WJM
We are working to expand our direct presence in Europe and expect to have distributors there begin offering our portables before the end of 2010. The intital products will likely be the ULT25 and SC-DF25 with others following.
There are so many options with a FPSC system that I am not even sure where to begin with my answers as it is difficult to explain all of the nuances of Stirling theory in this format.
For each answer I provide, you seem to have three questions.
If you have more questions about the technical aspects of FPSC based cooling products and systems and how they work and can be integrated into custom insulated chambers, I would be happy to discuss them with you.
PM me and I will give you my contact info.
Only the SC-C925 and its variants use the CO2 thermosiphon for secondary heat transport. The FPSC itself is also available seperately and can be integrated in several ways (see attachments). We also offer units that use forced convection which have no orientation limitations (SC-JS04 and SC-JS05)
As for a eutectic based systems, A FPSC system can take advantage of phase change materials just as much as compressor based system or any cooling system for that matter. Eutectic evaporator or plate based refrigerator systems use phase change materials as an energy storage method (think ice) in order to minmize energy consumption. Most FPSC systems don't worry so much about energy consumption (it's already about half of the compressor systems in our lowest efficiency system) and don't use phase change materials except in cases where the driving energy is being extracted from sunlight and it needs to stay cold overnight with out battery backup. Probably the biggest disadvantage to eutectic systems is that you are locked into a single temperature without using a phase change material with a eutectic temperature as low as you will ever need to set the unit combined with a secondary thermal regulation circuit/fan and many people seem to prefer the ability to change the temperature of their box from freezer to refrigerator and back. A very simple alternative would be to put eutectic material inside the box. If you want a temperature right about 0degC then use blue ice if you want it warmer there are several waxes that can be used. Just match the temperature set point you are using to the phase change material. If you really want to get fancy, fill the defrost catch tray on the SC-JS04/JS05 with your eutectic and set the temperature of the system acordingly to match and voila you have a FPSC refrigeration system with eutectic backup.
Space Shuttle mission STS-60 in 1994. M223 Stirling Freezer used to provide low temperature storage for expeiments and crew rations. ONLY cooling technology approved for operation DURING launch, at least up to that time.
Who knows what they have tried since.
That said, a LOT has changed over the last year or so, especially WRT pricing and availability.
I'm not sure why you are not getting a response from GCBV, but when you get my email from the above mentioned PM or from a couple of posts up, copy me to your request for info to GCBV and I will try to figure out what is going on. Since I'm not 100% sure of exactly what is allowed in this forum (Moderators: I'm just trying to help. I am not attempting to sell anything. I do not get anything like commision. In fact, it is a pain in my butt to sell to anyone but our distributors. However, if they want it and I can help, I'll give it a go but there is zero, maybe even negative, pressure), lets just say that GCBV gets their inventory from me and I ship inventory all over the world.
