Compact acoustic refrigerator

Patent Application · Tue Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:10161010

Bennett, G A

This invention is comprised of a compact acoustic refrigeration system that actively cools components, e.g., electrical circuits, in a borehole environment. An acoustic engine includes first thermodynamic elements for generating a standing acoustic wave in a selected medium. An acoustic refrigerator includes second thermodynamic elements located in the standing wave for generating a relatively cold temperature at a first end of the second thermodynamic elements and a relatively hot temperature at a second end of the second thermodynamic elements. A resonator volume cooperates with the first and second thermodynamic elements to support the standing wave. To accommodate the high heat fluxes required for heat transfer to/from the first and second thermodynamic elements, first heat pipes transfer heat from the heat load to the second thermodynamic elements and second heat pipes transfer heat from first and second thermodynamic elements to the borehole environment.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): PATENTS-US-A7710207
• Application Number: ON: DE93015703; PAN: 7-710,207
• OSTI ID: 10161010
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 1991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
42 ENGINEERING
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
02 PETROLEUM
REFRIGERATORS
DESIGN
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
REFRIGERATION
INVENTIONS
ACOUSTICS
SIZE
BOREHOLES
HEAT TRANSFER
HEAT PIPES
Geothermal Legacy
440400
426000
150303
020300
WELL LOGGING INSTRUMENTATION
COMPONENTS
ELECTRON DEVICES AND CIRCUITS
EXPLORATORY DRILLING AND WELL LOGGING
DRILLING AND PRODUCTION