Push-Pull Voice Coil Compressor for Low-Force Cryocoolers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryocooler designs are inefficient due to compressor motor inefficiencies and exported forces, which require large amounts of power and increase complexity, weight, and cost.
Innovation Solution
A push-pull compressor design using voice coil actuators with magnets and coils configured to push or pull pistons against each other, rather than against a fixed base, to reduce inefficiencies and exported forces, achieving increased mechanical work and passive elimination of exported forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional compressor motors are used in cryocoolers, then the system can achieve compression function, but the efficiency is poor and large amounts of power are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electromagnetic compressor motors with a voice coil actuator system that uses electromagnetic fields to directly drive piston movement. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical transmission components and reduces energy losses, achieving significantly higher compressor efficiency and lower input power requirements for the cryocooler system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the voice coil actuator to optimize piston motion throughout the compression cycle. By dynamically adjusting the electromagnetic field strength and timing, the system maximizes mechanical work output while minimizing energy input, thereby improving overall compressor efficiency and reducing power consumption.
2Device complexity
If opposing pistons are used to provide compression, then compression function is achieved, but mismatches in forces lead to net exported forces requiring additional suppression components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent intentionally introduces asymmetric elements into the opposing piston system, including unequal piston masses, asymmetric flexure or spring suspensions, and differential voice coil actuator configurations. These asymmetric design choices are specifically engineered to balance and cancel the exported forces generated by opposing pistons, eliminating the need for additional suppression components while reducing system complexity.
3Power
If larger strokes are used to improve compressor efficiency, then mechanical work increases, but the achievable stroke is limited by flexure or spring suspensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional rotational motor operation to linear voice coil actuator operation, enabling stroke lengths that are not constrained by rotational mechanics or flexure/spring suspension limitations. This dimensional change in the actuation mechanism allows for optimized stroke lengths that maximize mechanical work output while maintaining system feasibility.
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 significantly improves compressor efficiency by reducing input power requirements by up to 30-40% and eliminates the need for additional components to manage exported forces, thereby reducing system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a first voice coil actuator having (i) a first voice coil connected to the first piston and (ii) a first magnet connected to the second piston
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first piston and an opposing second piston, where the first and second pistons are configured to move inward to narrow a space therebetween and to move outward to enlarge the space therebetween. The apparatus also includes a first voice coil actuator having (i) a first voice coil connected to the first piston and (ii) a first magnet connected to the second piston. The apparatus may further include a second voice coil actuator having (i) a second voice coil connected to the second piston and (ii) a second magnet connected to the first piston. Each voice coil actuator may be configured to apply equal and opposite forces on or against the first and second pistons.