Solid state cryocooler

Abstract

A cryocooler is disclosed which includes a reservoir ( 11 ), an electrochemical cell or proton conductive membrane (PCM) compressor ( 12 ) coupled to a source of AC current, and a gas expander in the form of a pulse tube expander module ( 13 ). The compressor ( 12 ) includes a proton conductive membrane ( 17 ) positioned between a pair of electrically conductive electrodes ( 18 ) and ( 19 ). The pulse tube expander module 13 includes a regenerator ( 21 ), a pulse tube ( 22 ), and in inertance tube ( 23 ). The regenerator ( 21 ) has a heat rejection part or aftercooler ( 25 ) and a cooling part or cold heat exchanger ( 26 ). The pulse tube ( 22 ) includes a heat rejection portion or hot heat exchanger ( 27 ).

1 . A cryocooler comprising: 
 a gas expander;    a gas reservoir in fluid communication with said gas expander; and    a gas compressor in fluid communication with and between said reservoir and said gas expander, said gas compressor being an electrochemical cell coupled to a source of electricity,    whereby a gas is compressed by the operation of the electrochemical cell and the gas is subsequently passed to the gas expander whereby a transfer of heat occurs.    
   
   
       2 . The cryocooler of  claim 1  wherein said electrochemical cell comprises an ion conductive material, a first electrode mounted upon one side of said ion conductive material, and a second electrode mounted upon one side of said ion conductive material opposite said first electrode.  
   
   
       3 . The cryocooler of  claim 2  wherein said ion conductive material is a proton conductive membrane.  
   
   
       4 . The cryocooler of  claim 1  wherein said gas expander is a regenerative type unit.  
   
   
       5 . The cryocooler of  claim 4  wherein said regenerative type unit is a pulse tube cooler.  
   
   
       6 . The cryocooler of  claim 5  wherein said pulse tube cooler includes a regenerator and a pulse tube in fluid communication with said regenerator.  
   
   
       7 . The cryocooler of  claim 6  wherein said pulse tube pulse tube cooler further comprises an inertance tube in fluid communication with said pulse tube.  
   
   
       8 . The cryocooler of  claim 5  wherein said electrochemical cell comprises an ion conductive material, a first electrode mounted-upon one side of said ion conductive material, and a second electrode mounted upon one side of said ion conductive material opposite said first electrode.  
   
   
       9 . The cryocooler of  claim 7  wherein said ion conductive material is a proton conductive membrane.  
   
   
       10 . The cryocooler of  claim 1  wherein said gas expander is a recuperative type system.  
   
   
       11 . The cryocooler of  claim 10  wherein said recuperative type system includes a liquid reservoir, a first conduit extending between said compressor and said reservoir, a second conduit extending between said reservoir and said compressor, a heat exchanger positioned to exchange heat between said first conduit and said second conduit, and an expansion valve coupled to said first conduit between said heat exchanger and said reservoir.  
   
   
       12 . The cryocooler of  claim 1  wherein said electrochemical cell comprises a ion conductive material, a first electrode mounted upon one side of said ion conductive material, and a second electrode mounted upon one side of said ion conductive material opposite said first electrode.  
   
   
       13 . The cryocooler of  claim 12  wherein said ion conductive material is a proton conductive membrane.  
   
   
       14 . A cryocooler comprising: 
 a gas reservoir;    an electrochemical cell coupled to a source of electricity and mounted in fluid communication with said gas reservoir;    a regenerator mounted in fluid communication with said electrochemical cell; and    a pulse tube mounted in fluid communication with said regenerator and said gas reservoir,    whereby a gas is compressed by the operation of the electrochemical cell and the gas is subsequently passed to the regenerator and pulse tube whereby a transfer of heat occurs.    
   
   
       15 . The cryocooler of  claim 14  wherein said electrochemical cell comprises an ion conductive material, a first electrode mounted upon one side of said ion conductive material, and a second electrode mounted upon one side of said ion conductive material opposite said first electrode.  
   
   
       16 . The cryocooler of  claim 15  wherein said ion conductive material is a proton conductive membrane.  
   
   
       17 . The cryocooler of  claim 14  further comprises an inertance tube in fluid communication with said pulse tube.  
   
   
       18 . A cryocooler comprising: 
 an electrochemical cell coupled to a source of electricity;    a liquid reservoir;    a first conduit extending between said electrochemical cell and said liquid reservoir;    a second conduit extending between said liquid reservoir and said electrochemical cell;    a heat exchanger positioned to exchange heat between said first conduit and said second conduit; and    and an expansion valve coupled to said first conduit between said heat exchanger and said reservoir,    whereby a gas is compressed by the operation of the electrochemical cell and the gas is subsequently passed through the first conduit, the liquid reservoir, and the second conduit whereby a transfer of heat occurs at the liquid reservoir.    
   
   
       19 . The cryocooler of  claim 18  wherein said electrochemical cell comprises an ion conductive material, a first electrode mounted upon one side of said ion conductive material, and a second electrode mounted upon one side of said ion conductive material opposite said first electrode.  
   
   
       20 . The cryocooler of  claim 12  wherein said ion conductive material is a proton conductive membrane.