High frequency thermoacoustic refrigerator
First Claim
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1. A thermoacoustic refrigerator, comprising:
- a resonator having an outer surface and defining an interior chamber having a length approximately equal to an effective diameter, said interior chamber having an asymmetrical configuration;
a high frequency driver coupled to said outer surface of said resonator for generating a standing wave within said chamber;
a stack disposed within said resonator, said stack defining a first side and a second side; and
first and second heat exchangers, said first heat exchanger abutting said first side of said stack and said second heat exchanger abutting said second side of said stack.
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Abstract
A thermoacoustic refrigerator having a relatively small size which utilizes one or more piezoelectric drivers to generate high frequency sound within a resonator at a frequency of between about 4000 Hz and ultrasonic frequencies. The interaction of the high frequency sound with one or more stacks create a temperature gradient across the stack which is conducted through a pair of heat exchangers located on opposite sides of each stack. The resonator has an asymmetrical, round configuration which enhances the cooling power of the thermoacoustic refrigerator.
41 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A thermoacoustic refrigerator, comprising:
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a resonator having an outer surface and defining an interior chamber having a length approximately equal to an effective diameter, said interior chamber having an asymmetrical configuration;
a high frequency driver coupled to said outer surface of said resonator for generating a standing wave within said chamber;
a stack disposed within said resonator, said stack defining a first side and a second side; and
first and second heat exchangers, said first heat exchanger abutting said first side of said stack and said second heat exchanger abutting said second side of said stack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A thermoacoustic refrigerator, comprising:
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a resonator having an outer surface and defining an interior chamber having a length not greater than one wavelength of a standing wave to be generated therein, said interior chamber having a non-cylindrical, rounded configuration;
a high frequency driver coupled to said outer surface of said resonator for generating a standing wave within said chamber;
a stack disposed within said resonator, said stack defining a first side and a second side; and
first and second heat exchangers, said first heat exchanger abutting said first side of said stack and said second heat exchanger abutting said second side of said stack. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A thermoacoustic refrigerator, comprising:
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a resonator having an outer surface and defining an interior chamber having a length not greater than a wavelength of a standing wave to be generated within said resonator;
a high frequency driver coupled to said outer surface of said resonator for generating the standing wave within said chamber;
a stack disposed within said resonator, said stack defining a first side and a second side; and
first and second heat exchangers, said first heat exchanger abutting said first side of said stack and said second heat exchanger abutting said second side of said stack. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification