US3742719A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic refrigerator
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1972-03-16
•
Granted: 1973-07-03
•
Expires: 1992-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A phase angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the phase angle of cryogen gas displacers in Vuilleumier cycle refrigerators is provided. By this adjustment, the phase angle is adjusted to accommodate for non-ideal conditions in cycle operation to obtain maximum refrigeration.
Inventors
- 👤 G Lagodmos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:10
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G1/044; F02G1/0445; F02G2250/00; F02G2250/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A cryogenic refrigerator apparatus comprising: a crank housing; first and second cylinders carried on said crank housing, cryogen gas interconnection means interconnecting said first and second cylinders for permitting flow of cryogen gas between said first and second cylinders; first and second pistons mounted for reciprocation respectively within said first and second cylinders for acting on cryogen gas within said cylinders to cause flow of cryogen gas between said cylinders; drive means interconnecting said pistons for operating said first and second pistons in cyclic relationship with respect to each other, the improvement comprising: said drive means being adjustable so that the relative phase of operation of said first and second pistons with respect to each other is adjustable to optimize refrigerator capacity, said drive means having first and second surfaces eccentrically rotatable about an axis, and positioned within said crank housing, said eccentric surfaces being connected to drive said pistons, said eccentric surfaces being relatively rotatably adjustable about said axis to adjust operating phase angle between said first and second pistons.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A cryogenic refrigerator apparatus comprising: a crank housing; first and second cylinders carried on said crank housing, cryogen gas interconnection means interconnecting said first and second cylinders for permitting flow of cryogen gas between said first and second cylinders; first and second pistons mounted for reciprocation respectively within said first and second cylinders for acting on cryogen gas within said cylinders to cause flow of cryogen gas between said cylinders; drive means interconnecting said pistons for operating said first and second pistons in cyclic relationship with respect to each other, the improvement comprising: said drive means being adjustable so that the relative phase of operation of said first and second pistons with respect to each other is adjustable to optimize refrigerator capacity, said drive means having first and second surfaces eccentrically rotatable about an axis, and positioned within said crank housing, said eccentric surfaces being connected to drive said pistons, said eccentric surfaces being relatively rotatably adjustable about said axis to adjust operating phase angle between said first and second pistons.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 1 wherein said eccentric surfaces are mounted on first and second discs, said first and second discs being rotatable on said axis, and being rotatable with respect to each other to obtain the phase angle adjustment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 2 wherein said crankcase has a substantially cylindrical cavity therein, and said discs are rotatably mounted in said cylindrical crankcase cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 3 wherein said disc has an eccentric groove in an axial face thereof, said disc carrying a laterally-extending drivepin thereon, said drive pin extending into said groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 4 wherein an eccentric drive ring is positioned in said eccentric groove is said disc, and said drivepin is mounted in said eccentric drive ring, said eccentric drive ring being rotatably mounted with respect to said disc within said eccentric groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 5 wherein said eccentric drive ring is mounted on an anti-friction bearing with respect to said disc within said eccentric groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The cryogenic refrIgerator apparatus of claim 2 wherein a piston rod is connected to said piston, said piston rod extending into a guidebore within said crank housing, said guidebore intersecting said cylindrical cavity so that said piston rod can interengage with said actuating means so that piston position is controlled by said disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 7 wherein said piston rod is cylindrical and its axis substantially intersects with the axis of rotation of said disc at substantially right angles, said axis of said piston rod lying substantially on an axial face of said disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 8 wherein said piston rod is axially positioned along its guidebore in accordance with said eccentric groove, and when said piston rod is positioned closest to the axis of said disc, the portion of said piston rod closest to said disc is in a non-engaging close-running fit with respect to said disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 9 wherein the end of said piston rod toward the axis of rotation of said disc has an axially-directed flat position thereon, said flat being substantially formed along a diameter of said piston rod and terminating in a surface which has a curvature substantially equal to the cylindrical curvature of said disc and said cavity in said crank housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The cryogenic refrigerator of claim 2 wherein said first disc carries a gear, and said second disc carries a pinion, said pinion being engaged in said gear so that, when said pinion is rotated with respect to said second disc, said second disc is rotated with respect to said first disc on said axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2508315A
Cited
US3315465A
Cited
US3457722A
Cited
US3416307A
Cited
US3416308A
Cited
US3482457A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |