U.S. patent application number 13/710262 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-24 for stirling refrigerator for vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hyundai Motor Company. The applicant listed for this patent is HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY. Invention is credited to Kwangweon AHN, Taewan KIM.
Application Number | 20140109598 13/710262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50436935 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140109598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Taewan ; et
al. |
April 24, 2014 |
STIRLING REFRIGERATOR FOR VEHICLE
Abstract
A Stirling refrigerator for a vehicle may include a drive
portion receiving driving torque to be rotated, a compression
portion that may be connected to the drive portion to isothermally
compress operational fluid through rotation of a rotation shaft, an
expansion portion that may be disposed at one side of the
compression portion and isothermally expands the operational fluid
that may be compressed by the compression portion through the
rotation of the rotation shaft to perform an endothermic reaction,
and a regeneration portion that may be disposed at one side of the
expansion portion and connects the compression portion with the
expansion portion such that the compressed operational fluid may be
supplied to the expansion portion.
Inventors: |
KIM; Taewan; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; AHN; Kwangweon; (Hwaseong-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hyundai Motor Company
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
50436935 |
Appl. No.: |
13/710262 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 9/14 20130101; B60H
1/3222 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/6 |
International
Class: |
F25B 9/14 20060101
F25B009/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 24, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0118515 |
Claims
1. A Stirling refrigerator apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a
drive portion receiving driving torque to be rotated; a compression
portion that is engaged to the drive portion to isothermally
compress operational fluid through rotation of a rotation shaft
receiving the driving torque from the drive portion; an expansion
portion that is disposed at one side of the compression portion to
isothermally expand the operational fluid that is compressed by the
compression portion through the rotation of the rotation shaft so
as to perform an endothermic reaction; and a regeneration portion
that is disposed at one side of the expansion portion and
fluid-connects the compression portion with the expansion portion
such that a compressed operational fluid is supplied to the
expansion portion therethrough.
2. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 1,
wherein the drive portion includes a pulley disposed at one end of
the rotation shaft, wherein the other end of the rotation shaft is
disposed to penetrate the compression portion and the expansion
portion.
3. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 1,
wherein the compression portion includes: a first housing wherein
the rotation shaft is rotatably disposed and a plurality of
compression chambers are formed therein; a first slanted plate that
is slantedly mounted on the rotation shaft in the first housing and
rotates with the rotation shaft; a plurality of first shoes that
are mounted on the first slanted plate; and a plurality of first
pistons that are mounted on the first slanted plate through the
first shoes and are slidably inserted into the compression chambers
such that according to rotation of the first slanted plate, the
first pistons compress the operational fluid in the compression
chambers.
4. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 3,
wherein the compression chambers are formed inside the first
housing at a predetermined angular distance from each other in a
circumferential direction of the rotation shaft.
5. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 3,
wherein the first shoes and the first pistons are formed to
correspond to the compression chambers at a predetermined angular
distance in a circumferential direction of the first slanted
plate.
6. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 3,
wherein the expansion portion includes: a second housing that is
disposed at the one side of the compression portion, wherein the
rotation shaft is rotatably disposed therein, and a plurality of
expansion chambers are formed therein; a second slanted plate that
is slantedly mounted on the rotation shaft in the second housing
and rotates with the rotation shaft; a plurality of second shoes
that are mounted on the second slanted plate; and a plurality of
second pistons that are mounted on the second slanted plate through
the second shoes and are slidably inserted into the expansion
chambers such that according to the rotation of the second slanted
plate, the second pistons compress the operational fluid in the
expansion chambers.
7. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 6,
wherein the expansion chambers are formed in the second housing at
a predetermined angular distance in a circumference direction based
on the rotation shaft.
8. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 6,
wherein the second shoes and the second pistons are formed to
correspond to the expansion chambers at a predetermined angular
distance in a circumferential direction of the second slanted
plate.
9. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 6,
wherein the first slanted plate and the second slanted plate have a
phase of a predetermined angle and are slantedly disposed on the
rotation shaft passing through the compression portion and the
expansion portion, wherein slant angles thereof are in opposite
directions from each other.
10. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 6,
wherein the compression chambers and the expansion chambers are
coaxially positioned along an imaginary line to correspond to each
other.
11. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 1,
wherein the regeneration portion receives the operational fluid
that is isothermally compressed to have a high temperature in the
compression portion and absorbs heat of the operational fluid to
supply the expansion portion with the operational fluid, and
receives the operational fluid that is isothermally expanded to
have a low temperature, adds the heat to the operational fluid, and
supplies the compression portion with the operational fluid.
12. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 6,
wherein the compression portion, the expansion portion, and the
regeneration portion are sequentially disposed along the rotation
shaft, and the compression portion is fluidly connected to the
regeneration portion through a connection pipe that is disposed
outside of the compression portion corresponding to the compression
chamber.
13. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 1,
wherein the compression portion is fluid-connected to a cooling
apparatus.
14. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim 1,
wherein the expansion portion is fluid-connected to an
air-conditioning device.
15. A Stirling refrigerator apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a
drive portion receiving driving torque of an engine in the vehicle
to be rotated; a compression portion that is engaged to the drive
portion and is coupled to a rotation shaft of the drive portion to
isothermally compress an operational fluid through rotation of the
rotation shaft; an expansion portion that is disposed at one side
of the compression portion to isothermally expand the operational
fluid that is compressed by the compression portion; and a
regeneration portion that is disposed between the compression
portion and the expansion portion and fluid-connects the
compression portion with the expansion portion such that a
compressed operational fluid is supplied to the expansion portion
therethrough.
16. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim
15, wherein the compression portion includes: a first housing
wherein the rotation shaft is rotatably disposed and a plurality of
compression chambers are formed therein; a first slanted plate that
is slantedly mounted on the rotation shaft in the first housing and
rotates with the rotation shaft; a plurality of first shoes that
are mounted on the first slanted plate; and a plurality of first
pistons that are mounted on the first slanted plate through the
first shoes and are slidably inserted into the compression chambers
such that according to rotation of the first slanted plate, the
first pistons compress the operational fluid in the compression
chambers.
17. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for e vehicle of claim 16,
wherein the expansion portion includes: a second housing that is
disposed at one side of the compression portion, wherein the
rotation shaft is rotatably disposed therein, and a plurality of
expansion chambers are formed therein; a second slanted plate that
is slantedly mounted on the rotation shaft in the second housing
and rotates with the rotation shaft; a plurality of second shoes
that are mounted on the second slanted plate; and a plurality of
second pistons that are mounted on the second slanted plate through
the second shoes and are slidably inserted into the expansion
chambers such that according to the rotation of the second slanted
plate, the second pistons compress the operational fluid in the
expansion chambers.
18. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim
17, wherein the first slanted plate and the second slanted plate
have a phase of a predetermined angle and are slantedly disposed on
the rotation shaft of the compression portion and the expansion
portion, wherein slant angles thereof are in opposite directions
from each other.
19. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim
15, wherein the compression portion is fluid-connected to a cooling
apparatus.
20. The Stirling refrigerator apparatus for the vehicle of claim
15, wherein the expansion portion is fluid-connected to an
air-conditioning device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2012-0118515 filed in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office on Oct. 24, 2012, the entire contents of which is
incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a Stirling refrigerator for
a vehicle that uses an operating fluid to cool the interior of a
vehicle in an air-conditioning system of a vehicle.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Generally, an air conditioning system includes a compressor
that compresses a coolant, a condenser that condenses the
compressed refrigerant of the compressor, an expansion valve that
expands the liquid refrigerant of the condenser, and an evaporator
that evaporates the expanded refrigerant of the expansion valve,
wherein evaporation heat of the refrigerant cools air flowing
through the evaporator and the cooled air is supplied to the
interior of a vehicle.
[0006] However, a conventional air-conditioning system uses a
CFC/HCFC group compound as an operating refrigerant, and the
compound gradually destroys the ozone layer.
[0007] Also, when the CFC/HCFC group compound is exchanged for
another refrigerant, there is a problem in that cost is
increased.
[0008] The information disclosed in this Background of the
Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the
general background of the invention and should not be taken as an
acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information
forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the
art.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0009] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to
providing a Stirling refrigerator for a vehicle having advantages
of using helium or nitrogen as a refrigerant instead of a CFC/HCFC
group compound, preventing pollution, reducing the number of
constituent elements, simplifying the layout thereof, and saving
cost.
[0010] Also, the present invention has advantages of using an
operating fluid that flows inside, eliminating complicated
connection pipes, preventing leakage of a fluid, making maintenance
easy, and effectively satisfying environmental regulations.
[0011] In an aspect of the present invention, a Stirling
refrigerator apparatus for a vehicle, may include a drive portion
receiving driving torque to be rotated, a compression portion that
is engaged to the drive portion to isothermally compress
operational fluid through rotation of a rotation shaft receiving
the driving torque from the drive portion, an expansion portion
that is disposed at one side of the compression portion to
isothermally expand the operational fluid that is compressed by the
compression portion through the rotation of the rotation shaft so
as to perform an endothermic reaction, and a regeneration portion
that is disposed at one side of the expansion portion and
fluid--connects the compression portion with the expansion portion
such that a compressed operational fluid is supplied to the
expansion portion therethrough.
[0012] The drive portion may include a pulley disposed at one end
of the rotation shaft, wherein the other end of the rotation shaft
is disposed to penetrate the compression portion and the expansion
portion.
[0013] The compression portion may include a first housing wherein
the rotation shaft is rotatably disposed and a plurality of
compression chambers are formed therein, a first slanted plate that
is slantedly mounted on the rotation shaft in the first housing and
rotates with the rotation shaft, a plurality of first shoes that
are mounted on the first slanted plate, and a plurality of first
pistons that are mounted on the first slanted plate through the
first shoes and are slidably inserted into the compression chambers
such that according to rotation of the first slanted plate, the
first pistons compress the operational fluid in the compression
chambers.
[0014] The compression chambers are formed inside the first housing
at a predetermined angular distance from each other in a
circumferential direction of the rotation shaft.
[0015] The first shoes and the first pistons are formed to
correspond to the compression chambers at a predetermined angular
distance in a circumferential direction of the first slanted
plate.
[0016] The expansion portion may include a second housing that is
disposed at the one side of the compression portion, wherein the
rotation shaft is rotatably disposed therein, and a plurality of
expansion chambers are formed therein, a second slanted plate that
is slantedly mounted on the rotation shaft in the second housing
and rotates with the rotation shaft, a plurality of second shoes
that are mounted on the second slanted plate, and a plurality of
second pistons that are mounted on the second slanted plate through
the second shoes and are slidably inserted into the expansion
chambers such that according to the rotation of the second slanted
plate, the second pistons compress the operational fluid in the
expansion chambers.
[0017] The expansion chambers are formed in the second housing at a
predetermined angular distance in a circumference direction based
on the rotation shaft.
[0018] The second shoes and the second pistons are formed to
correspond to the expansion chambers at a predetermined angular
distance in a circumferential direction of the second slanted
plate.
[0019] The first slanted plate and the second slanted plate may
have a phase of a predetermined angle and are slantedly disposed on
the rotation shaft passing through the compression portion and the
expansion portion, wherein slant angles thereof are in opposite
directions from each other.
[0020] The compression chambers and the expansion chambers are
coaxially positioned along an imaginary line to correspond to each
other.
[0021] The regeneration portion receives the operational fluid that
is isothermally compressed to may have a high temperature in the
compression portion and absorbs heat of the operational fluid to
supply the expansion portion with the operational fluid, and
receives the operational fluid that is isothermally expanded to may
have a low temperature, adds the heat to the operational fluid, and
supplies the compression portion with the operational fluid.
[0022] The compression portion, the expansion portion, and the
regeneration portion are sequentially disposed along the rotation
shaft, and the compression portion is fluidly connected to the
regeneration portion through a connection pipe that is disposed
outside of the compression portion corresponding to the compression
chamber.
[0023] The compression portion is fluid-connected to a cooling
apparatus.
[0024] The expansion portion is fluid-connected to an
air-conditioning device.
[0025] In another aspect of the present invention, a Stirling
refrigerator apparatus for a vehicle, may include a drive portion
receiving driving torque of an engine in the vehicle to be rotated,
a compression portion that is engaged to the drive portion and is
coupled to a rotation shaft of the drive portion to isothermally
compress an operational fluid through rotation of the rotation
shaft, an expansion portion that is disposed at one side of the
compression portion to isothermally expand the operational fluid
that is compressed by the compression portion, and a regeneration
portion that is disposed between the compression portion and the
expansion portion and fluid-connects the compression portion with
the expansion portion such that a compressed operational fluid is
supplied to the expansion portion therethrough.
[0026] The compression portion may include a first housing wherein
the rotation shaft is rotatably disposed and a plurality of
compression chambers are formed therein, a first slanted plate that
is slantedly mounted on the rotation shaft in the first housing and
rotates with the rotation shaft, a plurality of first shoes that
are mounted on the first slanted plate, and a plurality of first
pistons that are mounted on the first slanted plate through the
first shoes and are slidably inserted into the compression chambers
such that according to rotation of the first slanted plate, the
first pistons compress the operational fluid in the compression
chambers.
[0027] The expansion portion may include a second housing that is
disposed at one side of the compression portion, wherein the
rotation shaft is rotatably disposed therein, and a plurality of
expansion chambers are formed therein, a second slanted plate that
is slantedly mounted on the rotation shaft in the second housing
and rotates with the rotation shaft, a plurality of second shoes
that are mounted on the second slanted plate, and a plurality of
second pistons that are mounted on the second slanted plate through
the second shoes and are slidably inserted into the expansion
chambers such that according to the rotation of the second slanted
plate, the second pistons compress the operational fluid in the
expansion chambers.
[0028] The first slanted plate and the second slanted plate may
have a phase of a predetermined angle and are slantedly disposed on
the rotation shaft of the compression portion and the expansion
portion, wherein slant angles thereof are in opposite directions
from each other.
[0029] The compression portion is fluid-connected to a cooling
apparatus.
[0030] The expansion portion is fluid-connected to an
air-conditioning device.
[0031] As described above, a Stirling refrigerator for a vehicle
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses
helium or nitrogen instead of a CFC/HCFC group refrigerant to
perform isothermal compression, an isometric process, isothermal
expansion, and an isometric process, uses an endothermic reaction
during the isothermal expansion to the interior chamber of a
vehicle, and prevents pollution.
[0032] Further, the layout of the system becomes simple by reducing
the number of constituent elements, the space of the engine
compartment is effectively used, and cost is saved by substituting
for the conventional refrigerant.
[0033] In addition, the isothermal compression, the isothermal
expansion, and the isometric process are performed inside the
system, separate complicated connection pipes are eliminated, and
leakage of the operating fluid is prevented to reduce
maintenance
[0034] Also, the helium or nitrogen as a refrigerant prevents
pollution, and it is possible to satisfy environmental
regulations.
[0035] The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have
other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are
set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are
incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which
together serve to explain certain principles of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Stirling refrigerator for
a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view of a Stirling
refrigerator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a transparent side view of a Stirling refrigerator
for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0039] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a Stirling
refrigerator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a Stirling refrigerator
for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention,
[0041] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show operational conditions of a Stirling
refrigerator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a Stirling refrigerator for
a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0043] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not
necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified
representation of various features illustrative of the basic
principles of the invention. The specific design features of the
present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example,
specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be
determined in part by the particular intended application and use
environment.
[0044] In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or
equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several
figures of the drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments
of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings and described below. While the
invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary
embodiments, it will be understood that the present description is
not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary
embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to
cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various
alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments,
which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
[0046] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will
hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0047] While the invention will be described in conjunction with
exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the present
description is not intended to limit the invention to those
exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended
to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various
alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments,
which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Stirling refrigerator for
a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view of a Stirling
refrigerator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, FIG. 3 is a transparent side view of a
Stirling refrigerator for a vehicle according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded
perspective view of a Stirling refrigerator for a vehicle according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is
a cross-sectional view of a Stirling refrigerator for a vehicle
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] Referring to the drawings, a Stirling refrigerator 100 for a
vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention uses helium or nitrogen instead of a CFC/HCFC group
refrigerant to perform isothermal compression, an isometric
process, isothermal expansion, and an isometric process, and cools
the interior of a vehicle by using an endothermic reaction during
the isothermal expansion such that the pollution phenomenon is
prevented, the layout becomes simple by reducing the number of
constituent elements, and the cost can be reduced.
[0050] Also, an operating fluid flows inside the system, and
therefore separate complicated connection pipes are eliminated and
leakage of the operating fluid is prevented to reduce
maintenance.
[0051] Further, the helium or nitrogen as a refrigerant prevents
pollution, and it is possible to satisfy all environmental
regulations.
[0052] For this, a Stirling refrigerator 100 for a vehicle
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as
shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, includes a drive portion 110, a
compression portion 120, an expansion portion 130, and a
regeneration portion 140, and these will he described in
detail.
[0053] Firstly, the drive portion 110 includes a rotation shaft 112
that receives driving torque from an engine of a vehicle to be
rotated.
[0054] Here, a pulley 114 is disposed at one side of the rotation
shaft 112 to be connected to an engine through a belt, and the
other end portion of the rotation shaft 112 penetrates the
compression portion 120 and the expansion portion 130.
[0055] That is, the drive portion 110 receives the driving torque
of the engine through the belt and the pulley 114 to rotate the
rotation shaft 112.
[0056] The compression portion 120 is connected to the drive
portion 110 and isothermally compresses operational fluid through
rotation of the rotation shaft 112 to generate heat in the present
exemplary embodiment.
[0057] The compression portion 120 includes a first housing 122, a
first slanted plate 124, a first shoe 126, and a first piston 128,
and these will be described as follows.
[0058] Firstly, the rotation shaft 112 is rotatably disposed to
penetrate a central portion of the first housing 122, and a
plurality of compression chambers 121 are formed in the housing
122.
[0059] Here, the compression chambers 121 are formed in the first
housing 122 at a predetermined distance in a circumference
direction based on the rotation shaft 112, and six chambers 121 are
formed inside the first housing 122 in the present exemplary
embodiment.
[0060] The first slanted plate 124 is slantedly disposed on the
rotation shaft 112 inside the first housing 122 to be rotated with
the rotation shaft 112 in the present exemplary embodiment.
[0061] A plurality of first shoes 126 are prepared to be mounted on
an exterior circumference of the first slanted plate 124 at a
predetermined distance.
[0062] Also, the first piston 128 reciprocates in the compression
chamber 121 depending on the rotation of the first slanted plate
124 to compress the operational fluid, and the first piston 128 is
mounted on the first slanted plate 124 through the first shoe
126.
[0063] Here, the first shoe 126 and the first piston 128 are
disposed on an exterior circumference of the first slanted plate
124 at a predetermined angle (or distance) based on the rotation
shaft 112 to correspond to the compression chamber 121.
[0064] The first shoe 126 and the first piston 128 are mounted on
an exterior circumference of the first slanted plate 124 at 60
degree intervals to correspond to the six compression chambers
121.
[0065] Accordingly, the first piston 128 reciprocates in the
compression chamber 121 by the first slanted plate 124 that is
rotated by the rotation shaft 112 to isothermally compress the
operational fluid in the compression chamber 121, and the
compressed fluid radiates heat.
[0066] The heat radiation of the operational fluid heats the
compression portion 120 in a high temperature condition.
[0067] Here, the operational fluid can he helium or nitrogen
gas.
[0068] The expansion portion 130 is disposed at one side of the
compression portion 120, receives the compressed fluid from the
compression portion 120 through the rotation of the rotation shaft
112 to isothermally expand the compressed fluid, and the expanded
fluid absorb heat from the outside in the present exemplary
embodiment.
[0069] The expansion portion 130 includes a second housing 132, a
second slanted plate 134, a second shoe 136, and a second piston
138, and these will be described as follows.
[0070] Firstly, the second housing 132 is disposed at one side of
the compression portion 120, the rotation shaft 112 is rotatably
disposed to penetrate a central portion of the second housing 132,
and a plurality of expansion chambers 131 are formed in the housing
122 to correspond to the compression chamber 121.
[0071] Here, the expansion chambers 131 are formed in the second
housing 132 at a predetermined distance in a circumference
direction based on the rotation shaft 112, and six chambers 131 are
formed inside the second housing 132 in the present exemplary
embodiment.
[0072] The second slanted plate 134 is slantedly disposed on the
rotation shaft 112 inside the second housing 132 to be rotated with
the rotation shaft 112 in the present exemplary embodiment.
[0073] A plurality of second shoes 136 are prepared to be mounted
on an exterior circumference of the second slanted plate 134 at a
predetermined distance.
[0074] Also, the second piston 138 reciprocates in the expansion
chamber 131 depending on the rotation of the second slanted plate
134 to expand the operational fluid, and the second piston 138 is
mounted on the second slanted plate 134 through the second shoe
136,
[0075] Here, the second shoes 136 and the second pistons 138 are
disposed on an exterior circumference of the second slanted plate
134 at a predetermined angle (or distance) based on the rotation
shaft 112 to correspond to the expansion chamber 131.
[0076] The second shoes 136 and the second piston 138 are mounted
on an exterior circumference of the second slanted plate 134 at 60
degree intervals to correspond to the expansion chambers 131 of
which six are formed in the second housing 132 at 60 degree
intervals.
[0077] Accordingly, the second piston 138 reciprocates in the
expansion chamber 131 by the second slanted plate 134 that is
rotated by the rotation shaft 112 to isothermally expand the
operational fluid in the expansion chamber 131, and the expanded
fluid absorbs heat.
[0078] The heat absorption of the operational fluid cools the
expansion portion 130 in a low temperature condition.
[0079] Meanwhile, the first slanted plate 124 and the second
slanted plate 134 have a phase of a predetermined angle and are
slantedly disposed on the rotation shaft 112 of the compression
portion 120 and the expansion portion 130, wherein the slant angles
thereof are in opposite directions from each other in the present
exemplary embodiment.
[0080] Also, the compression chambers 121 and the expansion
chambers 131 are positioned at the same line to correspond to each
other.
[0081] Also, the regeneration portion 140 is disposed at one side
of the expansion portion 130 and connects the compression portion
120 with the expansion portion 130 such that the compressed
operational fluid is supplied to the expansion portion 130.
[0082] The regeneration portion 140 receives the operational fluid
that is isothermally compressed to have a high temperature in the
compression portion 120 and absorbs heat of the operational fluid
to supply the expansion portion 130 with it.
[0083] Thereafter, the regeneration portion 140 receives the
operational fluid that is isothermally expanded to have a low
temperature from the expansion portion 130, transfers the heat to
the operational fluid, and supplies the compression portion 120
with it.
[0084] Here, the regeneration portion 140 includes six regeneration
filters 142 to respectively correspond to the compression chambers
121 and the expansion chambers 131. The regeneration filters 142
can be formed as a thin wire mesh type in a united state to absorb
heat from the operational fluid or supply the operational fluid
with heat.
[0085] As described above, the compression portion 120, the
expansion portion 130, and the regeneration portion 140 can be
sequentially disposed.
[0086] Also, the compression portion 120 is connected to the
regeneration portion 140 through a plurality of connecting pipes
150 that are mounted outside of the compression portion 120
corresponding to the compression chamber 121 such that the
operational fluid flows from the compression portion 120 to the
regeneration portion 140.
[0087] The first slanted plate 124 of the compression portion 120
and the second slanted plate 134 of the expansion portion 130
having the above-described configuration are slantedly disposed in
opposite directions and therefore when they are rotated with the
rotation shaft 112 they have opposite phases.
[0088] Accordingly, the compression portion 120 compresses the
operational fluid by reciprocating the first piston 128 that is
inserted in the compression chamber 121 through the first slanted
plate 124.
[0089] Thus, the operational fluid that is compressed by the
compression chamber 120 is supplied to the regeneration filter 142
to shed the heat thereof therein, is supplied to the expansion
chamber 131 of the expansion portion 130, and is isothermally
expanded by the second piston 138 that reciprocates through the
first slanted plate 124 and the second slanted plate 134 that is
moved in an opposite phase of the first slanted plate 124.
[0090] That is, the compression chamber 121 is coaxially disposed
with the expansion chamber 131, and when the operational fluid is
isothermal compressed by the compression chamber 121, the expansion
chamber 131 performs isothermal expansion of the operational
fluid.
[0091] The isothermal compression and the isothermal expansion are
sequentially performed in the compression chamber 121 and the
expansion chamber 131 through the first piston 128 and the second
piston 138 that are moved by the slanted plates 124 and 134, and
these processes is performed by the driving torque transferred from
the engine.
[0092] Here, the compression portion 120 radiates heat to a cooling
apparatus 160 through a non-illustrated water jacket covering the
outside of the compression portion 120 to be cooled.
[0093] Further, the expansion portion 130 cools the coolant by
absorbing heat from the coolant that is supplied from an air
conditioning device 170 through a non-illustrated water jacket
covering the outside of the expansion portion 130, the air flows
through the air conditioning device 170 to be cooled by the cooled
coolant, and the cooled air to be supplied to the interior of the
vehicle.
[0094] Hereinafter, operation and function of a refrigerator for a
vehicle 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention having the above-described configuration will be
described.
[0095] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show operational conditions of a Stirling
refrigerator for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0096] Referring to the drawings, in a Stirling refrigerator 100
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
driving torque of the engine is transferred to the pulley 114 of
the drive portion 110 through a belt from a non-illustrated engine
to rotate the pulley 114.
[0097] The first slanted plate 124 of the compression portion 120
and the second slanted plate 134 of the expansion portion 130 that
are disposed on the rotation shaft 112 are rotated in opposite
phases from each other, and the first piston 128 is inserted
into/drawn out of the compression chamber 121 and the second piston
138 is drawn out of/inserted into the expansion chamber 131.
[0098] Firstly, if the first piston 128 is inserted into the
compression chamber 121, the operational fluid is isothermally
compressed in the compression chamber 131 to generate heat, and the
compression portion 120 is sustained at a high temperature through
the heat generation.
[0099] Here, the cooling apparatus 160 supplies the non-illustrated
water jacket covering the compression portion 120 with coolant to
cool the compression portion 120 and the heated coolant is cooled
by the cooling apparatus 160.
[0100] The operational fluid that is compressed by the compression
portion 120 is supplied to the regeneration portion 140 through the
connection pipe 150, passes the regeneration filter 142 that is
disposed to correspond to the compression chamber 121 and the
expansion chamber 131 to lose the heat thereof, and is supplied to
the expansion portion 130.
[0101] Then, the operational fluid that flows in the expansion
portion 130 is expanded in the expansion chamber 131 that
corresponds to the compression chamber 121 that performs
compression by the movement of the second piston 138 to occur an
endothermic reaction (heat absorption).
[0102] The heat absorption of the operational fluid through the
isothermal expansion cools the expansion portion 130 to have a
lower temperature condition.
[0103] Here, the air conditioning device 170 supplies the coolant
to the non-illustrated water jacket covering the expansion portion
130 to cool the coolant through the heat exchange with the
expansion portion 130, the cooled coolant is circulated to cool the
air, and the cooled air is supplied to cool the interior of the
vehicle.
[0104] As described above, the first piston 128 is inserted into or
drawn out of the compression chamber 121 by the first slanted plate
124 that is slantedly disposed on the rotation shaft 112 to
compress the operational fluid of the compression chamber 121, and
the compressed operational fluid of the compression chamber 121
passes the regeneration portion 140 along the connection pipe 150
to be supplied to the expansion chamber 131 of the expansion
portion 130.
[0105] In this process, when the operational fluid sequentially
flows in the expansion chamber 131, the second piston 138 is drawn
out of or inserted into the expansion chamber 131 by the second
slanted plate 138 that is slantedly disposed on the rotation shaft
112, wherein the phase of the second slanted plate 138 is opposite
to that of the first slanted plate 124.
[0106] Accordingly, the operational fluid flows between the
compression chamber 121 and the expansion chamber 131 by the first
and second pistons 128 and 138 that are inserted into or drawn out
of the compression chamber 121 and the expansion chamber 131,
wherein the first and second slanted plates 124 and 134 are rotated
on the rotation shaft 112 with opposite phases.
[0107] That is, the operational fluid that is supplied from the
compression portion 120 to the regeneration portion 140 through the
connection pipe 150 and passes the regeneration portion 140 to flow
into the expansion portion, the operational fluid of the expansion
portion 130 passes the regeneration portion 140 and passes the
connection pipe 150 to be supplied to the compression portion 120,
and these processes are repeated by the rotation of the rotation
shaft 112.
[0108] That is, the operational fluid is isothermally compressed in
the compression portion 120 to generate heat, passes the
regeneration portion 140 in an isometric process, is isothermally
expanded in the expansion portion 130 to absorb heat, passes the
regeneration portion 140 in an isometric process, and is
isothermally compressed in the compression portion 120, wherein the
operational fluid repeats the isothermal compression, the isometric
process, the isothermal expansion, and the isometric process.
[0109] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a Stirling refrigerator for
a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 8, the Stirling refrigerator 200 includes a
drive portion 210, a compression portion 220, an expansion portion
230, and a regeneration portion 240.
[0111] Firstly, the drive portion 210 includes a rotation shaft 212
that receives driving torque from an engine of a vehicle to be
rotated.
[0112] The compression portion 220 is connected to the drive
portion 210 and is disposed at one side of the rotation shaft 212
to isothermally compress operational fluid through the rotation of
the rotation shaft 212 to generate heat according to the current
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0113] The expansion portion 230 is disposed at the other end
portion of the rotation shaft 212 and isothermally expands the
operational fluid that is compressed by the compression portion
220.
[0114] Further, the regeneration portion 240 is disposed between
the compression portion 220 and the expansion portion 230 and
fluidly connects the compression portion 220 with the expansion
portion 230 to supply the operational fluid that is isothermally
compressed by the compression portion 220 to the expansion portion
230.
[0115] That is, unlike the previous exemplary embodiment, a
Stirling refrigerator for a vehicle 200 according to the current
exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the
regeneration portion 240 that is disposed between the compression
portion 220 and the expansion portion 230, and the detailed
description for the configuration and the operation thereof will be
omitted.
[0116] Accordingly, a Stirling refrigerator 100, 200 for a vehicle
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses
helium or nitrogen instead of a CFC/HCFC group refrigerant to
perform isothermal compression, an isometric process, isothermal
expansion, and an isometric process, uses an endothermic reaction
during the isothermal expansion to cool the interior of the
vehicle, and prevents pollution.
[0117] Also, the layout of the system becomes simple by reducing
the number of constituent elements, the space of the engine
compartment is effectively used, and the cost is saved by
substituting for the conventional refrigerant.
[0118] Also, since the isothermal compression, isothermal
expansion, and isometric process are performed inside the system,
separate complicated connection pipes are eliminated, and leakage
of the operating fluid is prevented to reduce maintenance.
[0119] Further, the helium or the nitrogen as a refrigerant
prevents pollution, so it is possible to satisfy environmental
regulations.
[0120] For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in
the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner" and
"outer" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments
with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in
the figures.
[0121] The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments
of the present invention have been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. They are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments
were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of
the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable
others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, as well as various
alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the
scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and
their equivalents.
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