Low disturbance cryocooler compressor
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsJeffrey R. Olson, Alyssa Ruiz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compressor assembly for use with a Pulse Tube cryocooler is disclosed. The compressor assembly includes a central hub having a plurality of faces, and at least four compressor modules mounted on the central hub. Each of the compressor modules is mounted on a face of the plurality of faces. Each compressor module comprises a piston mounted in the central hub and configured to reciprocate along an axis of travel within the central hub. The pistons are mounted head-to-head with each other and collective reciprocation of the pistons along the respective axes minimizes vibration forces of the compressor assembly in X, Y, and Z translational axes of motion.
Claims16
A compressor assembly comprising:
- a central hub comprising a plurality of faces;
- and
- four compressor modules mounted on the central hub, each of the compressor modules being mounted on a face of the plurality of faces,
- wherein the four compressor modules are mounted in a tetrahedral configuration on four of the plurality of faces,
- wherein each compressor module comprises a piston mounted in the central hub and configured to reciprocate along an axis of travel within the central hub, and
- wherein the pistons are mounted head-to-head with each other and collective reciprocation of the pistons along the respective axes minimizes vibration forces of the compressor assembly in X, Y, and Z translational axes of motion.
An active vibration cancellation compressor assembly, comprising:
- a central hub having eight faces, the eight faces being coupled to each other to form a body having an interior;
- and
- four compressor modules, each mounted on one of the eight faces, the four compressor modules being mounted on the central hub in a tetrahedral configuration, wherein:
- each compressor module comprises a piston mounted at least partially in the interior of the central hub and configured to reciprocate along an axis of travel within the interior of the central hub;
- and
- the pistons are mounted in a tetrahedral head-to-head orientation with respect to each other, and collective reciprocation of the pistons along the respective axes of travel minimizes vibration forces of the compressor assembly in X, Y, and Z translational axes of motion.
A method of assembly of a compressor, comprising:
- forming a central hub comprising eight faces coupled to each other to form a closed shape body having an interior;
- mounting four compressor modules on the central hub in a tetrahedral configuration, each of the compressor modules being mounted on one of the eight faces, wherein:
- the four faces on which the compressor modules are mounted each comprise a piston bore, and each compressor module comprises a piston mounted at least partially in the interior of the central hub and configured to reciprocate along an axis of travel within the piston bore;
- and
- the mounting four compressor modules on the central hub further comprises mounting the pistons head-to-head with each other such that collective reciprocation of the pistons along the respective axes of travel minimizes vibration forces of the compressor in X, Y, and Z translational axes of motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.