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Development of a 1W, 10 K Reverse Brayton Cycle Crycooler

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 41676
Amount: $75,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 1998
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
700 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Dr. F. David Doty
 President
 (803) 788-6497
Business Contact
 Mr. George Entzminger
Title: Vice President
Phone: (803) 788-6497
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

50069-98-I
Development of a 1W, 10 K Reverse Brayton Cycle Crycooler--Doty Scientific, Inc., 700 Clemson Road, Columbia, SC 29229-4339;
(803) 788-6497
Dr. F. David Doty, Principal Investigator
Mr. George Entzminger, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82565
Amount: $75,000

High sensitivity detectors (of infrared and x-ray radiation and magnetic fields) require miniature, fieldable cryocoolers with low cooling capacity (one watt) continuous cryogenic cooling (to 10 K or lower). However, the severe vibration of available cryocoolers seriously degrades sensitivity and image quality. Although too large for this application, Reverse Brayton Cycle (RBC) cryocoolers with turbo-expanders and turbo-compressors are known to have negligible vibration and other advantages. Therefore, this project will develop a micro-expander based on similar principles. Ceramic microturbines (rotor diameter ~4 mm) will be developed which have been proven in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) sample spinners at over 1.3 million rpm. Phase I will design a novel RBC cryocooler and complete a series of feasibility and risk reduction research experiments on the critical components: (a) micro-cryogenerators; (b) micro-turbo-expanders; and (c) compact, high-effectiveness recuperators. In addition, the system design, including detailed assembly drawings and dimensioned part drawings, will be developed.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The current market for cryocoolers with the one watt cooling capacity is several thousand units per year for (a) high-sensitivity radiation detectors and imagers, (b) targeting devices, and (c) MRI and NMR superconducting magnets. In addition, two very large markets may develop in the next century: liquid hydrogen fuel refrigeration and cryogenic microprocessors for advanced engineering workstations.

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* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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