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  Cryocooler assembly with screened regeneratorUSPTO Application #: 20060225434Title: Cryocooler assembly with screened regenerator Abstract: A cryocooler assembly having a regenerator employing a plurality of high heat capacity screens positioned perpendicular to the regenerator longitudinal axis and in a sufficient linear density to serve as heat transfer media and also to serve as buffer structures to keep worm holes within particulate heat transfer media from forming and to reduce agglomeration of particles within the regenerator. (end of abstract) Agent: Praxair, Inc. Law Department - M1 557 - Danbury, CT, US Inventors: Bayram Arman, Al-Khalique S. Hamilton, Arun Acharya USPTO Applicaton #: 20060225434 - Class: 062006000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Refrigeration, Gas Compression, Heat Regeneration And Expansion, E.g., Stirling Cycle The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060225434. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates generally to low temperature or cryogenic refrigeration and, more particularly, to cryocoolers for the generation of such cryogenic refrigeration. BACKGROUND ART [0002] A recent significant advancement in the field of generating low temperature refrigeration is the pulse tube and other cryocooler systems wherein pulse energy is converted to refrigeration using an oscillating gas. Such systems can generate refrigeration to very low levels sufficient, for example, to liquefy helium. [0003] One problem with conventional cryocooler systems is the loss of effective load heat capacity and flow uniformity and the resulting heat transfer maldistribution in the regenerator portion of the cryocooler which leads to operational inefficiency. These problems are particularly troublesome when the cryocooler is operated to provide very low temperature refrigeration such as below 40K. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] A cryocooler assembly comprising a pressure wave generator, a regenerator and a thermal buffer volume wherein the regenerator contains heat transfer media comprising a plurality of screens oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the regenerator, said screens being comprised of or coated with high heat capacity material or alloy. [0005] As used herein the term "screen" means a thin plate with periodic openings such as mesh, perforated plate, wire mesh or corrugated dimpled plate used for transferring heat from and to gas while providing uniform flow through its openings. [0006] As used herein the term "high heat capacity material" means a chemical element or compound that has a higher volumetric or mass heat capacity than steel at temperatures below 100K. Some examples include lead, some copper alloys, and lanthanide series materials. [0007] As used herein the term "high heat capacity alloy" means a homogeneous mixture, solid solution or heterogeneous mixture comprising at least one high heat capacity material. [0008] As used herein the term "pressure wave generator" means an electromechanical, mechanical, or thermoacoustic device that produces pressure waves in the form of acoustic energy. [0009] As used herein the term "longitudinal axis" means an imaginary line running through a regenerator in the direction of the gas flow. [0010] As used herein the term "regenerator" means a thermal device containing heat transfer media which has good thermal capacity to cool incoming warm gas and warm returning cold gas via direct heat transfer with the heat transfer media. [0011] As used herein the term "thermal buffer volume" means a cryocooler component separate from the regenerator, proximate a cold heat exchanger and spanning a temperature range from the coldest to the warmer heat rejection temperature. [0012] As used herein the term "indirect heat exchange" means the bringing of fluids into heat exchange relation without any physical contact or intermixing of the fluids with each other. [0013] As used herein the term "direct heat exchange" means the transfer of refrigeration through contact of cooling and heating entities. [0014] As used herein the term "electroplated screen" means a base screen substrate which is covered by a high heat capacity material or alloy via electroplating and/or another thin film deposition means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 is a representation of one preferred cryocooler assembly of this invention wherein the cryocooler is a pulse tube type cryocooler. [0016] FIG. 2 is a plan view of one preferred embodiment of a screen type for use in the practice of this invention. [0017] FIG. 3 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of a screen type for use in the practice of this invention. [0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of a screen type for use in the practice of this invention. [0019] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional representational illustration of the screen interlayer embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Continue reading... Full patent description for Cryocooler assembly with screened regenerator Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cryocooler assembly with screened regenerator patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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