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Dynamic counterbalancing the single-piston linear compressor of a Stirling cryogenic cooler.

Author(s) : VEPRIK A., NACHMAN I., PUNDAK N.

Type of article: Article

Summary

Low vibration Stirling cryocoolers often rely on dual-piston linear compressors, the known disadvantages of which, as compared to their single-piston rivals, are: low reliability, increased power consumption, price, bulk, sensitivity to external vibration and g-forces. However, because of the inherently low level of vibration export, as required in numerous vibration sensitive electronic and electro-optic applications, the dual-piston approach has become prevalent in today's industrial practice. The authors report on the novel approach to the passive control of a fundamental component of a vibration export from a single-piston compressor down to the levels typical for the actively controlled dual-piston rival. The technique relies on the newly proposed principle of dynamic counterbalancing, where an auxiliary movable mass is flexibly attached to a movable piston assembly and to the stationary compressor casing using auxiliary mechanical springs. The proper design of such a ''spring-mass-spring" counterbalancer yields zero vibration export at minimum electrical power and current consumed by the motor. Based on the theoretical analysis, the design of the single-piston compressor of 1 W at 77 K Ricor model K529N Stirling cryocooler was enhanced by adding such a counterbalancer. The obtained experimental results are in full agreement with the theoretical prediction. From experiment, the vibration export at driving frequency was reduced 57-fold at practically the same electrical current and power consumed by the compressor actuator as compared with the basic cooler. [Reprinted with permission from Elsevier. Copyright, 2008].

Details

  • Original title: Dynamic counterbalancing the single-piston linear compressor of a Stirling cryogenic cooler.
  • Record ID : 2009-1868
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Cryogenics - vol. 49 - n. 5
  • Publication date: 2009/05
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cryogenics.2008.12.003

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