A small free-piston Stirling refrigerator
Abstract
The performance characteristics of Stirling machines with free moving pistons were studied. The design of the small free piston Stirling refrigerator, is described and a new way to describe the pressure fluctuations in the Stirling system is given. The equations of movement of the piston and the displacer are derived. A small cryogenic cooler, based on the free displacer Stirling principle, was designed and developed with a capacity of 1 W at 77 K. The main application is for infrared radiation detection. The concept leads to a machine with a very long life requiring no maintenance and having negligible degradation. The machine, has shown a long lifetime and a very stable lowest temperature. The pressure fluctuation in the machine which leads to an explanation of the behavior of a free displacer refrigerator is descrbed and the linear drive system of the machine is discussed.
- Publication:
-
In its Design and Fabrication of a Long-Life Stirling Cycle Cooler for Space Application. Phases 1 and 2: Engineering Model 7 p (SEE N86-21714 12-31
- Pub Date:
- March 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983dfll.nasa.....D
- Keywords:
-
- Cryogenic Equipment;
- Displacement;
- Magnetic Bearings;
- Pistons;
- Refrigerators;
- Stirling Cycle;
- Infrared Radiation;
- Pressure Gradients;
- Product Development;
- Radiation Detectors;
- Service Life;
- Engineering (General)