Cryocoolers are low temperature refrigerators.  They are a key component in the development of superconducting power cables. Current designs are inefficient and expensive. We propose some new designs.

Efficient, moderately priced cryocoolers could be used in many ways, to improve the efficiency with which we transmit and utilise electricity. Superconducting power cables, operating at very low temperatures would eliminate power transmission line cable losses. They would also make it cost effective to bury the transmission cables underground, instead of having to rely on overhead transmission lines. Superconducting cables could be used for transmitting power from remote tidal barriers and  Solar Warp Generators in desert regions, to the big cities.

Superconducting magnets would reduce heat losses in electric motors and generators. They would also reduce the running costs of magnetic levitation rail transport systems.

Cryocoolers of various sorts have been around for over a hundred years. The snags with existing designs include short working life and low efficiency.  Cheshire Innovation has two designs on offer:

1. An improved Stirling cryocooler, based on our dual chamber, lubricant free displacement pump designs.
2. A radically different design, which overcomes the practical problems encountered when building any Stirling cycle cryocooler.

A brief description of the ideal Stirling refrigeration cycle

A proposed Stirling Cryocooler incorporating Cheshire Innovation's patented dual chamber displacement pumps

A radically different design, which overcomes the practical problems encountered when building any Stirling cycle cryocooler

In private communications, an international expert and writer on cryocoolers, Dr Graham Walker has commented favourably on a new Cheshire Innovation low temperature refrigerator design.

Our new design of cryocooler should offer the following benefits:

• No moving parts, apart from the working gas, in the cold chamber.
• Liquid lubricant-free operation.
• A long working life without regular servicing.
• Far higher operating efficiency, compared with Stirling or Pulse Tube coolers.

The expert opinion: Dr. Graham Walker, Emeritus Professor of Engineering at Calgary University has written widely on cryocoolers. He  comments that our new design "looks very interesting and worthwhile. I would Therefore encourage you to write it up." (Private communication July 18, 2001)

At the moment the design is still at the concept stage. Due to our commitment to working on SALi Technology, we are not able to devote time or funds to developing the new cooler. So, if you are part of a university or company team currently working on cryocoolers, we would be very interested to hear from you. A patent application describing the new design has been filed but the details are not in the public domain. We will require you to sign a Confidentiality Agreement before full details are released.

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