US3817044A - Pulse tube refrigerator - Google Patents

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US3817044A
US3817044A US00347814A US34781473A US3817044A US 3817044 A US3817044 A US 3817044A US 00347814 A US00347814 A US 00347814A US 34781473 A US34781473 A US 34781473A US 3817044 A US3817044 A US 3817044A
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pulse tube
lani5
container
hydrogen gas
gas
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A Daniels
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Philips North America LLC
US Philips Corp
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B37/00—Pumps having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B25/00 - F04B35/00
    • F04B37/06—Pumps having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B25/00 - F04B35/00 for evacuating by thermal means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G1/00—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants
    • F02G1/04—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type
    • F02G1/043—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
    • F02G1/044—Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines having at least two working members, e.g. pistons, delivering power output
    • F02G1/0445—Engine plants with combined cycles, e.g. Vuilleumier
    • 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
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02G—HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINE PLANTS; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F02G2250/00—Special cycles or special engines
    • F02G2250/18—Vuilleumier cycles
    • 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
    • F25B2309/006—Gas cycle refrigeration machines using a distributing valve of the rotary type
    • 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 
    • F25B2309/1418—Pulse-tube cycles with valves in gas supply and return lines
    • F25B2309/14181—Pulse-tube cycles with valves in gas supply and return lines the valves being of the rotary type
    • 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 
    • F25B2309/1421—Pulse-tube cycles characterised by details not otherwise provided for

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A refrigeration apparatus including a pulse tube and regenerator operable with hydrogen gas and a com- ,pressor, the gas being cyclically flowed into and out of the pulse tube.
  • the source of this gas and the compressor being a container of lanthanum nickel (LaNi which when cooled absorbs a large quantity of the gas, and when heated desorbs rapidly a large quantity of the gas which tends to expand the flows under pressure to the pulse tube where refrigeration is produced.
  • LaNi lanthanum nickel
  • pulse tube refrigerators are relatively inefficient, one limitation resulting from the reciprocating-piston type compressors typically used to compress the gas flowed into these pulse tubes.
  • Such compressors utilize inlet and outlet valves that produce a sine-wave pressure-v-time profile, the limited area under this sine-wave representing a limited work outout and work efficiency characteristic.
  • a high-pressure storage chamber or bufier space may be used intermediate the compressor outlet and the pulse tube inlet.
  • this additional component is objectionable, and does not significantly alter the basic operation.
  • the new invention seeks to provide a pulse tube re frigerator that has essentially no moving parts and consequently an absence of vibration and noise, has a notable improvement in efficiencyover known pulse tube devices, and that can operate with a power input that is merely relatively low temperature heat rather than a mechanical compressor and motor drive.
  • LaNi compressor which can produce a pressure wave in hydrogen gas that approaches a very efficient square-wave shape versus a sine-wave shape of the reciprocating compressors.
  • the new compressor in combination with an enlarged pulse tube will have an overall efficiency that renders the apparatus practical, particularly at temperatures close to K, the boiling point of hydrogen.
  • the LaNi compressor has essentially no moving parts, and thus eliminates substantially all of the prior vibration and noise problems.
  • the new compressor includes within a container a quantity of LaNi that has the capability of readily absorbing hydrogen gas when cooled, and when heated readily desorbing the gas which expands and flows under pressure. Only heat energy is required to produce the pressure in the gas, in contrast to a typical system of an electric-motor and compressor or other external power; noise, compressor, maintenance, vibra tion, wear, and even waste heat are all greatly reduced or eliminated. It is anticipated that the generally square-wave pressure profile will permit a 10 to 15 percent increase in efficiency of the new device over reciprocating-piston compressor-pulse tube refrigeration systems. The amount of heat transferred is related to the dwell time at peak pressure such that a square wave has the longest high-pressure time period.
  • This invention would have useful applications where either long, maintenance-free life isrequired, or where there is a requirement for extremely low vibration and- /or accoustical noise, or where only heat energy rather than mechanical power is available.
  • the new system is designed for use with hydrogen, partly because this gas is the one which is operable with the lanthanum-nickel compressor, and partly because the hydrogen boiling point of 204 Kelvin establishes a desirable low temperature zone at which refrigeration can be achieved with this apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a LaNi pulse tube refrigerator of the new invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a pressure-v-time diagram of the hydrogen gas in a pulse-tube refrigeration cycle, using a reciprocating-piston compressor.
  • FIG. 3 is a pressure-v-time diagram of the hydrogen gas in a pulse-tube refrigeration cycle using a LaNi compressor.
  • FIG. 1 shows the new invention 10 which includes containers 11 and 12, both of which contain quantities of LaNi shown as 13 in FIG. 1.
  • Container 11 has associated with it a heating means 14 which may take the form of electrical or fluid heating element 140, with associated valve or control switch 17a, and a corresponding, similar heating element 14b in container 12 with its associated valve or control switch 17b.
  • a cooling means 15 is provided with elements 16, 16a within each of said containers, and a valve means 17 for controlling fluid flow through one or the other elements 16 and 16a.
  • the LaNi within these containers has the capacity to absorb a large quantity of hydrogen gas. Later in operation it is the characteristic of this device that the LaNi material when heated will desorb the large quantity of hydrogen at a very rapid rate. More specifically, at specific temperatures the hydrogen is discharged and produces corresponding pressures.
  • Manifold l8 and valve 19 are provided to interconnect containers l1 and 12 in parallel or series as desired for power, speed, and efficiency. In parallel both containers at once can discharge the hydrogen gas during the desorption period, and later both can simultaneously absorb the hydrogen gas during the absorption period.
  • valve 19 interconnects the compressor outlet 20 with inlet 21 of regenerator 29, while compressor inlet 22 is closed; alternatively valve 19 conmeets the compressor inlet 22 with the regenerator port 21 while valve 20 is closed. In this way for example, one container can be cooled while the other is heated.
  • the pulse tube 23 has a cold end 24 with freezer part 25, and an inlet end 26 with a cooler-heat-exchanger 27.
  • the pulse tube body is formed of a stainelss steel tube 28, while the parts 25 and 27 are made of copper for good heat exchange properties.
  • FIG. 3 the pressure profile that is produced in the hydrogen gas on being desorbed from the hydrogen compressor follows the somewhat squared sinusoidal curve shown. This is in contrast to the regular sine-wave pattern of FIG. 2 which shows the pressure variation that occurs with time from a typical reciprocating mechanical compressor. Consequently, when hydrogen flows according to the generally square wave pressure profile of FIG. 3, the resulting operation of the pulse tube is more efficient than gas flow according to a sinusoidal pressure wave form of FIG. 2.
  • a closed refrigeration system comprising a pulse tube operable with a cyclic input flow and discharge flow of hydrogen gas to produce refrigeration, at least one container having a quantity of Lanthanum-nickel (LaNi therein, a quantity of hydrogen gas in said system, means for heating said LaNi means for cooling said LaNi duct means interconnecting said container and said pulse tube, first valve means for selectively controlling flow of hydrogen gas in said duct means, a regenerator intermediate said pulse tube and said container, whereby heating said LaNi causes same to desorb hydrogen gas which flows under pressure through said duct means and flows through said regenerator which absorbs heat from the gas, and flows into said pulse tube which produces refrigeration, and whereby cooling said LaNi causes same to absorb hydrogen gas which is drawn to flow back from said pulse tube through said regenerator which returns certain heat to said gas, to said container where the LaNi absorbs the hydrogen.
  • LaNi Lanthanum-nickel
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for cooling the LaNi comprises a tubular cooling element within said container, and a source of cooling fluid flowed through said cooling element for receiving heat from said LaNi within the container.
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for heating the LaNi comprises at least one electrical heating element within said container, and a source of electric current flowed into said element for heating same.
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising at least two of said containers, said duct means interconnecting the containers, said first valve means controlling hydrogen flow in said duct means selectively to provide series or parallel connection between said containers.
  • said pulse tube comprises a stainless steel tubular housing having an inlet end in communication with said regenerator and a remote end, the inlet end having an exposed copper part operating as a cooler and the remote end having a copper part operating as a freezer.
  • a pulse tube refrigerator in combination with a lanthanum-nickel (LaNi hydrogen gas compressor and operable with a quantity of hydrogen gas, the compressor comprising at least one container of LaNi first means for heating said LaNi second means for cooling said LaNi duct means communicating said container with said pulse tube for flowing hydrogen gas between said container and pulse tube, a regenerator in said duct means intermediate the container the pulse tube, valve means for controlling flow of hydrogen gas in said duct means, whereby heat from said first means causes the LaNi to desorb hydrogen gas to flow via the duct means through the regenerator and into the pulse tube when refrigeration is produced, and cold from said second means causes said LaNi to absorb said gas by drawing same via said duct means back from the pulse tube through the regenerator.
  • LaNi hydrogen gas compressor comprising at least one container of LaNi first means for heating said LaNi second means for cooling said LaNi duct means communicating said container with said pulse tube for flowing hydrogen gas between said container and pulse tube, a regenerator in said duct means intermediate the container the pulse tube

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Sorption Type Refrigeration Machines (AREA)

Abstract

A refrigeration apparatus including a pulse tube and regenerator operable with hydrogen gas and a compressor, the gas being cyclically flowed into and out of the pulse tube. The source of this gas and the compressor being a container of lanthanum nickel (LaNi5) which when cooled absorbs a large quantity of the gas, and when heated desorbs rapidly a large quantity of the gas which tends to expand the flows under pressure to the pulse tube where refrigeration is produced.

Description

United States Patent [191 Daniels [11] 3,817,044 [4 June 18, 1974 PULSE TUBE REFRIGERATOR [75] Inventor: Alexander Daniels, Briarcliff Manor,
[73] Assignee: North American Philips Corporation, New York, NY.
22 Filed: Apr. 4, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 347,814
[52] US. Cl. 62/6 [51] Int. Cl. F25b 9/00 [58] Field of Search 62/6 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,237,42! 3/1966 Gifford 62/6 2/1967 Smith ..62/6 4/1967 Green ..62/6
Primary ExaminerWilliam J. Wye Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frank R. Trifari [57] ABSTRACT A refrigeration apparatus including a pulse tube and regenerator operable with hydrogen gas and a com- ,pressor, the gas being cyclically flowed into and out of the pulse tube. The source of this gas and the compressor being a container of lanthanum nickel (LaNi which when cooled absorbs a large quantity of the gas, and when heated desorbs rapidly a large quantity of the gas which tends to expand the flows under pressure to the pulse tube where refrigeration is produced.
7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures P'A'TENTEDJum m4 3. 8 17:. 044
Fag 1 lib Fag 1 5 5 l PULSE TUBE REFRIGERATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The functioning of pulse tube refrigerators is known, however, numerous inherent structural and operational characteristics have greatly reduced practical applications of these devices. As compared to Stirling, Vuilleumier and Joule-Thompson type refrigerators, pulse tubes are relatively inefficient, one limitation resulting from the reciprocating-piston type compressors typically used to compress the gas flowed into these pulse tubes. Such compressors utilize inlet and outlet valves that produce a sine-wave pressure-v-time profile, the limited area under this sine-wave representing a limited work outout and work efficiency characteristic. To smooth-out or otherwise reduce the magnitude of the pressure-wave oscillation, and also to increase the area under the pressure curve, a high-pressure storage chamber or bufier space may be used intermediate the compressor outlet and the pulse tube inlet. However, this additional component is objectionable, and does not significantly alter the basic operation.
Another problem with known pulse tube refrigerators is the considerable vibration and noise produced by associated compressors, which leads to the burden and expense of either attenuating the vibration, or physically separating the components, with perhaps a flexible tube connection. These compressors are relatively high-speed devices, this type being chosen due to the belief that a high-speed operation is necessary to obtain reasonable efficiency and that higher cycles-perminute leads to higher efficiency, and because typical electric motors available and used to drive the compressors always operate at hundreds of revolutions or cycles per minute.
The new invention seeks to provide a pulse tube re frigerator that has essentially no moving parts and consequently an absence of vibration and noise, has a notable improvement in efficiencyover known pulse tube devices, and that can operate with a power input that is merely relatively low temperature heat rather than a mechanical compressor and motor drive.
SUMMARY OF THE NEW INVENTION It has been discovered that high efficiency is possible with a very slow cycle, even perhaps one cycle per minute versus 400 c.p.s. of the prior art. This is accomplished by using a lanthanum-nickel (LaNi compressor which can produce a pressure wave in hydrogen gas that approaches a very efficient square-wave shape versus a sine-wave shape of the reciprocating compressors. The new compressor in combination with an enlarged pulse tube will have an overall efficiency that renders the apparatus practical, particularly at temperatures close to K, the boiling point of hydrogen. Additionally, the LaNi compressor has essentially no moving parts, and thus eliminates substantially all of the prior vibration and noise problems.
The new compressor includes within a container a quantity of LaNi that has the capability of readily absorbing hydrogen gas when cooled, and when heated readily desorbing the gas which expands and flows under pressure. Only heat energy is required to produce the pressure in the gas, in contrast to a typical system of an electric-motor and compressor or other external power; noise, compressor, maintenance, vibra tion, wear, and even waste heat are all greatly reduced or eliminated. It is anticipated that the generally square-wave pressure profile will permit a 10 to 15 percent increase in efficiency of the new device over reciprocating-piston compressor-pulse tube refrigeration systems. The amount of heat transferred is related to the dwell time at peak pressure such that a square wave has the longest high-pressure time period.
This invention would have useful applications where either long, maintenance-free life isrequired, or where there is a requirement for extremely low vibration and- /or accoustical noise, or where only heat energy rather than mechanical power is available. The new system is designed for use with hydrogen, partly because this gas is the one which is operable with the lanthanum-nickel compressor, and partly because the hydrogen boiling point of 204 Kelvin establishes a desirable low temperature zone at which refrigeration can be achieved with this apparatus.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with respect to the drawings listed below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a LaNi pulse tube refrigerator of the new invention.
FIG. 2 is a pressure-v-time diagram of the hydrogen gas in a pulse-tube refrigeration cycle, using a reciprocating-piston compressor.
FIG. 3 is a pressure-v-time diagram of the hydrogen gas in a pulse-tube refrigeration cycle using a LaNi compressor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows the new invention 10 which includes containers 11 and 12, both of which contain quantities of LaNi shown as 13 in FIG. 1. Container 11 has associated with it a heating means 14 which may take the form of electrical or fluid heating element 140, with associated valve or control switch 17a, and a corresponding, similar heating element 14b in container 12 with its associated valve or control switch 17b. A cooling means 15 is provided with elements 16, 16a within each of said containers, and a valve means 17 for controlling fluid flow through one or the other elements 16 and 16a. When cooled the LaNi within these containers has the capacity to absorb a large quantity of hydrogen gas. Later in operation it is the characteristic of this device that the LaNi material when heated will desorb the large quantity of hydrogen at a very rapid rate. More specifically, at specific temperatures the hydrogen is discharged and produces corresponding pressures.
Manifold l8 and valve 19 are provided to interconnect containers l1 and 12 in parallel or series as desired for power, speed, and efficiency. In parallel both containers at once can discharge the hydrogen gas during the desorption period, and later both can simultaneously absorb the hydrogen gas during the absorption period. In series valve 19 interconnects the compressor outlet 20 with inlet 21 of regenerator 29, while compressor inlet 22 is closed; alternatively valve 19 conmeets the compressor inlet 22 with the regenerator port 21 while valve 20 is closed. In this way for example, one container can be cooled while the other is heated.
The pulse tube 23 has a cold end 24 with freezer part 25, and an inlet end 26 with a cooler-heat-exchanger 27. The pulse tube body is formed of a stainelss steel tube 28, while the parts 25 and 27 are made of copper for good heat exchange properties.
In operation hydrogen gas which is compressed and somewhat heated, is flowed to the regenerator wherein a quantity of heat is extracted and stored; the compressed hydrogen then flows through cooler 27 which extracts a further quantity of heat and transmits same to the outside environment; the hydrogen then flows into the pulse tube where it expands to its lowest temperature in the freezer portion 25. The object to be cooled receives cold through a heat exchanger 25a of the freezer. Subsequently valves 17a, 17b and 19 are adjusted such that heat is discontinued to elements 14a, 14b, and the cooling means 15 is actuated. Hydrogen then flows backward from the pulse tube 23 through the regenerator 29 and into one or more of the compressor containers 11 and 12. The gas leaving the chamber of the pulse tube is reheated somewhat upon passing through the regenerator 29 such that when it returns to the compressor it is absorbed at the heated temperature, and later during compression does not have to be heated up from a cold condition but merely from the warm condition.
According to FIG. 3 the pressure profile that is produced in the hydrogen gas on being desorbed from the hydrogen compressor follows the somewhat squared sinusoidal curve shown. This is in contrast to the regular sine-wave pattern of FIG. 2 which shows the pressure variation that occurs with time from a typical reciprocating mechanical compressor. Consequently, when hydrogen flows according to the generally square wave pressure profile of FIG. 3, the resulting operation of the pulse tube is more efficient than gas flow according to a sinusoidal pressure wave form of FIG. 2.
A great variety of structural configurations could be used within the scope of this invention. For example, six containers of LaNi might be used in series with an approximate cycle time of one minute. Furthermore, any other materials having the capability of LaNi for absorbing and desorbing a gas, or any gas other than hydrogen similarly operable with LaNi would also be within the scope of this invention.
I claim:
1. A closed refrigeration system comprising a pulse tube operable with a cyclic input flow and discharge flow of hydrogen gas to produce refrigeration, at least one container having a quantity of Lanthanum-nickel (LaNi therein, a quantity of hydrogen gas in said system, means for heating said LaNi means for cooling said LaNi duct means interconnecting said container and said pulse tube, first valve means for selectively controlling flow of hydrogen gas in said duct means, a regenerator intermediate said pulse tube and said container, whereby heating said LaNi causes same to desorb hydrogen gas which flows under pressure through said duct means and flows through said regenerator which absorbs heat from the gas, and flows into said pulse tube which produces refrigeration, and whereby cooling said LaNi causes same to absorb hydrogen gas which is drawn to flow back from said pulse tube through said regenerator which returns certain heat to said gas, to said container where the LaNi absorbs the hydrogen.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for cooling the LaNi comprises a tubular cooling element within said container, and a source of cooling fluid flowed through said cooling element for receiving heat from said LaNi within the container.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for heating the LaNi comprises at least one electrical heating element within said container, and a source of electric current flowed into said element for heating same.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising at least two of said containers, said duct means interconnecting the containers, said first valve means controlling hydrogen flow in said duct means selectively to provide series or parallel connection between said containers.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pulse tube comprises a stainless steel tubular housing having an inlet end in communication with said regenerator and a remote end, the inlet end having an exposed copper part operating as a cooler and the remote end having a copper part operating as a freezer.
6. A pulse tube refrigerator in combination with a lanthanum-nickel (LaNi hydrogen gas compressor and operable with a quantity of hydrogen gas, the compressor comprising at least one container of LaNi first means for heating said LaNi second means for cooling said LaNi duct means communicating said container with said pulse tube for flowing hydrogen gas between said container and pulse tube, a regenerator in said duct means intermediate the container the pulse tube, valve means for controlling flow of hydrogen gas in said duct means, whereby heat from said first means causes the LaNi to desorb hydrogen gas to flow via the duct means through the regenerator and into the pulse tube when refrigeration is produced, and cold from said second means causes said LaNi to absorb said gas by drawing same via said duct means back from the pulse tube through the regenerator.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for heating and means for cooling the LaNi and respectively causing the hydrogen gas to be cyclically desorbed and absorbed, causes this gas to experience a pressure-vs-time variation that approximates a square wave.
73333 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,317,044 Dated June 18, 1974 lnv nwrwx ALEXANDER DANIELS It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
Col. 2, line '41 After "17b. insert -Valves 'lla, llb,
12a, and 12b control the flow of LaNi into and out of containers 1i and l2.--
Signed and sealed this 1st day of October 1974,
Attest:
MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims (6)

  1. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for cooling the LaNi5 comprises a tubular cooling element within said container, and a source of cooling fluid flowed through said cooling element for receiving heat from said LaNi5 within the container.
  2. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for heating the LaNi5 comprises at least one electrical heating element within said container, and a source of electric current flowed into said element for heating same.
  3. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising at least two of said containers, said duct means interconnecting the containers, said first valve means controlling hydrogen flow in said duct means selectively to provide series or parallel connection between said containers.
  4. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pulse tube comprises a stainless steel tubular housing having an inlet end in communication with said regenerator and a remote end, the inlet end having an exposed coPper part operating as a cooler and the remote end having a copper part operating as a freezer.
  5. 6. A pulse tube refrigerator in combination with a lanthanum-nickel (LaNi5) hydrogen gas compressor and operable with a quantity of hydrogen gas, the compressor comprising at least one container of LaNi5, first means for heating said LaNi5, second means for cooling said LaNi5, duct means communicating said container with said pulse tube for flowing hydrogen gas between said container and pulse tube, a regenerator in said duct means intermediate the container the pulse tube, valve means for controlling flow of hydrogen gas in said duct means, whereby heat from said first means causes the LaNi5 to desorb hydrogen gas to flow via the duct means through the regenerator and into the pulse tube when refrigeration is produced, and cold from said second means causes said LaNi5 to absorb said gas by drawing same via said duct means back from the pulse tube through the regenerator.
  6. 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for heating and means for cooling the LaNi5 and respectively causing the hydrogen gas to be cyclically desorbed and absorbed, causes this gas to experience a pressure-vs-time variation that approximates a square wave.
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Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3906739A (en) * 1974-08-26 1975-09-23 Us Army Variable pneumatic volume for cryogenic coolers
US5107683A (en) * 1990-04-09 1992-04-28 Trw Inc. Multistage pulse tube cooler
EP0523849A1 (en) * 1991-07-13 1993-01-20 The BOC Group plc Refrigerator
US5295355A (en) * 1992-01-04 1994-03-22 Cryogenic Laboratory Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences Multi-bypass pulse tube refrigerator
US5335505A (en) * 1992-05-25 1994-08-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Pulse tube refrigerator
US5488830A (en) * 1994-10-24 1996-02-06 Trw Inc. Orifice pulse tube with reservoir within compressor
US5522223A (en) * 1994-10-21 1996-06-04 Iwatani Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha Pulse tube refrigerator
FR2736710A1 (en) * 1995-07-12 1997-01-17 Commissariat Energie Atomique REFRIGERATOR OR HEAT PUMP WITH PULSATION TUBE SUPPLIED BY A PRESSURE GENERATOR
US5711156A (en) * 1995-05-12 1998-01-27 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Multistage type pulse tube refrigerator
US5735127A (en) * 1995-06-28 1998-04-07 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Cryogenic cooling apparatus with voltage isolation
US20060254286A1 (en) * 2005-05-16 2006-11-16 Johnson Lonnie G Solid state cryocooler

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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 (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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 (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3906739A (en) * 1974-08-26 1975-09-23 Us Army Variable pneumatic volume for cryogenic coolers
US5107683A (en) * 1990-04-09 1992-04-28 Trw Inc. Multistage pulse tube cooler
US5339639A (en) * 1991-07-13 1994-08-23 The Boc Group Plc. Freon free refrigerator
EP0523849A1 (en) * 1991-07-13 1993-01-20 The BOC Group plc Refrigerator
US5295355A (en) * 1992-01-04 1994-03-22 Cryogenic Laboratory Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences Multi-bypass pulse tube refrigerator
US5412952A (en) * 1992-05-25 1995-05-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Pulse tube refrigerator
US5335505A (en) * 1992-05-25 1994-08-09 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Pulse tube refrigerator
US5522223A (en) * 1994-10-21 1996-06-04 Iwatani Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha Pulse tube refrigerator
US5488830A (en) * 1994-10-24 1996-02-06 Trw Inc. Orifice pulse tube with reservoir within compressor
US5711156A (en) * 1995-05-12 1998-01-27 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Multistage type pulse tube refrigerator
US5735127A (en) * 1995-06-28 1998-04-07 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Cryogenic cooling apparatus with voltage isolation
FR2736710A1 (en) * 1995-07-12 1997-01-17 Commissariat Energie Atomique REFRIGERATOR OR HEAT PUMP WITH PULSATION TUBE SUPPLIED BY A PRESSURE GENERATOR
WO1997003327A1 (en) * 1995-07-12 1997-01-30 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Refrigerator or heat pump with a pulse tube operated by a pressure generator
US20060254286A1 (en) * 2005-05-16 2006-11-16 Johnson Lonnie G Solid state cryocooler

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