초록 ▼

A pulse tube cryocooler ( 90 ) is disclosed having a second cryocooler section ( 94 b ) with a single pulse tube stage ( 35 c ), and having a first cryocooler section ( 94 a ) with a pair of pulse tube stages ( 35 a , 35 b ). A first pressure oscillator ( 98 a ) is associated with the f

A pulse tube cryocooler ( 90 ) is disclosed having a second cryocooler section ( 94 b ) with a single pulse tube stage ( 35 c ), and having a first cryocooler section ( 94 a ) with a pair of pulse tube stages ( 35 a , 35 b ). A first pressure oscillator ( 98 a ) is associated with the first cryocooler section ( 94 a ), while a second pressure oscillator ( 98 b ) is associated with the second cryocooler section ( 94 b ). The first cryocooler section ( 94 a ) and the second cryocooler section ( 94 b ) are fluidly isolated from each other. Therefore, the charge pressure, the pressure amplitude, oscillation frequency, and working gas in each of the first cryocooler section ( 94 a ) and the second cryocooler section ( 94 b ) may be independently selected/established.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A cryocooler, comprising:a first cryocooler section comprising first and second stages, wherein said first and second stages each comprise at least one pulse tube;a first pressure oscillator fluidly connected with said first cryocooler section;a second cryocooler section comprising a second cryoc

1. A cryocooler, comprising:a first cryocooler section comprising first and second stages, wherein said first and second stages each comprise at least one pulse tube;a first pressure oscillator fluidly connected with said first cryocooler section;a second cryocooler section comprising a second cryocooler section first stage, that in turn comprises at least one pulse tube; anda second pressure oscillator fluidly interconnected with said second cryocooler section thermally coupled to said first cryogenic section and wherein said first and second cryocooler sections are fluidly isolated from each other. 2. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first stage of said first cryocooler section further comprises a first regenerator, a first pulse tube, and first, second, and third heat exchangers, wherein said first pressure oscillator is fluidly interconnected with said first stage, said first heat exchanger is associated with a first part of said first regenerator, said second heat exchanger is associated with both a second part of said first regenerator and a first part of said first pulse tube, and said third heat exchanger is associated with a second part of said first pulse tube;said first stage of said first cryocooler section precools said second stage of said first cryocooler section, wherein said second stage comprises a second regenerator, a second pulse tube, and fourth, fifth, and sixth heat exchangers, wherein said first pressure oscillator is also fluidly interconnected with said second stage, said fourth heat exchanger is associated with a first part of said second regenerator, said fifth heat exchanger is associated with both a second part of said second regenerator and a first part of said second pulse tube, and said sixth heat exchanger is associated with a second part of said second pulse tube; andsaid second cryocooler section first stage comprises a third regenerator, a third pulse tube, and seventh, eighth, and ninth heat exchangers, wherein said second pressure oscillator is fluidly interconnected with the second cryocooler section first stage, said seventh heat exchanger is associated with a first part of said third regenerator, said eighth heat exchanger is associated with both a second part of said third regenerator and a first part of said third pulse tube, and said ninth heat exchanger is associated with a second part of said third pulse tube. 3. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 2, wherein:said first heat exchanger of said first stage of said first cryocooler section and said seventh heat exchanger of said second cryocooler section first stage are thermally connected by a heat transfer link. 4. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 2, wherein:said second heat exchanger of said first stage of said first cryocooler section and said eighth heat exchanger of said second cryocooler section first stage are thermally connected by a heat transfer link. 5. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:said first heat exchanger of said first stage of said first cryocooler section and said seventh heat exchanger of said second cryocooler section first stage are thermally connected by a heat transfer link. 6. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first cryocooler section comprises a first charge pressure and said second cryocooler section comprises a second charge pressure, wherein said first and second charge pressures are of the same magnitude. 7. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first cryocooler section comprises a first charge pressure and said second cryocooler section comprises a second charge pressure that is of a different magnitude than said first charge pressure. 8. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first pressure oscillator and said second pressure oscillator generate a common fluid pressure amplitude in said first and second cryocooler sections, respectively. 9. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first pressure oscillator and said second pr essure oscillator generate a different fluid pressure amplitude in said first and second cryocooler sections, respectively. 10. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections utilize a common charge pressure, wherein said first pressure oscillator and said second pressure oscillator generate a different pressure amplitude in said first and second cryocooler sections, respectively. 11. A pulse type tube cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections comprise a common type of fluid. 12. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections comprise first and second fluids, respectively, wherein said first and second fluids are of a different type. 13. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections comprise first and second fluids, respectively, wherein said first and second cryocooler sections comprise first and second fluid charge pressures, respectively, and wherein said first and second pressure oscillators generate first and second fluid pressure amplitudes, respectively, in said first and second cryocooler sections, respectively, wherein said first and second fluids are selected from the group consisting of a common fluid type and a different fluid type, wherein said first and second charge pressures are selected from the group consisting of same and different magnitudes, and wherein said first and second pressure amplitudes are selected from the group consisting of same and different magnitudes. 14. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first and second pressure oscillators comprise first and second compressors, respectively. 15. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 14, wherein:said first and second compressors run at a common frequency. 16. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 14, wherein:said first and second compressors run at different frequencies. 17. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first and second pressure oscillators comprise a common compressor. 18. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:a compressor comprises a common controller, as well as first and second pistons each interconnected with said common controller and disposed within first and second compression spaces, respectively, wherein said first and second compression spaces are fluidly isolated from each other, wherein said first pressure oscillator comprises said first piston and said first compression space, and wherein said second pressure oscillator comprises said second piston and said second compression space. 19. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 18, wherein:said controller moves said first and second pistons in opposite directions. 20. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:wherein said second cryocooler section first stage comprises means for precooling said first stage of said first cryocooler section. 21. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said second cryocooler section first stage comprises means for precooling at least part of said first cryocooler section. 22. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first cryocooler section comprises means for providing cooling over a first temperature range and said second cryocooler section comprises means for providing cooling over a second temperature range that is different from said first temperature range. 23. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 22, wherein:said first temperature range is lower than said second temperature range. 24. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first cryocooler section utilizes a lower charge pressure than said second cryocooler section, wherein said first cryocooler section cools to a lower temperature than said second cryocooler section. 25. A cryocooler, comprising:a first cryocooler section;a second cryocooler section; anda compressor comprising first and second pistons that are disposed within first and second compression spaces, respectively, wherein said fi rst and second compression spaces are fluidly isolated from each other, wherein said first compression space is fluidly interconnected with said first cryocooler section and is fluidly isolated from said second cryocooler section, and wherein said second compression space is fluidly interconnected with said second cryocooler section and is fluidly isolated from said first cryocooler section. 26. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections each utilize at least one pulse tube, wherein said first and second cryocooler sections use a different number of said pulse tubes. 27. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections each utilize at least one pulse tube. 28. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:a first stage of said first cryocooler section comprises a first regenerator, a first pulse tube, and first, second, and third heat exchangers, wherein said first compression space is fluidly interconnected with said first stage, said first heat exchanger is associated with a first part of said first regenerator, said second heat exchanger is associated with both a second part of said first regenerator and a first part of said first pulse tube, and said third heat exchanger is associated with a second part of said first pulse tube;said first stage of said first cryocooler section precools a second stage of said first cryocooler section, wherein said second stage comprises a second regenerator, a second pulse tube, and fourth, fifth, and sixth heat exchangers, wherein said first compression space is also fluidly interconnected with said second stage, said fourth heat exchanger is associated with a first part of said second regenerator, said fifth heat exchanger is associated with both a second part of said second regenerator and a first part of said second pulse tube, and said sixth heat exchanger is associated with a second part of said second pulse tube; anda second cryocooler section first stage of said second cryocooler comprises a third regenerator, a third pulse tube, and seventh, eighth, and ninth heat exchangers, wherein said second compression space is fluidly interconnected with the second cryocooler section first stage, said seventh heat exchanger is associated with a first part of said third regenerator, said eighth heat exchanger is associated with both a second part of said third regenerator and a first part of said third pulse tube, and said ninth heat exchanger is associated with a second part of said third pulse tube. 29. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 28, wherein:said first heat exchanger of said first stage of said first cryocooler section and said seventh heat exchanger of said second cryocooler section first stage are thermally connected by a heat transfer link. 30. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 28, wherein:said second heat exchanger of said first stage of said first cryocooler section and said eighth heat exchanger of said second cryocooler section first stage are thermally connected by a heat transfer link. 31. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 30, wherein:said first heat exchanger of said first stage of said first cryocooler section and said seventh heat exchanger of said second cryocooler section first stage are thermally connected by a heat transfer link. 32. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:a first pressure oscillator comprises said first piston and said first compression space, and wherein a second pressure oscillator comprises said second piston and said second compression space. 33. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections utilize a common charge pressure. 34. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections utilize different charge pressures. 35. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections utilize a common fluid pressure amplitude. 36. A cryocooler, as claimed in cla im 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections utilize a different fluid pressure amplitude. 37. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler section utilize a common fluid charge pressure and a different fluid pressure amplitude. 38. A pulse type tube cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections comprise a common type of fluid. 39. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections comprise first and second fluids, respectively, wherein said first and second fluids are of a different type. 40. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections comprise first and second fluids, respectively, and first and second fluid charge pressures, respectively, wherein said first and second pistons generate first and second fluid pressure amplitudes, respectively, in said first and second cryocooler sections, respectively, wherein said first and second fluids are selected from the group consisting of a common fluid type and a different fluid type, wherein said first and charge pressures are selected from the group consisting of same and different magnitudes, and wherein said first and second pressure amplitudes are selected from the group consisting of same and different magnitudes. 41. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said compressor comprises a controller that is at least operatively interconnected with each of said first and second pistons. 42. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 41, wherein:said controller moves said first and second pistons at a common frequency. 43. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 41, wherein:said controller moves said first and second pistons in opposite directions. 44. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 43, wherein:said controller moves said first and second pistons at a common frequency. 45. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first and second cryocooler sections are thermally connected. 46. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first cryocooler section comprises first and second stages, and wherein said second cryocooler section comprises means for precooling said first stage of said first cryocooler section. 47. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said second cryocooler section comprises means for precooling at least part of said first cryocooler section. 48. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first cryocooler section comprises means for providing cooling over a first temperature range and said second cryocooler section comprises means for providing cooling over a second temperature range that is different from said first temperature range. 49. A cryocooler, as claimed in claimed 48 , wherein:said first temperature range is lower than said second temperature range. 50. A cryocooler, as claimed in claim 25, wherein:said first cryocooler section utilizes a lower charge pressure than said second cryocooler section, wherein said first cryocooler section cools to a lower temperature than said second cryocooler section.