US20140020407A1 - Regenerative refrigerator - Google Patents
Regenerative refrigerator Download PDFInfo
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- US20140020407A1 US20140020407A1 US13/871,100 US201313871100A US2014020407A1 US 20140020407 A1 US20140020407 A1 US 20140020407A1 US 201313871100 A US201313871100 A US 201313871100A US 2014020407 A1 US2014020407 A1 US 2014020407A1
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- Prior art keywords
- stage
- regenerative
- regenerator
- refrigerant gas
- magnetic
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B9/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point
- F25B9/14—Compression machines, plants or systems, in which the refrigerant is air or other gas of low boiling point characterised by the cycle used, e.g. Stirling cycle
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2309/00—Gas cycle refrigeration machines
- F25B2309/003—Gas cycle refrigeration machines characterised by construction or composition of the regenerator
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to a regenerative refrigerator.
- a Gifford-McMahon (GM) refrigerator, a pulse tube refrigerator, or the like is known as a regenerative refrigerator for cooling an object by an adiabatic expansion of a refrigerant gas and accumulating cooling generated by the adiabatic expansion of the refrigerant gas.
- These regenerative refrigerators include a regenerator for accumulating cooling generated when the refrigerant gas is adiabatically expanded.
- a regenerative material is filled in the regenerator in order to accumulate cooling as disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-224161. For example, lead is used as the regenerative material.
- One aspect of the embodiments of the present invention may be to provide a regenerative refrigerator including a regenerator filled with a regenerative material for accumulating cooling of a refrigerant gas, wherein the regenerator is divided into a central region and a peripheral region on a cross-sectional face of the regenerator, and a specific heat of the central region is larger than a specific heat of the peripheral region.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the inside of a regenerative refrigerator of a first embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate flow rate distribution of a refrigerant gas inside a second stage displacer
- FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the inside of a regenerative refrigerator of a second embodiment
- FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the inside of a regenerative refrigerator of a third embodiment
- FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the inside of a regenerative refrigerator of a fourth embodiment
- FIGS. 7A , 7 B, and 7 C are plan views for explaining a filler provided in a regenerative refrigerator of a fourth embodiment.
- a magnetic regenerative material such as HoCu 2 or the like having a specific heat larger than that of lead in the temperature range of 30K or less.
- a magnetic regenerative material shows phase transition in a temperature range of 15K or less so as to change to an anti-ferromagnetic material. Because the magnetic regenerative material has a magnetic susceptibility larger than lead or the like, high-efficiency regenerative effect is possible.
- the magnetic regenerative material is mainly made of a rare-earth material. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain the magnetic regenerative material and the cost of the magnetic regenerative material is high.
- One object of the embodiments is to provide a regenerative refrigerator which can provide a high-efficiency regenerative effect at a low cost.
- a specific heat in a central region where the flow rate of a refrigerant gas is high is increased to be larger than the specific heat in a peripheral region where the flow rate of a refrigerant gas is low. Therefore, the regenerator efficiency can be enhanced.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a regenerative refrigerator of a first embodiment.
- a two-stage Gifford-McMahon (GM) refrigerator using a helium gas as a refrigerant gas is exemplified as a regenerative refrigerator 1 A.
- the first embodiments are applied to not only the GM refrigerator but also various refrigerators (for example, a pulse tube refrigerator or the like) which have a regenerator filled with a regenerative material.
- the regenerative refrigerator 1 A includes a first stage displacer 2 , a second stage displacer 20 , a first stage cylinder 4 , a second stage cylinder 30 , a first stage cooling stage 5 , a second stage cooling stage 27 , a first stage regenerator 17 , a second stage regenerator 26 , a compressor 12 , and so on.
- the first stage displacer 2 has a cylindrical shape.
- the first stage displacer 2 includes a first stage displacer main body 2 A, a first stage heat exchanging portion 2 B, a first stage regenerator 17 , and so on.
- the first stage displacer main body 2 A is shaped like a cylinder having a bottom.
- a regenerative material 7 is filled in the first stage displacer main body 2 A.
- the first stage regenerator 17 which is filled with the regenerative material 7 , is provided.
- the regenerative material 7 may be made of lead, copper, or the like having a large specific heat (a volumetric specific heat) in a temperature range of 15K or higher.
- a flow smoother 9 is provided on the high temperature side of the first stage regenerator 17 in order to control a flow of a refrigerant gas.
- the upper side corresponds to the high temperature side.
- a flow smoother 10 is provided on the low temperature side of the first stage regenerator 17 in order to control the flow of the refrigerant gas.
- the lower side corresponds to the lower temperature side.
- a first flow path 11 is formed to allow a refrigerant gas to flow from the room temperature chamber 8 to the first stage regenerator 17 , which is formed on the high temperature side of the first stage displacer 2 .
- the room temperature chamber 8 is a space formed between the upper surface of the first stage cylinder 4 and the upper surface of the first stage displacer 2 .
- a supply and discharge system (described later) is connected to the room temperature chamber 8 .
- a first stage heat exchanging portion 2 B is provided on a low temperature end of the first stage displacer 2 .
- a second flow path 16 is formed between the first stage displacer main body 2 A and the first stage heat exchanging portion 2 B to connect the first stage regenerator 17 to a first stage expansion space 3 .
- the first stage heat exchanging portion 2 B is connected to the first stage displacer 2 using a pin 6 .
- the first stage expansion space 3 is a space formed between the lower surface of the first stage cylinder 4 and the lower surface of the first stage heat exchanging portion 2 B (first stage displacer 2 ).
- a high pressure refrigerant gas is introduced into the first stage expansion space 3 via the second flow path 16 .
- a first stage cooling stage 5 is provided at a position corresponding to the first stage expansion space 3 of the first stage cylinder 4 .
- the above first stage displacer 2 is installed in the first stage cylinder 4 .
- a driving mechanism such as a scotch yoke mechanism is connected to the high temperature end of the first stage displacer 2 .
- the first stage displacer 2 reciprocates in the first stage cylinder 4 by the scotch yoke mechanism.
- a seal 15 is installed at a predetermined position between the first stage displacer 2 and a top flange.
- the seal 15 hermetically divides the first stage expansion space 3 from a room temperature chamber 8 .
- the second stage cylinder 30 is integrally formed on a low temperature end portion of the first stage cylinder 4 .
- the second stage cylinder 30 accommodates the second stage displacer 20 so that the second stage displacer 20 is movable in the second stage cylinder 30 .
- the second stage displacer 20 is in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the low temperature end portion of the first stage displacer 2 .
- a pin 19 a is installed in the low temperature end of the first stage heat exchanging portion 2 B.
- a pin 19 b is installed in the high temperature end of the second stage displacer 20 .
- the pins 19 a and 19 b are connected by a connector 19 c.
- the second stage displacer 20 is connected to the first stage displacer 2 .
- the second stage displacer 20 also reciprocates in the second stage cylinder 30 along with the reciprocation of the first stage displacer 2 .
- the second stage displacer 20 includes a second stage displacer main body 20 A, a second stage heat exchanging portion 20 B, a second stage regenerator 26 , and so on.
- a second stage displacer main body 20 A is in a cylindrical shape having a bottom, and has a second stage regenerator 26 in the second stage displacer main body 20 A.
- the above second stage displacer 2 is installed in the second stage cylinder 30 .
- a third flow path 24 is formed to allow the refrigerant gas to flow from a first stage expansion space 3 to the second stage regenerator 26 formed on the high temperature side of the second stage displacer 20 .
- the second stage heat exchanging portion 20 B is installed on a low temperature end of the second stage displacer 2 .
- a fourth flow path 29 is formed between the second stage displacer main body 20 A and the second stage heat exchanging portion 20 B to connect the second stage regenerator 26 to a second stage expansion space 28 .
- the second stage expansion space 28 is a space formed between the lower surface of the second stage cylinder 30 and the lower surface of the second stage heat exchanging portion 20 B (second stage displacer 20 ).
- a high pressure refrigerant gas is introduced into the second stage expansion space 28 via the fourth flow path 29 .
- a second stage cooling stage 27 is provided at a position corresponding to the second stage expansion space 28 of the second stage cylinder 30 .
- the supply and discharge system includes a compressor 12 , a supply valve 13 , a return valve 14 , and so on.
- a high pressure refrigerant gas which is generated by the compressor 12 , is supplied into a room temperature chamber 8 .
- a low pressure refrigerant gas flows back into the compressor 12 .
- the refrigerant gas from the compressor 12 flows into the first stage regenerator 17 via the room temperature chamber 8 and the first flow path 11 .
- the high pressure refrigerant gas which is cooled by exchanging heat with the regenerative material 7 in the first stage regenerator 17 , is supplied into the first stage expansion space 3 via the second flow path 16 .
- the refrigerant gas supplied to the first stage expansion space 3 flows into the second stage regenerator 26 via the third flow path 24 .
- the refrigerant gas exchanges heat with regenerative materials 40 and 42 (described below) so as to be cooled and is supplied to the second stage expansion space 28 via the fourth flow path 29 .
- the first and second stage displacers 2 , 20 are moved toward the upper dead end by the scotch yoke mechanism. With this, the volumes of the first and second stage expansion spaces 3 and 28 are increased. At this time, the refrigerant gas continues to be supplied to the first and second stage expansion spaces 3 and 28 via the first and second regenerators 17 and 26 .
- the expanded refrigerant gas flows back to a low pressure side of the compressor 12 via the first and second stage regenerators 17 and 26 and the flow paths 11 , 16 , 24 , and 29 .
- the regenerative materials 7 , 40 , and 42 in the first and second regenerators 17 and 26 accumulate cooling of the refrigerant gas.
- the first stage expansion space 3 is cooled to be, for example, about 40K and the second stage expansion space is cooled to be, for example, about 4K.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the second stage displacer 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along a line A-A.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a flow distribution of the refrigerant gas flowing through the second stage displacer 20 .
- the second stage regenerator 26 has a separating member 31 on the high temperature side and a separating member 32 on the low temperature side.
- the regenerative materials 40 and 42 fill a space formed by the separating members 31 and 32 .
- the separating members 31 and 32 prevent the regenerative materials 40 and 42 from flowing therethrough, the refrigerant gas can freely pass through the separating members 31 and 32 .
- a cross-sectional face of the second stage regenerator 26 is divided into a central region 21 , which is shaped substantially like a circle and positioned in the vicinity of the center, and a peripheral region 22 , which is shaped like a ring and positioned around the central region 21 .
- a flow rate of the refrigerant gas in the second stage regenerator 26 is described.
- the refrigerant gas flows through the inside of the second stage displacer 20 .
- the supply valve 13 is opened, the refrigerant gas flows through the high temperature end to the low temperature end inside the second stage displacer 20 (in the downward direction in FIGS. 1 and 3B ).
- the return valve 14 is opened, the refrigerant gas flows through the low temperature end to the high temperature end inside the second stage displacer 20 (in the upward direction in FIGS. 1 and 3A ).
- FIG. 3A illustrates a flow distribution of the refrigerant gas inside the second stage displacer 20 from the low temperature end to the high temperature end.
- FIG. 3B illustrates a flow distribution of the refrigerant gas inside the second stage displacer 20 from the high temperature end to the low temperature end.
- the lengths of arrows in FIGS. 3A and 3B correspond to the flow rates of the refrigerant gas flowing in the second stage regenerator 26 .
- the flow distribution of the refrigerant gas flowing through the second stage displacer 20 is not even in a flowing direction of the refrigerant gas.
- the flow rate (hereinafter, a “central region flow rate”) of the refrigerant gas is larger in the central region 21 of second stage displacer 20 .
- the flow rate (hereinafter, a “peripheral region flow rate”) of the refrigerant gas on the peripheral region 22 is less than that of the central region 21 of the second stage displacer 20 . This is because the flow path resistance of the refrigerant gas on the central region 21 is less than the flow path resistance of the refrigerant gas on the peripheral region 22 .
- the second stage displacer 20 in association with the flow distribution of the refrigerant gas inside the second stage regenerator 26 , the second stage displacer 20 is divided into the central region 21 and the peripheral region 22 on the cross-sectional face. Specifically, by dividing the separating member 33 (corresponding to a separating member recited in claims) in the above cylindrical shape, which is provided in a boundary between the central region 21 and the peripheral region 22 , to thereby divide the central region 21 and the peripheral region 22 .
- the separating member 33 is provided in an upper portion of the separating member 32 , which is provided on the low temperature end side inside the second stage regenerator 26 .
- the separating member 33 allows the refrigerant gas to pass through in a manner similar to other separating members 31 and 32 . However, the separating member 33 prevents the regenerative material from passing through.
- two types of the nonmagnetic regenerative material 40 and the magnetic regenerative material 42 are used as the regenerative material filling the second stage regenerator 26 .
- bismuth or an alloy containing bismuth is used as the nonmagnetic regenerative material 40 .
- HoCu 2 is used as the magnetic regenerative material 42 .
- the magnetic regenerative material 42 such as HoCu 2 has a specific heat (a volumetric specific heat) larger than the nonmagnetic regenerative material 40 such as bismuth under an ultralow temperature of 30K or less.
- the second stage displacer 20 has an ultralow temperature of 15K or less when the regenerative refrigerator 1 A operates. Therefore, when the regenerative refrigerator 1 A operates, the second stage regenerator 26 has a temperature of 30K or less.
- the magnetic regenerative material 42 has specific heat larger than the specific heat of the nonmagnetic regenerative material 40 .
- the magnetic material 42 having a larger specific heat is provided in the central region 21 .
- the magnetic material 40 having a less specific heat than that of the magnetic regenerative material 42 is provided in the peripheral region 22 . Therefore, the specific heat of the central region 21 becomes larger than the specific heat of the peripheral region 22 .
- the magnetic regenerative material 42 having a large specific heat is provided in the central region where the flow rate of the refrigerant gas is large, it is possible to enhance an efficiency of accumulating cooling of the second stage regenerator 26 .
- the filling amount (the amount to use) of the magnetic regenerative material 42 can be reduced in comparison with the structure in which the magnetic regenerative material 42 is provided in the entire second stage regenerator.
- the magnetic regenerative material 42 is provided in the central region 21 in the vicinity of the low temperature end.
- the peak of the volume specific heat is as low as 5K to 10K. Therefore, an efficiency of accumulating cooling is high by providing HoCu 2 on the low temperature end in the central region 21 .
- the height of the separating member 33 separating the nonmagnetic regenerative material 40 from the magnetic regenerative material 42 is set to be less than the overall height of the second stage regenerator 26 .
- the magnetic regenerative material 42 is provided only in the vicinity of the low temperature end.
- the separating member 34 is provided in the upper portion of the magnetic regenerative material 42 , which fills the inside of the separating member 33 , so that the nonmagnetic regenerative material 40 is not mixed with the magnetic regenerative material 42 .
- bismuth is used as the nonmagnetic regenerative material 40
- HoCu 2 or the like is used as the magnetic regenerative material 42 .
- the materials of the nonmagnetic regenerative material 40 and the magnetic regenerative material 42 are not limited to these. Other materials may be used.
- the magnetic regenerative material 42 is preferably made of a material having a peak of the specific heat at 30K or less.
- the nonmagnetic regenerative material 40 is preferably made of lead instead of bismuth or the like. However, in consideration of the environment, it is preferable to use bismuth or the like.
- a ratio between cross-sectional areas of the central and peripheral regions is appropriately selected depending on the capability and the size of the refrigerator. It is preferable that the central region occupies from about 50% to about 95%.
- the regenerative materials 40 and 42 fill the inside of the second stage regenerator 26 , it is preferable to fill the regenerative materials 40 and 42 so that the pressure loss of the refrigerant gas flowing through the central region becomes greater than the pressure loss of the refrigerant gas flowing through the peripheral region.
- FIGS. 4 to 7C regenerative refrigerators 1 B to 1 D of second to fourth embodiments are described.
- the same reference symbols are attached to the structures corresponding to the structures illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3B and description of these portions is omitted.
- FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a regenerative refrigerator 1 B of the second embodiment.
- only one type of the magnetic regenerative material 42 is arranged in the central region 21 in the regenerative refrigerator 1 A of the above first embodiment.
- two types of regenerative materials 50 a and 50 b are used as the regenerative material 50 having a peak of the specific heat at 30K or less.
- the regenerative materials 50 a and 50 b are laminated via a separating plate 35 .
- HoCu 2 being the magnetic regenerative material used in the first embodiment is used as the first regenerative material 50 a, which is positioned on the upper side.
- GOS Cd 2 O 2 S
- the second regenerative material 50 b being a ceramics regenerative material is used as the second regenerative material 50 b, which is positioned on the lower side.
- GOS has a specific heat of about two times of that of HoCu 2 in an ultralow temperature region of 4K to 5K. Therefore, the first and second regenerative materials 50 a and 50 b are arranged in regenerative material 50 b made of GOS is provided on the low temperature side of the position of providing the first magnetic regenerative material 50 a. Then, it is possible to obtain a higher efficiency of accumulating cooling in the second embodiment than in the first embodiment.
- GOS is used as the second regenerative material 50 b, it is possible to use another regenerative material having a high specific heat peak in the ultralow temperature such as GAP (GdAlO 3 ) instead of GOS.
- GAP GaAlO 3
- FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a regenerative refrigerator 1 C of the third embodiment.
- a two-stage regenerative refrigerator 1 A including two sets of the displacer, the cylinder, the regenerator and so on is illustrated.
- this patent application is not limited to the two-stage regenerative refrigerator.
- the magnetic regenerative material 62 is provided in the central region 21 of a single-stage regenerative refrigerator.
- a nonmagnetic regenerative material 64 is provided in the peripheral region 22 around the central region 21 .
- the regenerative materials 62 and 64 of two different types are used.
- the regenerative material 62 having a high specific heat is filled in the central region 21
- the regenerative material 64 having a low specific heat is filled in the peripheral region 22 to thereby perform an effect similar to the first embodiment.
- the temperature inside the single-stage regenerative refrigerator 10 is higher than the temperature inside a multi-stage regenerative refrigerator. Therefore, in the single-stage regenerative refrigerator 10 , the regenerative material provided in the central region 21 is not limited to a magnetic regenerative material and may be a material having a lower specific heat than that of the magnetic regenerative material. Further, the nonmagnetic regenerative material other than the magnetic regenerative material may be filled in the central region 21 .
- a ratio between cross-sectional areas of the central and peripheral regions is appropriately selected depending on the capability and the size of the refrigerator. It is preferable that the central region occupies from about 50% to about 95%.
- FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a regenerative refrigerator of the fourth embodiment.
- the regenerative refrigerator 1 D is separated into the high and low temperature sides by providing a separating member 36 inside the second stage regenerator 26 .
- the nonmagnetic regenerative material 40 fills the region on the high temperature side (hereinafter, a “high temperature region” 26 a ), and the magnetic regenerative material 42 fills the region on the low temperature side (hereinafter, a “low temperature region” 26 b ). Therefore, in the low temperature region 26 b of the second regenerator 26 , the magnetic regenerative material 42 is provided in both of the central region 21 and the peripheral region 22 .
- a filler 44 A is provided in the peripheral region 22 of the magnetic regenerative material 42 on the low temperature side.
- FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the filler 44 A.
- the filler 44 A is formed of a plate material made of copper, a copper alloy or the like having high heat conductivity.
- the filler 44 A is in a ring shape (an annular shape) with a central hole 45 formed in the center.
- the diameter of the central hole 45 is substantially the same as the diameter of the central region 21 .
- the outer diameter of the filler 44 A is determined so that the filler 44 A can be installed inside the second stage regenerator 26 .
- plural through holes 46 are opened in the filler 44 A.
- 8 pairs of (two) through holes of the through holes 46 are opened in a radial pattern.
- the diameters of the through holes 46 are set to be larger than a particle diameter of the magnetic regenerative material 42 .
- the above filler 44 A is provided inside the second stage regenerator 26 . At this time, the filler 44 A is provided inside the second stage regenerator so as to be embedded in the regenerative material 42 . Within the fourth embodiment, three sheets of the fillers 44 A are piled with a predetermined gap inside the magnetic regenerative material 42 . However, the number of the fillers 44 A filling the inside of the magnetic regenerative material 42 is not limited to the above and can be appropriately selected.
- the central hole 45 is opened in the filler 44 A.
- the filler 44 A is provided substantially in the peripheral region 22 .
- the filling rate of the magnetic regenerative material inside the low temperature region 26 b is described.
- the filler 44 A is provided (embedded). Therefore, the filling amount of the magnetic regenerative material 42 is decreased by the volume of the filler 44 A.
- the filling rate of the magnetic regenerative material 42 in the central region 21 inside the low temperature region 26 b is higher because the central hole 45 is opened in the center of the filler 44 A corresponding to the central region 21 . Meanwhile, the filling rate of the magnetic regenerative material 42 in the peripheral region 22 is lower than in the central region 21 because the filler 44 A exists in the peripheral region 22 .
- the filling rate of the magnetic regenerative material 42 in the central region 21 is greater than the filling rate of the magnetic regenerative material 42 in the peripheral region 22 inside the low temperature region 26 b. Therefore, inside the low temperature region 26 b, the specific heat of the central region 21 is larger than the specific heat of the peripheral region 22 .
- the filling amount of the magnetic regenerative material 42 can be reduced without reducing a cooling efficiency of the second stage regenerator 26 of the regenerative refrigerator 1 D of the fourth embodiment.
- FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate modified examples to the filler 44 A illustrated in FIG. 7A .
- a filler 44 B illustrated in FIG. 7B is formed of a metallic mesh.
- the structure of the metallic mesh is not specifically limited and can be appropriately selected in response to the specific heat and the filling rate of the desirable regenerative material.
- a filler 44 C illustrated in FIG. 7C is formed so that radiating openings 47 extend from the central hole 45 instead of the through holes 46 opened in the filler 44 A.
- the radiating opening 47 is shaped like a trapezoid, of which lower base longer than the upper base is connected with the central hole 45 .
- the materials of the fillers 44 B and 44 C are preferably copper or a copper alloy having a high heat conductivity such as the filler 44 A.
- the outer shape of the fillers 44 B and 44 C of the modified example illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 7C are like rings
- the outer shape of the filler is not limited to the shape of a ring.
- the outer shape of the filler may be a sphere, a cylindrical column, a rectangular solid, or the like.
Abstract
A disclosed regenerative refrigerator including a regenerator filled with a regenerative material for accumulating cooling of a refrigerant gas, wherein the regenerator is divided into a central region and a peripheral region on a cross-sectional face of the regenerator, and a specific heat of the central region is larger than a specific heat of the peripheral region.
Description
- Priority is claimed to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-161531 filed on Jul. 20, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Technical Field
- The present invention generally relates to a regenerative refrigerator.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- In general, a Gifford-McMahon (GM) refrigerator, a pulse tube refrigerator, or the like is known as a regenerative refrigerator for cooling an object by an adiabatic expansion of a refrigerant gas and accumulating cooling generated by the adiabatic expansion of the refrigerant gas. These regenerative refrigerators include a regenerator for accumulating cooling generated when the refrigerant gas is adiabatically expanded. A regenerative material is filled in the regenerator in order to accumulate cooling as disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-224161. For example, lead is used as the regenerative material.
- One aspect of the embodiments of the present invention may be to provide a regenerative refrigerator including a regenerator filled with a regenerative material for accumulating cooling of a refrigerant gas, wherein the regenerator is divided into a central region and a peripheral region on a cross-sectional face of the regenerator, and a specific heat of the central region is larger than a specific heat of the peripheral region.
- Additional objects and advantages of the embodiments are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
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FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the inside of a regenerative refrigerator of a first embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate flow rate distribution of a refrigerant gas inside a second stage displacer; -
FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the inside of a regenerative refrigerator of a second embodiment; -
FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the inside of a regenerative refrigerator of a third embodiment; -
FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the inside of a regenerative refrigerator of a fourth embodiment; and -
FIGS. 7A , 7B, and 7C are plan views for explaining a filler provided in a regenerative refrigerator of a fourth embodiment. - In a regenerative refrigerator realizing an ultralow temperature of 30K or less, the specific heat of lead suddenly decreases along with a decrement of a temperature in a temperature range of 15K or less. The regenerative effect may not be sufficient when lead is used as a regenerative material.
- Then, it is possible to use a magnetic regenerative material such as HoCu2 or the like having a specific heat larger than that of lead in the temperature range of 30K or less. A magnetic regenerative material shows phase transition in a temperature range of 15K or less so as to change to an anti-ferromagnetic material. Because the magnetic regenerative material has a magnetic susceptibility larger than lead or the like, high-efficiency regenerative effect is possible.
- However, the magnetic regenerative material is mainly made of a rare-earth material. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain the magnetic regenerative material and the cost of the magnetic regenerative material is high.
- The embodiments are provided in consideration of the above problems. One object of the embodiments is to provide a regenerative refrigerator which can provide a high-efficiency regenerative effect at a low cost.
- In the disclosed regenerative refrigerator, a specific heat in a central region where the flow rate of a refrigerant gas is high is increased to be larger than the specific heat in a peripheral region where the flow rate of a refrigerant gas is low. Therefore, the regenerator efficiency can be enhanced.
- A description is given below, with reference to the
FIG. 1 throughFIG. 7C of embodiments of the present invention. Where the same reference symbols are attached to the same parts, repeated description of the parts is omitted. - First Embodiment
-
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a regenerative refrigerator of a first embodiment. Within the first embodiment, a two-stage Gifford-McMahon (GM) refrigerator using a helium gas as a refrigerant gas is exemplified as aregenerative refrigerator 1A. However, the first embodiments are applied to not only the GM refrigerator but also various refrigerators (for example, a pulse tube refrigerator or the like) which have a regenerator filled with a regenerative material. - The
regenerative refrigerator 1A includes afirst stage displacer 2, asecond stage displacer 20, afirst stage cylinder 4, asecond stage cylinder 30, a firststage cooling stage 5, a secondstage cooling stage 27, afirst stage regenerator 17, asecond stage regenerator 26, acompressor 12, and so on. - The
first stage displacer 2 has a cylindrical shape. Thefirst stage displacer 2 includes a first stage displacermain body 2A, a first stageheat exchanging portion 2B, afirst stage regenerator 17, and so on. The first stage displacermain body 2A is shaped like a cylinder having a bottom. Aregenerative material 7 is filled in the first stage displacermain body 2A. Thefirst stage regenerator 17, which is filled with theregenerative material 7, is provided. Theregenerative material 7 may be made of lead, copper, or the like having a large specific heat (a volumetric specific heat) in a temperature range of 15K or higher. - A flow smoother 9 is provided on the high temperature side of the
first stage regenerator 17 in order to control a flow of a refrigerant gas. InFIG. 1 , the upper side corresponds to the high temperature side. A flow smoother 10 is provided on the low temperature side of thefirst stage regenerator 17 in order to control the flow of the refrigerant gas. InFIG. 1 , the lower side corresponds to the lower temperature side. - On a high temperature end of the
first stage displacer 2, afirst flow path 11 is formed to allow a refrigerant gas to flow from theroom temperature chamber 8 to thefirst stage regenerator 17, which is formed on the high temperature side of thefirst stage displacer 2. Theroom temperature chamber 8 is a space formed between the upper surface of thefirst stage cylinder 4 and the upper surface of thefirst stage displacer 2. A supply and discharge system (described later) is connected to theroom temperature chamber 8. - On a low temperature end of the first stage displacer 2, a first stage
heat exchanging portion 2B is provided. Between the first stage displacermain body 2A and the first stageheat exchanging portion 2B, asecond flow path 16 is formed to connect thefirst stage regenerator 17 to a firststage expansion space 3. The first stageheat exchanging portion 2B is connected to thefirst stage displacer 2 using apin 6. - The first
stage expansion space 3 is a space formed between the lower surface of thefirst stage cylinder 4 and the lower surface of the first stageheat exchanging portion 2B (first stage displacer 2). A high pressure refrigerant gas is introduced into the firststage expansion space 3 via thesecond flow path 16. A firststage cooling stage 5 is provided at a position corresponding to the firststage expansion space 3 of thefirst stage cylinder 4. - The above
first stage displacer 2 is installed in thefirst stage cylinder 4. A driving mechanism (not illustrated) such as a scotch yoke mechanism is connected to the high temperature end of thefirst stage displacer 2. With the above scotch yoke mechanism, thefirst stage displacer 2 reciprocates in thefirst stage cylinder 4 by the scotch yoke mechanism. - A
seal 15 is installed at a predetermined position between thefirst stage displacer 2 and a top flange. Theseal 15 hermetically divides the firststage expansion space 3 from aroom temperature chamber 8. - The
second stage cylinder 30 is integrally formed on a low temperature end portion of thefirst stage cylinder 4. Thesecond stage cylinder 30 accommodates thesecond stage displacer 20 so that thesecond stage displacer 20 is movable in thesecond stage cylinder 30. - The
second stage displacer 20 is in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the low temperature end portion of thefirst stage displacer 2. Specifically, apin 19 a is installed in the low temperature end of the first stageheat exchanging portion 2B. Apin 19 b is installed in the high temperature end of thesecond stage displacer 20. Thepins connector 19 c. Thus, thesecond stage displacer 20 is connected to thefirst stage displacer 2. - Therefore, while the
first stage displacer 2 reciprocates inside thefirst stage cylinder 4 by the scotch yoke mechanism, thesecond stage displacer 20 also reciprocates in thesecond stage cylinder 30 along with the reciprocation of thefirst stage displacer 2. - The
second stage displacer 20 includes a second stage displacermain body 20A, a second stageheat exchanging portion 20B, asecond stage regenerator 26, and so on. A second stage displacermain body 20A is in a cylindrical shape having a bottom, and has asecond stage regenerator 26 in the second stage displacermain body 20A. The abovesecond stage displacer 2 is installed in thesecond stage cylinder 30. - On the high temperature end of the
second stage displacer 20, athird flow path 24 is formed to allow the refrigerant gas to flow from a firststage expansion space 3 to thesecond stage regenerator 26 formed on the high temperature side of thesecond stage displacer 20. On a low temperature end of thesecond stage displacer 2, the second stageheat exchanging portion 20B is installed. Between the second stage displacermain body 20A and the second stageheat exchanging portion 20B, afourth flow path 29 is formed to connect thesecond stage regenerator 26 to a secondstage expansion space 28. - The second
stage expansion space 28 is a space formed between the lower surface of thesecond stage cylinder 30 and the lower surface of the second stageheat exchanging portion 20B (second stage displacer 20). A high pressure refrigerant gas is introduced into the secondstage expansion space 28 via thefourth flow path 29. A secondstage cooling stage 27 is provided at a position corresponding to the secondstage expansion space 28 of thesecond stage cylinder 30. - The supply and discharge system includes a
compressor 12, asupply valve 13, areturn valve 14, and so on. When thesupply valve 13 is opened and simultaneously thereturn valve 14 is closed, a high pressure refrigerant gas, which is generated by thecompressor 12, is supplied into aroom temperature chamber 8. In an opposite manner, when thesupply valve 13 is closed and simultaneously thereturn valve 14 is opened, a low pressure refrigerant gas flows back into thecompressor 12. - Next, operations of the above described
regenerative refrigerator 1A are described. - When the
supply valve 13 is opened while the first andsecond stage displacers compressor 12 flows into thefirst stage regenerator 17 via theroom temperature chamber 8 and thefirst flow path 11. The high pressure refrigerant gas, which is cooled by exchanging heat with theregenerative material 7 in thefirst stage regenerator 17, is supplied into the firststage expansion space 3 via thesecond flow path 16. - The refrigerant gas supplied to the first
stage expansion space 3 flows into thesecond stage regenerator 26 via thethird flow path 24. The refrigerant gas exchanges heat withregenerative materials 40 and 42 (described below) so as to be cooled and is supplied to the secondstage expansion space 28 via thefourth flow path 29. - Under the condition, the first and
second stage displacers stage expansion spaces stage expansion spaces second regenerators - When the first and
second stage displacers supply valve 13 is closed and thereturn valve 14 is opened. With this, the refrigerant gas expands in the first and secondstage expansion spaces - The expanded refrigerant gas flows back to a low pressure side of the
compressor 12 via the first andsecond stage regenerators flow paths regenerative materials second regenerators - While the
return valve 14 is maintained to be opened and thesupply valve 13 is maintained to be closed, the first andsecond stage displacers - By repeating a cycle of the above operations, the first
stage expansion space 3 is cooled to be, for example, about 40K and the second stage expansion space is cooled to be, for example, about 4K. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 to 3B , thesecond stage regenerator 26 provided in thesecond stage displacer 20 is described in detail. -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of thesecond stage displacer 20 illustrated inFIG. 1 taken along a line A-A.FIG. 3 illustrates a flow distribution of the refrigerant gas flowing through thesecond stage displacer 20. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , thesecond stage regenerator 26 has a separatingmember 31 on the high temperature side and a separatingmember 32 on the low temperature side. Theregenerative materials members members regenerative materials members - Within the first embodiment, a cross-sectional face of the
second stage regenerator 26 is divided into acentral region 21, which is shaped substantially like a circle and positioned in the vicinity of the center, and aperipheral region 22, which is shaped like a ring and positioned around thecentral region 21. - Here, a flow rate of the refrigerant gas in the
second stage regenerator 26 is described. As described above, when theregenerative refrigerator 1A cools an object, the refrigerant gas flows through the inside of thesecond stage displacer 20. While thesupply valve 13 is opened, the refrigerant gas flows through the high temperature end to the low temperature end inside the second stage displacer 20 (in the downward direction inFIGS. 1 and 3B ). While thereturn valve 14 is opened, the refrigerant gas flows through the low temperature end to the high temperature end inside the second stage displacer 20 (in the upward direction inFIGS. 1 and 3A ). -
FIG. 3A illustrates a flow distribution of the refrigerant gas inside thesecond stage displacer 20 from the low temperature end to the high temperature end.FIG. 3B illustrates a flow distribution of the refrigerant gas inside thesecond stage displacer 20 from the high temperature end to the low temperature end. The lengths of arrows inFIGS. 3A and 3B correspond to the flow rates of the refrigerant gas flowing in thesecond stage regenerator 26. - Referring to
FIGS. 3A and 3B , the flow distribution of the refrigerant gas flowing through thesecond stage displacer 20 is not even in a flowing direction of the refrigerant gas. - In other words, on the cross-sectional face of the second stage displacer, the flow rate (hereinafter, a “central region flow rate”) of the refrigerant gas is larger in the
central region 21 ofsecond stage displacer 20. Meanwhile, the flow rate (hereinafter, a “peripheral region flow rate”) of the refrigerant gas on theperipheral region 22 is less than that of thecentral region 21 of thesecond stage displacer 20. This is because the flow path resistance of the refrigerant gas on thecentral region 21 is less than the flow path resistance of the refrigerant gas on theperipheral region 22. - Within the first embodiment, in association with the flow distribution of the refrigerant gas inside the
second stage regenerator 26, thesecond stage displacer 20 is divided into thecentral region 21 and theperipheral region 22 on the cross-sectional face. Specifically, by dividing the separating member 33 (corresponding to a separating member recited in claims) in the above cylindrical shape, which is provided in a boundary between thecentral region 21 and theperipheral region 22, to thereby divide thecentral region 21 and theperipheral region 22. - The separating
member 33 is provided in an upper portion of the separatingmember 32, which is provided on the low temperature end side inside thesecond stage regenerator 26. The separatingmember 33 allows the refrigerant gas to pass through in a manner similar to other separatingmembers member 33 prevents the regenerative material from passing through. - On the other hand, within the first embodiment, two types of the nonmagnetic
regenerative material 40 and the magneticregenerative material 42 are used as the regenerative material filling thesecond stage regenerator 26. Within the first embodiment, bismuth or an alloy containing bismuth is used as the nonmagneticregenerative material 40. HoCu2 is used as the magneticregenerative material 42. - The magnetic
regenerative material 42 such as HoCu2 has a specific heat (a volumetric specific heat) larger than the nonmagneticregenerative material 40 such as bismuth under an ultralow temperature of 30K or less. Thesecond stage displacer 20 has an ultralow temperature of 15K or less when theregenerative refrigerator 1A operates. Therefore, when theregenerative refrigerator 1A operates, thesecond stage regenerator 26 has a temperature of 30K or less. The magneticregenerative material 42 has specific heat larger than the specific heat of the nonmagneticregenerative material 40. - Within the first embodiment, the
magnetic material 42 having a larger specific heat is provided in thecentral region 21. Themagnetic material 40 having a less specific heat than that of the magneticregenerative material 42 is provided in theperipheral region 22. Therefore, the specific heat of thecentral region 21 becomes larger than the specific heat of theperipheral region 22. - As described, within the first embodiment, because the magnetic
regenerative material 42 having a large specific heat is provided in the central region where the flow rate of the refrigerant gas is large, it is possible to enhance an efficiency of accumulating cooling of thesecond stage regenerator 26. - Because the magnetic
regenerative material 42 is provided only in thecentral region 21, the filling amount (the amount to use) of the magneticregenerative material 42 can be reduced in comparison with the structure in which the magneticregenerative material 42 is provided in the entire second stage regenerator. - Thus, a sufficient cold accumulating capability can be obtained with less magnetic regenerative material, which is rare and expensive.
- Further, in the first embodiment, the magnetic
regenerative material 42 is provided in thecentral region 21 in the vicinity of the low temperature end. In a case where HoCu2 is used as the magneticregenerative material 42, the peak of the volume specific heat is as low as 5K to 10K. Therefore, an efficiency of accumulating cooling is high by providing HoCu2 on the low temperature end in thecentral region 21. - Within the first embodiment, the height of the separating
member 33 separating the nonmagneticregenerative material 40 from the magneticregenerative material 42 is set to be less than the overall height of thesecond stage regenerator 26. The magneticregenerative material 42 is provided only in the vicinity of the low temperature end. The separatingmember 34 is provided in the upper portion of the magneticregenerative material 42, which fills the inside of the separatingmember 33, so that the nonmagneticregenerative material 40 is not mixed with the magneticregenerative material 42. With this structure, the amount of the magneticregenerative material 42 to be used can be reduced while maintaining heat exchanging efficiency with the refrigerant gas. - Within the first embodiment, bismuth is used as the nonmagnetic
regenerative material 40, and HoCu2 or the like is used as the magneticregenerative material 42. However, the materials of the nonmagneticregenerative material 40 and the magneticregenerative material 42 are not limited to these. Other materials may be used. At this time, the magneticregenerative material 42 is preferably made of a material having a peak of the specific heat at 30K or less. Further, the nonmagneticregenerative material 40 is preferably made of lead instead of bismuth or the like. However, in consideration of the environment, it is preferable to use bismuth or the like. - For example, a ratio between cross-sectional areas of the central and peripheral regions is appropriately selected depending on the capability and the size of the refrigerator. It is preferable that the central region occupies from about 50% to about 95%.
- Further, when the
regenerative materials second stage regenerator 26, it is preferable to fill theregenerative materials - Next, referring to
FIGS. 4 to 7C ,regenerative refrigerators 1B to 1D of second to fourth embodiments are described. Referring toFIGS. 4 to 7C , the same reference symbols are attached to the structures corresponding to the structures illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3B and description of these portions is omitted. - Second Embodiment
-
FIG. 4 schematically illustrates aregenerative refrigerator 1B of the second embodiment. Within the first embodiment, only one type of the magneticregenerative material 42 is arranged in thecentral region 21 in theregenerative refrigerator 1A of the above first embodiment. Within the second embodiment, two types ofregenerative materials regenerative material 50 having a peak of the specific heat at 30K or less. Theregenerative materials plate 35. - Specifically, HoCu2 being the magnetic regenerative material used in the first embodiment is used as the first
regenerative material 50 a, which is positioned on the upper side. Meanwhile, GOS (Cd2O2S) being a ceramics regenerative material is used as the secondregenerative material 50 b, which is positioned on the lower side. GOS has a specific heat of about two times of that of HoCu2 in an ultralow temperature region of 4K to 5K. Therefore, the first and secondregenerative materials regenerative material 50 b made of GOS is provided on the low temperature side of the position of providing the first magneticregenerative material 50 a. Then, it is possible to obtain a higher efficiency of accumulating cooling in the second embodiment than in the first embodiment. - Within the above second embodiment, GOS is used as the second
regenerative material 50 b, it is possible to use another regenerative material having a high specific heat peak in the ultralow temperature such as GAP (GdAlO3) instead of GOS. -
FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a regenerative refrigerator 1C of the third embodiment. - Within the above first embodiment, a two-stage
regenerative refrigerator 1A including two sets of the displacer, the cylinder, the regenerator and so on is illustrated. However, this patent application is not limited to the two-stage regenerative refrigerator. - Within the third embodiment, the magnetic
regenerative material 62 is provided in thecentral region 21 of a single-stage regenerative refrigerator. A nonmagneticregenerative material 64 is provided in theperipheral region 22 around thecentral region 21. In the single-stage regenerative refrigerator 1C, theregenerative materials regenerative material 62 having a high specific heat is filled in thecentral region 21, and theregenerative material 64 having a low specific heat is filled in theperipheral region 22 to thereby perform an effect similar to the first embodiment. - The temperature inside the single-stage
regenerative refrigerator 10 is higher than the temperature inside a multi-stage regenerative refrigerator. Therefore, in the single-stageregenerative refrigerator 10, the regenerative material provided in thecentral region 21 is not limited to a magnetic regenerative material and may be a material having a lower specific heat than that of the magnetic regenerative material. Further, the nonmagnetic regenerative material other than the magnetic regenerative material may be filled in thecentral region 21. - For example, a ratio between cross-sectional areas of the central and peripheral regions is appropriately selected depending on the capability and the size of the refrigerator. It is preferable that the central region occupies from about 50% to about 95%.
- Fourth Embodiment
-
FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a regenerative refrigerator of the fourth embodiment. - The
regenerative refrigerator 1D is separated into the high and low temperature sides by providing a separatingmember 36 inside thesecond stage regenerator 26. The nonmagneticregenerative material 40 fills the region on the high temperature side (hereinafter, a “high temperature region” 26 a), and the magneticregenerative material 42 fills the region on the low temperature side (hereinafter, a “low temperature region” 26 b). Therefore, in thelow temperature region 26 b of thesecond regenerator 26, the magneticregenerative material 42 is provided in both of thecentral region 21 and theperipheral region 22. - Further, in the fourth embodiment, a
filler 44A is provided in theperipheral region 22 of the magneticregenerative material 42 on the low temperature side.FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of thefiller 44A. - The
filler 44A is formed of a plate material made of copper, a copper alloy or the like having high heat conductivity. Thefiller 44A is in a ring shape (an annular shape) with acentral hole 45 formed in the center. The diameter of thecentral hole 45 is substantially the same as the diameter of thecentral region 21. The outer diameter of thefiller 44A is determined so that thefiller 44A can be installed inside thesecond stage regenerator 26. - Further, plural through
holes 46 are opened in thefiller 44A. Within the fourth embodiment, 8 pairs of (two) through holes of the throughholes 46 are opened in a radial pattern. The diameters of the throughholes 46 are set to be larger than a particle diameter of the magneticregenerative material 42. - The
above filler 44A is provided inside thesecond stage regenerator 26. At this time, thefiller 44A is provided inside the second stage regenerator so as to be embedded in theregenerative material 42. Within the fourth embodiment, three sheets of thefillers 44A are piled with a predetermined gap inside the magneticregenerative material 42. However, the number of thefillers 44A filling the inside of the magneticregenerative material 42 is not limited to the above and can be appropriately selected. - As described, the
central hole 45 is opened in thefiller 44A. By providing thefiller 44A inside the magneticregenerative material 42, thefiller 44A is provided substantially in theperipheral region 22. - Here, a filling rate of the magnetic regenerative material inside the
low temperature region 26 b is described. In thelow temperature region 26 b, thefiller 44A is provided (embedded). Therefore, the filling amount of the magneticregenerative material 42 is decreased by the volume of thefiller 44A. - The filling rate of the magnetic
regenerative material 42 in thecentral region 21 inside thelow temperature region 26 b is higher because thecentral hole 45 is opened in the center of thefiller 44A corresponding to thecentral region 21. Meanwhile, the filling rate of the magneticregenerative material 42 in theperipheral region 22 is lower than in thecentral region 21 because thefiller 44A exists in theperipheral region 22. - As described, in the regenerative refrigerator of the fourth embodiment, the filling rate of the magnetic
regenerative material 42 in thecentral region 21 is greater than the filling rate of the magneticregenerative material 42 in theperipheral region 22 inside thelow temperature region 26 b. Therefore, inside thelow temperature region 26 b, the specific heat of thecentral region 21 is larger than the specific heat of theperipheral region 22. - In a manner similar to the
regenerative refrigerator 1A of the first embodiment, the filling amount of the magneticregenerative material 42 can be reduced without reducing a cooling efficiency of thesecond stage regenerator 26 of theregenerative refrigerator 1D of the fourth embodiment. -
FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate modified examples to thefiller 44A illustrated inFIG. 7A . Afiller 44B illustrated inFIG. 7B is formed of a metallic mesh. The structure of the metallic mesh is not specifically limited and can be appropriately selected in response to the specific heat and the filling rate of the desirable regenerative material. - A
filler 44C illustrated inFIG. 7C is formed so that radiatingopenings 47 extend from thecentral hole 45 instead of the throughholes 46 opened in thefiller 44A. The radiatingopening 47 is shaped like a trapezoid, of which lower base longer than the upper base is connected with thecentral hole 45. By appropriately selecting the shape of the radiatingopenings 47, the specific heat of the regenerative material inside the regenerator can be varied. The materials of thefillers filler 44A. - Although the outer shapes of the
fillers FIGS. 7B and 7C are like rings, the outer shape of the filler is not limited to the shape of a ring. For example, the outer shape of the filler may be a sphere, a cylindrical column, a rectangular solid, or the like. - All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority or inferiority of the invention. Although the regenerative refrigerator has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (8)
1. A regenerative refrigerator comprising:
a regenerator filled with a regenerative material for accumulating cooling of a refrigerant gas,
wherein the regenerator is divided into a central region and a peripheral region on a cross-sectional face of the regenerator, and
a specific heat of the central region is larger than a specific heat of the peripheral region.
2. The regenerative refrigerator according to claim 1 ,
wherein a flow path resistance for the refrigerant gas in the central region is less than a flow path resistance for the refrigerant gas in the peripheral region.
3. The regenerative refrigerator according to claim 1 ,
wherein a magnetic regenerative material made of a magnetic material is provided in the central region, and
a nonmagnetic regenerative material made of a nonmagnetic material is provided in the peripheral region.
4. The regenerative refrigerator according to claim 1 ,
wherein the central region and the peripheral region are divided by a separating member.
5. The regenerative refrigerator according to claim 1 ,
wherein a magnetic regenerative material made of a magnetic material is provided in both of the central region and the peripheral region, and
a filler is provided in the peripheral region.
6. The regenerative refrigerator according to claim 5 ,
wherein a filling rate of the magnetic regenerative material is larger in the central region than in the peripheral region.
7. The regenerative refrigerator according to claim 5 ,
wherein the filler is a metallic mesh.
8. The regenerative refrigerator according to claim 5 ,
wherein the filler has a plurality of through holes.
Priority Applications (1)
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US15/672,449 US10203135B2 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2017-08-09 | Regenerative refrigerator |
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JP2012161531A JP5889743B2 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2012-07-20 | Regenerative refrigerator |
JP2012-161531 | 2012-07-20 |
Related Child Applications (1)
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US15/672,449 Division US10203135B2 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2017-08-09 | Regenerative refrigerator |
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US20140020407A1 true US20140020407A1 (en) | 2014-01-23 |
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US13/871,100 Abandoned US20140020407A1 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2013-04-26 | Regenerative refrigerator |
US15/672,449 Active US10203135B2 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2017-08-09 | Regenerative refrigerator |
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US15/672,449 Active US10203135B2 (en) | 2012-07-20 | 2017-08-09 | Regenerative refrigerator |
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US (2) | US20140020407A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5889743B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103574961B (en) |
Cited By (2)
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CN104819592A (en) * | 2014-01-31 | 2015-08-05 | 住友重机械工业株式会社 | Regenerator and regenerative refrigerator |
US10753653B2 (en) * | 2018-04-06 | 2020-08-25 | Sumitomo (Shi) Cryogenic Of America, Inc. | Heat station for cooling a circulating cryogen |
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JP6388106B2 (en) * | 2014-03-14 | 2018-09-12 | アイシン精機株式会社 | Cold storage type refrigerator |
JP6284794B2 (en) * | 2014-03-19 | 2018-02-28 | 住友重機械工業株式会社 | Regenerator |
JP6376793B2 (en) * | 2014-03-26 | 2018-08-22 | 住友重機械工業株式会社 | Regenerator type refrigerator |
JP2016075429A (en) * | 2014-10-07 | 2016-05-12 | 住友重機械工業株式会社 | Cryogenic refrigeration machine |
JP2019095090A (en) * | 2017-11-20 | 2019-06-20 | 住友重機械工業株式会社 | Cryogenic refrigerator |
CN112880226A (en) * | 2021-03-11 | 2021-06-01 | 中国科学院上海技术物理研究所 | Cold storage filler filling device for Stirling type refrigeration product and operation method |
CN114111083A (en) * | 2021-11-02 | 2022-03-01 | 深圳供电局有限公司 | Regenerator and cold accumulation type low-temperature refrigerator adopting same |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US10203135B2 (en) | 2019-02-12 |
JP2014020716A (en) | 2014-02-03 |
JP5889743B2 (en) | 2016-03-22 |
CN103574961B (en) | 2016-06-29 |
CN103574961A (en) | 2014-02-12 |
US20170336107A1 (en) | 2017-11-23 |
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