Pulse Tube Refrigerator Gas Passage for DC Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pulse tube refrigerators face limitations in enhancing refrigeration capacity, particularly in the efficiency of gas flow and temperature management across multiple stages, which affects overall cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a two-stage pulse tube refrigerator with specific configurations of regenerators and pulse tubes, along with a unique gas flow passage system that includes a second flow passage resistance with a needle valve and housing, creating a gastight space to adjust the DC flow of working gas, thereby optimizing refrigeration performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a multi-stage pulse tube refrigerator is designed to improve cooling efficiency, then refrigeration capacity increases, but device complexity increases due to multiple regenerators and pulse tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the low-temperature side regenerator and low-temperature side pulse tube are positioned within or alongside the high-temperature side components. This nesting allows multiple functional elements to share space, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining multi-stage refrigeration capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas flow passage integrates multiple functions: it serves as both the high-pressure gas supply path and the low-pressure gas return path, and incorporates both flow resistance control and gastight sealing functions within a single housing structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If gas flow passage is optimized to improve temperature management, then refrigeration efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to gastight accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing elements such as O-rings or elastomeric seals within the housing to achieve gastight accommodation. These flexible components can compensate for minor manufacturing tolerances and dimensional variations, maintaining sealing effectiveness without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the precision requirements of the flow passages and the realities of manufacturing. It provides a standardized interface with built-in sealing features that simplify the assembly process and reduce the cumulative effect of manufacturing tolerances.
3Productivity
If second flow passage resistance is added to control DC flow, then refrigeration capacity increases, but device complexity increases due to additional flow passage components
Solution Approach 1:
The second flow passage is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides DC flow control through its resistance, serves as a gas return path, and integrates into the existing housing structure. This multi-functionality allows the component to improve refrigeration capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second flow passage is merged with the housing structure, sharing the same physical space and sealing interfaces. This integration means that adding the flow resistance feature does not require entirely separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 configuration enhances refrigeration capacity by improving the flow resistance and temperature management, leading to increased cooling efficiency and performance in generating cold temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a regenerator tube and a pulse tube by repeating an operation of making a working gas (for example, helium gas), which is a working fluid compressed by a compressor, flow into the regenerator tube and the pulse tube
Implementation Method 2
making a working gas (for example, helium gas), which is a working fluid compressed by a compressor, flow into the regenerator tube and the pulse tube
Data Source
AI summary
In a pulse tube refrigerator, a gas flow passage is connected to a high-temperature end of a low-temperature side pulse tube and a compressor, such that a working gas flows in the gas flow passage. The gas flow passage includes: a first flow passage connected to the high-temperature end of the low-temperature side pulse tube; a second flow passage connected to the compressor and having an outlet facing an outlet of the first flow passage; and a housing that gastightly accommodates the outlet of the first flow passage and the outlet of the second flow passage. The housing has a gastight space communicating with the outlet of the first flow passage and the outlet of the second flow passage, the gastight space located on a side of the low-temperature side pulse tube with respect to the outlet of the first flow passage.