US 11,635,244 B2 · Cryocooler controller systems and methods

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to control operation of a cryocooler/refrigeration system to provide cryogenic and/or general cooling of a device or sensor system. A cryocooler controller includes a motor driver controller configured to generate motor driver control signals based on operational parameters corresponding to operation of a cryocooler controlled by the controller, and a motor driver configured to generate corresponding drive signals to drive a motor of the cryocooler. The motor driver includes a first stage with a first pair of switches coupled serially between an input of the motor driver and a ground of the motor driver, a second pair of switches coupled serially between an output of the first stage and the ground of the motor driver, and an inductor coupled between the first and second pairs of switches, where operation of each switch is independently controlled by the motor driver control signals.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A cryocooler controller comprising:

a motor driver controller configured to receive operational parameters corresponding to operation of a cryocooler controlled by the cryocooler controller and generate motor driver control signals based, at least in part, on the received operational parameters;
and
a motor driver configured to receive the motor driver control signals from the motor driver controller and generate drive signals based, at least in part, on the motor driver control signals, to drive a motor of the cryocooler, wherein:
the motor driver comprises a first stage comprising a first pair of switches coupled serially between an input of the motor driver and a ground of the motor driver, a second pair of switches coupled serially between an output of the first stage and the ground of the motor driver, and an inductor coupled between the first and second pairs of switches, and
operation of each switch of the first and second pairs of switches is independently controlled by the motor driver control signals generated by the motor driver controller.

2 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving, by a motor driver controller of a cryocooler controller, operational parameters corresponding to operation of a cryocooler controlled by the cryocooler controller;
generating motor driver control signals based, at least in part, on the received operational parameters;
and
generating, by a motor driver of the cryocooler controller, drive signals based, at least in part, on the motor driver control signals, to drive a motor of the cryocooler, wherein:
the motor driver comprises a first stage comprising a first pair of switches coupled serially between an input of the motor driver and a ground of the motor driver, a second pair of switches coupled serially between an output of the first stage and the ground of the motor driver, and an inductor coupled between the first and second pairs of switches, and
operation of each switch of the first and second pairs of switches is independently controlled by the motor driver control signals generated by the motor driver controller.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cryocooler controller systems and methods

Life of this patent

Cryocooler controller systems and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20