A development program on pulse tube coolers was initiated a few years ago at CEA/SBT. Both theoretical and experimental aspects have been studied. A fairly complete model used to design and optimise most prototypes has been successfully tested against experimental results. A wide range of pulse tube coolers have been developed, with performance ranging from 100 Watts at 72 K for the low frequency / large sizes, to 1 Watt at 80 K for the high frequency miniature coolers. In addition work is currently being performed on multistage pulse tube coolers. In the framework of an ESA contract we are developing for space purposes a pulse tube cryocooler associated with a compressor based on the technology of diaphragm springs and clearance seals. Various prototypes of the pulse tube cooler have been characterised. The preliminary experimental results presented at the last cryocooler conference (1996) showed a peculiar behaviour in double inlet mode : temperature oscillations were seen as a function of the setting of the impedance (V2). The reason for these oscillations, now clearly understood and experimentally validated, is due to a gaseous mass flow circulating through the regenerator and tube. Experimental results on high frequency (45 Hz) pulse tube coolers regarding this aspect are presented, as well as technological solutions to suppress or compensate for it.
In addition work has been performed on the inertance aspect in orifice mode for high frequency pulse tube. The use of inertance for the impedance (V1) improves the phase shift between the pressure and the mass flow rate, and provides a significant gain in performance.
Experimental Results on Inertance and Permanent Flow in Pulse Tube Coolers
Cryocoolers 10 ; Chapter : 33 ; 281-290
2002-01-01
10 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
Experimental Results on Inertance and Permanent Flow in Pulse Tube Coolers
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