30 kW Metal Diaphragm Pressure Wave Generator.

Callaghan Innovation has been developing a metal-diaphragm pressure wave generator technology for pulse tube or Stirling cryocoolers since 2005. A series of successful pressure wave generators have been designed, fabricated and demonstrated ranging in swept volume from 20 to 240 cc driven by commercially available induction motors of powers from 0.5 kW to 7.5 kW respectively. A number of pulse tubes have also been design and successfully trialed with these pressure wave generators. Cooling powers up to 600 W at 120 K have been achieved. We have now scaled the pressure wave generator technology to 1000cc swept volume, powered by a 30 kW induction motor with the intention of providing over 20 kW of acoustic power to either pulse tube or Stirling expanders. The aim is to develop a cryocooler with more than 1000 W of refrigeration at 77 K. Target applications include liquefaction and High Temperature Superconducting devices. Initial results from testing the 1000 cc pressure wave generator are presented and we will discuss the challenges and advantages involved in scaling the metal diaphragm technology to higher acoustic powers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]