Compact and serviceable packaging of a self-contained cryocooler system

• US 5,333,460 A
• Filed: 12/21/1992
• Issued: 08/02/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Fraser, Howard H. Jr., Lewis, Russell G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennet, Henry A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOERRLER, WILLIAM CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US07/993,570
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 62/6, 62/237, 62/259.2, 62/295, 62/296, 62/297, 62/298, 62/302, 62/448, 62/466, 165/104.31, 165/104.33, 361/381, 361/382, 361/688, 361/702, 361/725
• US Class Current: 62/6
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 9/14 characterised by the cycle used, e.g. Stirling cycle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/201 Cooling arrangements using cooling fluid

Abstract

A 250 watt cryocooler employs a Stirling cycle and is capable of maintaining a constant temperature of 77° K. while fitting a standard electronic equipment rack.

Claims

1. A self-contained, portable cryogenic cooling system for an Electronic Industry Association (EIA) enclosure generating a nominal 250 watts of heat lifting capacity, capable of maintaining a constant low temperature of 77°

K. and fitting within a 24.5 in.×

17.5 in.×

29.5 in. space in an EIA enclosure wherein said cooling system includes;

an integral Stirling cryocooler having a compressor section and an expander/regenerator section including a cold head; and

heat rejection means for rejecting heat generated by said cryocooler including fan means for passing air over said cryocooler where said air is heated, and then through a heat exchanger and away from said cooling system.

2. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein said heat exchanger is located in a closed fluid loop which also includes a pump, a pump motor, a rejector and fluid connection means.

3. The cooling system of claim 1 further including electronic control means for variable speed operation of said fan, pump and cryocooler motors as well as prognostic capabilities for maintaining proper operation/reliability and communication means to alert a host computer system of non-standard operating conditions.

4. A cooling system for an Electronic Industry Association (EIA) enclosure for removing heat from heat generating components within the EIA enclosure comprising:

an integral Stirling cryocooler;

a generally rectangular base frame member sized to fit into the EIA enclosure for supporting said integral Stirling cryocooler thereon, whereby a cold head of said integral Stirling cryocooler is operatively connected to the heat generating components within the EIA enclosure to remove heat therefrom;

support means for flexibly connecting said integral Stirling cryocooler to said base frame member;

slide means member for movably supporting the cooling system during selective movement between an operating position inside of the EIA enclosure and a non-operating position outside the EIA enclosure; and

external means connected to the cooling system when in the operating position consisting essentially of electrical power means.

5. A cooling system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said support means includes spring means wherein said spring means enables less than 0.02 g vibration to be transmitted to the heat generating components.

6. A cooling system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said slide means contacts a lower portion of the EIA enclosure.

7. A cooling system as set forth in claim 4 further including:

heat rejection means for rejecting heat generated by said cryocooler including fan means for passing air over said cryocooler where said air is heated, and then through a heat exchanger and away from said cooling system.

8. The cooling system of claim 7 wherein said heat exchanger is located in a closed fluid loop which also includes a pump, a pump motor, a rejector and fluid connection means.

9. The cooling system of claim 8 further including electronic control means for variable speed operation of said fan, pump and cryocooler motors as well as prognostic capabilities for maintaining proper operation/reliability and communication means to alert a host computer system of non-standard operating conditions.