US3431746A - Pulse tube refrigeration process - Google Patents

Pulse tube refrigeration process Download PDF

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Publication number
US3431746A
US3431746A US615972A US3431746DA US3431746A US 3431746 A US3431746 A US 3431746A US 615972 A US615972 A US 615972A US 3431746D A US3431746D A US 3431746DA US 3431746 A US3431746 A US 3431746A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
gas
tube
pulse tube
valve
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US615972A
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English (en)
Inventor
Thomas J Webster
Michael E Garrett
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.)
BOC Group Ltd
Original Assignee
British Oxigen Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by British Oxigen Ltd filed Critical British Oxigen Ltd
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Publication of US3431746A publication Critical patent/US3431746A/en
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    • 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
    • F25B9/145—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 pulse-tube 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
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2309/00—Gas cycle refrigeration machines
    • F25B2309/14—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the cycle used 
    • F25B2309/1407—Pulse-tube cycles with pulse tube having in-line geometrical arrangements
    • 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
    • F25B2309/14—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the cycle used 
    • F25B2309/1408—Pulse-tube cycles with pulse tube having U-turn or L-turn type geometrical arrangements
    • 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
    • F25B2309/14—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the cycle used 
    • F25B2309/1418—Pulse-tube cycles with valves in gas supply and return lines
    • 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
    • F25B2309/14—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the cycle used 
    • F25B2309/1419—Pulse-tube cycles with pulse tube having a basic pulse tube refrigerator [PTR], i.e. comprising a tube with basic schematic
    • 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
    • F25B2309/14—Compression machines, plants or systems characterised by the cycle used 
    • F25B2309/1424—Pulse tubes with basic schematic including an orifice and a reservoir

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pulse tube refrigeration process for cooling gases.
  • the gas to be cooled is compressed, passed through a regenerator where it is cooled, and then fed into the inlet of a pulse tube after turbulence in the gas stream has been substantially eliminated.
  • the gas is compressed ad-iabatically towards the far end of the tube so that the gas becomes progressively warmer as it passes along the tube.
  • the gas at the far end of the tube (hereinafter called the warm end) which has become heated as a result of compression in the tube is cooled by a heat exchanger, and then allowed to expand adiabatically back along the tube to the inlet (hereinafter called the 0001 end).
  • This adiabatic expansion causes the gas to cool to a temperature which at the cold end of the tube is lower than the temperature at which the gas entered the tube.
  • the cooled expanded gas then gives up some of its cold to a heat exchanger which enables the cold to be extracted ready for useful work. Finally the gas is returned over or through the regenerator which stores excess cold from the returning gas ready to pre-cool the gas entering during the next operational cycle.
  • a pulse tube refrigeration process comprises the step of displacing warm compressed gas from the warm end of the tube in each operational cycle with adjacent cooler gas.
  • warm compressed gas at the warm end of the tube is displaced from the tube in each operational cycle, cooled, and then recompressed and recycled.
  • This method of displacing the warmed compressed gas permits the operational frequency of the process to be raised and increases the temperature difference between the gas entering and leaving the tube.
  • FIGURE 1 is a block schematic diagram of a known pulse tube refrigerator assembly
  • FIGURE 2 is a temperature-position graph of the gas flowing through the refrigerator assembly of FIGURE 1,
  • FIGURE 3 is a block schematic diagram of one form of pulse tube refrigerator assembly for carrying the invention into effect
  • FIGURE 4 is a block schematic diagram of an alternative form of pulse tube refrigerator assembly.
  • the pulse tube refrigerator assembly comprises a two way valve 1- controlling the flow of compressed gas to and from a regenerator 2 connected through a heat exchanger 3 which also acts as a flow smoothing device to one end of a pulse tube 4.
  • the other end of the tube 4 is connected to a heat exchanger 5, through which a suitable coolant, such as water may be passed.
  • compressed gas admitted through valve 1 is cooled to a temperature Tc as it passes from the warm end to the cold end of the regenerator 2.
  • the gas then passes through the smoothing device 3 to reduce turbulence, and into the cool end of the pulse tube 4 where it compresses the gas already present therein thereby establishing a temperature gradient which attains a maximum at the warm end of the tube.
  • This compression is basically an adiabatic compression which causes the compressed gas at the Warm end of the tube to heat up to a temperature T
  • This gas at temperature T passes into the heat exchanger 5 where it is cooled to a temperature T and the gas in then allowed to expand adiabatically back along the tube 4 to the cool end thereby cooling to a temperature Te.
  • the returning gas at the cool end of the tube 4 then gives up some of its cold to the heat exchanger 3, and in so doing is warmed to a temperature Tc.
  • This cold is extracted from the heat exchanger 3 by any suitable known means, and is held ready for useful work.
  • One great advantage of the pulse tube refrigerator assembly is that it can produce cold at very low temperatures.
  • regenerator 2 heat exchanger and flow smoothing device 3 and pulse tube 4 are as already described with reference to FIG- URE 1.
  • valve 6 In operation, with valves 7 and 8 closed, valve 6 is opened to admit compressed gas. When the gas in tube 4 has been compressed, valve 8 is opened and the pocket of warm gas at the warm end of tube 4 is displaced at constant pressure, valve 6 remaining open. Valve 8 and valve 6 are then closed and valve 7 opened to permit discharge of gas returned through the regenerator 2. The sequence of valve operations is then repeated cyclically. It will be appreciated that the gas escaping from the warm end of tube 4 through valve 8 is lost to atmosphere. If the gas is disposable such as air, such loss can be tolerated, but if the gas is expensive, such as helium, then it is necessary to provide a closed circuit system as shown in FIG- URE 4. This circuit is also more eflicient in the production of refrigeration than that of FIGURE 3.
  • regenerator 2 heat exchanger and flow smoothing device 3 and pulse tube 4 are as previously described with reference to FIG- URE 3.
  • Gas is compressed in a compression cylinder 9 and passes through a cooler 10 to the regenerator 2.
  • a pressure-sensitive valve 11 is provided at the warm end of the tube 4, this valve 11 being arranged to open when the gas pressure at the warm end rises above a preselected level, and to close when the pressure falls below said preselected level.
  • the gas which is expelled through the valve 11 is passed to a reservoir 12 where it is cooled before being passed through a non-return valve 13 to the compression cylinder 9 on its expansion stroke.
  • the reservoir 12 is sufiiciently large to contain the gas expelled through the valve 11 during a number of cycles thereby allowing sufiicient time for the contained gas to cool be fore it is returned to the compression cylinder 9.
  • the piston in compression cylinder 9 moves upwards compressing the gas in the regenerator 2 and pulse tube 4. Near the end of the piston stroke the pressure in the pulse tube 4 causes the valve 11 to open and the warm gas is displaced at constant pressure from the pulse tube 4, expanding through valve 11 into the reservoir 12.
  • This cycle of operations is repeated with each cycle of the compression cylinder piston.
  • an inlet valve is opened to cause compressed gas to pass through a regenerator and a flow smooth ing device into a gas-filled pulse tube where it compresses the gas already present therein and establishes a temperature gradient which attains a maximum at the warm end of the tube,
  • a discharge valve is opened to allow compressed gas to be displaced at constant pressure, from the warm end of the tube by adjacent cooler gas, and
  • a pressure-sensitive valve is opened to allow only gas above a preselected pressure to be passed from the warm end of the tube to a reservoir for cooling

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
US615972A 1966-02-21 1967-02-14 Pulse tube refrigeration process Expired - Lifetime US3431746A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7543/66A GB1132652A (en) 1966-02-21 1966-02-21 Pulse tube refrigeration process

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3431746A true US3431746A (en) 1969-03-11

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ID=9835133

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US615972A Expired - Lifetime US3431746A (en) 1966-02-21 1967-02-14 Pulse tube refrigeration process

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3431746A (de)
DE (1) DE1551281A1 (de)
FR (1) FR1511438A (de)
GB (1) GB1132652A (de)
NL (2) NL6702286A (de)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3630041A (en) * 1970-02-25 1971-12-28 Philips Corp Thermodynamic refrigerator
USB447417I5 (de) * 1974-03-01 1975-01-28
US5107683A (en) * 1990-04-09 1992-04-28 Trw Inc. Multistage pulse tube cooler
DE4220840A1 (de) * 1991-06-26 1993-01-07 Aisin Seiki Schwingrohr-kuehlsystem
US5735127A (en) * 1995-06-28 1998-04-07 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Cryogenic cooling apparatus with voltage isolation
US5966942A (en) * 1996-11-05 1999-10-19 Mitchell; Matthew P. Pulse tube refrigerator
US6082117A (en) * 1998-03-05 2000-07-04 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Pulse tube refrigerating system
US20060225435A1 (en) * 2005-04-11 2006-10-12 Bayram Arman Cryocooler with grooved flow straightener

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2717563B1 (fr) * 1994-03-18 1996-04-19 Thomson Csf Refroidisseur à gaz pulsé.
GB2301426B (en) * 1995-05-16 1999-05-19 Toshiba Kk A refrigerator having a plurality of cooling stages

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1275507A (en) * 1917-01-29 1918-08-13 Rudolph Vuilleumier Method and apparatus for inducing heat changes.
US1321343A (en) * 1919-11-11 vuilleumier
US1459270A (en) * 1914-05-14 1923-06-19 Safety Car Heating & Lighting Method of and apparatus for heat differentiation
US3237421A (en) * 1965-02-25 1966-03-01 William E Gifford Pulse tube method of refrigeration and apparatus therefor
US3302422A (en) * 1963-04-10 1967-02-07 Petrocarbon Dev Ltd Refrigeration apparatus
US3314244A (en) * 1966-04-26 1967-04-18 Garrett Corp Pulse tube refrigeration with a fluid switching means

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1321343A (en) * 1919-11-11 vuilleumier
US1459270A (en) * 1914-05-14 1923-06-19 Safety Car Heating & Lighting Method of and apparatus for heat differentiation
US1275507A (en) * 1917-01-29 1918-08-13 Rudolph Vuilleumier Method and apparatus for inducing heat changes.
US3302422A (en) * 1963-04-10 1967-02-07 Petrocarbon Dev Ltd Refrigeration apparatus
US3237421A (en) * 1965-02-25 1966-03-01 William E Gifford Pulse tube method of refrigeration and apparatus therefor
US3314244A (en) * 1966-04-26 1967-04-18 Garrett Corp Pulse tube refrigeration with a fluid switching means

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3630041A (en) * 1970-02-25 1971-12-28 Philips Corp Thermodynamic refrigerator
USB447417I5 (de) * 1974-03-01 1975-01-28
US4024727A (en) * 1974-03-01 1977-05-24 Hughes Aircraft Company Vuilleumier refrigerator with separate pneumatically operated cold displacer
US5107683A (en) * 1990-04-09 1992-04-28 Trw Inc. Multistage pulse tube cooler
DE4220840A1 (de) * 1991-06-26 1993-01-07 Aisin Seiki Schwingrohr-kuehlsystem
US5269147A (en) * 1991-06-26 1993-12-14 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Pulse tube refrigerating system
US5735127A (en) * 1995-06-28 1998-04-07 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Cryogenic cooling apparatus with voltage isolation
US5966942A (en) * 1996-11-05 1999-10-19 Mitchell; Matthew P. Pulse tube refrigerator
US6082117A (en) * 1998-03-05 2000-07-04 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Pulse tube refrigerating system
US20060225435A1 (en) * 2005-04-11 2006-10-12 Bayram Arman Cryocooler with grooved flow straightener
US7234307B2 (en) * 2005-04-11 2007-06-26 Praxair Technology, Inc. Cryocooler with grooved flow straightener

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1511438A (fr) 1968-01-26
DE1551281A1 (de) 1970-03-19
NL6702286A (de) 1967-08-22
GB1132652A (en) 1968-11-06
NL130631C (de)

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