Hot end flange structure for pulse tube refrigerator and pulse tube refrigerator

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of pulse tube refrigerating machines, and provides a hot end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerating machine and the pulse tube refrigerating machine. At least one fluid phase modulation channel used for adjusting the phase of a working medium is machined in the flange body, and a valve installation connector communicated with the fluid phase modulation channel is arranged on the flange body. The phase modulation valve is installed on the valve installation connector and used for adjusting the flow and the phase of a working medium flowing through the fluid phase modulation channel. The multiple heat dissipation structures are integrally formed on the outer surface of the flange body and used for dissipating heat accumulated by the hot end flange structure to the surrounding environment. The reliability, the integration level and the heat dissipation performance of the refrigerating system are comprehensively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pulse tube refrigerator technology, and in particular to a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator and a pulse tube refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Pulse tube cryocoolers, as advanced small-scale cryogenic refrigeration devices, possess advantages such as low vibration, high reliability, and long service life due to the absence of moving parts in their cold head. Thanks to these outstanding characteristics, pulse tube cryocoolers are gradually replacing traditional GM cryocoolers in many cutting-edge technology fields, becoming the most widely used mainstream technology. In research and applications pursuing extremely low temperatures (such as the liquid helium temperature range), single-stage cryocoolers often cannot meet the requirements of the temperature range span; therefore, multi-stage refrigeration structures have become the standard technical approach in this field. Currently, commercially available liquid helium temperature pulse tube cryocoolers generally adopt a two-stage gas-coupled structure, a technology that plays a crucial role in cutting-edge fields such as quantum computing, condensed matter physics research, and superconducting electronics.

[0003] In bidirectional inlet pulse tube refrigerators, a phase adjustment mechanism is typically installed to achieve optimal phase relationships and improve refrigeration performance. A common implementation involves connecting one or more phase adjustment valves (such as manual needle valves or solenoid valves) to the air reservoir or the hot end of the cold head via external piping. The phase and flow rate of the airflow into the pulse tube are controlled by adjusting the valve opening.

[0004] However, this phase-adjusting structure using external piping and valves has significant drawbacks. Firstly, during the setup, movement, and prolonged vibration testing of the experimental platform, even minor accidental contact or continuous mechanical vibration can easily cause the precisely calibrated valve opening to deviate. Once the valve opening changes, the cooling performance will drastically decrease or even completely fail, forcing researchers to interrupt the process for tedious readjustment, resulting in a significant waste of research and development time and costs. Secondly, the external piping significantly increases the radial envelope size of the cold head, leading to a bulky and non-compact refrigerator structure. In space-constrained applications, this non-compact structure is difficult to meet practical requirements. Furthermore, the lengthy piping introduces additional volume, adversely affecting the thermodynamic efficiency of the refrigerator and limiting further performance improvements.

[0005] Secondly, during operation, heat continuously accumulates at the hot end (usually located at the hot end flange) of the pulse tube refrigerator. To ensure stable operation of the refrigerator, this heat must be effectively dissipated. Commonly used heat dissipation solutions include installing a forced air-cooled radiator near the hot end flange, using a fan to drive airflow over the heat dissipation fins; and fixing a water-cooled plate to the hot end flange, using circulating coolant to remove heat.

[0006] However, both fans and water-cooling circulation systems significantly increase the overall size, weight, and complexity of the refrigeration system, hindering its miniaturization and integration. Fans generate additional mechanical vibration and electromagnetic interference during operation, potentially negatively impacting the normal operation of the refrigeration unit and other precision equipment. Water-cooling systems pose a potential leakage risk; leaks can damage the refrigeration unit and harm the surrounding environment. Furthermore, water-cooling systems require additional power to drive coolant circulation, increasing energy consumption. In addition, the external radiator and hot-end flange conduct heat through the contact surface, inevitably creating contact thermal resistance. This limits the efficiency of heat transfer from the heat source to the heat dissipation surface, preventing optimal heat dissipation and consequently affecting the stable operation and performance of the refrigeration unit. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator and a pulse tube refrigerator, which solves the defects of existing pulse tube refrigerators such as complex phase adjustment structure, low reliability, large space occupation and bulky heat dissipation structure, and achieves a comprehensive improvement in the reliability, integration and heat dissipation performance of the refrigeration system.

[0008] This invention provides a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator, comprising: The flange body has at least one fluid phase adjustment channel machined inside it for adjusting the phase of the working medium, and a valve mounting interface communicating with the fluid phase adjustment channel is provided on the flange body. A phase-adjusting valve, mounted on the valve mounting interface, is used to adjust the flow rate and phase of the working medium flowing through the fluid phase-adjusting channel; and Multiple heat dissipation structures are integrally formed on the outer surface of the flange body, and the multiple heat dissipation structures are used to dissipate the heat accumulated by the hot end flange structure to the surrounding environment.

[0009] According to the present invention, a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator is provided, wherein the flange body has a first mating surface and a second mating surface arranged opposite to each other along its own axis, and an outer circumferential surface formed between the first mating surface and the second mating surface, the fluid phase adjustment channel is connected between the first mating surface and the second mating surface, the valve mounting interface is opened on the outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of heat dissipation structures are formed on the outer circumferential surface.

[0010] According to the present invention, a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator is provided, wherein the pulse tube refrigerator is a multi-stage refrigerator, and the flange body contains: The main air supply channel is used to carry the reciprocating flow of the main working gas. The main air supply channel passes through the first mating surface and the second mating surface, and a first main interface and a second main interface are formed on the first mating surface and the second mating surface, respectively. A primary cooling loop flow channel, wherein the primary cooling loop flow channel penetrates the first mating surface and the second mating surface, and a first primary interface and a second primary interface are respectively formed on the first mating surface and the second mating surface; A secondary cooling loop flow channel, wherein the secondary cooling loop flow channel penetrates the first mating surface and the second mating surface, and a first secondary interface and a second secondary interface are respectively formed on the first mating surface and the second mating surface; The first bidirectional air intake channel has one end connected to the first primary interface and the other end connected to the main air supply channel. The second bidirectional air intake channel has one end connected to the first secondary interface and the other end connected to the main air supply channel. The first-stage small-hole needle valve is installed on the first-stage refrigeration loop flow channel, and the first-stage bidirectional needle valve is installed on the first bidirectional air intake channel; the second-stage small-hole needle valve is installed on the second-stage refrigeration loop flow channel, and the second-stage bidirectional needle valve is installed on the second bidirectional air intake channel.

[0011] According to the present invention, a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator is provided, wherein the first-stage bidirectional needle valve has an asymmetrical flow channel structure, so that the working medium experiences different fluid resistances when flowing forward and backward within the first-stage bidirectional needle valve, thereby introducing a direct current component into the oscillating flow.

[0012] According to the present invention, a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator further includes a locking device, which is used to mechanically fix the opening state of the phase-adjusting valve after adjustment.

[0013] According to the present invention, a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator is provided, wherein the locking device includes at least one of a lock nut, a locating pin, or a cured sealant.

[0014] According to the present invention, a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator is provided, wherein a plurality of heat dissipation structures are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the flange body, and the heat dissipation structure is a heat dissipation channel or heat dissipation fin directly formed on the flange body by cutting, milling or additive manufacturing process.

[0015] According to the present invention, a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator is provided, wherein the heat dissipation channel or heat dissipation fins dissipate heat to the surrounding environment through natural convection and / or radiation heat transfer, so as to achieve passive heat dissipation without the need for additional power drive.

[0016] The present invention also provides a pulse tube refrigerator, comprising: At least one regenerator; At least one pulse tube; And the hot-end flange structure for pulse tube refrigerators as described in any of the above.

[0017] According to a pulse tube refrigerator provided by the present invention, the hot end flange structure for the pulse tube refrigerator is installed at the hot end of the regenerator and the pulse tube to form the hot end assembly of the refrigerator. Furthermore, the inlet of the fluid phase-adjusting channel is fluidly connected to the hot end outlet of the pulse tube, and the heat dissipation structure is exposed to the ambient air.

[0018] The hot-end flange structure and pulse tube refrigerator provided by this invention eliminate the risk of phase misalignment caused by vibration and collision of external pipelines and valves in the prior art by embedding the fluid phase adjustment channel within a robust flange body. This ensures that the pulse tube refrigerator can maintain optimal cooling performance for a long time under harsh conditions such as transportation, launch, or airborne operation, without the need for readjustment due to precision adjustment failure. Simultaneously, the reduction in the number of system parts and external connection points significantly reduces the probability of potential failures such as working fluid leakage, further enhancing the long-term operational reliability of the system. Furthermore, the heat dissipation structure is directly machined from the flange body, ensuring that the heat transfer path from the heat source to the heat dissipation surface is entirely through high thermal conductivity metal, eliminating the contact thermal resistance between the external radiator and the flange, allowing heat to be dissipated more quickly and efficiently. Moreover, by adopting an integrated passive cooling design, this application eliminates the need for active cooling components such as fans, thereby eliminating the additional mechanical vibration, electromagnetic interference, and noise introduced by these components, providing a cleaner operating environment for precision instruments such as infrared detectors.

[0019] Secondly, the elimination of external phase-adjusting piping and the bulky external cooling system results in an extremely neat and compact cold head structure, significantly reducing overall size and weight. This perfectly meets the application requirements of aerospace, mobile devices, and other applications with strict space and load constraints. This not only simplifies manufacturing and assembly processes and improves production efficiency but also makes maintenance more convenient for users, significantly reducing overall costs from production to use. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of an embodiment of the hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator provided by the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a second schematic diagram of an embodiment of the hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator provided by the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal flow channel structure of the hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator provided by the present invention.

[0024] Figure label: 10. Hot-end flange structure for pulse tube refrigerators; 100. Flange body; 110. First mating surface; 111. First main interface; 112. First primary interface; 113. First secondary interface; 120. Second mating surface; 121. Second main interface; 122. Second primary interface; 123. Second secondary interface; 130. Outer circumferential surface; 131. Valve mounting interface; 132. Heat dissipation structure; 140. Fluid phase adjustment channel; 141. Main air supply channel; 142. Primary refrigeration loop channel; 143. Secondary refrigeration loop channel; 144. First bidirectional air inlet channel; 145. Second bidirectional air inlet channel; 200, Phase adjustment valve; 210, Primary small-hole needle valve; 220, Primary bidirectional needle valve; 230, Secondary small-hole needle valve; 240, Secondary bidirectional needle valve. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0026] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0028] In embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0029] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0030] The following is combined Figures 1 to 3 The present invention provides a detailed description of a hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator and a pulse tube refrigerator through specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0031] In embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, a hot-end flange structure 10 for a pulse tube refrigerator includes a flange body 100, a phase-adjusting valve 200, and multiple heat dissipation structures 132. The flange body 100 has at least one fluid phase-adjusting channel 140 machined internally for adjusting the phase of the working medium, and a valve mounting interface 131 communicating with the fluid phase-adjusting channel 140 is provided on the flange body 100. The phase-adjusting valve 200 is mounted on the valve mounting interface 131 and is used to adjust the flow rate and phase of the working medium flowing through the fluid phase-adjusting channel 140. Multiple heat dissipation structures 132 are integrally formed on the outer surface of the flange body 100 and are used to dissipate the heat accumulated in the hot-end flange structure to the surrounding environment. This achieves a comprehensive improvement in the reliability, integration, and heat dissipation performance of the refrigeration system.

[0032] The flange body 100 is the main load-bearing structure of the entire hot-end flange structure, providing a foundation for the installation and fixing of other components (phase regulating valve 200, heat dissipation structure 132), ensuring that the various components can be stably combined to form a complete hot-end flange structure.

[0033] The flange body 100 has at least one fluid phase adjustment channel 140 machined inside, which provides a flow path for the working medium, allowing the working medium to undergo phase adjustment in order to control the phase of the working medium during normal operation of the pulse tube refrigerator.

[0034] A valve mounting interface 131 that is in fluid communication with the fluid phase adjustment channel 140 is provided on the flange body 100, which provides a precise position for the installation of the phase adjustment valve 200, ensuring that the phase adjustment valve 200 can be well connected with the fluid phase adjustment channel 140, and effectively regulating the flow rate of the working medium.

[0035] The main function of the fluid phasing channel 140 is to adjust the phase of the working medium flowing through it. During the operation of the pulse tube refrigerator, the phase state of the working medium has a significant impact on the cooling effect. By designing this channel, the phase of the working medium can be changed, thereby optimizing the cooling performance.

[0036] The fluid phasing channel 140 provides a specific flow path for the working medium, enabling it to flow within the hot-end flange structure along a predetermined path, ensuring that the working medium can participate in the refrigeration cycle process in an orderly manner.

[0037] The function of valve mounting interface 131 is to provide a standard, precise location for installing phase-adjusting valve 200. This ensures a tight seal and fluid connectivity between phase-adjusting valve 200 and fluid phase-adjusting channel 140, enabling phase-adjusting valve 200 to accurately control the flow rate of the working medium passing through fluid phase-adjusting channel 140.

[0038] The phase-adjusting valve 200 is installed on the valve mounting interface 131, and its main function is to regulate the flow rate of the working medium flowing through the fluid phase-adjusting channel 140. By changing the valve opening, the flow rate of the working medium can be precisely controlled, thereby achieving fine adjustment of the phase of the working medium to meet the refrigeration requirements of the pulse tube refrigerator under different operating conditions.

[0039] The main function of the multiple heat dissipation structures 132 is to dissipate the heat accumulated by the hot-end flange structure during operation to the surrounding environment. When the pulse tube refrigerator is running, the hot-end flange will heat up due to the heat transfer of the working medium. The heat dissipation structure 132 increases the heat dissipation area and uses heat conduction, convection and other methods to quickly dissipate the heat, preventing the hot-end flange temperature from being too high and affecting the refrigeration performance.

[0040] Integrated into the outer surface of the flange body 100, this design reduces the number of connection points between components, lowers contact thermal resistance, and improves heat transfer efficiency. Simultaneously, it enhances the overall integrity and stability of the hot-end flange structure, reducing the risk of failure due to loose components. Efficient heat dissipation ensures the refrigeration system maintains a stable temperature during long-term operation, preventing performance degradation or component damage due to overheating, thereby improving the reliability and service life of the entire refrigeration system.

[0041] This application eliminates the risk of phase misalignment caused by vibration and impact to external pipelines and valves, as in the prior art, by integrating the fluid phasing channel 140 into the robust flange body 100. This ensures that the pulse tube refrigerator can maintain optimal cooling performance for extended periods under harsh conditions such as transportation, launch, or airborne operation, without the need for readjustment due to precision adjustment failures. Simultaneously, the reduction in the number of system parts and external connection points significantly lowers the probability of potential failures such as working fluid leakage, further enhancing the long-term operational reliability of the system. Furthermore, the heat dissipation structure 132 is directly machined from the flange body 100, ensuring that the heat transfer path from the heat source to the heat dissipation surface is entirely through high thermal conductivity metal, eliminating the contact thermal resistance between the external radiator and the flange, allowing for faster and more efficient heat dissipation. Moreover, by adopting an integrated passive cooling design, this application eliminates the need for active cooling components such as fans, thereby eliminating additional mechanical vibration, electromagnetic interference, and noise introduced by these components, providing a cleaner operating environment for precision instruments such as infrared detectors.

[0042] Secondly, the elimination of external phase-adjusting piping and the bulky external cooling system results in an extremely neat and compact cold head structure, significantly reducing overall size and weight. This perfectly meets the application requirements of aerospace, mobile devices, and other applications with strict space and load constraints. This not only simplifies manufacturing and assembly processes and improves production efficiency but also makes maintenance more convenient for users, significantly reducing overall costs from production to use.

[0043] Reference Figures 1 to 3 According to the present invention, a hot-end flange structure 10 for a pulse tube refrigerator is provided. The flange body 100 has a first mating surface 110 and a second mating surface 120 arranged opposite to each other along its own axis, and an outer circumferential surface 130 formed between the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120. A fluid phase-adjusting channel 140 is connected between the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120. A valve mounting interface 131 is opened on the outer circumferential surface 130. A plurality of heat dissipation structures 132 are formed on the outer circumferential surface 130.

[0044] Understandably, the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120 provide precise mating surfaces for the connection of the flange body 100 with other components (such as other pipe sections of the pulse tube refrigeration unit, cold head assembly, etc.). Through these two relatively arranged mating surfaces, a stable and reliable connection between the flange body 100 and adjacent components can be achieved, ensuring the structural integrity of the entire refrigeration system.

[0045] The outer circumferential surface 130 provides suitable space for the valve mounting interface 131 and multiple heat dissipation structures 132. The valve mounting interface 131 is located on the outer circumferential surface 130, allowing the phase-adjusting valve 200 to be easily installed on the outside of the flange body 100, facilitating operation and maintenance. The multiple heat dissipation structures 132 formed on the outer circumferential surface 130 fully utilize its large area for heat dissipation, increasing the heat dissipation area and improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0046] The fluid phase-adjusting channel 140 connects the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120, providing a channel for the working medium to flow within the flange body 100. The working medium enters the fluid phase-adjusting channel 140 from the first mating surface 110 at one end, undergoes phase adjustment within the channel, and then flows out from the second mating surface 120 at the other end. By rationally designing parameters such as the length, diameter, and curvature of the fluid phase-adjusting channel 140, the flow state of the working medium can be changed, achieving precise adjustment of the working medium's phase, thereby meeting the cooling requirements of the pulse tube refrigerator under different operating conditions.

[0047] The valve mounting interface 131 is located on the outer circumferential surface 130, making the installation position of the phase-adjusting valve 200 more convenient for operators to access and operate. When installing the phase-adjusting valve 200, operators can directly perform installation, adjustment, and tightening operations from the outside, eliminating the need for complex operations inside the flange body 100, thus improving installation efficiency. Simultaneously, it facilitates the inspection, replacement, and maintenance of the phase-adjusting valve 200 during routine maintenance and repair. Of course, in other embodiments, the valve mounting interface 131 may be located on the first mating surface 110 or the second mating surface 120; this is not specifically limited here.

[0048] The outer circumferential surface 130 has a large heat dissipation area, and multiple heat dissipation structures 132 are formed thereon, which can significantly increase the surface area for heat dissipation. The heat dissipation structure 132 can further improve heat dissipation efficiency by adding heat dissipation fins, heat dissipation grooves, etc. The heat generated by the working medium in the hot end flange structure can be dissipated to the surrounding environment more quickly through the heat dissipation structure 132 on the outer circumferential surface 130, effectively reducing the hot end temperature and ensuring the normal operation of the pulse tube refrigerator.

[0049] Reference Figure 3 According to the present invention, a hot-end flange structure 10 for a pulse tube refrigerator is provided. The pulse tube refrigerator is a multi-stage refrigerator, and the flange body 100 has the following features: The main air supply channel 141 is used to carry the reciprocating flow of the main working gas. The main air supply channel 141 passes through the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120, and the first main interface 111 and the second main interface 121 are respectively formed on the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120. The primary cooling loop flow channel 142 penetrates the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120, and a first primary interface 112 and a second primary interface 122 are formed on the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120 respectively. The secondary cooling loop flow channel 143 penetrates the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120, and a first secondary interface 113 and a second secondary interface 123 are formed on the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120 respectively. The first bidirectional air intake channel 144 is connected at one end to the first primary interface 112 and at the other end to the main air supply channel 141. The second bidirectional air intake channel 145 is connected at one end to the first secondary interface 113 and at the other end to the main air supply channel 141. Among them, the first-stage small-hole needle valve 210 is installed on the first-stage refrigeration loop flow channel 142, and the first-stage bidirectional needle valve 220 is installed on the first bidirectional air intake channel 144; the second-stage small-hole needle valve 230 is installed on the second-stage refrigeration loop flow channel 143, and the second-stage bidirectional needle valve 240 is installed on the second bidirectional air intake channel 145.

[0050] It is understandable that the main gas supply channel 141 is the main channel for the flow of the main working gas in the entire multi-stage pulse tube refrigerator. The main working gas flows back and forth in it, providing the power and material basis for the refrigeration process.

[0051] A first main interface 111 and a second main interface 121 are formed on the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120, respectively, providing standardized connection points for connection with other components (such as pulse tubes, compressors, etc.). Through these interfaces, the hot-end flange structure can be easily integrated into the entire multi-stage pulse tube refrigeration system, ensuring that the main working gas can accurately enter and exit the hot-end flange structure, thus guaranteeing the system's sealing and reliability.

[0052] The primary refrigeration loop flow channel 142 is a channel specifically designed for the primary refrigeration cycle. A portion of the main working gas enters this flow channel and undergoes specific thermodynamic processes within the primary refrigeration loop to achieve the primary refrigeration effect. It penetrates the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120, forming the first primary interface 112 and the second primary interface 122, enabling the primary refrigeration loop to effectively connect and exchange substances with other parts of the refrigerator, ensuring the smooth operation of primary refrigeration.

[0053] A small-orifice needle valve 210 is installed on the primary refrigeration loop flow channel 142. By adjusting the opening of the small-orifice needle valve 210, the flow rate and phase of the working medium flowing through the primary refrigeration loop flow channel 142 can be precisely controlled. This helps optimize the performance of the primary refrigeration cycle, improve the efficiency and stability of primary refrigeration, and allows the primary refrigeration to be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs.

[0054] Similar to the primary refrigeration loop flow channel 142, the secondary refrigeration loop flow channel 143 is designed for the secondary refrigeration cycle. After the primary refrigeration is completed, part of the main working gas enters the secondary refrigeration loop flow channel 143 for further refrigeration, achieving an even lower refrigeration temperature. It penetrates the first mating surface 110 and the second mating surface 120, forming the first secondary interface 113 and the second secondary interface 123, ensuring the connection and mass exchange between the secondary refrigeration loop and other parts of the refrigerator, and ensuring the normal operation of the secondary refrigeration.

[0055] A secondary orifice needle valve 230 is installed on the secondary refrigeration loop channel 143. By adjusting the opening of the secondary orifice needle valve 230, the flow rate and phase of the working medium flowing through the secondary refrigeration loop channel 143 can be precisely controlled. This helps optimize the performance of the secondary refrigeration cycle, improve the efficiency and stability of secondary refrigeration, and enable secondary refrigeration to better meet the needs of low-temperature refrigeration.

[0056] The first bidirectional air intake channel 144 is connected at one end to the first stage interface 112 and at the other end to the main air supply channel 141. This enables bidirectional gas flow and mixing between the main air supply channel 141 and the first-stage refrigeration loop. During operation, based on the refrigerator's operating status and requirements, the main working gas can be distributed and regulated between the first-stage refrigeration loop and the main air supply channel 141 via the first bidirectional air intake channel 144, optimizing the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.

[0057] A first-stage bidirectional needle valve 220 is installed on the first bidirectional air inlet channel 144. By adjusting the opening of the first-stage bidirectional needle valve 220, the flow rate and direction of the gas in the first bidirectional air inlet channel 144 can be controlled. This helps to precisely adjust the gas exchange between the main supply air channel 141 and the first-stage refrigeration loop according to the needs of the first-stage refrigeration and the overall refrigeration system, further improving the performance of the first-stage refrigeration and the stability of the entire refrigeration system.

[0058] The second bidirectional air intake channel 145 is connected at one end to the first secondary interface 113 and at the other end to the main air supply channel 141. Its function is similar to that of the first bidirectional air intake channel 144, enabling bidirectional gas flow and mixing between the main air supply channel 141 and the secondary refrigeration loop. Through the second bidirectional air intake channel 145, the main working gas can be distributed and regulated between the secondary refrigeration loop and the main air supply channel 141 to meet the specific requirements of secondary refrigeration.

[0059] A secondary bidirectional needle valve 240 is installed on the second bidirectional inlet air passage 145. By adjusting the opening of the secondary bidirectional needle valve 240, the flow rate and direction of the gas in the second bidirectional inlet air passage 145 can be controlled. This helps to precisely adjust the gas exchange between the main supply air passage 141 and the secondary refrigeration loop according to the operation of the secondary refrigeration and the overall refrigeration system, optimize the performance of the secondary refrigeration, and ensure that the entire multi-stage pulse tube refrigeration system can operate efficiently and stably.

[0060] In one embodiment, the first-stage bidirectional needle valve 220 has an asymmetrical flow channel structure, such that the fluid resistance experienced by the working medium when flowing forward and backward within the first-stage bidirectional needle valve 220 is different, thereby introducing a direct current component into the oscillating flow.

[0061] Understandably, the asymmetrical flow channel structure of the 220 single-stage bidirectional needle valve results in differences in the flow path and cross-sectional changes of the working medium when it flows in the forward and reverse directions. This difference directly leads to different fluid resistance experienced by the working medium during forward and reverse flow.

[0062] In pulse tube refrigerators, the working medium typically moves in the form of an oscillating flow, meaning it flows back and forth periodically within the pipe. When the working medium passes through a single-stage bidirectional needle valve 220 with an asymmetrical flow channel structure, the flow rates in the forward and reverse directions will be unequal within a complete oscillation cycle due to the different flow resistances. This flow asymmetry manifests macroscopically as the introduction of a direct current component into the oscillating flow. The presence of this direct current component alters the flow state and energy distribution of the working medium, actively suppressing critical heat losses within the refrigerator, thereby improving refrigerator performance without adding extra components or consuming additional energy.

[0063] In some embodiments, a hot-end flange structure 10 for a pulse tube refrigerator further includes a locking device for mechanically fixing the opening state of the phase adjustment valve 200 after adjustment is completed.

[0064] Understandably, the opening degree of the phase adjustment valve 200 directly determines the flow resistance of the flow channel, and thus the phase matching accuracy of the refrigeration cycle, which is the core prerequisite for optimal refrigeration performance. After adjustment, the opening degree is mechanically fixed by the locking device, which can completely prevent the valve core of the phase adjustment valve 200 from shifting or the opening degree from deviating due to vibration, bumps, or accidental contact under harsh conditions such as transportation, launch, and airborne operation of the pulse tube refrigerator. This eliminates the problem of sudden drop in refrigeration performance and failure caused by phase mismatch from the root, eliminating the need for repeated shutdown and debugging, and ensuring long-term stable operation of the system.

[0065] Optionally, the locking device includes at least one of a lock nut, a locating pin, or a cured sealant.

[0066] Understandably, the locking nut, in conjunction with the matching bolt, utilizes the friction between the threads to achieve the locking function. Once the phase-adjusting valve 200 is adjusted to the appropriate opening, tightening the locking nut applies an axial clamping force to the adjusting components (such as the valve stem) of the phase-adjusting valve 200, firmly fixing them in the set position. This prevents loosening or displacement due to vibration, pressure changes, or other factors during equipment operation, thus ensuring the stable opening of the phase-adjusting valve 200.

[0067] Locating pins typically possess high dimensional and shape accuracy. They are inserted into locating holes on the adjusting and fixed components of the phase-regulating valve 200, precisely limiting the position of the adjusting component through the engagement of the pin and the hole. Unlike lock nuts, which primarily provide axial locking force, locating pins can position the adjusting component in multiple directions, preventing it from rotating or moving within a plane, thus ensuring the accuracy and stability of the phase-regulating valve 200's opening.

[0068] After being applied to the connection between the regulating and stationary components of the phase-changing valve 200, the curing sealant gradually hardens to form a layer with a certain strength and elasticity. This layer firmly bonds the regulating and stationary components together, preventing changes in the opening degree of the phase-changing valve 200. Simultaneously, the curing sealant also possesses excellent sealing properties, preventing leakage of the working medium (such as gas) from the connection points and ensuring the sealing performance and normal operation of the refrigeration system.

[0069] Reference Figures 1 to 3 According to the present invention, a hot end flange structure 10 for a pulse tube refrigerator is provided, wherein a plurality of heat dissipation structures 132 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the flange body 100, and the heat dissipation structures 132 are heat dissipation channels or heat dissipation fins directly formed on the flange body 100 by cutting, milling or additive manufacturing processes.

[0070] Understandably, the arrangement of multiple heat dissipation structures 132 at intervals along the axial direction of the flange body 100, whether heat dissipation channels or heat dissipation fins, significantly increases the contact area between the flange body 100 and the surrounding environment. According to the principle of heat conduction, the larger the heat dissipation area, the more heat can be transferred per unit time. Under the same temperature difference and thermal conductivity, the flange body 100 with multiple heat dissipation structures 132 can dissipate heat faster than a regular flange, thereby effectively reducing the hot-end temperature and improving the cooling efficiency of the pulse tube refrigerator.

[0071] The special shape and arrangement of heat dissipation channels or fins can guide the direction of heat flow, making the heat more evenly distributed on the surface of the flange body 100 and avoiding local overheating. Heat dissipation channels can form orderly fluid channels, promoting the flow of air or other cooling media and enhancing convective heat transfer; heat dissipation fins can increase the degree of air turbulence, further improving the convective heat transfer coefficient, helping to improve heat dissipation efficiency and ensuring that the pulse tube chiller maintains stable performance during long-term operation.

[0072] Specifically, heat dissipation channels or fins dissipate heat to the surrounding environment through natural convection and / or radiation heat transfer, thereby achieving passive heat dissipation without the need for additional power.

[0073] It is understood that this embodiment achieves passive heat dissipation without additional power drive through natural convection and radiation heat transfer via heat dissipation channels or fins. This eliminates the additional mechanical vibration, operating noise, and electromagnetic interference introduced by moving parts such as fans and water pumps, while significantly improving the long-term operational reliability of the system and reducing overall energy consumption. It provides a clean operating environment for precision instruments and meets the requirements of high reliability and low power consumption.

[0074] The present invention also provides a pulse tube refrigerator, which includes at least one regenerator, at least one pulse tube, and the above-described hot-end flange structure 10 for the pulse tube refrigerator. The specific structure of the hot-end flange structure 10 for the pulse tube refrigerator is as described in the above embodiments. It is understood that since the above-described hot-end flange structure 10 for the pulse tube refrigerator is used in the pulse tube refrigerator, the embodiments of the pulse tube refrigerator include all the technical solutions of all the embodiments of the hot-end flange structure 10 for the pulse tube refrigerator, and the technical effects achieved are exactly the same, so they will not be repeated here.

[0075] In some embodiments, the hot-end flange structure 10 for the pulse tube refrigerator is installed at the hot end of the regenerator and the pulse tube to form the hot-end assembly of the refrigerator; and the inlet of the fluid phase-adjusting channel 140 is fluidly connected to the hot-end outlet of the pulse tube, and the heat dissipation structure 132 is exposed to the ambient air.

[0076] Understandably, the hot-end flange structure, installed between the regenerator and the hot end of the pulse tube, allows the regenerator, hot-end flange structure, and pulse tube hot end to form a tightly fitted hot-end assembly. Within this assembly, the heat transfer path is smoother and more efficient. The heat stored in the regenerator can be quickly transferred to the pulse tube hot end through the hot-end flange structure, while the heat generated at the pulse tube hot end can also be promptly fed back to the regenerator for regulation, helping to improve the overall thermal efficiency of the refrigeration unit and enabling it to achieve its cooling effect more effectively.

[0077] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator, characterized in that, The flange body has at least one fluid phase adjustment channel machined inside it for adjusting the phase of the working medium, and a valve mounting interface communicating with the fluid phase adjustment channel is provided on the flange body. A phase-adjusting valve is installed on the valve mounting interface and is used to adjust the flow rate and phase of the working medium flowing through the fluid phase-adjusting channel; as well as Multiple heat dissipation structures are integrally formed on the outer surface of the flange body, and the multiple heat dissipation structures are used to dissipate the heat accumulated by the hot end flange structure to the surrounding environment.

2. The hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator according to any one of claims 1, characterized in that, The flange body has a first mating surface and a second mating surface arranged opposite to each other along its own axis, and an outer circumferential surface formed between the first mating surface and the second mating surface. The fluid phase adjustment channel is connected between the first mating surface and the second mating surface. The valve mounting interface is opened on the outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of heat dissipation structures are formed on the outer circumferential surface.

3. The hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pulse tube refrigerator is a multi-stage refrigerator, and the flange body contains the following: The main air supply channel is used to carry the reciprocating flow of the main working gas. The main air supply channel passes through the first mating surface and the second mating surface, and a first main interface and a second main interface are formed on the first mating surface and the second mating surface, respectively. A primary cooling loop flow channel, wherein the primary cooling loop flow channel penetrates the first mating surface and the second mating surface, and a first primary interface and a second primary interface are respectively formed on the first mating surface and the second mating surface; A secondary cooling loop flow channel, wherein the secondary cooling loop flow channel penetrates the first mating surface and the second mating surface, and a first secondary interface and a second secondary interface are respectively formed on the first mating surface and the second mating surface; The first bidirectional air intake channel has one end connected to the first primary interface and the other end connected to the main air supply channel. The second bidirectional air intake channel has one end connected to the first secondary interface and the other end connected to the main air supply channel. The first-stage small-hole needle valve is installed on the first-stage refrigeration loop flow channel, and the first-stage bidirectional needle valve is installed on the first bidirectional air intake channel; the second-stage small-hole needle valve is installed on the second-stage refrigeration loop flow channel, and the second-stage bidirectional needle valve is installed on the second bidirectional air intake channel.

4. The hot-end flange for a pulse tube refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first-stage bidirectional needle valve has an asymmetrical flow channel structure, so that the working medium experiences different fluid resistances when flowing forward and backward within the first-stage bidirectional needle valve, thereby introducing a direct current component into the oscillating flow.

5. The hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, It also includes a locking device, which is used to mechanically fix the opening state of the phase-adjusting valve after adjustment is completed.

6. The hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking device includes at least one of a lock nut, a locating pin, or a cured sealant.

7. The hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Multiple heat dissipation structures are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the flange body. The heat dissipation structure is a heat dissipation channel or heat dissipation fin directly formed on the flange body by cutting, milling or additive manufacturing process.

8. The hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heat dissipation channels or fins dissipate heat to the surrounding environment through natural convection and / or radiation heat transfer, thereby achieving passive heat dissipation without the need for additional power.

9. A pulse tube refrigerator, characterized in that, include: At least one regenerator; At least one pulse tube; And the hot-end flange structure for a pulse tube refrigerator as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The pulse tube refrigerator according to claim 9, characterized in that, The hot-end flange structure for the pulse tube refrigerator is installed at the hot end of the regenerator and the pulse tube to form the hot-end assembly of the refrigerator. Furthermore, the inlet of the fluid phase-adjusting channel is fluidly connected to the hot end outlet of the pulse tube, and the heat dissipation structure is exposed to the ambient air.

Images