Abstract: A cryocooler in which two independently moving flexure systems are split across a single magnetic structure, decreasing package size and increasing resistance to cantilevered mass sag due to external forces. A series of concentrically oriented flexure coupling shafts are provided that allow two independently moving flexure assemblies to be split across a single motor. A series of connectors are included on the forward side of the motor that pass through the outer shaft and allow the inner connecting shaft to be mounted to its flexures without interference. A series of close-out connections are included on the aft flexure stacks that makes assembly possible, providing firm mechanical connections without interference.

Abstract: The problems of reducing the torque required to turn the valve, eliminating wear dust, and extending the life of the valves in Gifford McMahon (G-M) type multi-port pulse tube refrigerators are solved by using a rotary spool valve having radial clearance to control flow to and from the regenerator, and using face seal ports on the end of the spool to control flow to and from the pulse tubes.

Abstract: A pulse tube refrigerator includes a regenerator tube; a pulse tube; and a condenser condensing an atmospheric gas and disposed at cold ends of the regenerator tube and the pulse tube so as to also function as a cooling stage. The condenser includes a first surface and a second surface facing each other, a flow path having two openings on the first surface and connecting the cold end of the regenerator tube and the cold end of the pulse tube, and multiple holes extending from the second surface. The holes formed in an area of the condenser defined by a circle having the center on a straight line connecting the centers of the openings of the flow path do not pass through the condenser up to the first surface. The circle is the smallest circle enclosing the openings or a circumscribed circle circumscribing the openings.

Abstract: By studying or storing refrigerating cycle characteristics of an air conditioning apparatus at the normal time and comparing them with refrigerating cycle characteristics acquired from the air conditioning apparatus at the time of operation, it becomes possible to exactly and accurately diagnose normality or abnormality of the air conditioning apparatus under any installation conditions and environmental conditions, which eliminates operations of inputting a difference between apparatus model names, a piping length, a height difference, etc at the time of apparatus installation. Accordingly, it aims at shortening the time of judging normality or abnormality, and improving the operability.

Abstract: A pulse tube refrigerator, includes a pulse tube; and a regenerator having a low temperature end, the low temperature end being in communication with a low temperature end of the pulse tube via a communicating path, wherein a heat exchanger is provided at the low temperature end side of the pulse tube in the communicating path; the heat exchanger includes a laminated body, the laminated body including at least first and second metal gauzes; the first and second metal gauzes include copper or a copper alloy; interfaces of the metal gauzes are diffusion-bonded to each other; and a side surface of the laminated body is diffusion-bonded to an internal wall forming the communicating path.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and related method for a thermoacoustic refrigeration system are provided, which includes a warm end of the heat exchanger, a cryogen passing through the warm end to remove heat generated by a thermoacoustic wave generator, and a cool end through which a cooling medium passes to be cooled by the heat transfer at the warm end, wherein cryogenic gas is exhausted from the warm end, and a cooling gas is exhausted from the cool end at a lower temperature than a temperature of the warm end.

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigerator has a refrigeration cylinder and at least two displacers. Each displacer reciprocates in the refrigeration cylinder and moves refrigeration gas through the refrigeration cylinder. A regenerator cools the refrigeration gas, and gas control valves admit high pressure gas into the refrigeration cylinder and exhaust gas from the refrigeration cylinder. The refrigerator also has linear motors operatively connected to displacers, and the linear motors drive the displacers in reciprocating movement. A position sensor is provided to determine a parameter of the displacers during reciprocation. A controller is operatively connected to the linear motors to control the linear motors. The controller controls a parameter of the two displacers during reciprocation. The parameter can be stroke length, stroke speed, stroke phase or another parameter of the displacer for temperature control of the cryogenic refrigerator. The cryogenic refrigerator may also include a device to remove vibration.

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigerator includes a regenerative heat exchanger material in thermal contact with a working gas including a tin-antimony (Sn—Sb) alloy or a tin-gallium (Sn—Ga) alloy in at least one cooling stage. The re-generative heat exchanger material can include an Sn—Sb-M alloy, with M including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Bi, Ag, Ge, Cu, La, Mg, Mn, Nd, Ni, Pd, Pt, K, Rh, Sm, Se, S, Y, Fe, In, Al, Ce, Dy, Cd, Ti, Au, P, Pr, Yb and Zn. The cryogenic refrigerator can include a Gifford-McMahon refrigerator, a pulse tube refrigerator, or a Stirling refrigerator. A cryopump includes cryopanels adapted to condense or adsorb gases and a cryogenic refrigerator.

Abstract: A system for environmental control includes a hybrid wind and solar energy collection subsystem; a temperature control subsystem having a thermo-mechanical engine; an electrical generating subsystem; a sensor for detecting an environmental condition; and a controller for receiving information representing an environmental condition from the sensor. The controller is programmed to detect a change in an environmental condition, and in response to the change, to selectively connect the hybrid wind and solar energy collection subsystem to one of the temperature control subsystem and the electrical generating subsystem and to selectively disconnect the hybrid wind and solar energy collection subsystem from the other of the temperature control subsystem and the electrical generating subsystem.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to pulse tube coolers having flow resistance devices that are variable within the thermodynamic cycle of the pulse tube. An example pulse tube may comprise a compressor, a regenerator, a reservoir and a pulse tube. A working fluid may be positioned within the regenerator, pulse tube and reservoir. Further, a variable phase control device may be positioned in a fluid path between the pulse tube and the reservoir. The pulse tube cooler may also comprise a control circuit. The control circuit may be programmed to vary a characteristic of the variable phase control device based on the position of the pulse tube cooler in its thermodynamic cycle.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to pulse tube coolers and components thereof. A pulse tube cooler may comprise a compressor, a regenerator, a pulse tube and a reservoir. A network of phase control devices may be placed in a fluid path between a hot end of the pulse tube and the reservoir. The network of phase control devices may have at least one flow resistance device and at least one inertance device.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to multistage pulse tube coolers. In some embodiments, one or more stages of the pulse tube cooler may comprise a control valve positioned between the hot end of the pulse tube and the reservoir. Also, in various embodiments, one or more inter-stage control valves may be positioned between the pulse tubes of consecutive stages.

Abstract: A fluid machine 110 includes a power recovery mechanism 105 for recovering power from a working fluid, a sub-compressor 102 driven by the recovered power, a shaft 12 coupling the power recovery mechanism 105 and the sub-compressor 102 to each other so that the recovered power is transmitted from the power recovery mechanism 105 to the sub-compressor 102. The power recovery mechanism 105 is provided with a first suction port 26 and a second suction port 27 that open and close, as the first piston 21 rotates, so that the refrigerant flows into the high pressure-side working chamber 23a. The second the suction port 27 is provided at a position facing the first suction port 26 in the axis direction of the shaft 12.

Abstract: A rotary valve of a multivalve type pulse tube refrigerator includes: a stationary seat; a rotary disk to change a coolant path by rotating while surface-contacting with a face of the stationary seat; a plurality of first ports provided in the face of the stationary seat to supply a high-pressure coolant to a regenerator and exhaust a low-pressure coolant from the regenerator; and a plurality of second ports provided in the face of the stationary seat to supply a high-pressure coolant to a pulse tube and exhaust a low-pressure coolant from the pulse tube. The first ports are arranged in a first circular track area in rotation symmetry with respect to the center of the face. The second ports are arranged in a second circular track area in rotation symmetry with respect to the center of the face.

Abstract: A magnetic material comprising a NaZn13 type crystal structure with uniform and fine microstructure exhibiting excellent characteristics as a magnetic refrigeration material, and a method of manufacturing the magnetic refrigeration material are provided. An alloy composition for forming magnetic material of the NaZn13 type crystal structure was melted comprising 0.5 atomic percent to 1.5 atomic percent of B to molten metal. The molten metal is rapidly cooled and solidified by a forced cooling process. Then, a rapidly cooled alloy having the NaZn13 type crystal structure was obtained. In this manner, magnetic materials comprising the NaZn13 type crystal structure phase, or the NaZn13 type crystal structure phase accompanied with other phases such as ?-Fe phase having very small phase regions was manufactured without requiring heat treatment for a long time. As the result, productivity of manufacturing the magnetic refrigeration material is remarkably enhanced.

Abstract: A high efficiency generator is provided using a Stirling engine to amplify an acoustic wave by heating the gas in the engine in a forward mode. The engine is coupled to an alternator to convert heat input to the engine into electricity. A plurality of the engines and respective alternators can be coupled to operate in a timed sequence to produce multi-phase electricity without the need for conversion. The engine system may be operated in a reverse mode as a refrigerator/heat pump.

Abstract: A regenerative refrigerator includes a compressor compressing working fluid; a cylinder fed with the compressed working fluid, containing a regenerator material, and having an expansion space; and a rotary valve to switch a first passage and a second passage formed to cause the working fluid to flow from the compressor to the expansion space and from the expansion space to the compressor, respectively. The working fluid expands in the expansion space to generate cold temperatures in the cylinder. The rotary valve includes a valve body having a first flat surface; and a valve plate having a second flat surface and configured to rotate with the first and second flat surfaces in surface contact. One of the first and second flat surfaces has an arithmetic average roughness of 0.1 ?m to 0.9 ?m. The other one of the first and second flat surfaces includes resin.

Abstract: A heat generator comprising a magneto-caloric material and a method for generating efficient and reliable thermies enabling of substantially limiting displaceable inert masses in order to produce a magnetic field variation required for obtaining a magneto caloric effect and usable by individuals and/or industries. The generator (10) comprises magneto caloric thermal elements (Ti) which are circularly arranged and crossed by conduits containing coolant flowing therethrough and magnetic elements (Gi) exposing the thermal elements (Ti) to a magnetic field action. The generator (10) also comprises magnetic divergence (mj) elements arranged between the thermal elements (Ti) and the magnetic elements (Gi) and coupled to displacement mechanism (not represented) for moving from one thermal element (Ti) to another thermal element (Ti+1) and initiating the magnetic flux variation in the thermal elements (Ti), thereby promoting the calorie and/or frigorie generation.

Abstract: A heat pump comprises an evaporator for evaporating water as a working liquid so as to produce a working vapor, the evaporation taking place at an evaporation pressure of less than 20 hPa. The working vapor is compressed to a working pressure of at least 25 hPa by a dynamic-type compressor so as to then be liquefied within a liquefier by direct contact with liquefier water. The heat pump is preferably an open system, wherein water present in the environment in the form of ground water, sea water, river water, lake water or brine is evaporated, and wherein water which has been liquefied again is fed to the evaporator, to the soil or to a water treatment plant.

Abstract: A thermo-electro-acoustic refrigerator comprises a sealed body having a regenerator, hot and cold heat exchangers, an acoustic source, and an acoustic energy converter. A first drive signal drives the acoustic source to produce an acoustic pressure wave in the region of the regenerator. The converter converts a portion of the acoustic pressure into a second drive signal which is fed back to and further drives the acoustic source. The pressure wave produces a thermal gradient between the cold and hot heat exchangers, permitting heat extraction (cooling) within at least one of the heat exchangers. The resonant frequency of the refrigerator can be controlled electronically, and is not limited by the physical structure of the refrigerator body and its elements.

Abstract: A turbine generator is formed with a gas-refrigerant storage space over a power generation mechanism inside of a casing and a liquid-refrigerant storage space under the power generation mechanism. The turbine generator is provided with a gas-refrigerant outlet pipe penetrating the casing and leading to the gas-refrigerant storage space and a liquid-refrigerant outlet pipe penetrating the casing and leading to the liquid-refrigerant storage space.

Abstract: A method and system for removing oil in an organic rankine cycle (ORC) system (10) is used to prevent failures in the ORC system (10), especially during startup. The ORC system (10) includes an evaporator, a turbine (18), a condenser and a pump, and is configured to circulate a refrigerant (22) through the ORC system (10). The oil-removal system is used to remove oil from certain areas of the turbine (18), and includes an eductor line (32) and an eductor system (20). The eductor line (32) is located upstream of the turbine (18) and configured to receive a portion of the refrigerant (22b) exiting the evaporator. The eductor line (32) delivers the refrigerant (22b) to an eductor system (20) configured to remove oil from inside the turbine (18) and deliver the oil to an oil sump (58).

Abstract: A 4-valve pulse tube cryocooler has, on a high-pressure end of a compressor, first and second coolant supply channels respectively connected to high-temperature ends of a regenerator and a pulse tube. The cryocooler further has, on a low-pressure end of the compressor, a first coolant recovery channel connected to the high-temperature end of the regenerator, a second coolant recovery channel connected to the high-temperature end of the pulse tube, and a third coolant recovery channel connected to the high-temperature end of the pulse tube via a common pipe and including a flow resistance member interposed between a flow control valve and the high-temperature end of the pulse tube.

Abstract: To improve the exhaust heat recovery efficiency, a compressor includes a heat exchanger for cooling a gas, coolant, water, or oil heated by the compressor during compressor operation by heat exchange with a working fluid, for circulating the working fluid of a Rankine cycle. The Rankine cycle is implemented by the heat exchanger, an expander, a condenser, and a circulating pump to circulate the working fluid through the cycle.

Abstract: A double inlet type pulse tube refrigerator includes a regenerator having a high temperature end and a low temperature end; a pulse tube having a high temperature end and a low temperature end connected to the low temperature end of the regenerator; a compressor having a high pressure supplying side and low pressure receiving side for a coolant, a bypass pipe having a double inlet valve, the bypass pipe being configured to connect the high temperature end of the pulse tube and the high temperature end of the regenerator; a buffer tank connected to the high temperature end of the pulse tube via a first pipe having a first flow path resistance member; and a second pipe having a second flow path resistance member including a third opening and closing valve.

Abstract: A multi-stage cryocooler has three or more stages, including an active first stage and passive second and third stages. The active stage may include a Stirling expander, and the passive second and third stages may be pulse tube coolers. The cryocooler may provide cooling at three different temperatures. The coldest cooling temperature may be at or below 10 K, and may be at or below 5 K. The system may provide cooling at such low temperatures while still operating at a relatively high frequency, for example, at a frequency of at least about 20 Hertz.

Abstract: A method of removing heat due to compression of a working gas from a linear cryocooler is disclosed. The cryocooler includes a sealed housing, a displacer including a displacer piston and a displacer cylinder, and a compressor all arranged within the housing. The compressor includes a compressor piston that is movable within a compression chamber. The method includes providing a port in the compression chamber to remove heat from the compression chamber due to the compression of the working gas to the housing prior to entering the displacer piston.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a superconducting magnetic apparatus that conductively cools a superconducting coil contained in a vacuum container with a cryogenic refrigerator. The superconducting magnetic apparatus includes a thermal conductor thermally connecting a cooling stage of the cryogenic refrigerator to the superconducting coil, a radiation blocking layer provided around the superconducting coil, and a coil supporting body supporting the superconducting coil by partial or entire contact with a surface of the superconducting coil.

Abstract: A trigeneration system comprising a cooling loop and a heat/power loop connected by a heat exchanger. Energy available at the high side of the cooling loop is transferred from cooling loop to the heat/power loop by the heat exchanger. This energy is put to use by the heat/power loop to efficient produce heat and power. The system can be run transcritical and use environmentally friendly working fluid, such as carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A system and method according to which a compressor having a first shaft is provided, and an aeroderivative gas turbine for driving the compressor is provided, the aeroderivative gas turbine including a gas generator and a power turbine coupled to the gas generator, the power turbine having a second shaft directly coupled to the first shaft of the compressor for directly driving the first shaft.

Abstract: Miniaturised device, which can operate as an engine or a cooler according to a Stirling thermodynamic cycle, comprising an expansion chamber and a compression chamber, which are interconnected by means of a regenerator enabling the working fluid to flow through from the expansion chamber to the compression chamber, and vice versa, under the effect of the movement of a displacing mechanism, a fraction of the compression chamber being mobile and operating as a piston in order to modify the volume of the said compression chamber, characterized in that it also comprises a complementary chamber which is connected to the compression chamber by means of a complementary connection channel, the said complementary chamber being at an intermediate temperature between the temperature of the compression chamber and the temperature of the expansion chamber, the complementary chamber being separated from the expansion chamber by means of the displacing mechanism.

Abstract: An alloy is used for production of magnetic refrigeration material particles. The alloy contains La in a range of 4 to 15 atomic %, Fe in a range of 60 to 93 atomic %, Si in a range of 3.5 to 23.5 atomic % and at lease one element M selected from B and Ti in a range of 0.5 to 1.5 atomic %. The alloy includes a main phase containing Fe as a main component element and Si, and a subphase containing La as a main component element and Si. The main phase has a bcc crystal structure and an average grain diameter of 20 ?m or less.

Abstract: Cryogenic refrigeration employs a pulse tube cryo-cooler and a dilution refrigerator to provide very low temperature cooling, for example, to cool superconducting processors. Continuous cryogenic cycle refrigeration may be achieved using multiple adsorption pumps. Various improvements may include multiple distinct thermal-linking points, evaporation pots with cooling structures, and/or one or more gas-gap heat switches which may be integral to an adsorption pump. A reservoir volume may provide pressure relief when the system is warmed above cryogenic temperature, reducing the mass of the system. Additional heat exchangers and/or separate paths for condensation and evaporation may be provided. Multi-channel connectors may be used, and/or connectors formed of a regenerative material with a high specific heat capacity at cryogenic temperature. Flexible PCBs may provide thermal links to components that embody temperature gradients.

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigerator (10) which generates a cryogenic temperature by compressing and expanding a working gas in a closed loop (11). The cryogenic refrigerator comprises a bypass line (22) allowing a high-pressure portion and a low-pressure portion to communicate with each other, a gas storage tank (24) located midway in the bypass line and having pressure regulation valves (23a, 23b) on the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side, respectively, and a pressure control unit (26) controlling the pressure regulation valves. The pressure control unit (26) controls the pressure regulation valves (23a, 23b) so that the pressure in the gas storage tank (24) is equal to the pressure in the closed loop at room temperature and in a stopped state and so that the pressure in the gas storage tank (24) is between the pressures in the high-pressure portion and in the low-pressure portion and is close to the pressure in the low-pressure portion in an operating state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cryogenic refrigeration device intended to transfer heat from a cold source to a hot source via a working fluid flowing through a closed working circuit including the following portions in series, namely: a portion for the substantially isothermal compression of the fluid, a portion for the substantially isobaric cooling of the fluid, a portion for the substantially isothermal expansion of the fluid, and a portion for the substantially isobaric heating of the fluid. The compression portion of the working circuit includes at least two compressors disposed in series and the expansion portion of the working circuit includes at least one expansion turbine, said compressors and expansion turbine(s) being driven by at least one high-speed motor including an output shaft.

Abstract: A multistage pulse tube refrigerator includes a first stage regenerator tube including a heat exchanger; a second stage regenerator tube; a first stage pulse tube; a second stage pulse tube; a first cooling stage connected to the first stage regenerator tube and the first stage pulse tube; and a second cooling stage connected to the second stage regenerator tube and the second stage pulse tube. A cold end of the first stage regenerator tube is connected to the first stage pulse tube via a first flow path and connected to the second stage regenerator tube via a second flow path. The first flow path is configured such that a heat exchange occurs between the heat exchanger and a refrigerant gas flowing through the first flow path, and the second flow path is configured such that the refrigerant gas flowing through the second flow path bypasses the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for generating power. A thermodynamic air engine is configured to convert heat provided in the form of a temperature differential to mechanical energy. The thermodynamic air engine has a working fluid and a displacer adapted to move through the working fluid. The temperature differential is established across the thermodynamic air engine between a first side of the engine and a second side of the engine. The displacer is directly actuated to move the displacer cyclically through the working fluid in accordance with a defined motion pattern.

Abstract: In order that an object can be warmed through the use of thermoacoustic effect, the acoustic heating apparatus includes a first stack 3a sandwiched between a high-temperature-side heat exchanger 4 and a low-temperature input-side heat exchanger 5 in a first tube portion 2a and a second stack 3b sandwiched between a low-temperature-side heat exchanger 6 and a high-temperature output-side heat exchanger 7 in a second tube portion 2b. A standing wave and a traveling wave are generated through self excitation in the first tube portion 2a by cooling the low-temperature input-side heat exchanger 5 to minus 20° C. to 60° C. A temperature gradient is generated in the second stack 3b by propagating the resulting standing wave and the traveling wave to the second tube portion 2b, and high-temperature heat is output due to this temperature gradient from the high-temperature output-side heat exchanger 7 disposed on the second stack 3b side.

Abstract: A regenerative refrigerator includes a cylinder; a displacer provided in the cylinder; a groove pattern formed on the exterior circumferential surface of the displacer or the interior circumferential surface of the cylinder to form a first gas passage connecting one end and the other end of the exterior or interior circumferential surface, and including a groove having at least part thereof extending along a direction to cross the axial directions of the displacer to cause gas flowing from the one end to the other end in the gap between the exterior and interior circumferential surfaces to actively exchange heat with the cylinder and the displacer; a second gas passage to and from an expansion space; and a regenerator material formed of bismuth granules and provided in at least part of the second gas passage, wherein the lowest attainable temperature is 5 K to 15 K in an unloaded state.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a cooler or freezer enclosure; a heat exchanger within the enclosure; a bulk storage tank in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; a sound generator in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; a thermoacoustic refrigerator in acoustic communication with the sound generator; and an indirect heat exchange loop in heat transfer contact with the thermoacoustic refrigerator. The heat exchanger is adapted to receive pressurized fluid from the bulk storage tank, and to provide pressurized gas to the sound generator.

Abstract: Methods for harnessing a heat source to produce energy are provided. One method comprises transferring heat from the heat source to a working fluid using at least one heat pipe; and performing work via the heated working fluid. Another method comprises operating a thermodynamic cycle to convert heat into work, comprising displacing a working fluid within a closed loop, said closed loop being defined by a first pathway within a working chamber, and a return pathway external to the return chamber; wherein displacement of the working fluid along the first pathway causes sympathetic displaced of a movable member held captive in the working chamber, and displacement of the working fluid along the external pathway is under influence of capillary forces; and transferring heat to the working fluid using at least one first heat pipe. Components and systems for implementing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A vapor compression cycle system is combined with a Rankine cycle system, with the two systems having a common suction accumulator from which the compressor draws refrigerant vapor for the vapor compression cycle system and from which a pump draws liquid refrigerant for circulation within the Rankine cycle system. The vapor from the Rankine cycle system expander is passed to the compressor discharge to provide a mixture which is circulated within the vapor compression cycle system to obtain improved performance. The heat exchangers are sized so as to obtain a non-complete evaporation, with the resulting two-phase fluid passing to the suction accumulator to provide liquid refrigerant to the Rankine cycle system and vapor refrigerant to the vapor compression cycle system.

Abstract: This invention provides a refrigerator using a gaseous working fluid such as air and based upon the well-developed structure of reciprocating compressors or rotating engines. The invention combines the compression functionality of a compressor and the expansion functionality of a turbine in an air cycle machine into a single refrigeration unit having a simple mechanical structure, and provides a significantly increased heat removal time period before the expansion stroke to reduce the temperature of the working fluid under a substantially constant volume without increasing the number of strokes per discharge in a cycle. Moreover, the need of using a man-made chemical as the working fluid is eliminated.

Abstract: Disclosed are a low vibration cryocooler and a method of reducing vibration in a cryocooler. The cryocooler can be a Stirling class cryocooler includes at least one motor that drives a mass, the motor having a main drive winding and a separate trim winding. A motor controller outputs a main drive signal that is coupled to the main drive winding and a separate vibration reducing signal that is coupled to the trim winding.

Abstract: A Stirling engine, wherein the inner yoke of a linear motor is installed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylinder. To keep a proper pressure balance between a compression space on one end side of a displacer and a back pressure space on the outer peripheral side of the cylinder, a first flow passage is formed in the piston starting at the compression space side end face toward the outer peripheral surface and a second flow passage allowing the first flow passage to communicate with the back pressure space is formed in the cylinder. The second flow passage is composed of a through hole that penetrates the wall of the cylinder in a radial direction and a communication passage formed between the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder and the inner peripheral surface of the inner yoke to allow the through hole to communicate with the back pressure space.

Abstract: There is provided a buffered rotary valve in which a valve is additionally installed in a rotary valve for supplying a fluid of high pressure and a fluid of low pressure being input from a compressor, thereby reducing the amount of fluid being supplied and unnecessarily consumed, and enhancing the efficiency of a freezing system.

Abstract: A closed cycle Stirling cryogenic cooler, typically utilizing a noble gas (He or like) as a working fluid and containing a pneumatically driven expander interconnected with a low frequency pressure wave generator using a flexible transfer line or conduit, wherein the pressure wave generator includes a sealed gas discharge cavity containing the pressurised working fluid and a plurality of discharge electrodes which are electrically isolated, protrude through the walls of the cavity and are electrically connected to the high frequency pulse voltage supply, thus producing the glow discharge resulting in a cloud of cold plasma, making a so-called “plasmanized gas piston”.

Abstract: Provided is a low friction, self-lubricating sleeve for use with a reciprocating piston in the compressor and/or the expander subsystem of a cryogenic cooler or other compressor type system. The sleeve is bonded to an outer surface of the piston, thereby positioning the sleeve between the piston and an inner wall of a piston cylinder. The sleeve is manufactured using a polyetheretherketone base material, as well as varying percentages of carbon and/or polytetrafluoroethylene fillers. The sleeve may include a dry lubricant such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide, and may extend for all or part of the length of the piston. The sleeve demonstrates negligible wear over thousands of hours of use in the cryogenic cooler, thereby minimizing system gas blow-back and maximizing system efficiency/performance.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity from steam power, which includes a steam source communicated with a steam load, the steam load requiring steam at a load pressure lower than the steam source; a pressure reduction valve communicated between the steam source and the steam load, and adapted to reduce steam pressure to the load pressure; and a pressure reduction valve bypass circuit including a steam turbine for converting steam to electric power, the turbine being communicated with an electric power load to provide power to the load. The turbine is advantageously positioned vertically above a motor.

Abstract: A system for environmental control includes a hybrid wind and solar energy collection subsystem; a temperature control subsystem having a thermo-mechanical engine; an electrical generating subsystem; a sensor for detecting an environmental condition; and a controller for receiving information representing an environmental condition from the sensor. The controller is programmed to detect a change in an environmental condition, and in response to the change, to selectively connect the hybrid wind and solar energy collection subsystem to one of the temperature control subsystem and the electrical generating subsystem and to selectively disconnect the hybrid wind and solar energy collection subsystem from the other of the temperature control subsystem and the electrical generating subsystem.