Read the abstract of our presentation at the SPIE DCS 2022 conference, taking place in the spring, in Orlando, Florida. More information about the conference itself you can find here.
By A. Veprik, S. Zehctser, R. Refaeli, S. Afanasenko and A.Wise
The advancement of infrared detection technology has resulted in a drastic reduction in heat lift constraints. This reduction called for the development of a new generation of long-life and low SWaP+C mechanical cryocoolers.
In response to this challenge, the industry adopted a risk-free way of sustaining innovation, primarily focusing on gradually downscaling/improving existing technologies, thus aiming to develop/maintain a low-volume military market segment.
Because of the inherent limitations—though significantly improved—the attended reliability and cost figures still prevent the broad use of cryogenically cooled infrared imagers in the price-sensitive and highly competitive commercial market.
Uncooled infrared technology, albeit inferior in performance, is more affordable and reliable and, therefore, more ubiquitous. From the very moment of its inception in 2018, CryoTech adopted an approach of disruptive innovation, aiming to gradually improve SWaP indices and, primarily, enable essential cost reduction and higher reliability while developing new (commercial) markets and business models.
In doing so, the CryoTech team revisited almost all the major technological cornerstones, including working agents, the concept of regenerative heat exchange, electromagnetic and pneumatic actuation, springs, vibration control, and more. The authors present the outcomes of a full-scale feasibility study, prototype life expectancy testing, and performance mapping. Also, the authors present their vision of forthcoming split and integral Stirling cryocoolers and discuss alternative approaches to the packaging of infrared modules.
