Abstract Proposed mid-wave infrared instruments for NASA’s Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) all use focal planes cooled to temperatures ranging from 6–8 K. This is well below the 30 K passive cooling capabilities of NGST. For these low-temperature focal planes, low-vibration active cryocooling will be needed. Ball is currently developing a Joule-Thomson (J-T) cryocooler that reaches 10 K or lower for the Air Force. This cryocooler features an oil-free, very low-vibration, rotary vane helium compressor with an operating lifetime well in excess of 10 years with no maintenance. This cryocooler development program, along with past technology developments at Ball, serves as the basis for a 6–8 K cryocooler to be used for NGST instruments. The NGST cryocooler is a helium/hydrogen cascaded J-T system that takes maximum advantage of the unique thermal environment available on NGST to maximize power efficiency, while providing vibration-free cooling at the focal plane interface. The cryocooler’s design is highly leveraged off of the Air Force 10 K design. The hydrogen and helium compressors are scaled versions of the 10 K rotary vane compressor. The heat exchangers are also scaled versions of the designs used on the 10 K cryocooler system. The electronics are simple commercial-based brushless dc motor controllers (without processor and minimal overhead).
Low-Temperature, Low-Vibration Cryocooler for Next Generation Space Telescope Instruments
Cryocoolers 11 ; 775-782
2002-01-01
8 pages
Aufsatz/Kapitel (Buch)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Low-Temperature, Low-Vibration Cryocooler for Next Generation Space Telescope Instruments
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