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Title: Superfluid thermodynamic cycle refrigerator

Abstract

This invention is comprised of a cryogenic refrigerator which cools a heat source by cyclically concentrating and diluting the amount of [sup 3]He in a single phase [sup 3]He/[sup 4]He solution. The [sup 3]He in superfluid [sup 4]He acts in a manner of an ideal gas in a vacuum. Thus, refrigeration is obtained using any conventional thermal cycle, but preferably a Stirling or Carnot cycle. A single phase solution of liquid [sup 3]He at an initial concentration in superfluid [sup 4]He is contained in a first variable volume connected to a second variable volume through a superleak device that enables free passage of [sup 4]He while restricting passage of [sup 3]He. The [sup 3]He is compressed (concentrated) and expanded (diluted) in a phased manner to carry out the selected thermal cycle to remove heat from the heat load for cooling below 1 K.

Inventors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
6712805
Patent Number(s):
PATENTS-US-A7679498
Application Number:
ON: DE93008222; PPN: US 7-679498
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-36
Resource Type:
Patent Application
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; 43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS; HELIUM DILUTION REFRIGERATORS; DESIGN; CRYOGENICS; HEAT TRANSFER; HELIUM; HELIUM 3; HELIUM 4; INVENTIONS; SUPERFLUIDITY; THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES; ELEMENTS; ENERGY TRANSFER; EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; EVEN-ODD NUCLEI; FLUIDS; GASES; HELIUM ISOTOPES; ISOTOPES; LIGHT NUCLEI; NONMETALS; NUCLEI; RARE GASES; REFRIGERATORS; STABLE ISOTOPES; 661210* - Cryogenics- (1992-); 430303 - Particle Accelerators- Experimental Facilities & Equipment

Citation Formats

Swift, G W, and Kotsubo, V Y. Superfluid thermodynamic cycle refrigerator. United States: N. p., 1991. Web.
Swift, G W, & Kotsubo, V Y. Superfluid thermodynamic cycle refrigerator. United States.
Swift, G W, and Kotsubo, V Y. 1991. "Superfluid thermodynamic cycle refrigerator". United States.
@article{osti_6712805,
title = {Superfluid thermodynamic cycle refrigerator},
author = {Swift, G W and Kotsubo, V Y},
abstractNote = {This invention is comprised of a cryogenic refrigerator which cools a heat source by cyclically concentrating and diluting the amount of [sup 3]He in a single phase [sup 3]He/[sup 4]He solution. The [sup 3]He in superfluid [sup 4]He acts in a manner of an ideal gas in a vacuum. Thus, refrigeration is obtained using any conventional thermal cycle, but preferably a Stirling or Carnot cycle. A single phase solution of liquid [sup 3]He at an initial concentration in superfluid [sup 4]He is contained in a first variable volume connected to a second variable volume through a superleak device that enables free passage of [sup 4]He while restricting passage of [sup 3]He. The [sup 3]He is compressed (concentrated) and expanded (diluted) in a phased manner to carry out the selected thermal cycle to remove heat from the heat load for cooling below 1 K.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6712805}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Apr 02 00:00:00 EST 1991},
month = {Tue Apr 02 00:00:00 EST 1991}
}