Performance Characterization of the Astrium 10k Developmental Cryocooler

Abstract

To satisfy future Air Force mission requirements, the Air Force Research Laboratory(AFRL), sponsored by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO), led a development program for a proof-of-concept cryocooler designed to support a cooling load of 45mW at 10.4K. Under the technology development program, Astrium (formerly Matra Marconi Space) in Stevenage, United Kingdom, developed a Stirling cycle cryocooler with four Oxford flexure compressors and a two-stage expansion cold end. The cooler was delivered to AFRL, instrumented, and integrated with a 36-inch vacuum chamber for performance characterization and long life endurance evaluation. This paper contains a short description of the cooler's physical components. Also presented are cool down curves, characteristic load lines, and lessons learned during the characterization process. The cooler will enter a long term endurance evaluation after completion of its performance characterization.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA431391

Entities

People

  • B. J. Tomlinson Jr.
  • C. H. Bruninghaus
  • E. Myrick
  • J. P. Kallman

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Chambers
  • Compressors
  • Copyrights
  • Cryocoolers
  • Heat Energy
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Research
  • Satellite Buses
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Components
  • Steady State
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Vacuum
  • Vacuum Chambers

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Electrical Engineering
  • European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites