Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The objective of the STAR project is to test and space qualify a new continuous cycle cryogenic refrigeration system for cooling of sensors and electronics which is based upon the newly discovered thermoacoustic heat pumping effect. The new refrigerator has no sliding seals, a cycle frequency of about 300 hz, and uses acoustic resonance to enhance the overall power density and efficiency. This thesis is concerned specifically with the design and testing of the electrodynamic transducer which is responsible for the electro-acoustic power conversion. A computer model of the driver/resonator system is presented along with the techniques for measurement of the electrical and mechanical parameters used as input for the model. A final driver design (including dimensional drawings) utilizing a modified JBL 2450J neodymium-iron-boron compression driver and associated leak tight electrical feed-throughs, microphone, accelerometer, pressure gage, pressure housing, and resonator interface is provided. Keywords: Electrodynamic loudspeaker, Thermoacoustic refrigerator / http://archive.org/details/electrodynamicdr00fitz / Lieutenant, United States Coast Guard

Yes / Thermoacoustic refrigeration is an evolving cooling technology in which the acoustic power is used to pump heat. The operating conditions and geometric parameters are important for the thermoacoustic refrigerator performance, as they affect both its performance and the temperature difference across the stack. This paper investigates the effect of the stack geometric parameters and operating conditions on the performance of a standing wave thermoacoustic refrigerator and the temperature difference across the stack. DeltaEC software is used to make the thermoacoustic refrigerator model. From the obtained results, normalised values for the operating conditions andgeometric parameters are collected to compromise both the performance and the temperature difference across the stack.

La réfrigération solaire est une alternative à la production de froid à partir de machines à compression mécanique de vapeur dont l’alimentation est électrique. Parmi les technologies envisageables, le couplage d’une machine de réfrigération thermoacoustique avec un concentrateur solaire et un stockage frigorifique par chaleur latente apparait comme une option intéressante. Cette thèse introduit la problématique du sujet et présente les différentes technologies envisageables pour la conception d’un réfrigérateur thermoacoustique solaire. Ensuite, pour répondre au problème, le prototype expérimental qui a été conçu et fabriqué est présenté. Une méthode de modélisation transitoire au niveau système du prototype est proposée. Enfin les résultats obtenus par les simulations dynamiques sont discutés à travers l’analyse du comportement transitoire de l’ensemble du procédé et des performances associées. / Solar refrigeration is an alternative to electrically driven vapor compression cycle for refrigeration. Among the solar refrigeration technologies, the coupling of a heat driven thermoacoustic refrigerator with a solar concentrator and a cold latent energy storage system seems to be a promising technology. This thesis introduces the issue of the subject and analyzes the different available technologies to design a solar driven thermoacoustic refrigerator. Then, to address the problem, the prototype that has been designed and built, is presented. A lumped model is introduced to describe the transient behavior of the prototype. Finally, simulation results are presented and discussed in terms of dynamic behavior and performance analysis.