US3744261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic refrigerator
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1972-03-16
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1992-03-16
Abstract
Abstract The substantially ambient temperature volume of the Vuilleumier refrigerator, which comprises a crank volume, is reduced to a minimum by employing a cylindrical disc in a cylindrical crank cavity, with a pin carried on eccentric race on the disc. A slider carries the pin and drives the piston. By this construction, metal occupies most of the crank volume.
Inventors
- 👤 G Lagodmos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:35
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04; F02G1/043; F02G1/044; F02G1/0445; F02G2250/00; F02G2250/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for acting on cryogen gas for a cryogenic refrigerator comprising: a crank housing, first and second cylinders for containing cyogenic fluid carried on said crank housing, first and second pistons respectively mounted for reciprocation within said cylinders for acting on cryogen gas within said cylinders, a cavity within said crank housing, cryogen gas connections between said cylinders and said cavity, actuating means positioned within said cavity for connection to said pistons for controlling the motion of and position of said pistons within said cylinders for controlling the flow of cryogen gas between said cylinders and said cavity, the improvement comprising: said cavity in said crank housing being substantially cylindrical, and said actuating means having a cylindrical disc positioned within said cylindrical cavity to substantially fill said cavity, whereby cryogen gas volume within said cavity is minimized said crank housing cavity being interconnected with said cylinder so that they both can contain cryogen gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for acting on cryogen gas for a cryogenic refrigerator comprising: a crank housing, first and second cylinders for containing cyogenic fluid carried on said crank housing, first and second pistons respectively mounted for reciprocation within said cylinders for acting on cryogen gas within said cylinders, a cavity within said crank housing, cryogen gas connections between said cylinders and said cavity, actuating means positioned within said cavity for connection to said pistons for controlling the motion of and position of said pistons within said cylinders for controlling the flow of cryogen gas between said cylinders and said cavity, the improvement comprising: said cavity in said crank housing being substantially cylindrical, and said actuating means having a cylindrical disc positioned within said cylindrical cavity to substantially fill said cavity, whereby cryogen gas volume within said cavity is minimized said crank housing cavity being interconnected with said cylinder so that they both can contain cryogen gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 1 wherein said disc rotates on an axis, said axis passing substantially along the axis of said cylindrical cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 2 wherein said disc has an eccentric groove in an axial face thereof, said disc carrying a laterally-extending drivepin thereon, said drivepin extending into said groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 3 wherein an eccentric drive ring is positioned in said eccentric groove in said disc, and said drivepin is mounted in said eccentric drive ring, said eccentric drive ring being rotatably mounted with respect to said disc within said eccentric groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 4 wherein said eccentric drive ring is mounted on an anti-friction bearing with respect to said disc within said eccentric groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of Claim 2 wherein a first piston rod is connected to said first piston, said first piston rod extending into a guidebore within said crank housing, said guidebore intersecting said cylindrical cavity so that said first piston rod can interengage with said actuating means so that first piston position is controlled by said disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first piston rod is cylindrical and its axis substantially intersects with the axis of rotation of said disc at substantially right angles, said axis of said first piston rod lying substantially on an axial face of said disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first piston rod is axially positioned along its guidebore in accordance with said eccentric groove, and when said first piston rod is positioned closest to the axis of said disc, the portion of said first piston rod radially closest to said disc is in a non-engaging close-running fit with respect to said disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 8 wherein the end of said first piston rod toward the axis of rotation of said disc has an axially-directed flat positioned thereon, said flat being substantially formed along a diameter of said first piston rod and terminating in a surface which has a curvature substantially equal to the cylindrical curvature of said disc and said cavity in said crank housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
The cryogenic refrigerator apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are first and second axially facing eccentric grooves in said disc and there are first and second eccentric drive rings respectively positioned in said first and second grooves and rotatably mounted therein, said first and second drivepins respectively engaging said first and second eccentric drive rings, and first and second drivepins being respectively carried by piston rods of said first and second pistons.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |