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CVD diamond based miniature Stirling cooler.

Author(s) : PATTERSON D. E., JAMISON K. D., DURRETT M., et al.

Summary

Nanohmics and its partners are developing a compact Stirling refrigerator to help provide a solution to the growing demand for miniature, high efficiency cooling devices. The refrigerator measures 1 cm x 1 cm x 3 mm and incorporates several novel components that are not found in other previously developed micro-electromechanical systems Stirling coolers. This innovative cooler includes the use of high thermal conductivity CVD diamond components for the heat exchange plates and compressor/expansion diaphragms along with a reduced dead space, high heat capacity, and low thermal conductivity regenerator. The miniature refrigerator is operated by piezoelectric crystal drivers that are internally attached to the two diamond diaphragms. The diaphragms are driven at several kilohertz approximately 90 degrees out of phase with each other to establish the appropriate Stirling refrigeration cycle used in an alpha-design Stirling engine. The working stroke of the cooler diaphragms is approximately 4 microns. In order to improve the coolers' performance, the device is charged to an internal working pressure of 500 kPa. Modelling of this device indicated that it could theoretically provide a lift of 68 mW with a temperature difference of 20 K between the hot and cold heat exchange faces of the device. Although several device designs are tested, no reproducible cooling effect has been found. Further modelling indicates that parasitic heat losses in these miniature coolers may preclude them from working efficiently.

Details

  • Original title: CVD diamond based miniature Stirling cooler.
  • Record ID : 2008-1072
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Publication date: 2006/06/14
  • Source: Source: Proc. 14th int. Cryocooler Conf., Annapolis, MD
    10 p.; fig.; phot.; 5 ref.

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