CryoTech has completed the development of a split Stirling cryocooler with meager cost, size, weight, and power (C+SWAP) for high operational temperature (HOT) infrared (IR) imagers.
It achieved the low C+SWAP goal by utilizing techniques such as:
- A single-piston compressor with a low-weight moving assembly is driven by an inverted moving magnet actuator featuring axially polarized magnet rings. It has a built-in nonlinear magnet spring for over-stroking protection and an edgewise driving coil having an exceptionally high copper fill factor (>90%).
- Optional tuned dynamic absorber for vibration-sensitive gyrostabilized and hand-held tactical IR imagers
- Alternative leak-free working fluid – the real gas properties of which enable additional Joule-Thomson cooling over the range of working temperatures typical of HOT IR detectors.
- Commercially available polymeric “parallel wire” microfiber material is used for a regenerative heat exchanger. This material has high uniformity, exceptionally low axial heat conductivity, friction factor, and thermal mass while also allowing for sufficient thermal penetration depth and optimum hydraulic diameter.
- Plungerless pneumatic actuation of the displacer assembly relies on the drag force produced by the regenerator material. This allows for the elimination of the expensive and bulky differential pneumatic actuator.
- Failure-free linear magnetic springs in expander design.
- A simplified cold finger made of seamless tube, extruded from L605 alloy and welded to the SST cold finger base, eliminates the need for precise alignment between the cold finger tube and base – simplifying the connection to the Dewar shroud.
Join us to learn more at our presentation, Theoretical and practical aspects of using low-cost cryogenic technologies for high operating temperature infrared imaging, authorized by the international team.
A Veprik, D Gedeon, R Radebaugh, R Refaeli, S Kurucz, and L Bunin
The presentation should be given during the Cryocoolers session at the Infrared Technology and Applications XLIX conference, which is part of the SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing event scheduled for April 30 to May 4, 2023, in Orlando, Florida, US.
