Stirling cycle refrigerator, with expansion cylinder having integral fins

摘要

In a Stirling cycle refrigerator, the expansion (cold) cylinder 31 has an annular housing 32 and a heat exchange housing 45. Working fluid passes between housing 45 and cylinder 31, through regenerator 28 and between cylinder 32 and housing 32. The inner peripheries of heat exchange housing 45 and housing 32 are formed with grooves 51, 39, so that the walls between the grooves form fins to increase the heat exchange area. The outer periphery of housing 32 may be formed with fins 38, while heat exchange housing 45 may be formed with fins 50. Alternatively, the fins can be formed from offset strip fins made from strips of material folded into a serpentine shape.