Gas Compression, Heat Regeneration And Expansion, E.g., Stirling Cycle Patents (Class 62/6)
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Patent number: 7347053Abstract: A densifier is provided which in one embodiment can simultaneously densify two cryogenic liquids at different temperatures. The densifier has an oscillatory power source for generating oscillatory power and a two stage pulse tube refrigerator. The oscillatory power source can be a thermoacoustic heat engine or a mechanical oscillatory power source such as a linear flexure bearing compressor. The first stage densifies a first cryogenic liquid to a first cryogenic temperature, and the second stage densifies a second cryogenic liquid to a second, lower cryogenic temperature. A densified propellant management system also is provided which has a densifier for simultaneously densifying two cryogenic liquids at different temperatures, and a cryogenic temperature probe for measuring the temperature gradient in a cryogenic liquid.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Sierra Lobo, Inc.Inventors: Mark Steven Haberbusch, Adam John Culler
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Patent number: 7322199Abstract: Disclosed is a Stirling cooler, in which a partition contacting a front surface of an inner stator is formed on a cylinder and a second stopper serving as a snap ring contacting a rear surface of the inner stator is detachably inserted into a ring-shaped groove of the cylinder, thus allowing the inner stator to be easily attached to and detached from the cylinder. Further, a protrusion inserted into a ring-shaped groove formed in the front surface of the inner stator is formed on the partition, and serves as an end ring of the inner stator, thus simplifying the assembly and disassembly of the inner stator.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sung Tae Kim
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Publication number: 20080016907Abstract: The present invention provides an active gas regenerative liquefier (AGRL) for efficiently cooling and liquefying a process stream based on the combination of several active gas regenerative refrigerator (AGRR) stages configured to sequentially cool and liquefy the process stream, e.g. natural gas or hydrogen. In specific embodiments, the individual AGRR stages include heat exchangers, dual active regenerators, and a compressor/expander assembly, configured to recover a portion of the work of compression of a refrigerant by simultaneously expanding a refrigerant in one portion of the device while compressing the refrigerant in another portion to effect cooling of a heat transfer fluid, and ultimately the process stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: John Arthur Barclay, Michael Arthur Barclay, Miroslaw Piotr Skrzypkowski, Agnes Jakobsen
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Patent number: 7318318Abstract: A cryostat (1) with a first helium tank (4) which contains helium at an operating temperature T1<3K, and a second helium tank (2) which is connected to the first helium tank (4) and contains liquid helium at an operating temperature T2>3K, wherein a cooling means (6) is provided in the first helium tank (4) which generates an operating temperature T1<3K in the first helium tank (4), wherein the cooling means (6) is designed as a Joule-Thomson valve with downstream heat exchanger from which pumped helium is transported to a room temperature region outside of the cryostat (1) is characterized in that a refrigerator (11) is provided whose cold end (19) projects into the second helium tank (2) and the supplied helium is returned during normal operation in a closed loop along the refrigerator (11) and into the second helium tank (2), thereby being pre-cooled and liquefied at the cold end (19) of the refrigerator (11).Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Bruker BioSpin GmbHInventor: Gerhard Roth
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Patent number: 7318327Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid oxygen with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, a switch is electrically coupled to a storage dewar pressurizing means, the switch positioned to be activated by a portable dewar upon engagement of portable dewar with storage dewar. Cryocooler and/or cooling fan enter low power mode when dewar liquid level reaches a predetermined level, and to return to a fall power mode when dewar liquid level drops to another predetermined level. A cold finger of the cryocooler extends within the dewar and may prevent overfilling of the dewar. The cold finger has a temperature gradient. As the gas liquefies and fills the dewar, the liquid level rises only to a level on the cold finger at which the temperature exceeds the boiling point of oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Respironics In-X, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Dickerson, Steve W. Delve, Douglas R. Powell
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Patent number: 7310954Abstract: A cryogenic system includes a space formed between a cooling stage of a cryocooler unit and an element to be cooled, and a thermal joint placed in the space, wherein the thermal joint is composed of a substance that has a melting point higher than the cooling temperature of the element to be cooled and that is in a liquid or gaseous state at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The cryogenic system can achieve reproducible and excellent thermal contact at a cooling stage without applying a large mechanical stress to a cryocooler unit structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko ShoInventor: Takashi Miki
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Patent number: 7308797Abstract: A cryogenic refrigerator includes a first refrigerant tube and a second refrigerant tube each comprising two tubes that are arranged on a cooling stage substantially parallel to each other and communicate with each other through a gas passage formed in the cooling stage. Phase differences are provided to oscillating gas pressures in the first and second refrigerant tubes, to cancel vibration of the cooling stage. Thus, the cryogenic refrigerator can be provided which can effectively reduce the vibration of the cooling stage caused by the oscillating gas pressure and can reduce the size thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignees: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., High Energy Accelerator Research OrganizationInventors: Rui Li, Tomohiro Koyama, Toshikazu Suzuki, Takayuki Tomaru, Takakazu Shintomi, Tomiyoshi Haruyama
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Patent number: 7305835Abstract: The present invention applies to single or two stage pulse tube refrigerators that have one or more passive orifices at the hot end(s) of the pulse tube(s) through which gas flows to achieve phase shifting and the phase shifting gas flow circulates to a remote heat sink by adding check valves and an appropriate piping circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignees: SHI-APD Cryogenics, Inc., Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Ralph C. Longsworth
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Patent number: 7299640Abstract: A refrigeration system/cycle includes two or more refrigeration stages, in which one or more of the warmer stages provide(s) cooling to partially compensate for heat leakage that would otherwise leak to the colder stage(s). The refrigeration system includes a single heat sink or multiple heat sinks. The refrigeration cycle can include a single cooling load or multiple cooling loads. The refrigeration system can be a cryogenic refrigeration cycle. The flow of working fluid can be DC (direct-current, continuous and uni-directional) or AC (alternating-current and oscillating). The refrigeration system can include Double-Cycle cooling action. The refrigeration system can include one (or more) thermal storage unit(s) (TSUs).Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Inventor: Douglas S. Beck
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Publication number: 20070266714Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly for transferring heat across a wall of a housing is disclosed. The assembly comprises an outer heat exchanger having an outer ring disposed outside the housing and having an interior surface in contact with an exterior surface of the wall; an inner support disposed inside the housing and having an exterior surface; and a plurality of inner heat fins connecting the exterior surface of the inner support to an interior surface of the wall of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2007Publication date: November 22, 2007Inventor: Andreas Fiedler
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Publication number: 20070268944Abstract: An excimer laser includes a laser-gas cleaning apparatus. The gas cleaning apparatus includes a cold-trap supplemented by a heat-exchanger. The cold-trap is cooled by a twin-compressor, free-piston, linear motor-driven Stirling-cycle cooler having an adjustable cooling capacity. The cold-trap, the heat-exchanger, and connecting conduits are enclosed in a housing with free space in the housing being filled with a foam insulating material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2006Publication date: November 22, 2007Inventor: Frank Voss
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Patent number: 7296418Abstract: A multi-stage cryocooler includes a concentric second-stage pulse tube expander in which a pulse tube is located within a second-stage regenerator. In one embodiment, an inner wall of the regenerator also functions as an outer wall of the pulse tube. In another embodiment, there is an annular gap between an inner wall of the regenerator and an outer wall of the pulse tube. The gap may be maintained at a low pressure, approaching a vacuum, by placing the gap in fluid communication with an environment around the cryocooler, such as the low-pressure environment of space. The integrated second-stage structure, with the pulse tube within the annular regenerator, provides several potential advantages over prior multi-stage cryocooler systems.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Carl S. Kirkconnell, Ken J. Ciccarelli, Abram Alaniz
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Patent number: 7290396Abstract: A cryogenic biological preservation unit having a removable lid and an integrated cryocooler positioned apart from, or within a fixed portion of, the lid and which provides refrigeration to the upper portion of the interior of the unit which also contains a pool of liquid cryogen and at least one biological sample preferably positioned above the pool of liquid cryogen.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Bryce Mark Rampersad, John Henri Royal, Barry Minbiole
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Publication number: 20070251246Abstract: The present invention is a system for cryogenic cooling of an object mounted on gimbals. A transfer line made up of one or more flexible small diameter transfer tubes is used to connect the compressor, which is located separately from the gimbals, and the cryocooler, which is mounted on the gimbals in thermal contact with the object to be cooled. The transfer line of the system of the invention has a total gas transfer capacity equal to that of the large diameter lines used in conventional systems but allows essentially unhindered rotation of the gimbals yoke and platform about the gimbals' axes, under the influence of gravity or with the help of motors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2007Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: Ben-Zion Maytal, Igor Lifshits, Nir Tzabar
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Patent number: 7287387Abstract: Cooling apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber, an inner chamber positioned within the vacuum chamber adapted to contain a coolant for cooling target apparatus, and a mechanical refrigerator for refrigerating the coolant and having at least one cooled part in contact with the coolant. The mechanical refrigerator is coupled to one or each of the vacuum chamber and inner chamber through vibration-reducing couplings, so as to reduce the effect upon the target apparatus of vibrations from the mechanical refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Oxford Instruments Superconductivity LtdInventors: Oleg Kirichek, Milind Diwakar Atrey, Christopher Johnson, Mir Fattah Hodaei
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Patent number: 7281383Abstract: A thermal machine that can function as either a refrigerator or an external combustion heat engine is disclosed. A working gas undergoes four thermodynamic processes that comprise a Brayton cycle. Two of these processes, adiabatic compression and adiabatic expansion, take place in the same cylinder, within which a piston, driven by a crankshaft, reciprocates. The remaining two processes, each of which is a transfer of heat at constant pressure, take place in a high pressure heat exchanger and a low pressure heat exchanger. A rotary valve, rotating at one-half crankshaft speed, creates passages between the cylinder and the heat exchangers, and is constructed so that compression and expansion ratios are equal.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Inventor: Robert Walter Redlich
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Patent number: 7281388Abstract: An apparatus to use a refrigerator in a mobile computing device is described. In one embodiment, the refrigerator includes a cold reservoir to absorb heat generated by a heat generating unit of the mobile device. A heat exchanger is used to dissipate heat of a hot reservoir of the refrigerator. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus includes a working fluid loop, with a fluid of the loop to be in thermal contact with the heat generating device, and the cold reservoir of the refrigerator to absorb heat from the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Himanshu Pokhama, Rajiv K. Mongia, Eric DiStefano
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Publication number: 20070234751Abstract: A sample cooling apparatus capable of cooling and holding samples or wafers at a cryogenic temperature with no vibration or drift with respect to a measurement reference surface is disclosed. In the sample cooling apparatus, a sample holder is arranged in a vacuum vessel mounted on a housing having a table for forming a measurement reference surface to be supported by a thermal insulator. A frame is disposed within the housing to be supported by a first buffer. A refrigerating machine is disposed in the frame to be supported by a second buffer and has a head directed to the vacuum vessel. The cooling head of the refrigerating machine is connected to the sample holder by way of a flexible thermal conduction member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2007Publication date: October 11, 2007Applicant: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyInventor: Yasushi Nagamune
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Patent number: 7278271Abstract: A radial acoustic driver uses to generate higher amplitude of pressure fluctuation with radial type standing wave. The radial acoustic driver includes a cyclic type resonance tube which is filled with a working fluid inside, and a ring type electricity-acoustic energy transducer that is inside the cyclic type resonance tube for generating a radial acoustic wave when receiving electricity.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Ya-Wen Chou, Ming Shan Jeng
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Patent number: 7275375Abstract: A regenerator includes a casing including a connection channel for making a high temperature part and a cooling part communicate with each other; and a thermal energy storage material inserted in the connection channel of the casing and made of an aramid fiber which stores/radiates heat of a working fluid flowing through the connection channel. A cryocooler includes the regenerator. Accordingly, regeneration performance of storing heat included in the working fluid and transmitting the stored heat to a working fluid is improved, and simultaneously a weight is decreased, thereby minimizing abrasion of components.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Seon-Young Kim
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Patent number: 7272937Abstract: A cooling apparatus comprises a pulse tube refrigerator (A) having a pressure source (1), a cold reservoir (6), a condenser (7), a pulse tube (9), a radiator (10), and a phase adjuster (12); and a low-temperature container having a liquid reservoir (21) fixed to a vacuum tank (31) through heat-insulating support members (36) and (37). The condenser (7) is fixed to a cold end (6b) of the cold reservoir (6), and is disposed in a gas phase portion (21a) of the liquid reservoir (21). A hot end of the pulse tube (9) is fixed to the vacuum tank (31) and is disposed in such a manner that a cold end (9b) of the pulse tube (9) is located lower than the hot end and is located in a liquid phase portion (21b) of the liquid reservoir (21). The cold end (9b) of the pulse tube (9) is disposed outside the liquid reservoir (21) but within the vacuum tank (31), and the cold end (9b) of the pulse tube (9) and the condenser (7) communicate with each other through piping (8).Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Central Japan Railway Company, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideo Mita, Tetsuya Gotou, Motohiro Igarasi, Takayuki Furusawa, Toshiyuki Amano, Yoshihiro Jizo
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Patent number: 7272938Abstract: The superconducting winding comprises a rotor which may rotate about a rotation axis with a superconducting winding in a thermally conducting winding support. The winding support comprises a central coolant cavity, with a lateral cavity leading out of the winding support connected thereto. A cold head of a refrigeration unit is connected to a condenser unit for condensing refrigerant and is arranged outside the rotor. A fixed heat tube, supplying the refrigerant, is coupled to the condenser unit, extending axially into the rotating lateral cavity and is sealed relative to the cavity. The refrigerant is a mixture of several components having different condensation temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Frank, Wolfgang Nick, Peter van Hasselt
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Patent number: 7266947Abstract: A cryocooler having two operating modes so that its operating range is broadened, its gas bearing system is maintained in an operable state and it can utilize piston stroke modulation for energy efficiency. A piston stroke modulator modulates the piston stroke when the commanded piston stroke exceeds the minimum stroke and maintains the minimum stroke when the commanded stroke is less than the minimum stroke. A heater applies heater power to the thermal load when the commanded piston stroke is less than the minimum piston stroke. A closed loop feedback control system is used which has two branches of its dynamic leg. One branch controls the modulation of the cryocooler and the second, parallel branch controls the modulation of the heater.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Sunpower, Inc.Inventors: Douglas E. Keiter, Ezekiel S. Holliday
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Patent number: 7266948Abstract: Method and device for separating gases and/or liquids in a vertical column (1). The top product (4) of the column (1) is cooled and partly recycled. The bottom product (3) of the column (1) is heated and partly recycled. Cooling and heating take place with the aid of a thermoacoustic heat pump (10), which can be driven by external heating (2). A relatively large temperature difference between top product and bottom product can be overcome by this means.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Stitchting Energieonderzoek Centrum NederlandInventor: Symen Spoelstra
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Patent number: 7263841Abstract: A superconducting magnet system wherein a cryocooler provides refrigeration to a cryogenic shield for the superconducting magnet and a heat pipe extends from the cryogenic shield to a cryogen vessel for the provision of supplementary refrigeration.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Bayram Arman, Arun Acharya, Richard C. Fitzgerald, James J. Volk
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Patent number: 7263837Abstract: A thermoacoustic cooling system for cooling an object such as a microelectronic chip. Heat produced by the object is transferred to a thermoacoustic engine. The thermoacoustic engine may include a resonator defining a chamber. A stack may be positioned in the chamber with one side of the stack adjacent to the heat source, and the opposite side of the stack adjacent to air in the chamber having a relatively cooler temperature. One or more orifices may be formed in the resonator such that the acoustic power generated by the thermoacoustic engine creates a synthetic jet to circulate air and move the air away from the object being cooled. Thus, the heat produced by the object is used to power the thermoacoustic engine to thereby remove heat from the object. The thermoacoustic engine may use no moving parts and may require no external power source other than the object being cooled.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Utah State UniversityInventor: Barton L. Smith
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Patent number: 7263838Abstract: A regenerative refrigeration system includes one or more control devices that utilize micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Such MEMS devices may be small in size, on a scale such that it can be introduced into a refrigeration system, such as a cryocooler, without appreciably affecting the size or mass of the refrigeration system. Through the use of MEMS devices, dynamic control of the system may be achieved without need for disassembly of the system or making the system bulky. Suitable regenerative refrigeration systems for use with the MEMS devices include pulse tube coolers, Stirling coolers, and Gifford-McMahon coolers.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Raytheon CorporationInventors: Carl S. Kirkconnell, Gerald R. Pruitt, Kenneth D. Price
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Patent number: 7260941Abstract: A superconducting magnet with at least one cooling agent-free superconducting coil is provided along with a cooling unit with at least one cold head. A conduit system, thermally coupling the coil to the cold head, includes at least one duct in which a cooling agent circulates according to a thermosyphon effect.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Peter van Hasselt
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Patent number: 7257949Abstract: Through stroke control whereby the stroke of a piston is detected and controlled to be equal to a target stroke, the piston is prevented from colliding with a displacer, and the refrigerating performance of a Stirling refrigerator is enhanced. Different target strokes corresponding to different operation conditions of the Stirling refrigerator are stored in a storage portion in a control box, so that a linear motor can be driven with a target stroke that suits the current operation condition. Thus, the piston is prevented from colliding with a displacer, and the refrigerating performance of a Stirling refrigerator is further enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2002Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsumi Shimizu, Naoki Nishi, Haruhiko Murakami, Toshiaki Hosono
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Patent number: 7249465Abstract: A method for operating a cryocooler which provides opportunity for timely intervention prior to failure thus enhancing the reliability of the provision of the refrigeration wherein temperature trending of at least one cryocooler component or the refrigeration load is monitored and used to calculate a service time.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Bayram Arman, James J. Volk, Steve A. Richards, Mushtaq M. Ahmed, Arun Acharya
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Patent number: 7243497Abstract: An apparatus to use a refrigerator in a mobile computing device is described. In one embodiment, the refrigerator is a thermoacoustic based refrigerator. In one embodiment, the refrigerator is a Stirling based refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Rajiv K. Mongia, Himanshu Pokhama, Eric DiStefano
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Patent number: 7243498Abstract: A fin structure for heat-exchanging, the fin structure being mounted on a heat-dissipating portion of a Stirling cycle cooler, wherein the fin structure is configured by coupling a plurality of unit structures, the plurality of unit structures being split by a plurality of surfaces extending from a inner circumference of the fin structure toward an outer circumference thereof. The fin structure is configured thus way, whereby it can be mounted on the heat-dissipating portion so as to sandwich the heat-dissipating portion from the outer circumference thereof by the plurality of unit structures coupled one another. Accordingly, when mounting the fin structure, large force is not required, no adhesive filler is applied to an unneeded portion of the Stirling cycle cooler, and generating a scratch or a distortion on the casing of the Stirling cycle cooler can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Twinbird CorporationInventors: Kazuya Sone, Kazuo Maezawa
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Patent number: 7240496Abstract: The invention relates to a superconductive device containing a rotor that can be rotated about an axis of rotation and that comprises a superconductive winding in a winding support. Said winding support has a central cavity, into which two fixed thermal tubes project axially. One of said tubes forms a cooling finger that is closed at the end and contains a second coolant with a higher condensation temperature. The other tube supplies a first cooling with a lower condensation temperature to the central cavity and evacuates said coolant from the cavity. To condense the coolants, the tubes lead to a refrigeration unit, situated outside the rotor and equipped with a refrigeration head and a condenser device.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Frank, Wolfgang Nick, Peter van Hasselt
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Patent number: 7240495Abstract: A thermoacoustic refrigerator having a relatively small size which utilizes one or more piezoelectric drivers to generate high frequency sound within a resonator at a frequency of between about 4000 Hz and ultrasonic frequencies. The interaction of the high frequency sound with one or more stacks create a temperature gradient across the stack which is conducted through a pair of heat exchangers located on opposite sides of each stack. The resonator has an asymmetrical, round configuration which enhances the cooling power of the thermoacoustic refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Orest G. Symko, Ehab Abdel-Rahman
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Patent number: 7234307Abstract: A cryocooler system having at least one flow straightener which has a system of grooves on its perforated surface for enhancing gas flow uniformity through the system wherein pulsing gas which does not initially pass through the flow straightener through a perforation flows along the surface of the flow straightener within a groove prior to passing through a perforation and is effectively redistributed across the surface of the flow straightener and thus the cross section of the regenerator or thermal buffer tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Bayram Arman, Arun Acharya, Al-Khalique S. Hamilton
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Patent number: 7228686Abstract: A system for cooling one or more discrete superconducting devices wherein a primary refrigerator subcools cryogenic liquid for desubcooling in the devices and subsequently resubcools this liquid in a recirculation loop, and additional cryogenic liquid is maintained in a subcooled condition within a reserve storage container by diversion of some of the refrigeration generated by the primary refrigerator into the reserve storage container.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: John Henri Royal, Richard C. Fitzgerald, Norm Henry White, Jalal Hunain Zia, M. Mushtaq Ahmed
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Patent number: 7226543Abstract: A rare earth metal oxysulfide represented by a general formula R2O2S (R denotes one kind or two or more kinds of rare earth elements to be selected from a group of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, as wells as Y) is formed into spherical granules. The mean particle size of the granules is 0.05–1 mm and their relative density is 96% or over. The granules are used as a regenerative material at the liquid helium temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Konoshima Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yanagitani Takagimi, Nozawa Hoshiteru, Kagawa Katsunori
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Patent number: 7222490Abstract: An NMR spectrometer comprising an NMR magnet system (27) disposed in a helium tank of a cryostat and an NMR probe head (11) disposed in a room temperature bore of the cryostat, which contains a cooled RF resonator (9) for receiving NMR signals from a sample to be investigated, and a cooled pre-amplifier (10), wherein the NMR probe head (11) is cooled by a common multi-stage compressor-operated refrigerator (2), wherein the refrigerator (2) comprises a cold head and several heat exchangers (5, 6) at different temperature levels, wherein the refrigerator (2) is disposed at a spatial separation from the cryostat in a separate, evacuated and thermally insulated housing (1) and wherein at least one cooling circuit with cooling lines, which are thermally insulated by a transfer line (13, 14) is disposed between the housing (1) containing the heat exchangers (5, 6) and the NMR probe head (11), is characterized in that additional cooling lines to an LN2 tank (18) or radiation shield (21) disposed in the cryostat andType: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Bruker Biospin AGInventors: René Triebe, Daniel Marek, Oskar Schett, Daniel Guy Baumann
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Patent number: 7219501Abstract: A method for operating a cryocooler wherein some cryocooler working gas is diverted from the pressure wave pathway before passing to the cold portion of the cryocooler, passed to a getter for adsorptive cleaning of contaminants, and returned to the pressure wave pathway at a warm portion of the pressure wave pathway.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jalal Hunain Zia, Arun Acharya, Bayram Arman
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Patent number: 7213400Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid gas, such as liquid oxygen, with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, liquid oxygen barrier may be added to interface between a cryocooler and a dewar to control rate of liquid oxygen escape upon a tipping of the dewar. A boiloff vessel in fluid communication with the dewar allows expanding gas from a tipped dewar to escape while allowing the liquid to safely settle in the boiloff vessel. A temperature sensing circuit, in proximity with a heat dissipator or cold finger of the cryocooler, is operable to break an electrical power circuit of the cryocooler or cooling fan when a sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Oxygen purity of a feed stream of gas may be sensed and/or displayed.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Respironics In-X, Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Dickerson, Steve W. Delve
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Patent number: 7213399Abstract: A refrigerator (1) has a housing (2, 14, 19), a cylindrical working chamber (15, 21), a cylindrical displacing member (11, 17), a gap (36, 38) which is located between the housing and the displacing member, a regenerator which is disposed inside the displacing member, and a device alternatingly supplying the working chamber with an effective high-pressure gas and an effective low-pressure gas. In order to overcome the disadvantages associated with gas streams occurring in the gap (36, 38), an additional regenerator (gap gas regenerator), (43) is assigned to the gap (36, 38).Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum GmbHInventors: Holger Dietz, Heinz-Josef Dubbelfeld, Jiri Melichar, Axel Persch, Mario Pietrangeli, Ernst Schnacke, André Siegel, Axel Veit
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Patent number: 7207178Abstract: The superconducting device has a rotor which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and is provided with a superconductive winding in a heat conducting winding carrier. The winding carrier has a central cooling agent cavity with a lateral cavity leading out of the winding carrier connected thereto. A cold head associated with a cooling unit is connected to a condenser unit which condenses the cooling agent. A fixed heat tube guiding the cooling agent is coupled to the condenser unit, protruding axially into the coorotating lateral cavity and is sealed in relation thereto.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Florian Steinmeyer
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Patent number: 7201004Abstract: The pulse tubes (165, 175) and regenerators (160, 170) contained within a cryopump housing (210) are arranged in a way that facilitates the fabrication and installation of the cryopanels (265). The pulse tubes and regenerators are located in a common plane in the center of the cryopump housing and the cold (second stage) panels (265) that are pitched parallel to the plane with the tubes.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2003Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignees: SHI-APD Cryogenics, Inc., Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Ralph C. Longsworth
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Patent number: 7201001Abstract: A resonant linear motor driven cryocooler system, particularly suited for providing refrigeration to a magnetic resonance imaging system, wherein vibrations from the resonant linear motor and noise from pulsed gas are isolated from the cryocooler by work transfer piping comprising connecting tubing and preferably a dashpot, and wherein the connecting tubing has a volume which exceeds the internal stroke volume of the resonant linear motor.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventor: Bayram Arman
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Patent number: 7191600Abstract: This invention provides an improved means of quickly warming a pulse tube (165) by shifting the phase relation of flow to the warm end of the pulse tube relative to flow to the warm end (117) of the pulse tube relative to flow to the warm end of the regenerator (160) using a “four valve” concept and the “active buffer” concept. Several different pulse tube configurations and valve timing relations that are effective at reversing the cycle from the normal mode, which produces cooling at the pulse tube heat station, to a reverse mode that produces heating are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignees: SHI-APD Cryogenics, Inc., Sumitomo Heavy IndustriesInventors: Jin Lin Gao, Ralph C. Longsworth
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Patent number: 7191596Abstract: A Stirling engine includes at least a first cylinder and a second cylinder arranged in serial, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a radiator, a regenerator, and a heater. At least a part of the heat exchanger is formed in a curved shape so as to connect between the first cylinder and the second cylinder. The heater is formed in a curved shape so as to connect between the first cylinder and the second cylinder. The radiator and the regenerator are linearly formed along the direction of extension of the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Yaguchi, Daisaku Sawada
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Patent number: 7191601Abstract: A magnetic field generating assembly comprises a superconducting magnet located in a cryostat defining a bore accessible from outside the cryostat, and a mechanical refrigerator having at least two cooling stages for at least partly cooling the cryostat. A coolant path extends from the refrigerator into the magnet bore. The coolant path is coupled for heat exchange with a cooling stage of the refrigerator other than the coldest cooling stage, so that the refrigerator is adapted also to cool coolant in the coolant path.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Oxford Instruments Superconductivity LtdInventor: Milind Diwakar Atrey
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Patent number: 7174721Abstract: A cooling load 90 is enclosed within the envelope of the pressure vessel that contains the working fluid in a pulse tube cooler in a load space 95 adjacent to a regenerator 58 of that pulse tube cooler. Flow-smoothing means 63, which include stacked screens and perforated plates, or diffuser nozzle 104 or diffuser cone 106, spreads the flow of fluid that enters the cold end of pulse tube 66.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Inventor: Matthew P. Mitchell
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Patent number: 7174722Abstract: The invention provides a heat exchanger operable, for example, with Stirling cooling system. The heat exchanger includes a first member having an inner surface defining a flow path for a working fluid. The first member also includes an outer surface spaced from the inner surface. The heat exchanger also includes a second member cooperating with the first member to define a first substantially enclosed heat exchanging chamber having a height and extending along at least a portion of the outer surface. The heat exchanger also includes at least one first blind conduit including an opening communicating with the first substantially enclosed heat exchanging chamber and a distal end spaced from the opening. The second member and the at least one first blind conduit cooperate with one another to define an enclosed path for a two-phase fluid to move along back and forth between the outer surface and the distal end.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mohinder Singh Bhatti
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Patent number: RE40049Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a secondary refrigerant to precool and liquefy a primary refrigerant, then vaporizing and expanding the primary refrigerant to cool a cold tip of a cryosurgical instrument for ablation of biological tissue, such as cardiovascular tissue, in particular endocardiac tissue and tissue inside a cardiac blood vessel. The secondary refrigerant has a critical temperature above the critical temperature of the primary refrigerant, and a cooling temperature below the critical temperature of the primary refrigerant, thereby facilitating the use of the precooling step to provide liquid primary refrigerant in an operating room environment in which the primary refrigerant could not otherwise be provided in the liquid phase.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: AMS Research CorporationInventor: Hong Li