Patents by Inventor Scott Backhaus

Scott Backhaus has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250207824
    Abstract: A cryocooling system includes a compressor, a refrigerator, and a controller, which is communicatively coupled to the compressor and the refrigerator. The compressor is configured to be driven at a drive frequency. The refrigerator is coupled to the compressor via a first fluid path and includes a cold heat exchanger, an output, a reservoir, and a flow resistor. The flow resistor controls fluid flow along a second fluid path between the output and the reservoir. The controller optimizes a rate of cooling of the cold heat exchanger by adjusting both a drive frequency of the compressor and a resistance of the flow resistor along the second fluid path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2025
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: Scott BACKHAUS, Ryan SNODGRASS, Vincent KOTSUBO
  • Publication number: 20240271834
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the cooldown time, or efficiency of cooling systems, for a low-frequency one or multi-stage pulse-tube refrigerator. More specifically, actuation is performed on the driving frequency of the oscillating pressure and flow, on flow resistance of valves in the acoustic network that terminate the LF-OPTR or LF-DIPTR, and/or on the asymmetric flow resistance of the bypass valves in a LF-DIPTR's flow network. The actuation of these parameters is informed by measurements of the output pressure or output-input differential pressure at the steady flow compressor, the temperature of each stage of the refrigerator, and the temperature difference between the final stage and upper stages of the refrigerator, to name a few non-limiting examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Scott BACKHAUS, Ryan SNODGRASS, Vincent KOTSUBO
  • Patent number: 8468838
    Abstract: The present invention includes a thermoacoustic assembly and method for improved efficiency. The assembly has a first stage Stirling thermal unit comprising a main ambient heat exchanger, a regenerator and at least one additional heat exchanger. The first stage Stirling thermal unit is serially coupled to a first end of a quarter wavelength long coupling tube. A second stage Stirling thermal unit comprising a main ambient heat exchanger, a regenerator, and at least one additional heat exchanger, is serially coupled to a second end of the quarter wavelength long coupling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Backhaus, Greg Swift
  • Publication number: 20090249797
    Abstract: The present invention includes a thermoacoustic assembly and method for improved efficiency. The assembly has a first stage Stirling thermal unit comprising a main ambient heat exchanger, a regenerator and at least one additional heat exchanger. The first stage Stirling thermal unit is serially coupled to a first end of a quarter wavelength long coupling tube. A second stage Stirling thermal unit comprising a main ambient heat exchanger, a regenerator, and at least one additional heat exchanger, is serially coupled to a second end of the quarter wavelength long coupling tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Backhaus, Greg Swift