Optimization of the Swept Volume Ratio between the Compressor and the Active Displacer in an Efficient 20 K Thermal-Coupled Two-Stage Pulse Tube Cryocooler

As an important component of the stirling-type pulse tube cryocooler(SPTC),an efficient phase shifter can significantly improve the cooling capacity.Compared to the common phase shifter,the active warm displacer(AWD)has a wider phase adjustment range and therefore can obtain a better phase relationship easily.Based on a two-stage thermal-coupled SPTC operating in the 20 K range,this paper studied the influence of the swept volume ratio between the compressor and displacer.The research found that the swept volume ratio changes the cooling capacity and efficiency of the cryocooler mainly by changing the phase difference between the pressure wave and the volume flow at the cold end.It was found from the results of the simulation and experiments that there is an optimal displacement of the displacer(Xd)of 2.5 mm and an optimal phase angle of 15°to obtain the highest cooling efficiency while the displacement of the compressor is constant.The cooling capacity at 20 K is 1.3 W while the input electrical power of the second stage compressor is 202 W,which indicates an overall relative Carnot efficiency(rCOP)of 0.055 in terms of input electrical power.In addition,due to the reasonable setting of precooling temperature and capacity,the swept volume ratio and phase at the maximum cooling capacity and maximum efficiency are consistent in this study.The research improves the understanding of phase shifters and has guiding significance for the optimization of the SPTC working below 20 K.