CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING 3HE-4HE DILUTION REFRIGERATOR FOR SPACE FLIGHT

Abstract

A dilution refrigerator, the combination comprising an electrostatic mixing chamber containing 3 He-rich and 4 He-rich phases subject to separation in response to electrostatic force application, the chamber having an outlet for 3 He that has passed through an interface between those two liquid phases to produce cooling; a still connected with the mixing chamber to receive 3 He therefrom, the still having an outlet for 3 He; two adsorption pumps connected with said still outlet to receive 3 He vapor, alternately, there being a valve or valve system connected with each pump; heater structure associated with the pumps to cause 3 He desorption by the pumps; a condenser-collector connected with the valves to receive desorbed 3 He, 3 He liquid being held at a flow path outlet from the condenser-collector; and a heat exchanger connected in a flow path from the condenser-collector back to the mixing chamber.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1HENRY W. JACKSON

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