Research on gas wave refrigeration application of full feedback periodic jet oscillator

Abstract

Static gas wave refrigeration (SGWR) is a mechanic equipment with no moving parts which realize refrigeration by working on gas through pressure energy. This paper introduces full feedback jet oscillator as the jet distributor of the gas wave refrigerator and shows the switching mechanism of the oscillator in detail through dynamics description. The range of influence of wedge distance (distance between wedge tip and the nozzle) on the pressure retention rate and frequency at the oscillator outlet is discussed, and a SGWR experiment platform is set up to make comparison of the pressure waveform as well as cooling efficiency of the impulse jet from two oscillators with different wedge distance in the gas wave tube. The result shows that jet oscillator performance varies along with the wedge distance, thus influencing the cooling efficiency. To expand the efficient operation range, the principle of jet frequency changing and the impact of narrowing the oscillator structure on jet frequency are discussed in detail, the variation rule equation of the jet switching frequency is derived. Matching experiments of jet oscillator and size of gas wave tube have been conducted under conditions of specific frequency and variable frequency. It is concluded that there exists fluctuation value in gas wave tube refrigeration efficiency versus gas injection frequency curve, which can be up to 15% or more. Based on the present results, the jet frequency control method can make the gas wave tube operate at the refrigeration's peak frequency, thus improving SGWR refrigeration efficiency.