Shuttle Heat Transfer

Abstract

The evolutionary process of selecting the best scheme of producing small amounts of refrigeration at cryogenic temperatures has resulted in positive-displacement reciprocating expanders becoming the most widely used means. These machines operate on the Stirling cycle, Gifford-McMahon cycle, Solvay cycle, Vuilleumier cycle, or some modification of one of these. Without exception, the machines being built today on these cycles all use a long expander piston which separates the cold region from ambient temperatures and permits the important piston seal to be located at ambient temperature.