cooling chamber

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US6550255B2 (en) * 2001-03-21 2003-04-22 The Coca-Cola Company Stirling refrigeration system with a thermosiphon heat exchanger
KR100746795B1 (ko) * 2003-09-02 2007-08-06 샤프 가부시키가이샤 냉각 장치
KR100680143B1 (ko) * 2005-07-19 2007-02-08 쌍용자동차 주식회사 자동차용 에어클리너의 필터구조
CN104913541B (zh) * 2015-03-09 2017-07-28 浙江大学 斯特林循环和蒸气压缩制冷循环直接耦合的制冷机及方法
CN105546877B (zh) * 2016-01-11 2017-11-17 浙江理工大学 重力场低品位热源转换装置及方法
KR101968172B1 (ko) 2018-06-28 2019-08-19 (주)팀코스파 퀀텀 에너지를 방사하는 과냉각고
CN116951865A (zh) * 2019-12-27 2023-10-27 青岛海尔智能技术研发有限公司 用于冷藏冷冻装置的控制方法及冷藏冷冻装置
CN115111843A (zh) * 2022-06-27 2022-09-27 西安交通大学 耦合多温区制冷系统

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7487643B2 (en) 2003-07-23 2009-02-10 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Loop type thermo syphone, heat radiation system, heat exchange system, and stirling cooling chamber
EP1696231A1 (de) * 2005-02-25 2006-08-30 Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. Gaschromatographievorrichtung
US7306656B2 (en) 2005-02-25 2007-12-11 Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Wissenschaften E.V. Gas chromatography apparatus

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RU2253075C2 (ru) 2005-05-27
KR20030029843A (ko) 2003-04-16
EP1312875A4 (de) 2004-05-26
TW514716B (en) 2002-12-21
CA2420028A1 (en) 2003-02-18
WO2002016836A1 (fr) 2002-02-28
BR0113516A (pt) 2003-07-29
CN1447890A (zh) 2003-10-08

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