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Stephen Castles, Thomas Cygnarowicz, Robert Boyle,
Leroy Sparr, Richard Cory and Frank Connors
Cryogenics, Propulsion and Fluid Systems Branch
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Edward James and Richard Fink
McDonnell Douglas Corp.
Vincent Arillo and John Marketon
Hughes-STX
C. Lee and D. Bugby
Swales and Associates, Inc.
NASA has identified the availability of high reliability coolers as a critical technology to support the Earth Observing System (EOS) and other satellite systems. NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), therefore, has begun several new cryocooler development programs.
Multiple parallel contracts were placed to advance the existing cryocooler state-of-the-art. These contracts will develop high reliability, low vibration cryocoolers with a minimum 5 year life. Specifically, the contracts will develop Stirling cycle coolers to provide 0.8 W of cooling at 80 K and to provide 0.3 W of cooling at 30 K. A Reverse Brayton cycle cryocooler is being developed under SDIO/Air Force funding to provide 5 W of cooling at 65 K. Specifications have been prepared for a 4 K cryocooler development effort. This paper discusses the GSFC cooler development contracts, including design goals, program status, and the schedule for future work.
GSFC has completed extensive analysis of small linear Stirling cycle coolers. A summary of these analyses is presented, including the dynamic response of cryocooler moving components; the effects of moving component misalignment; key cryocooler thermal design features such as expulsion of the heat generated within the cryocooler; and selected structural design features.
Cryocoolers 7; 7th International Cryocooler Conference, Phillips Laboratory Conference Proceedings, PL-CP--93-1001, Part 1, pp. 26 - 39 (1992).