Reciprocating Compressor for Cryocoolers Without Rotary Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compressor systems used in combination with rotary valves for pulse tube and Gifford-McMahon coolers suffer from significant energy losses, making them inefficient, and acoustic compressors are not suitable for generating low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A novel compressor device utilizing an electro-hydrostatic drive arrangement coupled with a reciprocating compressor element, eliminating the need for rotary valves by using a mechanical or magnetic coupling, allowing for efficient compression of gases within the required frequency range for Gifford-McMahon and pulse-tube coolers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional gas compressor with a rotary valve is used to supply compressed gas to pulse tube or Gifford-McMahon coolers, then the cooling function is achieved, but energy losses amount to about 50% of the input performance
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve is extracted and removed from the system. The patent replaces the rotary valve with a compressor element that directly integrates the compression and delivery functions, eliminating the separate valve component that causes 50% energy losses while maintaining the necessary flow control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the compressor and valve into a single integrated compressor device. The compressor element with its displacement volume directly controls gas flow without requiring a separate rotary valve, combining what were previously separate components into one unified system that reduces energy losses.
2Speed
If acoustic compressors with pistons in linear resonance oscillations are used, then the compression frequency is increased, but the resonance frequencies are in the range of a few 10 Hz and are not suitable for generating very low temperatures below 10 K
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable compressor element that can operate across a wide frequency range. The displacement volume of the compressor element can be controlled to achieve the high compression frequencies (1 Hz range) required for pulse tube and Gifford-McMahon coolers to reach temperatures below 10 K, overcoming the fixed resonance frequency limitation of acoustic compressors.
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 solution significantly reduces energy losses and enhances efficiency by eliminating rotary valves, enabling the compressor device to supply compressed gas at the necessary frequency for low-temperature operation with Gifford-McMahon and pulse-tube coolers.
Implementation Method 1
The compressor device combines a compressor arrangement with an electro-hydrostatic drive arrangement
Implementation Method 2
The electro-hydrostatic drive arrangement and the compressor element are coupled by a mechanical or a magnetic coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor device that periodically supplies compressed working gas to a cooling device loses less of the gas by not using rotary valves. The compressor device includes a compressor cylinder, a compensation container and a drive device with an hydraulic cylinder. The compressor cylinder includes a compressor element, such as a piston or membrane, that divides the compressor cylinder into first and second volumes. The first volume contains the gas that is compressed by the compressor element. The hydraulic cylinder has a piston that is coupled to the compressor element. The compensation container contains compensation fluid and is directly connected to the second volume. The compensation container is also connected to the first volume by a gas line with a non-return valve that opens in the direction of the first volume. The drive device allows the compressed gas to be provided at a frequency required for Gifford-McMahon and pulse-tube coolers.