System, apparatus and method for compressor hub with an integrated rectifying system for dc flow

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method for a compressor hub assembly configured for use with a dual piston compressor is provided and includes a cylindrically shaped body having a centrally located inner wall and defining cylinder sealing surface for receiving and maintaining at least one compressor pump; a plurality of bores integrated within the body, the bores defining at least one fill port, a fluid inlet port, an output port, at least two compression bores, an off-center cross-bore interconnected with the one of the at least two compression bores, and at least one reservoir passages; at least one check-valve assembly disposed in the output port, the check valve assembly including a check valve, a valve seal and a valve retainer, wherein the use of the check valve assembly and the plurality of bores produces a continuous DC flow output when fluid is flowed through the compressor pump and into the hub assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compressor hub assembly configured for use with a dual piston compressor, the compressor hub assembly, comprising:
 a generally cylindrically shaped body having a centrally located inner wall extending across the diameter of the body and defining a cylinder sealing surface for receiving and maintaining at least one compressor pump;   a plurality of bores integrated within the body, the bores defining at least one fill port, a fluid inlet port, an output port, at least two compression bores, an off-center cross-bore interconnected with the one of the at least two compression bores, and at least one reservoir passage;   at least one check-valve assembly disposed in the output port, the check valve assembly including a check valve, a valve seal and a valve retainer; and   wherein the check valve assembly and the plurality of bores provides a continuous DC flow output when fluid is flowed through the compressor pump and into the hub assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the dual piston compressor is disposed within a Joule-Thomson cryocooler. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the input port is operatively connected to a pressure supply line for receiving fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the output port is operatively connected to a pressure return line for exiting fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the generally cylindrically shaped body includes a pair of ends rings positioned at opposite ends thereof an being configured to receive and maintain at least one motor module for housing the at least one compressor pump. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the off-center cross bore is disposed within the sealing surface and extends along an axis perpendicular to the directional movement of a piston housed within the at least one compressor pump. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the off-center cross bore interconnects the output port and at least one reservoir passage. 
     
     
         7 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the output port defines a mounting flat at an exterior surface of the generally cylindrically shaped body. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet port, the output port, and the at least one reservoir are configured and sized to define a valve seat for receiving the valve seal and check valve of the check valve assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the valve retainer is positioned to bias the check valve against the valve seat. 
     
     
         10 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the valve retainer is flexible. 
     
     
         11 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one check valve provides a unidirectional fluid flow. 
     
     
         12 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor hub assembly modifies the oscillating pressure in pulsating (AC) systems to produce a unidirectional (DC) flow. 
     
     
         13 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one check valve includes four check valves disposed within four reservoir passages. 
     
     
         14 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor hub assembly is disposed within an integrated detector cooler assembly having a focal plane array disposed therein. 
     
     
         15 . A compressor hub assembly configured for use with a dual piston compressor disposed in a Joule-Thomson cryocooler, the compressor hub assembly, comprising:
 a generally cylindrically shaped body having a centrally located inner wall extending across the diameter of the body and defining a cylinder sealing surface for receiving and maintaining at least one compressor pump; and   a plurality of bores integrated within the body, the bores defining at least one fill port, a fluid inlet port, an output port, at least two compression bores, an off-center cross-bore interconnected with the one of the at least two compression bores, and at least one reservoir passage.   
     
     
         16 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one check-valve assembly disposed in the output port, the check valve assembly including a check valve, a valve seal and a valve retainer; and wherein the check valve assembly and the plurality of bores provides a continuous DC flow output when fluid is flowed through the compressor pump and into the hub assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the off-center cross bore is disposed within the sealing surface and extends along an axis perpendicular to the directional movement of a piston housed within the at least one compressor pump and wherein the off-center cross bore interconnects the output port and at least one reservoir passage. 
     
     
         18 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one check valve provides a unidirectional fluid flow. 
     
     
         19 . The compressor hub assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the compressor hub assembly modifies the oscillating pressure in pulsating (AC) systems to produce a unidirectional (DC) flow. 
     
     
         20 . A method of cooling a focal plane array (FPA) disposed in an integrated detector cooler assembly (IDCA) to an operating temperature, the method comprising:
 rapidly cooling the FPA to a desired operating temperature by providing a dual piston compressor disposed in a Joule-Thomson cryocooler and being connected to the FPA; and   maintaining the FPA at the desired operating temperature,   wherein the dual piston compressor includes a compressor hub assembly comprising a generally cylindrically shaped body having a centrally located inner wall extending across the diameter of the body and defining a cylinder sealing surface for receiving and maintaining at least one compressor pump; a plurality of bores integrated within the body, the bores defining at least one fill port, a fluid inlet port, an output port, at least two compression bores, an off-center cross-bore interconnected with the one of the at least two compression bores, and at least one reservoir passage; at least one check-valve assembly disposed in the output port, the check valve assembly including a check valve, a valve seal and a valve retainer; and wherein the check valve assembly and the plurality of bores provides a continuous DC flow output when fluid is flowed through the compressor pump and into the hub assembly.