Cryocooler with Shared Working Volume to Eliminate Parasitic Losses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-life Stirling-class cryocoolers suffer from parasitic losses due to the transmission of pressure-volume power between compressor and displacer modules, leading to reduced overall system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A thermal-cycle cryocooler design where the compressor and displacer share a single combined working volume within a sealed housing, with a piston moving within a cylinder, and a regenerator attached to the displacer, minimizing gas transfer and seal losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If PV power is transmitted between compressor and displacer modules through a transfer line, then the compressor can produce pressure-volume power, but parasitic losses occur reducing overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compressor and displacer modules into a single integrated unit where the compressor piston and displacer share a common working volume. This eliminates the need for a separate transfer line, thereby eliminating parasitic losses associated with power transmission between separate modules while maintaining the ability to produce and utilize pressure-volume power effectively
2Device complexity
If separate compressor and displacer modules are used with a transfer line, then modular design is achieved, but seal losses occur at the interface between modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compressor and displacer into a single module with a shared working volume, eliminating the interface between separate modules. This removes the seals required at the module interface, thereby eliminating seal losses while maintaining functional separation through the integrated design
3Adaptability or versatility
If compressor and displacer are housed separately, then independent control is possible, but the system occupies more space and has higher weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the compressor and displacer into a single housing with a shared working volume, reducing the overall space occupied and the weight of the system. The integrated design maintains independent control capabilities through the coordinated movement of the compressor piston and displacer within the same chamber
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design eliminates parasitic losses, reduces seal losses, and simplifies vibration mitigation by consolidating all moving components on a single axis, resulting in improved efficiency and a more compact, lightweight cryocooler system.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor; a regenerator; a displacer; and a sealed housing enclosing the compressor and the displacer; wherein the compressor and the displacer are both configured to act on a single combined working volume within the sealed housing
Implementation Method 2
a regenerator attached to and moves with the displacer
Implementation Method 3
a Stirling displacer that actively controls the thermodynamic compression/expansion cycle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A thermal-cycle cryocooler (10), such as a Stirling-cycle cryocooler, has a single working volume (48) that is utilized by both the compressor (12) and the displacer (14). The compressor and the displacer have respective movable parts, one of which is surrounded by the other. One of the parts may be a piston (20), a portion of which moves within a central bore (52) or opening in a cylinder (30) that is the other movable part. The piston may be a component of the compressor and the cylinder may be a component of the displacer, or vice versa. The working volume is located in part in a bore of the cylinder, between the piston and a regenerator that is coupled to the cylinder. Movements of the piston and/or the cylinder can directly cause compression or expansion of the working gas without the use of a gas transfer line or flow passage.