A throttling refrigerator

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of refrigeration and low temperature engineering, and discloses a throttling refrigerator, which comprises a capillary bundle and a shell, the capillary bundle comprises a plurality of capillary tubes filled and arranged in the shell, the end portions of the plurality of capillary tubes are flush arranged, the first end of the capillary bundle is a working medium inlet, the second end of the capillary bundle extends to the bottom of the shell and has an expansion gap with the bottom of the shell, the plurality of capillary tubes have a backflow gap therebetween, and a backflow outlet is arranged on the side wall of the shell close to the first end of the capillary bundle. The capillary bundle is arranged as a fluid throttling channel, the arrangement of the capillary bundle is flexible and convenient, the setting process is simple, the three-dimensional space of the shell can be fully utilized, the space utilization rate of the shell is improved, the capillary bundle can be arranged more, the overall flow of the fluid channel is increased, the channel is composed of a plurality of capillary tubes, the refrigerator has larger flow and refrigerating capacity, and the refrigeration performance is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of refrigeration and cryogenic engineering, and more specifically, relates to a throttling refrigeration machine. Background Technology

[0002] Refrigeration and cryogenic technology, as a pre-processing technology, has been widely applied and demanded in various industries, such as military, medical, aerospace, and electronic heat dissipation. Throttling refrigerators are a type of refrigerator whose temperature range includes room temperature to low temperatures. They are widely used in applications requiring rapid cooling, such as cooling infrared guidance chips. Their principle utilizes the throttling effect; when a high-pressure gaseous working fluid passes through a throttling orifice or valve, the pressure rapidly decreases, thereby lowering the temperature or even liquefying the fluid. The high-pressure gas is supplied by a compressor or high-pressure gas container.

[0003] Fluid channels at the micrometer scale possess significant research value and engineering application potential due to their small flow geometry and large heat transfer surface area ratio. Currently, throttling refrigerators with micrometer-scale flow channels generally employ a flat plate design, achieved by etching microchannels into the substrate material. However, this type of throttling refrigerator has extremely limited space utilization in the thickness direction of the substrate material, resulting in fewer fluid channels and a smaller overall flow rate. Consequently, this type of throttling refrigerator is unsuitable for applications requiring rapid cooling and struggles to provide substantial cooling capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned defects or improvement needs of the prior art, the present invention provides a throttling refrigerator, which solves the problem that the existing structure of throttling cooling by etching microchannels on the substrate material has extremely limited space utilization of microchannels on the substrate material, resulting in fewer fluid channels in the refrigerator and a smaller overall flow rate of the refrigerator, which affects the cooling capacity. The present invention can achieve a smaller volume, higher heat exchange efficiency, larger cooling capacity and faster cooling speed.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to the present invention, a throttling refrigerator is provided, comprising a capillary bundle and a housing. The capillary bundle includes a plurality of capillary tubes filled inside the housing, with the ends of the plurality of capillary tubes being flush. A first end of the capillary bundle is a working fluid inlet, and a second end of the capillary bundle extends to the bottom of the housing and has an expansion gap between it and the bottom of the housing. A backflow gap exists between the plurality of capillary tubes, and a backflow outlet is provided on the side wall of the housing near the first end of the capillary bundle.

[0006] According to the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention, the inner diameter and outer diameter of the capillary tube are both in the micrometer range.

[0007] According to the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention, the inner diameter and outer diameter of the capillary tube are 10μm-1000μm, respectively.

[0008] The throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention further includes an inlet pipe and a distributor, wherein the inlet pipe is connected to a first end of the distributor, and the first end of the capillary bundle is inserted into the distributor from a second end of the distributor.

[0009] According to the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention, the backflow outlet is located between the distributor and the outer casing.

[0010] According to the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention, two adjacent capillary tubes in the capillary bundle are connected together.

[0011] According to the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention, the cross-section of the outer casing is circular or square; the cross-sectional shape of the capillary bundle is adapted to the outer casing.

[0012] According to the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention, a heat-insulating material is provided between the capillary bundle and the outer shell, such that the gap between the capillary bundle and the outer shell is open in the axial direction of the capillary.

[0013] According to the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention, the insulation material includes nylon filaments, which are wound around the outside of the capillary bundle and clamped between the capillary bundle and the outer shell.

[0014] According to the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention, the nylon filament is spirally wound around the outside of the capillary bundle; or, multiple turns of the nylon filament are provided along the axial direction of the capillary bundle, and each turn of the nylon filament is wound around the circumference of the capillary bundle.

[0015] In summary, compared with the prior art, the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention offers the following advantages:

[0016] 1. Using capillary bundles as fluid throttling channels, the arrangement of capillary bundles is flexible and convenient, and the installation process is simple. It can make full use of the three-dimensional space of the shell and improve the space utilization rate on the shell, thereby allowing for the arrangement of more capillary bundles, increasing the overall flow rate of the fluid channel. By forming a channel with multiple capillary bundles, the refrigerator can have a larger flow rate and cooling capacity, thus improving the cooling performance.

[0017] 2. The structure of setting a recirculation precooling can further improve the efficiency of the throttling refrigerator and reduce the cooling time; the recirculation outlet is directly set on the outer shell, which simplifies the refrigerator structure and improves the compactness of the refrigerator, which is conducive to reducing the size;

[0018] 3. It adopts micron-level capillary tubes for heat exchange, which can fully utilize the advantages of the large heat exchange area ratio of microchannel heat exchangers, thereby significantly reducing the size of the refrigerator and improving its applicability under the same cooling capacity requirements;

[0019] 4. By arranging insulating material between the capillary bundle and the outer shell, the gap between the capillary bundle and the outer shell is made non-connected in the axial direction of the capillary. This restricts the backflow from flowing in the gap between the capillary bundle and the outer shell, allowing the backflow to flow only in the backflow gap between two adjacent capillary tubes. This helps reduce the loss of cold energy caused by heat exchange between the backflow and the outer shell, and also helps to confine the backflow to the backflow gap so that it can fully convect and exchange heat with the working fluid in the capillary, thus providing a larger cooling capacity and improving cooling efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a first overall perspective view of the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the end of the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a second overall perspective view of the throttling refrigerator provided by the present invention;

[0024] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements or structures, wherein:

[0025] 1-Inlet pipe; 2-Distributor; 3-Outer shell; 4-Expansion gap; 5-Capillary bundle; 6-Boss; 7-Return outlet; 8-Capillary; 9-Return gap; 10-Nylon filament. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0027] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2The present invention provides a throttling refrigerator, which includes a capillary bundle 5 and a housing 3. The capillary bundle 5 includes a plurality of capillary tubes 8 filled inside the housing 3. The ends of the plurality of capillary tubes 8 are arranged flush. The first end of the capillary bundle 5 is a working fluid inlet. The second end of the capillary bundle 5 extends to the bottom of the housing 3 and has an expansion gap 4 between it and the bottom of the housing 3. There is a backflow gap 9 between the plurality of capillary tubes 8. A backflow outlet 7 is provided on the side wall of the housing 3 near the first end of the capillary bundle 5.

[0028] In this throttling refrigerator, the outer casing 3 is a hollow structure with an internal accommodating space. Multiple capillary tubes 8 are filled within this space to form a capillary bundle 5, with both ends of the capillary tubes 8 aligned. The capillary tubes 8 are arranged in a manner that maximizes space utilization within the casing 3. The refrigerant flows into the capillary tubes 8 from the first end of the bundle, undergoing throttling and cooling, and then flows out from the second end into the expansion gap 4. The expansion gap 4 serves as an expansion chamber, and the refrigerant flowing into it flows back along the return flow gap 9 between the capillary tubes 8, i.e., moving from the second end to the first end. This creates a counter-current heat exchanger between the inside of the capillary tubes 8 and the return flow gap 9. The low-temperature return flow after throttling pre-cools the refrigerant before throttling. This return flow pre-cooling design improves the efficiency of the throttling refrigerator and reduces cooling time. Finally, the refrigerant flows out from the return flow outlet 7 on the side wall of the outer casing 3.

[0029] The throttling refrigerator provided by this invention uses a capillary bundle 5 as a fluid throttling channel. The arrangement of the capillary bundle 5 is flexible and convenient, and the installation process is simple. It can make full use of the three-dimensional space of the outer shell 3, improve the space utilization rate of the outer shell 3, and thus allow for the arrangement of more capillary bundles 5, increasing the overall flow rate of the fluid channel. By forming a channel with multiple capillary tubes, the refrigerator can have a larger flow rate and cooling capacity, improving the cooling performance. The backflow precooling structure can further improve the efficiency of the throttling refrigerator and reduce the cooling time. The backflow outlet 7 is directly set on the outer shell 3, which simplifies the refrigerator structure and improves the compactness of the refrigerator, which is conducive to reducing the volume. Overall, the refrigerator has a smaller volume, higher heat exchange efficiency, larger cooling capacity, and faster cooling speed.

[0030] Furthermore, the inner and outer diameters of the capillary tube 8 are both in the micrometer range. Using a micrometer-sized capillary tube 8 for heat exchange fully utilizes the advantage of the large heat exchange area ratio of microchannel heat exchangers, thereby significantly reducing the size of the refrigerator and improving its applicability while meeting the same cooling capacity requirements.

[0031] Furthermore, the inner diameter and outer diameter of the capillary 8 are 10μm-1000μm, respectively.

[0032] Further, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A throttling refrigerator further includes an inlet pipe 1 and a distributor 2. The inlet pipe 1 is connected to a first end of the distributor 2, and the first end of the capillary bundle 5 is inserted into the distributor 2 from a second end. The capillary bundle 5 is fixedly connected to the distributor 2 and sealed at the connection point, serving the functions of throttling, pressure reduction, and heat exchange. The distributor 2 enables the working fluid to enter the capillary bundle 5 uniformly and constrains the relative positions of the capillaries.

[0033] Furthermore, the reflux outlet 7 is located between the distributor 2 and the outer casing 3. This allows the reflux working fluid to flow back to the area between the outer casing 3 and the distributor 2 before flowing out again, enabling sufficient convective heat exchange with the working fluid inside the capillary tube 8 and improving refrigeration efficiency.

[0034] Specifically, in some embodiments, a boss 6 is designed on the end face of the outer shell 3 near the distributor 2. The boss 6 is connected and fixed to the second end of the distributor 2, thereby forming a gap between the end face of the outer shell 3 and the end face of the distributor 2 at the portion between the bosses 6. This gap can serve as a reflux outlet 7. In other embodiments, the reflux outlet 7 can also be located in other parts. For example, an opening can be made in the part of the outer shell 3 near the distributor 2 as the reflux outlet 7, with the aim of enabling the working fluid to flow out and fully exchange heat with the working fluid in the capillary. The specific location is not limited.

[0035] Further, refer to Figure 3 In the capillary bundle 5, two adjacent capillary tubes 8 are connected together. That is, the sidewalls of two adjacent capillary tubes 8 can be connected together, so that multiple capillary tubes 8 are evenly and compactly arranged inside the outer shell 3, so as to make full use of the internal space of the outer shell 3 and play the role of throttling, pressure reduction and heat exchange. The capillary tubes 8 are circular tubes, so that a backflow gap 9 can be formed between two adjacent capillary tubes 8.

[0036] Furthermore, the capillaries in the capillary bundle 5 can be made of glass, metal or other materials, such as plastic, resin, etc., without any specific limitation.

[0037] Furthermore, the cross-section of the outer shell 3 is circular or square; it can be flexibly set according to actual application needs, providing high flexibility. The cross-sectional shape of the capillary bundle 5 is adapted to the outer shell 3, that is, the overall cross-sectional shape of the capillary bundle 5 can be consistent with the cross-sectional shape of the outer shell 3, so as to improve space utilization.

[0038] Furthermore, an insulating material is provided between the capillary bundle 5 and the outer shell 3, making the gap between the capillary bundle 5 and the outer shell 3 disconnected in the axial direction of the capillary. That is, by arranging the insulating material between the capillary bundle 5 and the outer shell 3, the gap between the capillary bundle 5 and the outer shell 3 is made non-connected in the axial direction of the capillary tube 8. This restricts backflow within the gap between the capillary bundle 5 and the outer shell 3, ensuring that backflow can only flow in the backflow gap 9 between two adjacent capillary tubes 8. This helps reduce heat loss caused by heat exchange between the backflow and the outer shell 3, and also helps to confine the backflow within the backflow gap 9 for sufficient convective heat exchange with the working fluid inside the capillary, thus providing a larger cooling capacity and improving cooling efficiency.

[0039] Furthermore, the insulation material includes nylon filaments 10, which are wound around the outside of the capillary bundle 5 and clamped between the capillary bundle 5 and the outer shell 3. The clamping of the nylon filaments 10 between the capillary bundle 5 and the outer shell 3 not only prevents backflow in the gap between the capillary bundle 5 and the outer shell 3, but also provides a certain degree of constraint and fixation for the capillary bundle 5, thus improving the overall stability of the capillary transport structure.

[0040] Further, refer to Figure 4 In some embodiments, the nylon filaments 10 are spirally wound around the outside of the capillary bundle 5, which can simultaneously and effectively constrain and fix the capillary bundle 5, and the arrangement is simple. Alternatively, in other embodiments, multiple turns of the nylon filaments 10 can be provided along the axial direction of the capillary bundle 5, with each turn of the nylon filaments 10 wound circumferentially around the capillary bundle 5. The specific arrangement of the nylon filaments 10 is not limited.

[0041] Furthermore, this invention discloses a high-flow-rate, single-channel flow heat exchanger with a size range of 10μm-1000μm. It employs a micron-level flow heat exchange channel, including a distributor 2, a capillary bundle 5 disposed on the distributor 2, and an inlet pipe 1. It also includes a reflux shell 3 outside the capillary bundle 5. The capillary bundle 5 is composed of multiple capillary tubes 8 arranged together, forming an expansion chamber with the capillary tubes 8 and a reflux gap between them. The refrigerant enters the distributor through the inlet pipe 1 and then uniformly enters the capillary bundle 5. It is throttled and cooled within the capillary tubes 8 and exchanges heat with the reflux, subsequently entering the expansion chamber to further provide cooling. Then, the reflux exchanges heat with the refrigerant within the capillary tubes 8 through the reflux gap 9 and is discharged to the atmosphere or recirculated through the reflux outlet 7.

[0042] This invention provides a throttling refrigerator that eliminates the need for a separate throttling mechanism and achieves throttling and cooling effects through a capillary bundle 5. Compared with traditional plate or chip refrigerators with flow channels at the micron level, this throttling refrigerator has higher three-dimensional space utilization, higher overall integration, and simpler structure. Due to its large number of fluid channels, it can achieve high flow rate and rapid cooling, and has the advantages of large cooling capacity and simple structure. It can be used in fields such as electronic heat dissipation or chip cooling.

[0043] The working process of the rapid throttling refrigerator based on distributed throttling effect disclosed in this invention is as follows: High-pressure refrigerant, such as helium, argon, or hydrocarbons and their mixtures, enters the distributor 2 through the inlet pipe 1, thereby uniformly entering the capillary bundle 5 for cooling and depressurization and exchanging heat with the reflux. Subsequently, the working fluid enters the expansion chamber formed by the capillary bundle 5 and the reflux shell 3 for further cooling and depressurization and to provide cooling capacity. Then, the reflux flows through the reflux gap 9 to exchange heat with the working fluid in the capillary 8, and is then discharged to the atmosphere or enters the circulation through the reflux outlet 7.

[0044] Compared with traditional technologies, the capillary bundle 5 uses capillary tubes 8 with inner and outer diameters in the micrometer range as heat exchange flow channels. Its structure can make efficient use of space and has a large heat exchange area and flow rate, thereby improving the cooling capacity and cooling speed of the refrigerator.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A throttling refrigerator, characterized in that, The device includes a capillary bundle and a housing. The capillary bundle includes a plurality of capillaries filled inside the housing. The ends of the plurality of capillaries are flush. The first end of the capillary bundle is a working fluid inlet. The second end of the capillary bundle extends to the bottom of the housing and has an expansion gap between it and the bottom of the housing. There is a backflow gap between the plurality of capillaries. A backflow outlet is provided on the side wall of the housing near the first end of the capillary bundle. A heat-insulating material is provided between the capillary bundle and the outer shell, so that the gap between the capillary bundle and the outer shell is disconnected in the axial direction of the capillary. By arranging the heat-insulating material between the capillary bundle and the outer shell, the gap between the capillary bundle and the outer shell is made non-connected in the axial direction of the capillary, which can restrict the backflow in the gap between the capillary bundle and the outer shell, so that the backflow can only flow in the backflow gap between two adjacent capillaries.

2. The throttling refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner and outer diameters of the capillary are both in the micrometer range.

3. The throttling refrigerator as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The inner and outer diameters of the capillary are 10. -1000 .

4. The throttling refrigerator as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, It also includes an inlet pipe and a distributor, the inlet pipe being connected to a first end of the distributor, and the first end of the capillary bundle being inserted into the distributor from a second end of the distributor.

5. The throttling refrigerator as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The return outlet is located between the distributor and the housing.

6. The throttling refrigerator as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The capillary bundle consists of two adjacent capillaries connected together.

7. The throttling refrigerator as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The outer shell has a circular or square cross-section; the cross-sectional shape of the capillary bundle is adapted to the outer shell.

8. The throttling refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The insulation material includes nylon filaments, which are wound around the outside of the capillary bundle and clamped between the capillary bundle and the outer shell.

9. The throttling refrigerator as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The nylon filaments are spirally wound around the outside of the capillary bundle; or, multiple turns of the nylon filaments are provided along the axial direction of the capillary bundle, with each turn of the nylon filaments wound around the circumference of the capillary bundle.

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