초록 ▼

A microminiature laminated heat exchanger for use in a cryogenic probe, and a method of manufacture. The heat exchanger has high and low pressure flow patterns etched into oxygen free copper sheets, with the flow patterns being tortuous paths promoting turbulent flow. The sheets containing the flow

A microminiature laminated heat exchanger for use in a cryogenic probe, and a method of manufacture. The heat exchanger has high and low pressure flow patterns etched into oxygen free copper sheets, with the flow patterns being tortuous paths promoting turbulent flow. The sheets containing the flow patterns are bonded into a laminated assembly in the shape of a cylinder, with a high pressure inlet and a low pressure outlet in a first end, and a high pressure outlet and a low pressure inlet in a second end. The high pressure flow path lies alongside the low pressure flow path, with flow in the two paths being in opposite directions, to accomplish counterflow heat exchange. Substantial portions of the flow paths are either parallel to, or transverse to, the longitudinal axis of the heat exchanger, with the resulting heat flow being essentially radial or axial, respectively.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A microminiature heat exchanger for transferring heat from a high pressure gas stream to a low pressure gas stream within a cryogenic probe, said heat exchanger comprising:a laminated assembly of a plurality of plates of heat conductive material;a high pressure passageway through s

[ We claim:] [1.] A microminiature heat exchanger for transferring heat from a high pressure gas stream to a low pressure gas stream within a cryogenic probe, said heat exchanger comprising:a laminated assembly of a plurality of plates of heat conductive material;a high pressure passageway through said laminated assembly, said high pressure passageway having an inlet port connectable to a cryogenic gas supply, said high pressure passageway having an outlet port connectable to an inlet of a gas expansion element;a low pressure passageway through said laminated assembly, said low pressure passageway lying substantially alongside said high pressure passageway, said low pressure passageway having an inlet port connectable to an outlet of a gas expansion element, said low pressure passageway having an outlet port; anda substantially annular insulating jacket integrally formed within said heat exchanger by formation of substantially annular channels through said plates, said substantially annular channels being positioned radially outwardly from said high pressure passageway and said low pressure passageway, said annular insulating jacket being evacuated,wherein the direction of flow from said inlet port to said outlet port of said high pressure passageway is substantially opposite to the direction of flow from said inlet port to said outlet port of said low pressure passageway; andwherein each said passageway is arranged to create a tortuous flow path, to ensure turbulent flow of cryogenic gas therethrough.