You are here

Demonstration of a 10 K Multistage Cryocooler

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Missile Defense Agency
Contract: W9113M-05-C-0167
Agency Tracking Number: B041-077-0306
Amount: $749,813.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: MDA04-077
Solicitation Number: 2004.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2004
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2005-09-06
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2007-09-05
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
 Jeffrey Breedlove
 Project Manager
 (603) 643-3800
 jfb@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 W 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 two-stage 10 K cryocooler that demonstrates the performance benefits of the technology. During the Phase I project, we obtained key operational and performance data for one of the primary cryocooler components. The data were used to predict the performance and guide the development of the two-stage cryocooler that will be tested during the Phase II project. During the Phase II project, we plan to configure and test the cryocooler at cold load temperatures as low as 10 K.

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

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government