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Demonstration of a 10 K Multistage Cryocooler

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Missile Defense Agency
Contract: FA9453-04-M-0271
Agency Tracking Number: B041-077-0306
Amount: $99,862.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: MDA04-077
Solicitation Number: 2004.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2004
Award Year: 2004
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2004-05-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2005-02-15
Small Business Information
P.O. Box 71
Hanover, NH 03755
United States
DUNS: 072021041
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Mark Zagarola
 Principal Investigator
 (603) 643-3800
 mvz@creare.com
Business Contact
 William Baschnagel
Title: Operations Manager
Phone: (603) 643-3800
Email: wrb@creare.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Advanced space-borne infrared detectors require cooling at temperatures near 10 K. Cooling loads for these detectors will range from 0.25 to 1.0 W at 10 K, with additional loads at higher temperatures. A multistage cooler, capable of cooling multiple loads, will offer large potential gains in system efficiency and weight. Turbomachine-based, Brayton cryocoolers are ideal candidates for these missions because they are highly efficient, lightweight, vibration-free, adaptable to multiple stages, and have long, maintenance-free lifetimes. State-of-the-art technology exists or is under development for all primary cryocooler components. During this program, we propose to build and test a brassboard two-stage 10 K cryocooler that demonstrates the performance benefits of the technology. During the Phase I project, we will obtain key operational and performance data on one of the primary cryocooler components. The data will be used to predict the performance and to guide the development of the two-stage cryocooler that will be tested on the Phase II project. During the Phase II project, we will implement the component and cryocooler modifications determined during Phase I, integrate the cryocooler components, and test the cryocooler at cold load temperatures as low as 10 K.

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

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