Project Title:

A Thermally Effective Regenerator for Low-Temperature Cryocoolers

08.12-3800
A Thermally Effective Regenerator for Low-Temperature Cryocoolers
Creare Inc.
PO Box 71
Hanover
NH
03755
W. Dodd
Stacy
(603-643-3800)
JPL

Abstract:

Small Stirling cryocoolers are limited in the attainment of very low temperatures
by the adverse trend in the ratio of volumetric heat capacity between gaseous helium
and regenerator matrix materials below about 40 K. The proposed concept for a thermally
effective regenerator overcomes this limitation by providing a dynamic helium matrix.
The objective of the Phase I project is to demonstrate experimentally the relative
thermal storage effectiveness of this regenerator configuration and a more conventional
regenerator between 4.2 K and 77 K. The effort includes design, fabrication and testing
of an innovative regenerator over a range of mass flows, pressures, and operating
frequencies.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  Small Stirling cryocoolers (2-4 K temperature)
could support the operation of various superconducting devices useful in communication,
medicine, laboratory research, and small-scale condensing of helium for laboratory
use.