Vacuum refrigeration device and method of operation thereof

Abstract

The application provides a vacuum refrigeration device and method, which comprises a vacuum cavity and a refrigerator; further comprising: a connecting unit having a connecting part and connecting the refrigerator; a bearing part fixed on the vacuum cavity and bearing the refrigerator at the connecting part, so that the refrigerator is arranged on the lower side of the vacuum cavity; a buffer pad arranged between the vacuum cavity and the connecting unit and having deformation under extrusion; the buffer pad has a through hole allowing the bearing part to pass through. The application has the advantages of good sealing effect, good damping effect and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to refrigeration, and more particularly to a vacuum refrigeration apparatus and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] In a vacuum environment, using a Stirling refrigerator to rapidly cool the cold trap can achieve the functions of dehydration or VOC adsorption. Furthermore, the vacuum environment effectively prevents external heat from interfering with the cold head, reducing power consumption. Additionally, the vacuum environment effectively prevents moisture in the air from condensing and frosting on the refrigerator's cold head. Piston-type Stirling refrigerators utilize the Stirling cycle for cooling, driven by a linear motor. Due to the reciprocating motion of the linear motor, axial vibration is unavoidable. Since the sealing structure of Stirling refrigerators often uses rigid connections, this axial vibration is transmitted through the sealing structure to the vacuum chamber and the entire machine, causing overall vibration and noise. Therefore, the key challenge lies in ensuring reliable vacuum sealing, effective vibration damping, and reliable fixation.

[0003] To address the vibration reduction problem, existing technologies employ the following solutions:

[0004] 1. Referring to the connection method between the vacuum pump and the vacuum chamber, a flexible bellows is generally used. However, when applying this to the application of Stirling refrigerators, the cold head of the refrigerator needs to be inserted into the bellows. However, due to the limited length of the cold head, a shorter bellows is often required to allow the cold head to extend into the vacuum chamber and connect with the cold trap. The shorter bellows have better rigidity and cannot provide a good vibration damping effect. In addition, the entire refrigerator is actually suspended below the vacuum chamber by the bellows, which is prone to shaking.

[0005] 2. The adapter flange, in conjunction with a sealing gasket, is fixed to the vacuum chamber using screws. This method provides a good vacuum seal, reliable mounting of the refrigeration unit, and a simple structure. However, it is a rigid connection; the tightened screws compress the sealing gasket and adapter flange, failing to provide adequate vibration damping.

[0006] 3. Vibration damping springs are used for damping, but the springs themselves are prone to friction noise when compressed, and the resulting vibration amplitude is relatively large. They are also not suitable for compact structures with small amplitude vibrations. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of the existing technical solutions, the present invention provides a vacuum refrigeration device.

[0008] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0009] A vacuum refrigeration device, comprising a vacuum chamber and a refrigeration unit; the vacuum refrigeration device further comprising:

[0010] A connecting unit having a connecting part and connected to the refrigeration unit;

[0011] A support member is fixed on the vacuum chamber and supports the refrigerator at the connection portion, such that the refrigerator is located on the lower side of the vacuum chamber;

[0012] A buffer pad is disposed between the vacuum chamber and the connecting unit and is deformed by compression; the buffer pad has a through hole that allows the carrier to pass through.

[0013] Another objective of this invention is to provide a method for operating the vacuum refrigeration device of this invention, which is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0014] The working method of the vacuum refrigeration device of the present invention is as follows:

[0015] Before the vacuum chamber is evacuated, the bottom end face of the support member supports the refrigerator at the connection part. The refrigerator is located on the lower side of the vacuum chamber. The support member passes through the buffer pad. The buffer pad is deformed by the compression of the connecting unit, thereby achieving a seal between the refrigerator and the vacuum chamber.

[0016] When a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum chamber, the connecting unit drags the refrigerator upwards, separating it from the bottom end face of the support member, further squeezing the buffer pad, thereby improving the sealing between the refrigerator and the vacuum chamber.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0018] 1. Excellent vibration reduction effect;

[0019] Before vacuuming, the refrigerator and connecting unit are supported by the bottom end face of the carrier. At this time, the refrigerator is not working and there is no vibration.

[0020] During vacuum cooling, the external atmospheric pressure pushes the connecting unit along the extension direction of the carrier, dragging the refrigerator along, so that the connecting unit is separated from the bottom end face of the carrier. At this time, the vibration of the refrigerator will not be transmitted to the vacuum chamber through the carrier, which significantly improves the vibration reduction effect.

[0021] 2. Excellent sealing performance;

[0022] During installation, the buffer pad maintains a certain amount of compression, achieving a seal under atmospheric pressure.

[0023] During vacuuming, atmospheric pressure pushes the connecting unit upward to further compress the buffer pad, causing it to deform further and thus improving the seal between the refrigerator and the vacuum chamber, thereby enhancing the sealing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The disclosure of this invention will become more readily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of a vacuum refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 The following description illustrates optional embodiments of the invention to teach those skilled in the art how to implement and reproduce the invention. Some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted for the purpose of teaching the invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that variations or substitutions derived from these embodiments will be within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the following features can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the following optional embodiments, but is defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0027] Example 1:

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the vacuum refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the vacuum refrigeration device includes:

[0029] Vacuum chamber 11 and refrigerator, both of which are existing technologies;

[0030] A connecting unit having a connecting part and connected to the refrigeration unit;

[0031] The support member 31 is fixed on the vacuum chamber 11 and supports the refrigerator at the connection part, so that the refrigerator is located on the lower side of the vacuum chamber 11, that is, the refrigerator is dragged and suspended by the connection unit at the bottom end of the support member 31.

[0032] A buffer pad 32 is disposed between the vacuum chamber 11 and the connecting unit. It is deformed by compression, thereby achieving a seal between the refrigerator and the vacuum chamber 11. The buffer pad 32 has a through hole that allows the carrier 31 to pass through.

[0033] In order to enable the buffer pad 32 to deform under pressure in the vertical direction and the connecting unit to move vertically upward, the buffer pad 32 is further made of silicone, and the through hole is a guide hole.

[0034] To accurately determine the thickness of the buffer pad 32 to meet the vibration reduction requirements, the thickness H of the buffer pad 32 further satisfies:

[0035] α and β are constants, η is the vibration isolation coefficient, m is the mass of the refrigerator and the connecting unit, ω is the vibration angular frequency of the refrigerator and the connecting unit, g is the gravitational acceleration, P is the atmospheric pressure, S is the end face area of ​​the buffer pad 32 that contacts the connecting unit, ΔH is the deformation of the buffer pad 32, D1 is the inner diameter of the buffer pad 32, and D2 is the outer diameter of the buffer pad 32.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the working method of the vacuum refrigeration device is as follows:

[0037] Before the vacuum chamber 11 is evacuated, the bottom end face of the support member 31 supports the refrigerator at the connection part. The refrigerator is located on the lower side of the vacuum chamber 11. The support member 31 passes through the buffer pad 32. The buffer pad 32 is deformed by the compression of the connecting unit, which realizes the seal between the refrigerator and the vacuum chamber 11. Only in this way can the connecting unit move upward along the support member 31 when the vacuum chamber 11 is evacuated.

[0038] When a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum chamber 11, the connecting unit drags the refrigerator upward, detaches from the bottom end face of the support member 31, and further compresses the buffer pad 2, thereby improving the sealing between the refrigerator and the vacuum chamber 11.

[0039] In order to make the buffer pad 32 move vertically upward, the support member 31 is further set vertically, and the buffer pad 32 is deformed under pressure along the extension direction of the support member 31, that is, the support member 31 acts as a guide.

[0040] In order to make the refrigerator move vertically upward, further, when the vacuum chamber 11 is evacuated, the connecting unit moves upward along the extension direction of the support member 31, and the refrigerator is supported by atmospheric pressure.

[0041] Example 2:

[0042] An example of the application of the vacuum refrigeration apparatus and method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in chromatographic analysis.

[0043] In this application example, the refrigeration unit includes a Stirling refrigeration unit 21 and a cold head 22, the cold head 22 extending into the vacuum chamber 11, and a buffer pad 32 made of silicone and surrounding the cold head 22; the connecting unit includes a flange 41, the carrier 31 being a stud, and the connecting portion being a through hole on the flange allowing the carrier 31 to pass through; a flange 43 connecting the refrigeration unit 21, and a clamp 42 for connecting the flange 43 and the flange 41.

[0044] The parameters for this embodiment are as follows:

[0045] The refrigerator and connecting unit weigh 5 kg, and the silicone pad has a hardness of 20 HA and an area of ​​approximately 40 cm². 2 The deformation (i.e., pre-compression) of the silicone pad is 1mm. After the actual vacuum is turned on, the refrigerator and the connecting unit move upward by 2mm, so that the connecting unit and the refrigerator are separated from the bottom end face of the bearing 31 by 1mm. Based on the above parameters, the thickness of the silicone pad is calculated to be 15mm.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the working method of the vacuum refrigeration device is as follows:

[0047] Before the vacuum chamber 11 is evacuated, the bottom end face of the support member 31 supports the refrigerator at the connection part. The refrigerator is located on the lower side of the vacuum chamber 11. The support member 31 passes through the buffer pad 32. The buffer pad 32 is squeezed and deformed by the connecting unit. The deformation (i.e., the pre-compression amount) is 1mm, which achieves the seal between the refrigerator and the vacuum chamber 11. Only in this way can the connecting unit move upward along the support member 31 when the vacuum chamber 11 is evacuated.

[0048] When a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum chamber 11, under the sealing of the upper end of the buffer pad 32 and atmospheric pressure, the connecting unit drags the refrigerator upward by 1 mm, detaches from the bottom end face of the support member 31, and further squeezes the buffer pad 32, thereby improving the sealing between the refrigerator and the vacuum chamber 11.

[0049] Experimental results show that the noise level of the entire machine is 70dB without using this method, but can be reduced to 60dB after using this method.

[0050] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples of using silicone pads for cushioning. Other flexible materials that can deform under pressure, such as rubber pads, can also be used.

Claims

1. A vacuum refrigeration device, comprising a vacuum chamber and a refrigeration unit; characterized in that, The vacuum refrigeration device also includes: A connecting unit having a connecting part and connected to the refrigeration unit; A support member is fixed on the vacuum chamber and supports the refrigerator at the connection portion, such that the refrigerator is located on the lower side of the vacuum chamber; A buffer pad is disposed between the vacuum chamber and the connecting unit and is deformed by compression; the buffer pad has through holes that allow the carrier to pass through; When a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum chamber, the connecting unit drags the refrigerator upward, causing the connecting unit to detach from the bottom end face of the carrier and compress the buffer pad.

2. The vacuum refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer pad is a silicone pad, and the through hole is a guide hole.

3. The vacuum refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness H of the buffer pad satisfies: α and β are constants, η is the vibration isolation coefficient, m is the mass of the refrigerator and the connecting unit, ω is the vibration angular frequency of the refrigerator and the connecting unit, g is the gravitational acceleration, P is the atmospheric pressure, S is the end face area of ​​the buffer pad that contacts the connecting unit, ΔH is the deformation of the buffer pad, D1 is the inner diameter of the buffer pad, and D2 is the outer diameter of the buffer pad.

4. The vacuum refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes a Stirling refrigeration unit and a cold head, the cold head extending into the vacuum chamber, and a buffer pad surrounding the cold head.

5. The vacuum refrigeration device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connecting unit includes a flange, the carrier is a stud, and the connecting part is a through hole on the flange that allows the carrier to pass through.

6. The vacuum refrigeration device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The refrigeration unit also includes: Flange, the flange being connected to the refrigeration unit; A clamp, used to connect the flange and the flange plate.

7. The method of operating the vacuum refrigeration device according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the method of operating is as follows: Before the vacuum chamber is evacuated, the bottom end face of the support member supports the refrigerator at the connection part. The refrigerator is located on the lower side of the vacuum chamber. The support member passes through the buffer pad. The buffer pad is deformed by the compression of the connecting unit, thereby achieving a seal between the refrigerator and the vacuum chamber. When a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum chamber, the connecting unit drags the refrigerator upwards, separating it from the bottom end face of the support member, further squeezing the buffer pad, thereby improving the sealing between the refrigerator and the vacuum chamber.

8. The working method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The support member is vertically arranged, and the buffer pad is deformed under pressure along the extension direction of the support member.

9. The working method according to claim 7, characterized in that, When a vacuum is drawn in the vacuum chamber, the connecting unit moves upward along the extension direction of the carrier, and the refrigerator is supported by atmospheric pressure.

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