Cryocooler having variable-length inertance channel for tuning resonance of pulse tube

摘要

A system includes a pulse tube, a compressor configured to create pulses of fluid in the pulse tube, and a surge tank. The surge tank includes a housing that defines a surge volume configured to receive the fluid from the pulse tube. An inertance channel defines a passageway through which the fluid flows to and from the surge volume. At least part of the inertance channel has an open side to the surge volume. The surge tank also includes an adjustable seal configured to block at least part of the open side of the inertance channel and to move in order to change a functional length of the inertance channel. The housing may include a material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion, and the adjustable seal may include a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a surge tank comprising a housing that defines a surge volume configured to receive fluid from a cryocooler; an inertance channel defining a passageway through which the fluid flows to and from the surge volume, at least part of the inertance channel comprising a channel in an inner wall of the housing, the channel in the inner wall having an open side to the surge volume along at least part of a length of the channel in the inner wall; and an adjustable seal positioned at least partially along the inner wall within the surge tank, the adjustable seal configured to block at least part of the open side of the channel in the inner wall, the adjustable seal also configured to move along an axis of the surge tank in order to change a functional length of the inertance channel by changing a location of an outlet of the inertance channel into the surge volume.