An experimental reciprocating expander for cryocooler application
Abstract
An experimental reciprocating expander was designed with features appropriate for cryocooler cycles. The expander has a displacer piston, simple valves, and a hydraulic/pneumatic stroking mechanism. The expander has a valve in head configuration with the valves extending out the bottom of the vacuum enclosure while the piston extends out the top. The expander was tested using a CTI 1400 liquefier to supply 13 atm in the temperature range 4.2 to 12 K. Expander efficiency was measured in the range 84 to 93% while operating the apparatus as a supercritical wet expander and in the range 91 to 93% aa a single phase expander. The apparatus can also be modified to operate as a compressor for saturated helium vapor.
- Publication:
-
3rd Cryocooler Conference
- Pub Date:
- May 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985crco.conf..135M
- Keywords:
-
- Coolers;
- Cryogenic Equipment;
- Liquid Helium;
- Reciprocation;
- Thermal Expansion;
- Thermophysical Properties;
- Cryogenics;
- Performance Tests;
- Reciprocity Theorem;
- Thermodynamic Properties;
- Engineering (General)