JPH05288416A - Regeneration and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide high efficiency of a regenerator by a method wherein a casing of the regenerator used in a Stirling freezer and the like is made of thin resin and a heat transfer through the casing is reduced while a capacity of the regenerator is being kept large. CONSTITUTION:Foamed metal or fibrous metal formed into a predetermined shape and having gas enabled to pass in it is formed into a matrix 1, resin is immersed into the surface of the matrix, the surface of the matrix 1 is sealed in an air-tight manner with the immersed resin so as to form a casing part 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a regenerator (regenerative heat exchanger) used in, for example, a cryogenic refrigerator and a method for manufacturing the regenerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a cryogenic refrigerator that expands a high-pressure refrigerant gas such as helium gas to generate cryogenic refrigeration, a compressor that pressurizes the refrigerant gas at a predetermined cycle and a compressor are added. It combines with an expander that expands the compressed refrigerant gas, and reciprocates the displacer in the cylinder of the expander by reciprocating the piston in the cylinder of the compressor to generate gas pressure of a predetermined cycle. There is known a Stirling refrigerator that generates cold by expanding a refrigerant gas (for example, “Refriger
ator for Cryogenic Sensors ”, NASA Conference Publ
See ication 2287).

The expander in such a cryogenic refrigerator has a built-in regenerative heat exchanger called a regenerator, which is usually inside a casing as a displacer through which gas can pass. A large number of meshes (called a matrix) packed in layers
A mesh type is generally used that stores heat and heats the gas by exchanging heat with the gas passing through the mesh. When manufacturing such a regenerator, a mesh is punched out from a screen-shaped mesh body in which strands are knitted in accordance with the casing, and then the required number of meshes (for example, 1000 or more) In general, a method of inserting and pressing and stacking and filling is performed.

However, in this method, since a large number of meshes are filled in the casing, the work is time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially in the case of a small casing, the cost is high, and it is not suitable for mass production.

Therefore, conventionally, it has been proposed to fill a casing with a foam metal or fibrous metal through which a gas can flow, as a matrix. According to the regenerator having this structure, the regularity required when laminating and filling a large number of meshes can be ignored, so that the manufacturing can be automated and the cost can be reduced.

[0006]

By the way, in this type of regenerator, in order to improve the refrigerating capacity of the refrigerator, it is required that heat from passing through the casing to the low temperature portion be suppressed as much as possible. To be done. In order to meet this requirement, the casing is made of high-strength metal such as stainless steel or titanium, or ceramics, and the wall thickness thereof is set to the limit (for example, 0.15 to 0.15).
However, it is difficult to process such a thin casing, and it is difficult to increase the cost.

There is also a concept of forming the casing with a resin having a low thermal conductivity for the purpose of satisfying the above requirements. However, since the rigidity of the resin is low, there is a limit in reducing the thickness of the casing by processing, and the casing is thick (about 0.
However, there is a problem that the cross-sectional area in the casing is reduced and the capacity of the regenerator is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to obtain a thin resin casing by making good use of the foam metal or the fibrous metal as the matrix as described above. The purpose is to increase the efficiency of the regenerator by reducing the heat conduction by the resin casing while ensuring a large capacity of the regenerator.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention of claim 1, a foam metal or a fibrous metal is used as a matrix, the surface of which is impregnated with a resin, and the surface of the matrix is impregnated with the impregnated resin. The casing is configured to be hermetically sealed.

Specifically, according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, a regenerator for exchanging heat with a gas passing through the inside to store heat and heat the gas is formed into a predetermined shape. And a casing part (5) made of a resin-impregnated layer for blocking the gas flow between the inside and outside of the matrix (1) on the surface of the matrix (1) made of foam metal or fibrous metal through which the gas can flow Is formed, and openings (7) and (8) for allowing gas to flow are provided in the casing portion (5).

According to the second aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG.
A support portion (5c) for supporting the regenerator is integrally formed on the casing portion (5) with the same resin as the casing portion (5). According to the third aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, a support member (9) for supporting the regenerator is integrally embedded in the casing (5).

In the invention of claim 4, claim 1, 2 or 3
In this regenerator, as shown in FIG. 5, a core material (11) penetrating the matrix (1) is provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, as a method of manufacturing a regenerator that exchanges heat with a gas passing through the inside to store heat and heat the gas, the gas can flow through the inside. From a resin-impregnated layer that forms a matrix (1) by molding a foam metal or a fibrous metal into a predetermined shape, and impregnates the surface of the matrix (1) with a resin to block gas flow between the inside and outside of the matrix (1). A casing part (5) is formed. Next, openings (7) and (8) for allowing gas to flow are provided in this casing part (5).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method of manufacturing the regenerator according to the fifth aspect, the casing portion (5) is formed by impregnating the surface of the matrix (1) with a resin by injection molding.

[0015]

With the above-mentioned structure, in the invention of claim 1 or 5, the surface of the matrix (1) made of a foam metal or a fibrous metal through which the gas can flow is formed on the surface of the matrix (1). Since the casing part (5) made of a resin impregnated layer for blocking the flow is formed, the gas flows into the matrix (1) through the openings (7) and (8) of the casing part (5), As a result, the function of the regenerator in which the matrix (1) exchanges heat with the gas to store heat and heat the gas is obtained.

At this time, since the casing portion (5) is a resin layer on the surface of the matrix (1), the heat conductivity of the resin is low, and the conduction of heat via the casing portion (5) is suppressed. Moreover, the casing portion (5) is the resin with which the surface of the matrix (1) is impregnated, and it is not necessary to process the resin casing as in the conventional case. Therefore, the thickness can be made extremely small, and It is possible to secure a large capacity of the regenerator by increasing the cross-sectional area in the casing part (5). With these, high efficiency of the regenerator can be achieved, and the capacity of the refrigerator or the like can be improved.

Further, since the casing (5) is formed by impregnating the surface of the matrix (1) with a resin, its production is easy and the production cost of the regenerator can be reduced.

In the invention of claim 2, the casing portion (5)
Since the support portion (5c) for supporting the regenerator is integrally molded with resin, the support portion (5c) also has low heat conduction and suppresses heat conducted through the support portion (5c). Then, the heat conduction of the casing part (5) can be further reduced, and a separate supporting member is not required, and the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, since the supporting member (9) for supporting the regenerator is integrally embedded in the casing portion (5), the supporting member (9) is fixed by adhesion. Compared with the case, it is possible to firmly bond the support member (9) without using an adhesive.

In the invention of claim 4, the matrix (1)
Since the core material (11) that penetrates through the core material is provided, even if the rigidity of the regenerator is insufficient only with the casing portion (5), it can be supplemented by the core material (11), and the strength of the regenerator is increased. Can be increased.

[0021] In the invention of claim 6, the surface of the matrix (1) is impregnated with a resin to form the casing portion (5) by injection molding. Therefore, the casing portion (5) having a desired thickness is formed. Can be made accurately.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 2 shows a regenerator (R) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This regenerator (R) is used in an expander of a Stirling refrigerator to exchange heat with a refrigerant gas such as helium passing therethrough to store heat and heat the gas. The regenerator (R) is provided with a matrix (1) made of a foam metal, which is formed into an elongated cylindrical shape and has continuous cells (2), (2), ... Through which a refrigerant gas can flow. As shown in enlarged detail in FIG.
On the surface of the matrix (1), there is formed a casing part (5) made of a resin impregnated layer that blocks the flow of the refrigerant gas between the inside and the outside of the matrix (1). The casing portion (5) is thick at both ends (5a) and (5b) in the length direction of the matrix (1),
The outer peripheral portion has a thin thickness of, for example, about 0.1 to 0.15 mm.

Further, at one end (5a) of the casing portion (5), a coil spring (neither is shown) for elastically supporting the regenerator (R) so as to reciprocate in the cylinder of the expander is shown. The spring stop portion (5c) to be attached is integrally formed of the same resin as the casing portion (5). This spring stop portion (5c) is connected to one end portion (5) of the casing portion (5).
a), a spiral engagement groove (6) for engaging the end of the coil spring in a screwed state is formed on the outer periphery thereof.

In addition, a gas flow hole (7) for allowing the refrigerant gas to flow by communicating the matrix (1) inside the casing (5) to the outside penetrates through the center of the one end (5a) of the casing. Has been formed. The inner end of the gas flow hole (7) in the regenerator (R) communicates with one end of the matrix (1), and the outer end of the gas flow hole (7) has a spring stopper (5).
It penetrates through the center of c) and is opened at the outer end face thereof. On the other hand, a similar gas flow hole (8) is formed in the center of the other end (5b) of the casing part (5), and the inner end of the gas flow hole (8) in the regenerator (R) is the matrix (1). ) Is communicated with the other end side, and the outer end side is opened to the outer end surface of the other end portion (5b). Then, the refrigerant gas can be circulated to the matrix (1) (foamed metal) via these gas circulation holes (7) and (8), and the matrix (1) and the continuous cells (2) and (2) inside the matrix (1) ), ... Is exchanged with the refrigerant gas for heat storage and heating of the gas.

Now, a process of manufacturing the regenerator (R) having the above-mentioned structure will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), a foamed metal through which a refrigerant gas can flow is molded into a cylindrical shape to form a matrix (1).

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), resin (indicated by an arrow in the figure) is added to the surface of the matrix (1) while controlling the viscosity and injection pressure of the resin by injection molding. Let it permeate,
As shown in FIG. 3C, a casing portion (5) made of a resin-impregnated layer that blocks the flow of the refrigerant gas between the inside and outside of the matrix (1) is formed. At the same time, a spring stop portion (5c) is integrally formed with one end portion (5a) of the casing portion (5). At this time, since the casing portion (5) made of the resin-impregnated layer is formed by injection molding, it is possible to accurately manufacture even the thin portion of the outer peripheral portion of the casing portion (5).

Thereafter, gas flow holes (7) and (8) may be opened by drilling at one end of the casing part (5) or the spring stop part (5c) and the other end of the casing part (5), respectively. ..

Therefore, in the above embodiment, the resin impregnated layer for blocking the flow of the refrigerant gas between the inside and outside of the matrix (1) is formed on the surface of the matrix (1) made of foam metal through which the refrigerant gas can flow. Since a casing part (5) made of is formed, and gas circulation holes (7), (8) for circulating a refrigerant gas are opened at both ends (5a), (5b) of the casing part (5), respectively. When the regenerator (R) is built in the displacer of the expander in the Stirling refrigerator, the reciprocating motion of the displacer causes the refrigerant gas to flow between the high temperature space and the low temperature space (expansion space) on both sides of the displacer. 5) flow through the continuous cells (2), (2), ... Inside the matrix (1) via the gas flow holes (7) and (8) of the matrix (1) while the matrix (1) is a gas. For heating the heat storage and gas by heat exchange. As a result, the function of the regenerator (R) can be satisfactorily obtained.

In this case, since the casing portion (5) of the regenerator (R) is a resin impregnated layer having a low thermal conductivity, which is impregnated on the surface of the matrix (1) made of foam metal by injection molding, the casing is formed. It is possible to suppress heat conduction from the high temperature portion to the low temperature portion via the outer peripheral portion of the portion (5). Moreover, since the casing part (5) is the resin with which the surface of the matrix (1) is impregnated, it is not necessary to consider the processing limit when processing a resin casing as in the conventional case, and the casing part (5) is The thickness of the outer peripheral portion can be made extremely thin, and conversely, the cross-sectional area of the gas passage in the casing portion (5) can be increased to secure a large capacity of the regenerator (R). By these synergistic effects, the efficiency of the regenerator (R) can be increased, and the capacity of the refrigerator can be improved.

Moreover, since the surface of the matrix (1) is impregnated with a resin to form the casing portion (5), its production is easy and the regenerator (R) can be obtained at a low production cost.

Further, one end portion (5) of the casing portion (5) is
The spring stop portion (5c) for elastically supporting the regenerator (R) in the cylinder of the expander is integrally formed of the same resin as the casing portion (5) in a), so that the spring stop portion (5c). It is possible to prevent heat from being conducted to the outer peripheral portion of the casing part (5) via the heat transfer layer, and it is possible to further reduce the heat conduction of the casing part (5). Moreover, a separate spring stop member is not required, and the number of parts can be reduced.

When manufacturing the above regenerator (R), in addition to injection molding, for example, the matrix (1)
The resin impregnated layer may be formed on the surface of the resin by rolling on the resin coating. However, it is preferable to use the injection molding as in the above embodiment, because the resin impregnated layer can be formed with high precision.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 shows Embodiment 2 of the present invention (the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted), and a spring stopper member is separately provided. It is a thing.

That is, in this embodiment, the regenerator (R)
A spring stopper member (9) made of, for example, metal for elastically supporting the cylinder is provided separately from the casing portion (5). The spring stop member (9) has a locking portion (9a) having a tapered cross-section, which has a diameter smaller toward the front end side, which is opposite to the engagement groove (6). And
When the casing part (5) is formed in the matrix (1) by injection molding, one end part (5a) thereof is formed.
By integrally embedding the locking portion (9a) in the molding, the spring stop member (9) is integrally embedded in the one end portion (5a) of the casing portion (5) at the locking portion (9a). ing. The gas flow hole (7) in the one end portion (5a) of the casing portion (5) is formed so as to penetrate the central portion of the spring stopper member (9).

Therefore, in this embodiment, since the spring retaining member (9) is integrally embedded in the casing portion (5) of the regenerator (R), the conventionally used spring retaining member is adhered to the casing. It is not necessary to use an adhesive as in a fixing structure for fixing the spring fixing member (9) to the casing portion (5), and the spring stopper member (9) can be firmly joined and fixed to the casing portion (5).

(Embodiment 3) Regenerator (R) of each of the above embodiments
Since the casing part (5) of the resin-impregnated layer is formed around the matrix (1), the casing part (5) alone can sufficiently withstand the stress in the compression direction, but the tensile stress On the other hand, it is considered that the rigidity is lower than the compressive stress. To deal with this, the structure of FIG. 5 may be adopted. That is, FIG. 5 shows Example 3 in which the rigidity of the casing portion (5) is increased particularly in the pulling direction.

In this embodiment, the casing portion (5) of the regenerator (R) has not only its outer peripheral portion but also both end portions (5a),
(5b) is also composed of a thin resin impregnated layer. A spring stopper member (9) separate from the casing portion (5) is arranged on one end side of the casing portion (5), and a similar cylindrical cap member (10) is arranged on the other end side. The spring retaining member (9) and the cap member (10) are integrally joined to the matrix (1) or the casing part (5) by a core material (11) made of a thin rod penetrating the central part of the matrix (1). .. Specifically, the end portion of the core member (11) corresponding to the other end side of the casing portion (5) penetrates the center of the cap member (10) and extends to the outside thereof, and the end portion thereof has the cap member (10). A head portion (11a) for preventing and supporting the is formed. On the other hand, a threaded portion (11b) is formed at an end portion of the core material (11) corresponding to one end side of the casing portion (5), and the threaded portion (11b) is formed.
Is screwed and fastened to a female screw portion formed at the end of the central hole (9b) of the spring stopper member (9), and the casing portion (5) has a cap member (10) and a spring stopper member (9) by this structure. The core material (11) is sandwiched between them with pressure.

Furthermore, two constricted portions (11c), (11c) having a smaller diameter than the other portions are formed in the portion of the core material (11) located in the matrix (1). The ends (5a), (5b) of the casing part (5)
The gas flow holes (7) and (8) are opened at positions off the center.

In this embodiment, a core material (11) is provided which penetrates through the matrix (1), and the ends of the core material (11) are respectively provided with a spring member (9) and a cap member (1).
0), the resin-impregnated layer formed around the matrix (1) is insufficient in tensile rigidity of the regenerator (R) only with the casing part (5).
This can be supplemented by the core material (11), and the tensile strength of the regenerator (R) can be increased.

In the core material (11), two constricted portions (11c), which are located in the matrix (1),
Since (11c) is formed, the heat of the cylinder high temperature part of the expander can be suppressed from being conducted to the low temperature part via the core material (11) by the constricted parts (11c), (11c).

(Fourth Embodiment) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a fourth embodiment. In each of the above examples, the foam metal having the open cells (2), (2), ... Is used as the matrix (1), but in this example, a fibrous metal is used. That is, in this example, the matrix (1) in the configuration of Example 1 was merely replaced with the foam metal from the fibrous metal, and the manufacturing process thereof is shown in FIG.
The same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted). Others are the same as in Example 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). Therefore, also in this embodiment, the same operational effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fifth embodiment. This example is different from Examples 1 to 4 described above in the case of using a fibrous metal as a matrix,
The matrix is filled in a cylindrical casing.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the regenerator (R) has a bottomed cylindrical casing (12).
The casing (12) has a cylindrical casing body (1) made of resin (or metal) whose both ends are open.
3), a spring stopper member (9) and a cap member (10), which are fitted in the opening of the casing body (13) in an airtight manner. The spring stop member (9) and the cap member (10) are provided with gas flow holes (7), (8) at their center portions for allowing a refrigerant gas to flow therethrough.

The casing (12) is filled with a matrix body (14) made of a fibrous metal through which a refrigerant gas can flow, in a state of being in close contact with the inner surface of the casing (12) by pressurization. In addition, the casing body (1
3) A plurality of meshes (1) are provided in the openings at both ends (near the gas flow holes (7) and (8) in the casing (12)) so as to seal the matrix body (14).
5), (15), ... Are filled with the meshes (15), (15), ... And the matrix body (14) to exchange heat with the gas passing through the inside to store heat and heat the gas. The matrix (1) to be performed is configured.

In the production of the regenerator (R) in this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the outer diameter is slightly smaller and longer than the dimension in which the fibrous metal is used as the regenerator (R). A matrix main body (14) hardened so that it is formed is fitted into a cylindrical casing main body (13). As the fibrous metal, for example, chips produced by cutting the metal may be used.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), the casing body (13) is fixed from the outside so as not to be deformed, and the matrix body (14) is attached to the casing body (14) through both openings of the casing body (13). 13) Pressurize in the axial direction and shrink to a predetermined length.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9 (c), meshes (15) and (15) are respectively provided in the openings of the casing body (13).
(15), ... After that, the spring stop member (9) and the cap member (1) are attached to the casing body (13).
0) may be fitted and joined and fixed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the matrix body (14) made of the fibrous metal is pressed into the casing (1) of the regenerator (R) by pressing.
2) Since the matrix main body (14) is filled in a state in which it is in close contact with the inner surface and is closed by the meshes (15), (15), ... Filled in the opening of the casing (12), While using the matrix main body (14), it is possible to eliminate the gap between the matrix main body (14) and the inner surface of the casing (12), and it is possible to enhance the heat exchange efficiency with the gas passing through the regenerator (R).

The present invention can also be applied to a cryogenic refrigerator other than the Stirling refrigerator as in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, and a regenerator in a heat pump device such as a Billmayer heat pump device.

[0051]

As described above, according to the first or fifth aspect of the present invention, the regenerator for exchanging heat with the gas passing through the inside to store heat and heat the gas is formed into a predetermined shape and has a gas inside. Is formed on the surface of a matrix made of a foamable metal or a fibrous metal that can be circulated, and a casing part made of an impregnated layer of a resin that blocks the flow of gas between the inside and outside of the matrix is formed, and an opening for allowing gas to circulate in the casing part By providing the structure, the casing part made of the impregnated layer of the resin having a low thermal conductivity impregnated on the matrix surface can suppress the conduction of heat through the casing part, and the thickness of the casing part can be extremely reduced. By making it thinner, the capacity of the regenerator can be secured to a large extent, so that the efficiency of the regenerator can be improved, the capacity of the refrigerator and the like can be improved, and the cost of the regenerator can be reduced. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the supporting portion for supporting the regenerator is integrally formed with the casing portion, the heat conducted via the supporting portion is suppressed,
It is possible to further suppress the heat conduction of the casing portion and reduce the number of parts.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the supporting member for supporting the regenerator is integrally embedded in the casing, so that the supporting member is firmly joined without using an adhesive. be able to.

According to the invention of claim 4, by providing the core material penetrating the matrix, the strength of the regenerator can be increased even when the rigidity of the regenerator is insufficient only by the casing portion.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method of manufacturing the regenerator, the surface of the matrix is impregnated with the resin by injection molding to form the casing portion. Therefore, the casing portion having a desired thickness can be accurately formed. Can be made.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a regenerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the regenerator of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a manufacturing process of the regenerator of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a manufacturing process of the regenerator of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a regenerator according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a manufacturing process of the regenerator of the fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (R) Regenerator (1) Matrix (5) Casing (5c) Spring stop (support) (7), (8) Gas flow hole (opening) (9) Spring stop (support) (11) Heartwood

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A regenerator for storing heat and heating a gas by exchanging heat with a gas passing through the inside, the matrix being formed into a predetermined shape and made of a foam metal or a fibrous metal through which the gas can flow. On the surface of (1), a casing part (5) made of an impregnated layer of a resin that blocks the flow of gas between the inside and outside of the matrix (1) is formed, and an opening () for allowing gas to flow is formed in the casing part (5). A regenerator characterized in that 7) and (8) are provided. 2. The regenerator according to claim 1, wherein the casing part (5) has a support part (5) for supporting the regenerator.
A regenerator characterized in that c) is integrally molded with the same resin as the casing part (5). 3. The regenerator according to claim 1, wherein a support member (9) for supporting the regenerator is integrally embedded in the casing part (5). 4. Regenerator according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a core (11) is provided which penetrates the matrix (1). 5. A method of manufacturing a regenerator, which exchanges heat with a gas passing through the inside to store heat and heat the gas, wherein a foam metal or a fibrous metal through which the gas can flow is molded into a predetermined shape. To form a matrix (1), and the casing (5) is formed by impregnating the surface of the matrix (1) with a resin so as to block the flow of gas between the inside and outside of the matrix (1). A method for manufacturing a regenerator, characterized in that openings (7) and (8) for allowing gas to flow are provided in the portion (5). 6. The method for manufacturing a regenerator according to claim 5, wherein the casing part (5) is formed by impregnating the surface of the matrix (1) with a resin by injection molding. ..