Stirling cryocooler

Abstract

The application provides a Stirling refrigerator, and relates to the technical field of refrigeration, which comprises an engine unit, a refrigeration unit, a room temperature heat exchange unit and an expeller unit. The engine unit is used for generating sound power by using input heat and can amplify and output sound power after receiving the sound power. The refrigeration unit is used for receiving the sound power and generating cold energy by using the sound power. The room temperature heat exchange unit is arranged between the engine unit and the refrigeration unit and is used for maintaining the temperature in a set range. The expeller unit is arranged in an intermediate cavity formed by the engine unit and the room temperature heat exchange unit and is used for transmitting sound power and adjusting the phase of a sound field. The Stirling refrigerator provided by the application is characterized in that the engine unit, the room temperature heat exchange unit and the refrigeration unit are sequentially and closely arranged, an intermediate cavity is formed in the middle of the engine unit and the room temperature heat exchange unit, and the expeller unit is arranged in the intermediate cavity. Therefore, the length of the expeller unit is shortened, the structure is more compact, the thermal deformation caused by the temperature gradient of the wall surface is reduced, and the movement reliability of the expeller unit is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of refrigerators, in particular to a Stirling refrigerator. BACKGROUND

[0002] Stirling engine is a kind of heat engine, which is a kind of heat engine, and its effective efficiency is generally between gasoline engine and diesel engine. Stirling heat engine can be used as a refrigerator or a heat pump when it is operated in reverse.

[0003] The existing Stirling refrigerator, such as heat-driven free-piston Stirling refrigerator, direct-connection heat-driven free-piston Stirling refrigerator and Stirling engine-driven pulse tube refrigerator, has the defects of non-compact structure, large space occupation and low reliability. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a Stirling refrigerator, which solves the defects of non-compact structure, large space occupation and low reliability of the prior art Stirling refrigerator, realizes rational design of the arrangement of the engine unit, the room temperature heat exchange unit and the refrigeration unit, shortens the length of the expeller unit, makes the structure compact, occupies small space and enhances the reliability.

[0005] The present application provides a Stirling refrigerator, which solves the defects of non-compact structure, large space occupation and low reliability of the prior art Stirling refrigerator, realizes rational design of the arrangement of the engine unit, the room temperature heat exchange unit and the refrigeration unit, shortens the length of the expeller unit, makes the structure compact, occupies small space and enhances the reliability.

[0006] The engine unit is used for generating acoustic power by inputting heat, and can amplify and output the acoustic power after receiving the acoustic power.

[0007] The refrigeration unit is used for receiving the acoustic power and generating cold energy by the acoustic power.

[0008] The room temperature heat exchange unit is arranged between the engine unit and the refrigeration unit, and maintains the temperature within a set range. The room temperature heat exchange unit forms a temperature gradient with the engine unit and exchanges heat, and forms a temperature gradient with the refrigeration unit and exchanges heat.

[0009] The expeller unit is arranged in the intermediate cavity formed by the engine unit and the room temperature heat exchange unit, and is used for transmitting acoustic power and adjusting the phase of acoustic field.

[0010] The intermediate cavity is in communication with the engine unit, the refrigeration unit and the room temperature heat exchange unit.

[0011] The Stirling refrigerator provided by the present application, the engine unit includes a high-temperature heat exchanger and a first regenerator, the high-temperature heat exchanger is connected with the first regenerator for inputting heat, the first regenerator is connected with the room temperature heat exchange unit,

[0012] The first regenerator is used to generate the acoustic power, transfer the acoustic power to the displacer unit, and receive the acoustic power from the displacer unit for amplification and output.

[0013] The Stirling refrigerator provided by the application comprises a cold-end heat exchanger and a second regenerator, the second regenerator is connected with the room-temperature heat exchange unit, the second regenerator is connected with the cold-end heat exchanger,

[0014] The second regenerator is used to receive and utilize the acoustic power transferred by the displacer unit, and the second regenerator exchanges heat with the cold-end heat exchanger and the room-temperature heat exchange unit.

[0015] The displacer unit comprises a displacer, a connecting rod and an elastic reciprocating member, the displacer is connected with the initial end of the connecting rod, the terminal end of the connecting rod is connected with the elastic reciprocating member,

[0016] The displacer is arranged in the intermediate cavity, and the connecting rod passes through the room-temperature heat exchange unit and the refrigeration unit.

[0017] The displacer unit comprises a displacer, a connecting rod and an elastic reciprocating member, the connecting rod is connected with the elastic reciprocating member, the elastic reciprocating member is connected with the displacer, and the connecting rod is arranged at the bottom of the intermediate cavity.

[0018] The Stirling refrigerator provided by the application further comprises an acoustic power consumption mechanism, which is connected with the refrigeration unit and is used to consume the acoustic power not utilized by the refrigeration unit.

[0019] The acoustic power consumption mechanism is a motor piston device.

[0020] The acoustic power consumption mechanism comprises a pulse tube, a first room-temperature heat exchanger, an inertance tube and a gas reservoir, one end of the pulse tube is connected with the refrigeration unit, the other end is connected with the first room-temperature heat exchanger, the first room-temperature heat exchanger is connected with the inertance tube, and the inertance tube is connected with the gas reservoir.

[0021] The acoustic power consumption mechanism comprises a resonant piston, a plate spring and a damper, the resonant piston is connected with the refrigeration unit, the plate spring is arranged between the resonant pistons, and the damper is arranged at the lower end of the resonant piston.

[0022] The connecting rod is provided with a through hole.

[0023] The application provides a Stirling refrigerator, which is characterized in that: the Stirling refrigerator comprises an engine unit, a room temperature heat exchange unit and a refrigeration unit which are sequentially and closely arranged, an intermediate cavity is formed in the middle of the engine unit and the room temperature heat exchange unit, and an expeller unit is arranged in the intermediate cavity, so that the length of the expeller unit is shortened, the structure is more compact, the thermal deformation caused by the wall temperature gradient is reduced, the movement reliability of the expeller unit is improved, the heat buffer pipe is cancelled, the heat loss is reduced, the resonant pipe / resonant piston structure of the low-temperature refrigerator is cancelled, and the efficiency and reliability of the refrigerator are improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without any creative effort on the basis of these drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the Stirling refrigerator provided by the application;

[0026] Figure 2 is the second structural schematic diagram of the Stirling refrigerator provided by the application;

[0027] Figure 3 is the third structural schematic diagram of the Stirling refrigerator provided by the application;

[0028] Figure 4 is the fourth structural schematic diagram of the Stirling refrigerator provided by the application.

[0029] Corresponding symbols:

[0030] 100: engine unit; 200: refrigeration unit; 300: room temperature heat exchange unit;

[0031] 400: expeller unit; 410: intermediate cavity; 101: high-temperature heat exchanger;

[0032] 102: first regenerator; 201: second regenerator; 202: cold end heat exchanger;

[0033] 401: expeller; 402: connecting rod; 403: elastic reciprocating member;

[0034] 500: sound work consumption mechanism; 501: piston; 502: magnet;

[0035] 503: silicon steel sheet; 504: coil; 511: pulse tube;

[0036] 512: first room temperature heat exchanger; 513: inertance tube; 514: gas reservoir;

[0037] 521: resonant piston; 522: leaf spring; 523: damper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of the present application.

[0039] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments of the present application and simplify the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] In the description of the present application, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of the present application. In the present application, the illustrative description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in the present application and the features of the different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0042] The following will be described in conjunction withFigures 1 to 4 The embodiments of the present invention will be described below. It should be understood that the following description is merely an illustrative embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a Stirling refrigerator, comprising: an engine unit 100 for generating acoustic power using input heat and amplifying and outputting the acoustic power; a refrigeration unit 200 for receiving acoustic power and generating cooling power using the acoustic power; a room temperature heat exchange unit 300, placed between the engine unit 100 and the refrigeration unit 200, maintaining the temperature within a set range, forming a temperature gradient with the engine unit 100 and exchanging heat with the refrigeration unit 200; and an exhaust unit 400, placed within an intermediate cavity 410 formed around the engine unit 100 and the room temperature heat exchange unit 300, for transmitting acoustic power and adjusting the phase of the sound field; wherein the intermediate cavity 410 is connected to the engine unit 100, the refrigeration unit 200, and the room temperature heat exchange unit 300.

[0044] Specifically, the engine unit 100, the room temperature heat exchange unit 300, and the refrigeration unit 200 are connected sequentially. An intermediate cavity 410 is formed in the middle of the engine unit 100 and the room temperature heat exchange unit 300; in other words, the intermediate cavity 410 is surrounded by the engine unit 100 and the room temperature heat exchange unit 300. The exhaust unit 400 is placed inside the intermediate cavity 410. External circulating hot fluid inputs heat through the engine unit 100, while the room temperature heat exchange unit 300 maintains the room temperature. Due to the temperature gradient formed between the input heat and the room temperature heat exchange unit 300, the engine unit 100 generates acoustic power. This acoustic power is transferred to the exhaust unit 400 in the intermediate cavity 410. The exhaust unit 400 transfers a portion of the acoustic power to the refrigeration unit 200, while the remaining portion returns to the engine unit 100.

[0045] The acoustic energy entering the refrigeration unit 200 is consumed to drive the refrigeration unit 200 to refrigerate. The heat generated during the refrigeration process exchanges heat with the room temperature heat exchange unit 300, thereby maintaining the low temperature of the refrigeration unit 200. The acoustic energy entering the engine unit 100 is amplified by the engine unit 100 and then transferred back to the exhaust unit 400 for the next cycle.

[0046] The room temperature heat exchange unit 300 can maintain a set temperature by connecting to a water circuit. For example, the room temperature heat exchange unit 300 can be a room temperature heat exchanger.

[0047] Compared with the prior Stirling refrigerators, the length of the displacer unit 400 is shortened, the stability is enhanced, and the problem of movement obstruction caused by the displacement of the displacer unit 400 is reduced. In addition, the displacer unit 400 only spans two temperature zones of high temperature and room temperature, and the problem of increased damping and deteriorated movement caused by thermal deformation is reduced.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2 In another embodiment of the present application, the engine unit 100 includes a high-temperature heat exchanger 101 and a first regenerator 102, the high-temperature heat exchanger 101 is connected to the first regenerator 102 for inputting heat, and the first regenerator 102 is connected to the room-temperature heat exchange unit 300, wherein the first regenerator 102 is used to generate acoustic power, transmit the acoustic power to the displacer unit 400, and receive the acoustic power from the displacer unit 400 for amplification output.

[0049] Specifically, the high-temperature heat exchanger 101, the first regenerator 102, and the room-temperature heat exchange unit 300 form an intermediate cavity 410, and the displacer unit 400 is placed in the intermediate cavity 410. The external circulating heat fluid inputs heat through the high-temperature heat exchanger 101, the high-temperature heat exchanger 101 and the room-temperature heat exchange unit 300 form a temperature gradient for the first regenerator 102, the gas in the first regenerator 102 self-oscillates to generate acoustic power, and the room-temperature heat exchange unit 300 only acts as a channel in the process of transmitting the acoustic power. The acoustic power generated in the first regenerator 102 is transmitted to the displacer unit 400, and the displacer unit 400 transmits part of the acoustic power to the refrigeration unit 200, and the other part returns to the first regenerator 102, is further amplified in the first regenerator 102, and is transmitted to the displacer unit 400 again for the next cycle.

[0050] Continuing to refer to Figure 2 In another embodiment of the present application, the refrigeration unit 200 includes a cold-end heat exchanger 202 and a second regenerator 201, the second regenerator 201 is connected to the room-temperature heat exchange unit 300, and the second regenerator 201 is connected to the cold-end heat exchanger 202, wherein the second regenerator 201 is used to receive the acoustic power transmitted by the displacer unit 400, and the second regenerator 201 exchanges heat with the cold-end heat exchanger 202 and the room-temperature heat exchange unit 300.

[0051] Further, the cold-end heat exchanger 202 generates heat while outputting cold, and in order to maintain continuous output of cold, the generated heat needs to be consumed and cooled. Part of the acoustic power transmitted from the displacer unit 400 enters the second regenerator 201, and the second regenerator 201 exchanges heat between the cold-end heat exchanger 202 and the room-temperature heat exchange unit 300 by using the acoustic power, thereby consuming the heat of the cold-end heat exchanger 202 and continuously outputting cold.

[0052] Continuing to refer toFigure 2 In an optional embodiment of the present application, the displacer unit 400 comprises a displacer 401, a connecting rod 402 and an elastic reciprocating member 403, the displacer 401 is connected to the beginning of the connecting rod 402, the end of the connecting rod 402 is connected to the elastic reciprocating member 403, wherein the displacer 401 is placed in the intermediate cavity 410, and the connecting rod 402 passes through the room temperature heat exchange unit 300 and the refrigeration unit 200.

[0053] In other words, the displacer 401 and the elastic reciprocating member 403 are respectively placed at both ends of the connecting rod 402, and the displacer 401 is placed in the intermediate cavity 410. The first regenerator 102 transmits acoustic power to the displacer 401, and the displacer 401 transmits vibration to the elastic reciprocating member 403 through the connecting rod 402, and the reciprocating vibration of the elastic reciprocating member 403 further drives the displacer 401 to vibrate, thereby realizing the autonomous vibration cycle of the displacer 401 and realizing the continuous transmission of acoustic power.

[0054] In other words, the displacer 401 and the elastic reciprocating member 403 are respectively placed at both ends of the connecting rod 402, and the displacer 401 is placed in the intermediate cavity 410. The first regenerator 102 transmits acoustic power to the displacer 401, and the displacer 401 transmits vibration to the elastic reciprocating member 403 through the connecting rod 402, and the reciprocating vibration of the elastic reciprocating member 403 further drives the displacer 401 to vibrate, thereby realizing the autonomous vibration cycle of the displacer 401 and realizing the continuous transmission of acoustic power.

[0055] In addition, in another optional embodiment of the present application, the Stirling refrigerator further comprises an acoustic power consumption mechanism 500, which is in communication with the refrigeration unit 200 and is used to consume acoustic power flowing out of the refrigeration unit 200. In other embodiments of the present application, the acoustic power consumption mechanism 500 is a motor piston device.

[0056] Specifically, the refrigeration unit 200 consumes a part of the acoustic power to realize heat exchange, but in the case of exhausting acoustic power, other structures are needed to further consume, for example, the refrigeration unit 200 is a room temperature refrigerator, and the remaining acoustic power is relatively large, which needs to be consumed by the motor piston device to generate electric energy.

[0057] Further, the motor piston device comprises silicon steel sheet 503, coil 504, piston 501 and magnet 502, and the piston 501 is driven by the acoustic power to generate electric energy. In the embodiment, the connecting rod 402 passes through the piston 501, and the elastic reciprocating member 403 is arranged at the lower part of the piston 501, i.e. in the back pressure cavity. The cavity between the motor piston device and the cold end heat exchanger 202 of the refrigeration unit 200 is the compression cavity.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 In another optional embodiment of the application, the ejector unit 400 comprises ejector 401, connecting rod 402 and elastic reciprocating member 403, the connecting rod 402 is connected with the elastic reciprocating member 403, the elastic reciprocating member 403 is connected with the ejector 401, and the connecting rod 402 is arranged at the bottom of the intermediate cavity 410.

[0059] In other words, the elastic reciprocating member 403 is arranged between the ejector 401 and the connecting rod 402, the ejector 401 and the connecting rod 402 are connected through the elastic reciprocating member 403, and the connecting rod 402 is arranged at the bottom of the intermediate cavity 410 with the base. In some embodiments of the application, the base of the connecting rod 402 is connected with the room temperature heat exchange unit 300. In addition, in the embodiments of the application, the connecting rod 402 is provided with a through hole for realizing the communication between the intermediate cavity 410 and the room temperature heat exchange unit 300 and the refrigeration unit 200, and facilitating the transmission of acoustic power.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3 In an optional embodiment of the application, the acoustic power consumption mechanism 500 comprises pulse tube 511, first room temperature heat exchanger 512, inertance tube 513 and gas reservoir 514, the pulse tube 511 is connected with the refrigeration unit 200 at one end and connected with the first room temperature heat exchanger 512 at the other end, the first room temperature heat exchanger 512 is connected with the inertance tube 513, and the inertance tube 513 is connected with the gas reservoir 514.

[0061] Specifically, the pulse tube 511 is in communication with the cold end heat exchanger 202, and the first room temperature heat exchanger 512 is used for heat dissipation and flow guiding of the internal working gas. The inertance tube 513 and the gas reservoir 514 are used for dissipating the residual acoustic power of the refrigeration unit 200. The structure of the Stirling refrigerator in the embodiment of the application cancels the phase modulation structure of the resonant piston 521 or the phase modulation structure of the resonant tube of the traditional Stirling engine driven pulse tube refrigerator, reduces the energy loss caused by the phase modulation structure, shortens the size of the whole machine, and has stronger applicability.

[0062] As shown in Figure 4As shown, in other embodiments of the present application, the sound work consumption mechanism 500 comprises resonant pistons 521, plate springs 522 and dampers 523, the resonant pistons 521 are in communication with the refrigeration unit 200, the plate springs 522 are arranged between the resonant pistons 521, the resonant pistons 521 comprise upper and lower parts, the plate springs 522 are arranged between the upper and lower parts, and the dampers 523 are arranged at the lower ends of the resonant pistons 521.

[0063] Specifically, the resonant pistons 521 are in communication with the cold end heat exchanger 202, and a compression cavity is formed between the resonant pistons 521 and the cold end heat exchanger 202. The Stirling refrigeration machine structure of the embodiment of the present application replaces the inertance tube 513 and the gas reservoir 514 of the pulse tube refrigerator with the resonant pistons 521 with dampers 523, thereby shortening the overall size and improving the applicability.

[0064] The Stirling refrigeration machine provided by the present application sequentially and closely arranges the engine unit, the room temperature heat exchange unit and the refrigeration unit, forms an intermediate cavity in the middle of the engine unit and the room temperature heat exchange unit, arranges the expeller unit in the intermediate cavity, thereby shortening the length of the expeller unit, making the structure more compact, reducing the thermal deformation caused by the wall temperature gradient, improving the motion reliability of the expeller unit, canceling the heat buffer tube to reduce the heat loss, canceling the resonant tube / resonant piston structure of the low-temperature refrigeration machine, and improving the efficiency and reliability of the refrigeration machine.

[0065] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that: it can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement for part of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A Stirling cryocooler characterised in that, include: The engine unit is used to generate acoustic power using input heat and can receive acoustic power and amplify it for output. A refrigeration unit is used to receive the acoustic power and generate cooling energy using the acoustic power; A room temperature heat exchange unit is placed between the engine unit and the refrigeration unit to maintain the temperature within a set range. The room temperature heat exchange unit forms a temperature gradient with the engine unit and exchanges heat with the refrigeration unit. The exhaust unit, located within the intermediate cavity formed by the engine unit and the room temperature heat exchange unit, is used to transmit acoustic power and adjust the phase of the sound field. The intermediate cavity is connected to the engine unit, the refrigeration unit, and the room temperature heat exchange unit, which are connected sequentially. The engine unit includes a high-temperature heat exchanger and a first regenerator. The high-temperature heat exchanger is connected to the first regenerator for inputting heat. The first regenerator is connected to the room-temperature heat exchange unit. The high-temperature heat exchanger, the first regenerator, and the room-temperature heat exchange unit form the intermediate cavity, and the exhaust unit is placed inside the intermediate cavity. The first regenerator is used to generate the acoustic power, transmit the acoustic power to the exhaust unit, and receive the acoustic power from the exhaust unit for amplification and output. The refrigeration unit includes a cold-end heat exchanger and a second regenerator. The second regenerator is connected to the room-temperature heat exchange unit and is also connected to the cold-end heat exchanger. The second regenerator is used to receive and utilize the acoustic power transmitted by the exhaust unit, and the second regenerator performs heat exchange between the cold end heat exchanger and the room temperature heat exchange unit.

2. A Stirling cryocooler according to claim 1 characterised in that, The discharge unit includes a discharger, a connecting rod, and an elastic reciprocating component. The discharger is connected to the beginning of the connecting rod, and the end of the connecting rod is connected to the elastic reciprocating component. The discharge device is placed inside the intermediate cavity, and the connecting rod passes through the room temperature heat exchange unit and the refrigeration unit.

3. A Stirling cryocooler according to claim 1 characterised in that, The discharge unit includes a discharge device, a connecting rod, and an elastic reciprocating component. The connecting rod is connected to the elastic reciprocating component, and the elastic reciprocating component is connected to the discharge device. The connecting rod is located at the bottom of the intermediate cavity.

4. A Stirling cryocooler according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that, It also includes a sound power consumption mechanism, which is connected to the refrigeration unit and is used to consume the unused sound power of the refrigeration unit.

5. A Stirling cryocooler according to claim 4 characterised in that, The sound power consumption mechanism is a motor piston device.

6. A Stirling cryocooler according to claim 4 characterised in that, The sound power consumption mechanism includes a pulse tube, a first room temperature heat exchanger, an inertial tube, and a gas reservoir. One end of the pulse tube is connected to the refrigeration unit, and the other end is connected to the first room temperature heat exchanger. The first room temperature heat exchanger is connected to the inertial tube, and the inertial tube is connected to the gas reservoir.

7. A Stirling cryocooler according to claim 4 characterised in that, The acoustic power consumption mechanism includes a resonant piston, a leaf spring, and a damper. The resonant piston is connected to the refrigeration unit, the leaf spring is placed between the resonant pistons, and the damper is placed at the lower end of the resonant piston.

8. A Stirling cryocooler according to claim 3 characterised in that, The connecting rod has a through hole.

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