THERMAL, VIBRATION, AND RELIABILITY TEST RESULTS FOR A BALANCED 80 K CRYOCOOLER

Robert Boyle, Leroy Sparr, Thomas Cygnarowicz, and Stephen Castles - Cryogenics, Propulsion and Fluid Systems Branch NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD 20771

Richard Fink and Edward James - McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company.

Thermal, vibration, and performance characterization tests have been performed on a Technology Demonstration Model (TDM) cryogenic refrigerator produced by Stirling Technologies Corporation (STC) under a Small Business Innovation Research Phase II grant. This is the first balanced refrigerator tested by NASA/GSFC. This report contains a summary of the results of these tests together with conclusions, recommendations for additional testing, and lessons learned from this testing effort.

Performance characteristics described include: vibration stability with time; operation of the control system with a free piston displacer; horizontal and vertical operation effects on the vibration signature; measured motor side forces; and start-up of a refrigerator with a free displacer. The test set-up is also described..

Cryocoolers 7; 7th International Cryocooler Conference Proceedings, PL-CP--93-1001, Part 1, pp. 57 - 72 (1992).

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