US3849652A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floating annulus for gas porting to a moving heat exchanger
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1973-06-25
•
Granted: 1974-11-19
•
Expires: 1993-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A thermal energy receiver having an infrared detector array mounted in a detector-vacuum module and a refrigerator for cooling the detector to an operating temperature is disclosed. The detector-vacuum module includes a dewar having a cold finger supporting a detector array mount and an infrared detector array attached to the mount. The refrigerator includes a cold finger having at one end a heat transfer mechanism, a regeneratordisplacer having a floating annulus structure, and an off-axis drive mechanism interconnecting the regenerator-displacer and a compressor piston to a driver motor. The heat transfer mechanism provides greater efficiency in cooling the detector array, the floating annulus provides a cryogen passage from the compressor to the regenerator-displacer throughout reciprocation thereof to eliminate ''''dead-space'''' when the displacer is mounted in a closed cylinder, and the off-axis drive mechanism structure provides a large bearing structure which resists axial movement due to shock vibration.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Dix
- 👤 Carol O Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:22
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D19/00; F25D19/006; F25B; F25B9/00; F25B9/14; G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/06; G01J5/061; F25B2309/00; F25B2309/003; F28; F28F; F28F13/00; F28F2013/005; F28F2013/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
In an infrared receiver including an infrared detector in a scanning path for infrared energy emanating from a source thereof for producing electrical signals representative of impinging infrared energy, an electro-optical system coupled to the detector for processing video Signals from the electrical signals produced by the detector, and a refrigerator for cooling the detector to an operating temperature, said refrigerator having a motor, a compressor having a piston, a cooling member having a cold chamber and a regenerator-displacer, and a passage interconnecting the cooling member for transporting a cryogen between the compressor and the cold chamber of the cooling member responsive to the operation of the motor reciprocating piston in the compressor and the regenerator-displacer in the cooling member, the cooling member, compressor and passage forming a working volume for the cryogen, the improvement comprising a passage means for connecting the regenerator-displacer throughout the reciprocating cycle thereof to reduce the dead volume in the working volume and to circulate continuously the cryogen between the cold chamber and compressor through the regenerator-displacer to cool the cold chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
In an infrared receiver including an infrared detector in a scanning path for infrared energy emanating from a source thereof for producing electrical signals representative of impinging infrared energy, an electro-optical system coupled to the detector for processing video Signals from the electrical signals produced by the detector, and a refrigerator for cooling the detector to an operating temperature, said refrigerator having a motor, a compressor having a piston, a cooling member having a cold chamber and a regenerator-displacer, and a passage interconnecting the cooling member for transporting a cryogen between the compressor and the cold chamber of the cooling member responsive to the operation of the motor reciprocating piston in the compressor and the regenerator-displacer in the cooling member, the cooling member, compressor and passage forming a working volume for the cryogen, the improvement comprising a passage means for connecting the regenerator-displacer throughout the reciprocating cycle thereof to reduce the dead volume in the working volume and to circulate continuously the cryogen between the cold chamber and compressor through the regenerator-displacer to cool the cold chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
An infrared receiver according to claim 1 wherein the passage means interconnecting the compressor cylinder passage to the regenerator-displacer comprises an annulus formed in a portion of the exterior surface of the regenerator-displacer, said annulus providing cryogen access to the compressor cylinder passage throughout the reciprocating movement of the regenerator-displacer and minimizing dead space in the working volume, and at least one port in the annulus providing access to the interior of the regenerator-displacer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An infrared receiver according to claim 2 further including a sealing means sealing the regenerator-displacer annulus from the cold chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An infrared receiver according to claim 2 wherein said passage means further includes a manifold formed in the exterior surface of the cooling member cylinder in access to the compression cylinder passage, and a port providing access to the annulus of the regenerator-displacer throughout reciprocation of the regenerator-displacer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An infrared receiver according to claim 4 wherein the cooling member cylinder encloses the regenerator-displacer annulus and wherein said passage means further includes a retaining member enclosing the manifold of the cooling member cylinder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3435137A
Cited
US3638441A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |