THERMOACOUSTIC REFRIGERATOR FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS

A new spacecraft cryocooler which uses resonant high-amplitude sound w aves in inert gases to pump heat is described. The phasing of the ther moacoustic cycle is provided by thermal conduction. This ''natural'' p hasing allows the entire refrigerator to operate with only one moving part (the loudspeaker diaphragm). A space-qualified thermoacoustic ref rigerator was flown on the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-42) in January , 1992. It was entirely autonomous, had no sliding seals, required no lubrication, used mostly low-tolerance machined parts, and contained n o expensive components. Thermoacoustics is shown to be a competitive c andidate for food refrigerator/freezers and commercial/residential air conditioners. The design and performance of the Space ThermoAcoustic Refrigerator (STAR) is described.