NASA STTR 2005 Solicitation

FORM B - PROPOSAL SUMMARY


PROPOSAL NUMBER:05 T4.02-9958
RESEARCH SUBTOPIC TITLE:Space Science Sensors and Instruments
PROPOSAL TITLE:A 4-Kelvin Pulse-Tube/Reverse-Brayton Hybrid Cryocooler

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC): RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI):
NAME: Atlas Scientific NAME:University of Wisconsin-Madison
ADDRESS:1367 Camino Robles Way ADDRESS:750 University Avenue, 4th Floor
CITY:San Jose CITY:Madison
STATE/ZIP:CA  95120-4925 STATE/ZIP:WI  53706-1490
PHONE: (408) 507-0906 PHONE: (608) 262-3822

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name,Email)
James R Maddocks
maddocks@cae.wisc.edu

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
NASA's ability to perform cutting edge space science, including lunar and planetary exploration, requires the use of cryogenically cooled detectors and sensors for advanced scientific instruments and telescopes. For example, to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of cryogenic IR focal plane arrays it is desirable to have on-focal plane, high-resolution, analog-to-digital data converters. Such A/D converters and supporting technology are currently in various stages of development. These and other detectors and sensors will require improvements in cryogenic system technology, including the development of lightweight, low vibration, highly-efficient, long-life cryocoolers if their useful lifetime is to be extended beyond a couple of years. To address these requirements, Atlas Scientific proposes to develop a 4K cryocooler that combines the efficiency of a recuperative, reverse-Brayton, low-temperature stage with the simplicity of a regenerative, pulse-tube, upper stage. The PT/RB hybrid is an innovative cooling system capable of achieving temperatures in the range of 4 to 10 K and is ideally suited to the requirements of many future space-based applications. The hybrid system addresses the issues of cryocooler vibration, reliability, and efficiency, while simultaneously providing an innovative approach to the challenge of interfacing a cryocooler with low-temperature detectors, sensors, and electronics.

POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
There are numerous future NASA applications. For example, to improve the ultimate signal-to-noise ratio obtainable from cryogenic IR focal plane arrays it is desirable to have on-focal plane, high-resolution, analog-to-digital data converters. Such A/D converters and supporting technology are currently in various stages of development. These and other detectors and sensors will require improvements in cryogenic system technology, including the development of lightweight, low vibration, highly-efficient, long-life cryocoolers if their useful lifetime is to be extended beyond a couple of years. There are many potential applications for the various components of the proposed cooler as well. A prime example is the use of the rectifying interface between the pulse tube and reverse-Brayton stages. This interface can be used in conjunction with a pulse tube or Stirling cooler to provide cooling for distributed loads or active shielding and re-liquefaction for zero-boil-off (ZBO) dewars such as will be required for the manned Mars mission.

POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
Non-NASA applications include two important applications: first, reliquifying the boil-off from MRI machines, and second, cooling cryopumps for use in the semiconductor industry. Both applications currently represent substantial markets.

NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.

TECHNOLOGY TAXONOMY MAPPING
Chemical
Cooling
Fluid Storage and Handling
Gravitational
High-Energy
Instrumentation
Microwave/Submillimeter
Production
Propellant Storage
Sensor Webs/Distributed Sensors


Form Printed on 09-19-05 13:14