US3817044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pulse tube refrigerator
Assignee: Philips North America LLC
•
Filing: 1973-04-04
•
Granted: 1974-06-18
•
Expires: 1993-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A refrigeration apparatus including a pulse tube and regenerator operable with hydrogen gas and a compressor, the gas being cyclically flowed into and out of the pulse tube. The source of this gas and the compressor being a container of lanthanum nickel (LaNi5) which when cooled absorbs a large quantity of the gas, and when heated desorbs rapidly a large quantity of the gas which tends to expand the flows under pressure to the pulse tube where refrigeration is produced.
Inventors
- 👤 A Daniels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:34
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B37/00; F04B37/06; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G1/044; F02G1/0445; F25; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/14; F25B9/145; F02G2250/00; F02G2250/18; F25B2309/00; F25B2309/006; F25B2309/14; F25B2309/1408; F25B2309/1418; F25B2309/14181; F25B2309/1421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for cooling the LaNi5 comprises a tubular cooling element within said container, and a source of cooling fluid flowed through said cooling element for receiving heat from said LaNi5 within the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for heating the LaNi5 comprises at least one electrical heating element within said container, and a source of electric current flowed into said element for heating same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising at least two of said containers, said duct means interconnecting the containers, said first valve means controlling hydrogen flow in said duct means selectively to provide series or parallel connection between said containers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pulse tube comprises a stainless steel tubular housing having an inlet end in communication with said regenerator and a remote end, the inlet end having an exposed coPper part operating as a cooler and the remote end having a copper part operating as a freezer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
144 words
A pulse tube refrigerator in combination with a lanthanum-nickel (LaNi5) hydrogen gas compressor and operable with a quantity of hydrogen gas, the compressor comprising at least one container of LaNi5, first means for heating said LaNi5, second means for cooling said LaNi5, duct means communicating said container with said pulse tube for flowing hydrogen gas between said container and pulse tube, a regenerator in said duct means intermediate the container the pulse tube, valve means for controlling flow of hydrogen gas in said duct means, whereby heat from said first means causes the LaNi5 to desorb hydrogen gas to flow via the duct means through the regenerator and into the pulse tube when refrigeration is produced, and cold from said second means causes said LaNi5 to absorb said gas by drawing same via said duct means back from the pulse tube through the regenerator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for heating and means for cooling the LaNi5 and respectively causing the hydrogen gas to be cyclically desorbed and absorbed, causes this gas to experience a pressure-vs-time variation that approximates a square wave.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |