Thomas J. Hofler Jay A. Adeff
Phys. Dept., Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943
The original Hofler thermoacoustic refrigerator is improved by means of a two-segment stack. Each segment of the stack can have a different layer separation that is approximately best for its local acoustic environment and heat load. A few different combinations of stack segments were tested experimentally. The best data indicated an increase in temperature span from 102 to 118 (degrees)C, and an increase in COP relative to Carnot of about 40%, compared to the best single-stack element.