Patent ID: 6385973
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: F02G,F25B

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:bonded layers of semiconductor material comprising: first and second diaphragm layers, which may be electrically or thermally isolated from adjacent layers; a plurality of regenerator layers in electrical and thermal isolation from each other interposed between the first and second diaphragm layers; a first thermal energy transfer layer which is roughly parallel to and exterior to the first diaphragm layer, adapted to transfer heat to or accept heat from an associated item with which it is in contact; and a second thermal energy transfer layer which is roughly parallel to and exterior to the second diaphragm layer, adapted to accept heat from or transfer heat to an associated item with which it is in contact or to the surrounding atmosphere; an internal structure that is created by removing portions from one or more of the preceding layers, that structure comprising: a plurality of regenerators, each comprising a cluster of passages through the regenerator layers and the portions of each regenerator layer adjacent to the cluster of passages; a hermetically sealed cavity, containing a working gas, that is formed within the diaphragm and regenerator layers and which extends from the inner surface of the first diaphragm layer to the inner surface of the second diaphragm layer, and passes through the regenerators, wherein: the diaphragm layers are adapted to move a working gas back and forth within the hermetically sealed cavity through the regenerator layers, and the regenerators are adapted to alternately accept heat from or transfer heat to a working gas that is driven through them by the diaphragm layers; cavities between the first diaphragm layer and the first thermal energy transfer layer and between the second diaphragm layer and the second thermal energy transfer layer; an electronic control device adapted to form an operative connection with the diaphragm layers and one or more adjacent layers of the apparatus comprising a force generating device and an integrated circuit that is adapted to: produce variable driving forces that independently deflect each diaphragm layer in a regular oscillating pattern, coordinate the deflection of the first diaphragm layer with the deflection of the second diaphragm layer to produce a thermodynamic cycle, known as a Stirling cycle, which creates a temperature difference between the first and second thermal energy transfer layers, determine the optimum phase relation between the diaphragm layers, the optimum frequency, and the optimum swept volume ratio to maximize the potential temperature difference between the first and second thermal energy transfer layers for a particular application, and adjust the phase, frequency, and amplitude of the driving forces to maximize the potential temperature difference between the first and second the al energy transfer layers.