Abstract: A low temperature device has a low temperature container with an investigational opening. A material sample to that is to be examiner is mounted on a sample-holding device in the low temperature container. A sample that is fastened to the sample holding device can be cooled to the desired temperature using a cooling device, such as a pulse tube cooler, with a cold head that is inside the low temperature container. The sample holder is disposed in the low temperature container in such a way that the sample can be seen through the investigational opening. Because the investigational opening is flexible and not rigidly connected to the low temperature container, vibrations produced by the mechanical cooling device are prevented from being transferred to the investigational opening. Thus, a vibration-sensitive investigating and manipulating device can be coupled to the investigational opening without vibrations being transferred to the investigating and manipulating device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a thermodynamic engine are disclosed. The systems and methods may effect cyclic motion of a working fluid between hot and cold regions of a thermodynamic engine and inject a dispersible material into the working fluid at the hot or cold region during a heat-addition or heat-rejection process. The system and methods may also evacuate the dispersible material from the hot or cold region.

Abstract: A heat pump having a cooling mode includes a cooling evaporator coupled to an advance flow and a backflow. The cooling evaporator is brought to a pressure such that a vaporization temperature of the working liquid in the backflow is below a temperature of an object to be cooled to which the backflow may be thermally coupled. In this manner, an area having vapor at high pressure is generated. This vapor is fed into a dynamic-type compressor which outputs the vapor at a low pressure and provides electrical energy in the process. The vapor at low pressure is fed to a cooling liquefier which provides vapor liquefaction at a low temperature, this temperature being lower than the temperature of the object to be cooled. The working liquid removed from the cooling evaporator due to the vaporization is refilled by a filling pump. The heat pump having a cooling mode also results when a specific heat pump is operated in the reverse direction, and provides cooling without any net use of electrical energy.

Abstract: An acoustic cooling system comprising a first transducer (3) adapted for cooling by generating sound waves, a second transducer (4) adapted for cooling by generating sound waves, and a signal-processing unit (6) adapted to generate a cancellation signal for noise generated by the acoustic cooling system. The second transducer (4) is adapted to convert the cancellation signal into sound which at least partly cancels the noise.

Abstract: A method for the selective capture and removal of gases and vapors from a gas stream using a thermo-acoustic device includes the steps of first cooling the gas stream using at least one heat exchanger and then passing the stream to a thermo-acoustic refrigeration process and removing gases in a cascade process. The gases that are captured and removed, such as CO2, can be deposited, for example, in a marine environment.

Abstract: A rotary valve unit which reduces the torque required to turn the valve disc, and the amount of wear dust that is blown into the cold head, using differential gas forces to keep the valve disc in contact with the valve seat, and which enables larger diameter valve discs to be utilized for multi-ported pulse tubes that have less force on the face of the valve disc, resulting in reduced torque and reduced wear rate.

Abstract: A Stirling cooler includes a Stirling refrigerator having a heat dissipation unit and a heat absorption unit, a cooling compartment cooled by cold heat of the heat absorption unit, a secondary refrigerant circulation circuit cooling the heat dissipation unit, and a tertiary refrigerant circulation circuit exchanging heat with the secondary refrigerant circulation circuit.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquid storage system for a spacecraft comprising at least one liquid tank with an outer casing and an evacuated space arranged between the tank and the outer casing. The system further comprises a propellant management device made of material that is a good conductor of heat and that is cooled by a cryorefrigerator to localize the liquid inside the tank when in microgravity, a filler pipe situated in the portion of the tank that is at the bottom when the tank is on the ground, and that is surrounded by an evacuated insulating double wall and a purge pipe connecting the tank to the outer casing and presenting an internal length that is not less than half the diameter of the tank.

Abstract: An improved method of reducing wear dust and torque required to turn a multi-port rotary disc valve utilizes a thrust bearing to hold the valve seat and/or valve disc such that they are not in contact with each other, or have light contact each other.

Abstract: A regenerative expansion apparatus includes a regenerative tube configured to regenerate cryogenic cooling at the time of expansion of a coolant gas; a cylinder in communication with a low temperature end of the regenerative tube, the cylinder being configured to generate the cryogenic cooling by repeating compression and expansion of the coolant gas via the regenerative tube; a magnetic cold storage material filling inside the regenerative tube, the magnetic cold storage material being made of a magnetic material, the magnetic cold storage material being configured to come in contact with the coolant gas so that the cryogenic cooling is regenerated; and a magnetic shield member surrounding the magnetic cold storage material; wherein the magnetic shield member has an electric resistivity equal to or less than 50 ??cm at a normal temperature.

Abstract: An acoustic cooling device is provided. A coldhead and an acoustic power source of the acoustic cooling device are separated by way of a long tube connecting them to enable the cold tip to be installed in a remote location where a traditional unitary system would not fit, would generate too much vibration, or would be otherwise undesirable. The dimensions of the tube and the relevant parameters of the acoustic power source are selected to keep the system resonant at the desired drive frequency (e.g., 60 Hz) and to minimize the impact of the long tube on the system efficiency and capacity.

Abstract: A method for cooling an object includes coupling a cooling device to the object, wherein the cooling device includes at least one thermoacoustic engine and a plurality of gas diodes, generating acoustic power with the thermoacoustic engine, channeling acoustic oscillations of a fluid through the gas diodes, and transferring the heat produced by the object to the fluid to facilitate moving the heat away from the object.

Abstract: A coreless and brushless direct-current motor includes an armature coil wound without core and formed in the shape of a saddle; an outside rotor magnet formed by a permanent magnet, the outside rotor magnet being provided at an outside of the armature coil in the shape of a cylinder so as to face the armature coil, the outside rotor magnet being rotated by the magnetic field; an inside rotor magnet formed by a permanent magnet, the inside rotor magnet being provided in the shape of a cylinder at an inside of the armature coil so that the inside rotor magnet has a pole opposite to the outside rotor magnet and a rotational shaft is independently provided; an output shaft connected to the inside rotor magnet; and a sealing part of a barrier structure which sealing part partitions the armature coil and the outside rotor magnet to an outside of the inside rotor magnet and seals the armature coil and the outside rotor magnet.

Abstract: Method of controlling a pulse tube cryocooler in which the power input to the acoustic source is varied to maintain temperature of a refrigeration load or a temperature that is at least referable to the temperature of the refrigeration load, at a set point temperature. Additionally, the impedance of an inertance network of the pulse tube cryocooler is also adjusted to obtain a maximum cooling power to the refrigeration load at the particular temperature as sensed and the particular power that is being supplied to the acoustic source.

Abstract: In order to reduce the time until an acoustic wave is generated and perform heat exchange smoothly in a stack, a thermoacoustic apparatus 1 includes a first stack 3a sandwiched between a first high-temperature-side heat exchanger 4 and a first low-temperature-side heat exchanger 5 and a second stack 3b sandwiched between a second high-temperature-side heat exchanger 6 and a second low-temperature-side heat exchanger 7 in the inside of a loop tube 2, wherein a standing wave and a traveling wave are generated through self excitation by heating the first high-temperature-side heat exchanger 4, the second low-temperature-side heat exchanger 7 is cooled by the standing wave and the traveling wave, or/and a standing wave and a traveling wave are generated by cooling the first low-temperature-side heat exchanger 5, and the second high-temperature-side heat exchanger 6 is heated by the standing wave and the traveling wave.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving the efficiency or the energy balance of a power plant. Here, the heat content waste heat from the power plant is employed in such a way that the waste heat is fed into a first and/or a second thermoacoustic machine. In the first thermoacoustic machine a work output is generated with the aid of the waste heat and as a result of the thermoacoustic effect, which is employed elsewhere in the power plant, for example to operate a compressor. The second thermoacoustic machine is likewise used for cooling a working fluid by utilizing the waste heat and the thermoacoustic effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for condensing CO2 or CO2 separation. According to the invention the thermoacoustic effect is used, with the aid of waste heat from a power station, to produce power for a compressor for compressing a working medium, in particular for compressing a CO2-containing flue gas, and/or for cooling the working medium.

Abstract: A pulse tube cryogenic cooler, includes: a pressure vibration generating device configured to generate pressure vibration in operation gas; a regenerator connected to the pressure vibration generating device; a pulse tube connected to the regenerator; a phase control mechanism connected to the pulse tube; and a heat exchanger provided at an end of the pulse tube; wherein the heat exchanger includes a first laminating part where porous plates having piercing holes and spacers are mutually laminated; and a second laminating part where lower part mesh members are laminated.

Abstract: A pulse tube cryogenic cooler, includes a cold storage device cartridge whose high temperature end is connected to a pressure change source; a pulse tube whose low temperature end is connected to a low temperature end of the cold storage device cartridge via a stage member; a phase adjusting mechanism connected to a high temperature end of the pulse tube; a flange where the phase adjusting mechanism is provided; and a cold storage device cylinder provided between the flange and the stage member, the cold storage device receiving the cold storage device cartridge.

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.

Abstract: A pulse tube refrigerator, includes a first pulse tube; a first regenerator connected to the first pulse tube; a compressor configured to compress the coolant gas; a first supply side valve; a first filter provided between a supply side of the first supply side valve and the high temperature end of the first regenerator; a first suction side valve connected to the first filter via a first joint point; a first self seal joint provided between the supply side of the compressor and a suction side of the first supply side valve; a second self seal joint provided between a supply side of the first suction side valve and the suction side of the compressor; and a third self seal joint provided between a first regenerator side of the first filter and the high temperature end of the first regenerator.

Abstract: The invention has an object to provide a regenerator and cryogenics pump using a regenerator material which fulfills such requirements as specific heat, thermal conductivity, manufacturing easiness, strength, hardness, chemical stabilization and low cost instead of Pb which is environmentally harmful. In a regenerator 14 which contains regenerator material 16 in an internal path for refrigerant, and in which heat is exchanged between the helium gas as refrigerant, and regenerator material, regenerator material 16 is any one of Sn, Bi—Sn alloy and Ag—Sn alloy. The regenerator material 16 is spherical. Plural spheres are packed in the internal path of the regenerator 14.

Abstract: An integrated sensor assembly (10) includes a gas compression unit (104) having a first longitudinal axis (308) and a gas expansion unit (112) having a second longitudinal axis (366) and the gas expansion unit is disposed with its second longitudinal axis orthogonal to the gas compression unit first longitudinal axis (308). A rotary motor (302) includes a rotor (324) supported for rotation with respect to a motor rotation axis (328) and the sensor assembly configuration is folded to orient the motor rotation axis substantially parallel with the second longitudinal axis (366). A motor shaft (320) extending from the rotor includes a first and second mounting features (336, 340) disposed substantially parallel with and radially offset from the motor rotation axis (328). A first drive coupling couples between the first mounting feature (336) and a gas compression piston (304) and drives the piston (304) with a reciprocal linear translation directed along the first longitudinal axis (308).

Abstract: Methods for assembling a reciprocating body, such as a piston, within a bore using a design are described. The piston is substantially centered within the bore and then connected at one end through a rotational coupling to a substantially laterally fixed structure connected to the bore such that during normal operation the piston can rotate within the bore along the bore axis of symmetry but can no longer move laterally. Before fixing the rotational coupling, the piston is connected to an external gas source and substantially aligned along the bore axis of symmetry by a gas bearing having one or more gas bearing ports disposed toward the bore. During normal operation, the gas bearing provides a rotational force sufficient to realize a non-frictional bearing between the piston and the bore.

Abstract: A storage container includes an insulating container having an opening; a temperature controlling unit that is independent of the insulating container and detachably attached to the opening of the insulating container in a manner closing and sealing a portion of the opening; and a main lid attached to the opening of the insulating container in a manner closing and sealing an other portion of the opening. The temperature controlling unit is composed of an insulative sub-lid; and a temperature controlling subunit provided on the sub-lid. The temperature controlling subunit is composed of a base fitted into a through-hole formed on the sub-lid; and a Stirling refrigerator including a temperature control effect member thermally exposed inside the insulating container. Accordingly, the interior of the insulating container of an arbitrary size can be cooled, and items can be continuously stored longer than when using conventional solid carbon dioxide or cold reserving agent.

Abstract: A formation evaluation tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The formation evaluation tool includes a cooling system adapted to pass a cooling fluid through electronics in the formation evaluation tool whereby heat is dissipated therefrom, the electronics has at least one gauge, a fluid communication device having an inlet adapted to receive the formation fluid and a flowline operatively connected to the fluid communication device and the gauge for placing the formation fluid in fluid communication therewith whereby properties of the formation fluid are determined.

Abstract: A method of storing biological samples in which the biological samples are stored in a stack within a vessel interior of an insulated vessel. A pool of liquid cryogen is maintained within the vessel interior by condensing cryogenic vapor boiled off of the pool of liquid cryogen with a cryocooler having a cold finger. The cryocooler and cold finger are positioned so that a cold heat exchanger of the cold finger is in thermal contact with the cryogenic vapor and is positioned above the stack, so as to also maintain a temperature difference within the insulated vessel, between a bottom region of the stack and a top region of the stack, of no greater than about 65K.

Abstract: Convection losses associated with different temperature profiles in the pulse tubes and regenerators of multi-stage pulse tubes mounted in helium gas in the neck tube of a MRI cryostat are reduced by providing one or more of thermal bridges, and/or insulating sleeves between one or more pulse tubes and regenerators, and/or spacers, and spacer tubes, in one or more pulse tubes and regenerators.

Abstract: A two-stage pulse tube refrigerator having a compact design, low vibration and low heat loss is provided where at least the 2nd stage is co-axial but preferably, both stages are co-axial with the second stage pulse tube being central and the first stage pulse tube occupying the annular space between the second stage pulse tube and the first stage regenerator. Convection losses associated with different temperature profiles in the pulse tubes and regenerators are minimized by shifting the thermal patterns in the pulse tubes relative to the regenerators by one or more of spacers in the regenerators, physical differences in length with gas channel connections, adjustment of dc flow, and thermal bridges.

Abstract: A refrigeration device includes a gas displacing piston (362) movable within a gas expander cylinder (364). The volume of a gas expansion space (362) is varied as the gas displacing piston (362) is moved over an expansion stroke range. The device includes a compression spring (622) disposed to bias the gas displacing piston (362) toward a compression stroke top end position (85). A cable element (606) extends into the gas expansion cylinder (364) and attaches to the gas displacing piston (362). A motive drive device (302) applies a tensioning force to the cable (606) and the tension force opposes the spring biasing force and moves the gas displacing piston (362) to a compression stroke bottom end position (83).

Abstract: A compressor (1) including a compressor mechanism; an input line (12) for providing gas to the compressor; and an output line (14) for providing compressed gas from the compressor. The compressor may supply gas at a first pressure or at a second pressure, by variation of the charge pressure within a gas circuit. A buffer volume and arrangement of valves, contained within the compressor, facilitate the change in static charge pressure. The electrical power drawn by the compressor is reduced when the charge pressure is reduced. Changing the charge pressure in the compressor also varies the cooling power delivered by the refrigerator. Therefore, this variable charge compressor can be used to reduce the electrical power drawn by an MRI system when it is in standby, and the full refrigeration capability is not required. Also, this has the effect of reducing wear and increasing the life of certain components within the refrigerator and compressor.

Abstract: A multi-stage cryocooler having a relatively low temperature stage to cool to less than about 15K and having a regenerator including a ductile intermetallic compound including one or more rare earth elements and one or more non-rare earth metals.

Abstract: A multi valve two-stage pulse tube type GM refrigerator having a rotary valve that comprises one track for flow to the regenerator and two tracks for flow to the pulse tubes where the valve has two high pressure ports to the pulse tubes located on a single track and two low pressure ports from the pulse tubes located on a separate single track and where there are two cooling cycles per revolution of the rotary face valve.

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 unitary pulse tube expander for removable attachment to a SADA II coldfinger and insertion within a Dewar assembly. The regenerator of the pulse tube expander is encased in a regenerator sleeve and a cold cap to create a unitary pulse tube expander that may function as a drop-in replacement for a Stirling type expander in a SADA II coldfinger cryocooler.

Abstract: A heat pump device in which a temperature difference is established between two heat exchangers by inducing cyclical expansion and compression pulses in a working fluid vapour or gas which passes through an adsorbent porous solid located between the heat exchangers.

Abstract: An inertance tube and a surge volume for a pulse tube refrigerator system may be integrally coupled together, such as by the inertance tube being at least in part a channel in a wall of the surge volume. The surge volume may have a helical channel in an outer wall that forms part of the inertance tube. The surge volume tank may be surrounded by a cover that closes off the channel to form the inertance tube as an integral part of the surge volume. The inertance tube may have a non-circular cross section shape, such as a square shape or non-square rectangular shape. The channel may be tapered, perhaps changing aspect ratio. Alternatively, the inertance tube may be a separate tube having a non-circular shape, which may be wrapped around at least part of the surge volume.

Abstract: A cryocooler for liquefying gas in which the neck of the dewar or cryostat includes a cold end of a cryocooler with the first stage cooling station, the first stage regenerator, the second stage cooling station, the second stage regenerator, and a condenser thermally coupled to the second cooling station. Radiation baffles are also present within the neck portion of the dewar between the storage portion for the dewar and the condenser, such that when the cryocooler is turned off, the radiation baffles reduce heat radiation on the cryogen in the storage section of the dewar.

Abstract: A linear free piston Stirling machine having a displacer piston mounted on first and second planar springs. The first spring has a stiffness which increases with increasing spring displacement. The second has a stiffness which is less variable with spring displacement to provide a combined stiffness which rapidly increases once the displacer piston displacement exceeds a fixed limit. Each of the springs has a plurality of spiral spring portions and a stress relieving hole beyond the outer edge of the spiral spring portions.

Abstract: Cryocoolers, including coolers, heaters, and heat pumps each having a first stage and a second stage, are modified with controlled and variable gas phase shifting devices for controlling gas pressure and mass flow between volumes of the first and second stages for improving the efficiency and temperature range of expander cryocoolers such as displacer cryocoolers using controlled valves as flow impedance devices and pulse tube cryocoolers using inertance gaps as flow inertia devices, for maximizing cooling between the first and second stages.

Abstract: A displacer cryocooler including a multistage heat exchanger is modified with a phase shifting device connected between stage volumes for gas phase shifting of gas pressure in the cryocooler for improving the efficiency and temperature range of expander cryocoolers.

Abstract: A pulse tube cryocooler including a heat exchanger and a pulse tube is modified with an in-line inertance gap attached to the pulse tube for gas phase shifting of gas pressure in the cryocooler for improving the efficiency and temperature range of pulse tube cryocoolers.

Abstract: A range of buffer volume/pulse tube volume ratios for two-stage hybrid GM type pulse tube cold-heads that are designed to produce refrigeration at 4 K are provided. The ranges of volume ratios for the first and second stages provides a good balance between the inefficiencies but compact size of a four-valve phase shifting mechanism and the better efficiency but larger size of a double-orifice phase shifting mechanism. The buffer volumes are small enough to be conveniently machined into the warm end housing, or as an option, one can be part of a valve disc housing. The drive motor for the valve disc is in an attached housing to make the valve disc readily accessible for service.

Abstract: A magnetic shield is mounted in its own vacuum enclosure in a regenerative type expander comprising a vacuum enclosure, magnetic material in a cold regenerator, and a magnetic shield, where the magnetic shield surrounds the magnetic material.

Abstract: A cooled cryostat device comprising: a cold finger having infrared detector means secured to the end thereof; an outer casing surrounding the cold finger; and stiffener means for stiffening the cold finger and interposed between the outer casing and the cold finger in the vicinity of the end thereof. The stiffener means comprising: first eyelets provided on the inside of the casing and around its periphery; second eyelets provided on the outside of the cold finger around its periphery; the first and second eyelets being mutually angularly offset; and a cable tensioned around a closed loop between the outer casing and the cold finger and passing freely through the first and second eyelets, with the cable, once the cold finger has been placed in a balanced situation, itself being secured to the outer casing and to the cold finger.

Abstract: A two-stage pulse tube refrigerator having a compact design, low vibration and low heat loss is provided where at least the 2nd stage is co-axial but preferably, both stages are co-axial with the second stage pulse tube being central and the first stage pulse tube occupying the annular space between the second stage pulse tube and the first stage regenerator. Convection losses associated with different temperature profiles in the pulse tubes and regenerators are minimized by shifting the thermal patterns in the pulse tubes relative to the regenerators by one or more of spacers in the regenerators, physical differences in length with gas channel connections, adjustment of dc flow, and thermal bridges.

Abstract: A cooler machine using the Stirling cycle and comprising: at least one compressor with a compressor piston movable in a compression cyclinder; a regenerator with a regenerator piston movable in a regeneration cyclinder placed at a given angle relative to the compression cyclinder; a rotary drive crank; and two connecting rods, respectively a compressor connecting rod coupled to the compressor piston, and a regenerator connecting rod coupled to the regenerator piston, and both coupled to the crank with a mutual angular offset; the compressor and/or regenerator connecting rod is arranged to be of length that is variable over a rotation of the crank in such a manner that the movement of the corresponding piston is least slowed down on passing through top and/or bottom dead center.

Abstract: The method includes obtaining input data representative of a first parameter of a cryogenic medium in a cryogenic cooling system is provided. The method further includes calculating an expected value representative of a second parameter of the cryogenic medium in the cooling system via a predefined physics based model. A second input data representative of the second parameter of the cryogenic medium in the cooling system is estimated. The expected value is compared to the second input data and difference between the expected value and the second input data is correlated to statistical data to estimate a likelihood of cryogenic cooling system event.

Abstract: A natural circulation circuit includes an evaporator surrounding a heat radiating portion of a Stirling refrigerating machine to absorb heat of the heat radiating portion through evaporation of a coolant, a condenser arranged to be higher than the evaporator to condense the coolant having gas phase, a conduit guiding the coolant from the evaporator to the condenser, and a return pipe returning the liquefied coolant from the condenser to the evaporator. In the evaporator a distance between an opening of the return pipe and an inner circumferential surface of the evaporator is smaller than that between an opening of the conduit and the inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid.