On cycle-averaged pressure in a G–M type pulse tube refrigerator Original Research Article

An experimental investigation has been carried out on dynamical pressures of the viscous compressible flow oscillating at different locations in a Gifford–McMahon (G–M) type pulse tube refrigerator operating at cycle-steady states. Measurements show that the oscillating amplitude of the pressure was largest at the hot end of the regenerator while the cycle-averaged pressure was the largest in the reservoir. The latter characteristics can be explained based on a cycle-averaged and cross-sectional averaged of the governing equations for a compressible viscous oscillating flow. The reason why the cycle-averaged pressure of the compressible flow oscillating at low frequencies in a tube increases from the wave generator toward the reservoir is analyzed. In addition, the effect of the cycle-averaged pressure on the refrigeration performance is discussed, which can be used to explain why the system with proper asymmetric charging and discharging periods has a better performance than a symmetric one in a G–M type pulse tube refrigerator.