Thermodynamic regenerator

Abstract

Various embodiments are directed to a regenerator for use with a regenerative engine. The regenerator may comprise a plurality of regenerator disks. Each of the plurality of regenerator disks may comprises a plurality of concentric ribs defining a plurality of concentric gaps therebetween. Further, the plurality regenerator disks may be arranged within the regenerator longitudinally, such that the plurality of concentric gaps defined by adjacent regenerator disks are substantially aligned.

1 . A regenerator for use with a regenerative engine, the regenerator comprising:
 a plurality of regenerator disks;   wherein each of the plurality of regenerator disks comprises a plurality of ribs defining a plurality of gaps therebetween; and   wherein the plurality regenerator disks are arranged within the regenerator longitudinally, such that the plurality of concentric gaps defined by adjacent regenerator disks are substantially aligned.   
     
     
         2 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of regenerator disks comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, phosphor bronze, lead, and a rare-earth metal. 
     
     
         3 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the plurality of regenerator disks is between about ¼ inch and one foot. 
     
     
         4 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the gaps is between about 20 μm and about 30 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the ribs is between about 30 μm and about 130 μm. 
     
     
         6 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs and the plurality of gaps are concentric. 
     
     
         7 . The regenerator of  claim 6 , wherein, for each of the plurality of regenerator disks, a common center of the plurality of concentric ribs and a common center of the plurality concentric gaps are at about a center of the disk. 
     
     
         8 . The regenerator of  claim 6 , wherein, for each of the plurality of regenerator disks, the concentric ribs extend less than 360° about a common center. 
     
     
         9 . The regenerator of  claim 8 , wherein, for each of the plurality of regenerator disks, the concentric ribs extend about 120° about the common center. 
     
     
         10 . The regenerator of  claim 8 , wherein, for each of the plurality of regenerator disks, the angular positions of plurality of concentric ribs about the common center are aligned. 
     
     
         11 . The regenerator of  claim 8 , wherein, for each of the plurality of regenerator disks, the angular positions of plurality of concentric ribs about the common center are offset. 
     
     
         12 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer cylinder and wherein the regenerator disks are positioned within the outer cylinder. 
     
     
         13 . The regenerator of  claim 12 , further comprising a cap positioned at a first end of the outer cylinder. 
     
     
         14 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , further comprising a shrink tube surrounding the regenerator disks. 
     
     
         15 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of regenerator disks comprises a ridge on a first surface and defines a corresponding groove on a second opposite surface. 
     
     
         16 . The regenerator of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the ridges are thermally insulating. 
     
     
         17 . The regenerator of  claim 15 , wherein the ridge and the groove extends completely around a common center of the concentric ribs. 
     
     
         18 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of regenerator disks are thermally insulating. 
     
     
         19 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of regenerator disks that are thermally insulating are selected from the group consisting of regenerator disks made from a thermally insulating material and regenerator disks having a thermally insulating coating. 
     
     
         20 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs and the plurality of gaps are linear. 
     
     
         21 . The regenerator of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of ribs are parallel to one another. 
     
     
         22 . The regenerator of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of alternating portions meeting one another at angles of less than 180°. 
     
     
         23 . The regenerator of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of ribs are parallel to one another. 
     
     
         24 . A regenerative engine comprising:
 a regenerator, the regenerator comprising:
 a plurality of regenerator disks, wherein each of the plurality of regenerator disks comprises a plurality of concentric ribs defining a plurality of concentric gaps therebetween, and wherein the plurality regenerator disks are arranged within the regenerator longitudinally, such that the plurality of concentric gaps defined by adjacent regenerator disks are substantially aligned; 
   a pulse tube comprising a cold end and a hot end, wherein the pulse tube is in fluid communication with and is coupled to the regenerator at the cold end;   a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with the pulse tube at the hot end of the pulse tube;   a working fluid positioned within the regenerator, the pulse tube, and the reservoir; and   a phase control device positioned in a fluid path between the hot end of the pulse tube and the reservoir.   
     
     
         25 . The regenerative engine of  claim 24 , wherein the pulse tube and the regenerator share a common outer cylinder, and where the plurality of regenerator disks are positioned within the common outer cylinder. 
     
     
         26 . The regenerative engine of  claim 24 , wherein each of the plurality of regenerator disks comprises a ridge on a first surface and defines a corresponding groove on a second opposite surface. 
     
     
         27 . The regenerative engine of  claim 24 , wherein, for each of the plurality of regenerator disks, the concentric ribs extend less than 360° about a common center. 
     
     
         28 . A regenerator for use with a regenerative engine, the regenerator comprising:
 a plurality of regenerator disks;   wherein each of the plurality of regenerator disks comprises a plurality of concentric ribs defining a plurality of concentric gaps therebetween;   wherein the plurality regenerator disks are arranged within the regenerator longitudinally, such that the plurality of concentric gaps defined by adjacent regenerator disks are substantially aligned;   wherein a diameter of the plurality of regenerator disks is between about ½ inch and one foot;   wherein a width of the concentric gaps is between about 20 μm and about 30 μm;   wherein a width of the concentric ribs is between about 30 μm and about 130 μm;   wherein, for each of the plurality of regenerator disks, a common center of the plurality of concentric ribs and a common center of the plurality concentric gaps are at about a center of the disk;   wherein, for each of the plurality of regenerator disks, the concentric ribs extend less than 360° about a common center; and   wherein each of the plurality of regenerator disks comprises a ridge on a first surface and defines a corresponding groove on a second opposite surface.