Gas container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulse tube refrigerator systems face challenges in achieving low temperatures below 80K due to vibration issues and inefficiencies in gas storage and phase shifting within the inertance tube and reservoir components.
Innovation Solution
A container with an integral inertance tube formed within its wall, featuring a fluid conduit that spirals through the wall thickness to minimize vibration and maximize volume, supported by a baffle for structural rigidity and gas flow efficiency, allowing for compact and effective gas storage and phase shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a separate inertance tube and reservoir are used in pulse tube refrigerator systems, then gas storage and phase shifting functions are provided, but vibration issues occur and the system becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reservoir and inertance tube into a single integrated container structure. The wall of the container serves dual purposes: containing the gas reservoir and housing the inertance tube that extends through it. This merging eliminates the need for separate components, reducing system complexity and compactness while minimizing vibration through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The inertance tube is nested within the wall structure of the container. The tube extends through the wall thickness, with its path embedded in the container wall rather than being a separate external component. This nesting approach allows the inertance function to be incorporated within the existing reservoir structure, achieving compactness and reducing vibration.
2Productivity
If the inertance tube is positioned externally or separately, then gas flow restriction and phase shifting are achieved, but vibration increases and space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harmful vibration caused by the inertance tube into a beneficial integrated structure. By embedding the tube within the container wall, the vibration is contained and dampened by the surrounding wall material, transforming what would be a harmful external vibration source into a controlled internal feature that contributes to overall system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The container wall is designed with non-uniform thickness to accommodate the inertance tube. The wall thickness varies along the tube's path, providing localized structural adjustments that optimize both the inertance function and vibration characteristics. This local modification allows the wall to serve multiple functions: containing gas, housing the tube, and dampening vibration.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional separate components are used for reservoir and inertance tube, then gas storage capacity is sufficient, but the system occupies more space and has reduced cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir and inertance tube are merged into a single container where the wall structure houses the tube. This integration eliminates the need for additional space that would be required for separate components, maintaining full gas storage capacity while reducing the overall system volume. The tube's path through the wall utilizes otherwise unused wall material space.
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
The solution enables the achievement of lower temperatures by reducing vibration and enhancing gas flow and storage efficiency, resulting in improved cooling performance and compact design for pulse tube cryocooler systems.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid conduit at least a length of which extends through the wall in between the inner and outer surfaces to form an integral inertance tube
Implementation Method 2
The container advantageously includes an integral inertance tube... reducing and/or nearly eliminating vibration of the inertence tube in use due to its positioning within the wall of the container
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A container is described having a wall with a thickness defined by inner and outer surfaces, said inner surface defining an internal cavity for receiving fluid, the container having an opening through which fluid can enter/exit the container, said opening being connected to a fluid conduit at least a length of which extends through the wall in between the inner and outer surfaces thereof which exits through the inner surface to communicate with the internal cavity. Also described is a pulse tube refrigerator/cryocooler system including such a container.