Project Title:
Cryocooler for Direct Circulation of Refrigerant to Instruments, Shields, and Dewars
09.08-1856
910757
Cryocooler for Direct Circulation of Refrigerant to Instruments, Shields, and Dewars
General Pneumatics Corporation, Western Research
7662 East Gray Road, Suite 107
Scottsdale
AZ
85260-6910
Woody
Ellison
602-998-1856
MSFC
NAS8-39321
193
09.08-1856
910757
Abstract:
Cryocooler for Direct Circulation of Refrigerant to Instruments, Shields, and Dewars
A multistage Stirling cryocooler will be developed to circulate coolant directly
to spaceborne instruments, shields, and storage dewars without need for an intermediate
heat exchanger, separate cryogenic pump, or for any hazardous fluid. The proposed
refrigerator has two expansion states producing refrigeration at 90 K and 56 K. Later
development is anticipated for the addition of a third stage operating at 20 K. Simplified,
single-stage versions could also be derived for more utilitarian cooling needs over
the range of 80 K to 270 K. The machine will incorporate several innovative features
to achieve an especially compact arrangement with high thermodynamic efficiency and
long-life operation. One innovative feature is the use of the controlled ingress
and egress of the helium-working fluid itself from within the refrigerator to the
external coolant transfer loop to directly convey refrigeration to the point of need.
Also incorporated is a new concept for precisely tailored, high-effectiveness, thermal-composite
heat exchangers. The drive mechanism provides straight-line piston motion to minimize
side forces, wear, and vibration and to facilitate incorporation of positive seals
to preclude contamination of the working fluid.
This cryocooler would apply in the long-term cryogenic cooling of spaceborne instruments
and stored cryogens and in applications such as superconductors and supercooled computers,
magnetic resonance imagers in medical research, materials research, and development
of freon-free refrigeration.
Cryogenic refrigerator, multiple expansion stages, direct coolant transfer