Regenerative refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Regenerative refrigerators face a drop in refrigeration capacity due to the pressure difference and density difference of helium gas at ultra-low temperatures, particularly around 8 K, which affects the accumulation and distribution of coolant gas in the regenerator.

Innovation Solution

A regenerative refrigerator design incorporating a first and second regenerator with a gas pipe that guides coolant gas from the first regenerator to the middle of the second regenerator, optimizing the temperature profile to reduce helium gas accumulation and enhance pressure difference, thereby improving refrigeration capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If coolant gas is accumulated in the regenerator at ultra-low temperatures (around 8 K), then the refrigeration capacity increases, but the pressure difference in the refrigerator is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigeration capacityVSAvoidpressure difference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The regenerator is divided into multiple stages (first regenerator and second regenerator) with different temperature zones. The first regenerator handles higher temperature cooling while the second regenerator handles lower temperature cooling. This segmentation allows coolant gas to be distributed across different temperature zones, maintaining pressure difference in each zone while achieving overall refrigeration capacity improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A gas pipe is introduced as an intermediary component to guide coolant gas from the first regenerator to a specific portion of the second regenerator. This intermediary structure controls the flow path and distribution of coolant gas, ensuring optimal pressure difference maintenance while enabling effective heat exchange across temperature zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a conventional single-stage regenerator is used, then the structure is simple, but the refrigeration capacity drops due to pressure difference reduction at ultra-low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigeration capacityVSAvoidregenerator structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The regenerator system is segmented into a first regenerator and a second regenerator, each optimized for different temperature ranges. This multi-stage structure improves refrigeration capacity by maintaining pressure difference at ultra-low temperatures while distributing the thermal load across multiple zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A gas pipe is used to control the pneumatic flow of coolant gas between the first regenerator and the second regenerator. This pneumatic control mechanism optimizes gas distribution and pressure management across the multi-stage system, achieving improved refrigeration capacity with controlled structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If coolant gas is guided to the middle portion of the second regenerator, then the temperature profile is optimized and helium gas accumulation is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature profile optimizationVSAvoidgas pipe configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas pipe serves as an intermediary flow control element that directs coolant gas to the middle portion of the second regenerator. This strategic positioning optimizes the temperature profile by ensuring proper heat exchange in the critical intermediate temperature zone while managing helium gas distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gas pipe targets a specific local region (middle portion) of the second regenerator rather than distributing gas uniformly. This localized approach optimizes the temperature profile in the critical intermediate zone where helium gas accumulation occurs, improving reliability without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design increases the refrigeration capacity by maintaining a higher pressure difference and optimizing the temperature profile, ensuring efficient cooling across the regenerator stages.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure difference and density difference of helium gas at ultra-low temperatures, particularly around 8 K

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

uses a high pressure coolant gas supplied from a compressor to generate Simon expansion, and stores the cold using a regenerator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSimon expansion: Adiabatic Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS9752802B2Regenerative refrigerator

Publication Date: 2017.09.05 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

A first regenerator of a regenerative refrigerator includes a first regenerator member and a first cylinder accommodating the first regenerator member. A second regenerator includes a second regenerator member and a second cylinder accommodating the second regenerator member and may be connected to a low temperature end of the first regenerator. A gas pipe guides a coolant gas discharged from the first regenerator to a portion in the middle of the second regenerator. The gas pipe may include a plurality of gas relief holes in the middle of the gas pipe.