Pulse tube integral flow smoother
AssigneeIGC-APD Cryogenics
InventorRalph C. Longsworth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Several layers of fine mesh screen are diffusion bonded together to form a rigid disc or plate that is self supporting and is a flow smoother at the ends of a pulse tube expander. Layers range from fine screens on the surface facing the pulse tube to coarser screens that provide structural support without significantly adding to pressure drop across the screen assembly. The flow smoother is typically used in series with a heat exchanger at the warm end that rejects heat to ambient from the gas of the pulse tube and a heat exchanger at the cold end that receives heat from the load being cooled.
Claims39
A flow smoother for use with a pulse tube cryo-expander, comprising:
- at least one first layer having a first plurality of first openings for flow therethrough, said at least one first layer being porous;
- at least one second layer having a second plurality of second openings for flow therethrough, said at least one second layer being porous;
- at least N layers having a plurality of openings for flow therethrough, said at least N layer being porous, where N has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3 . . . n;
- said layers being in series for flow therethrough and joined together to form a rigidized structure.
A flow smoother for use with a pulse tube cryo-expander, comprising:
- at least one first layer having a plurality of first openings for flow therethrough;
- at least one second layer having a second plurality of second openings for flow therethrough;
- at least N layers having openings for flow therethrough, where N has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3 . . . n;
- said layers being joined together in a predetermined series to form a rigidized structure.
An expander assembly for a cryogenic refrigeration system, comprising:
- a cylindrical pulse tube having a warm end and a cold end;
- and
- a first flow smoother having a first face and a second face, said first face being connected to one said end of said pulse tube, said first flow smoother including:
- at least one first layer having a first plurality of first openings for flow therethrough;
- at least one second layer having a second plurality of second openings for flow therethrough;
- at least N layers having openings for flow therethrough, where N has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3 . . . n;
- said layers being joined together in a predetermined series to form a rigidized structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.