Apparatus using vibrationally isolating stirling cooler system

Abstract

A vibration isolation system for mounting a Stirling cooler on a base. The system may include a number of cushioning elements for connecting the Stirling cooler to the base. The system also may include balance mass spring connected to the Stirling cooler and a balance mass connected to the balance mass spring.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A vibration isolation system for mounting a Stirling cooler on a base, comprising: 
 a plurality of cushioning elements connecting said Stirling cooler to said base;    a balance mass spring connected to said Stirling cooler; and    a balance mass connected to said balance mass spring.    
     
     
         2 . The vibration isolation system of  claim 1 , wherein said Stirling cooler vibrates with a given frequency and wherein said balance mass spring vibrates at about said given frequency and about one hundred eighty (180) degrees out of phase.  
     
     
         3 . The vibration isolation system of  claim 1 , wherein said balance mass and said balance mass spring are resonant at about sixty (60) to about seventy-five (75) cycles per second.  
     
     
         4 . The vibration isolation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame, said frame positioned between said Stirling cooler and said balance mass spring.  
     
     
         5 . The vibration isolation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a support plate, said support plate positioned between said Stirling cooler and said plurality of cushioning elements.  
     
     
         6 . The vibration isolation system of  claim 5 , wherein said support plate comprises a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         7 . The vibration isolation system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cushioning elements comprises one or more elastomeric members.  
     
     
         8 . The vibration isolation system of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of cushioning elements comprises a central member, said central member surrounded by said one or more elastomeric members.  
     
     
         9 . The vibration isolation system of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of cushioning elements comprises one or more fastening members, said one or more fastening members positioned about said one or more elastomeric members.  
     
     
         10 . The vibration isolation system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cushioning elements comprises one or more compression springs.  
     
     
         11 . The vibration isolation system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cushioning elements comprises a first end cushioning element positioned about a first end of said Stirling cooler and a second end cushioning element positioned about a second end of said Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         12 . A refrigeration system, comprising: 
 a refrigeration deck;    a Stirling cooler;    said Stirling cooler mounted on said refrigeration deck by an isolation system so as to reduce the amount of vibration transmitted by said Stirling cooler to said refrigeration deck.    
     
     
         13 . The refrigeration system of  claim 12 , wherein said isolation system comprises a balance mass system connected to said Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         14 . The refrigeration system of  claim 13 , wherein said balance mass system comprises a balance mass spring connected to said Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         15 . The refrigeration system of  claim 14 , wherein said balance mass system comprises a balance mass connected to said balance mass spring.  
     
     
         16 . The refrigeration system of  claim 15 , wherein said Stirling cooler vibrates with a given frequency and wherein said balance mass spring vibrates at about said given frequency and about one hundred eighty (180) degrees out of phase.  
     
     
         17 . The refrigeration system of  claim 15 , wherein said balance mass and said balance mass spring are resonant at about sixty (60) to about seventy-five (75) cycles per second.  
     
     
         18 . The refrigeration system of  claim 12 , wherein said isolation system comprises a plurality of cushioning members positioned between said Stirling cooler and said refrigeration deck.  
     
     
         19 . The refrigeration system of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of cushioning members comprises one or more elastomeric members.  
     
     
         20 . The refrigeration system of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of cushioning members comprises a first end cushioning member positioned about a first end of said Stirling cooler and a second end cushioning member positioned about a second end of said Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         21 . The refrigeration system of  claim 12 , further comprising a hot air exhaust system positioned about said refrigeration deck.  
     
     
         22 . The refrigeration system of  claim 21 , wherein said hot air exhaust system comprises a shroud surrounding said Stirling cooler.  
     
     
         23 . The refrigeration system of  claim 22 , wherein said hot air exhaust system comprises an air movement device in communication with said shroud so as to define an air flow path through said shroud and past said Stirling cooler.