Applications of Closed-Cycle Cryocoolers to Small Superconducting Devices April 1978 Proceedings of a Conference Held at the National Biireau 6

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Applications of Closed-Cycle Cryocoolers to Small Superconducting Devices April 1978 Proceedings of a Conference Held at the National Biireau 6 A111D3 DLbSbfi '^*™illiinLi™.?I'!},!:'.9i!'SP.S&.^ R.I.C. «KW3t??..„ SPECIAL PUBLICATION 508 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE / National Bureau of Standards 1 osea- 0 Small l7Q tioMl Bureau of Staruiards MAY 1 i 1978 ^ Applications of Closed-Cycle Cryocoolers to ^0 Small Superconducting Devices Proceedings of a Conference Held at the National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colorado October 3-4, 1977 Edited by James E. Zimmerman and Thomas M. Flynn Cryogenics Division Institute for Basic Standards National Bureau of Standards Boulder, Colorado 80303 Sponsored by National Bureau of Standards and Office of Naval Research Arlington, Virginia 22217 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Juanita M. Kreps, Secretary Dr. Sidney Harman, Under Secretary Jordan J. Baruch, Assistant Secretary for Science and Technology NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director Issued April 1978 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 78-606017 National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 508 Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 508, 238 pages (Apr. 1978) CODEN. XNBSAV U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1978 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20434 Stock No 003-003-01910-1 Price $4.25 (Add 25 percent additional for other than U.S. mailing). ABSTRACT This document contains the proceedings of a meeting of specialists in small superconducting devices and in small cryogenic refrigerators. Industry, Government, and academia were represented at the meeting held at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) on October 3 and 4, 1977« The purpose of the meeting was to define the refrigerator requirements for small superconducting devices and to determine if small cryogenic refrigerators that are produced in relatively large quantities can be adapted or developed to replace liquid helium as the cooling medium for the superconducting devices. Because the focus was on small superconducting devices, the discussion was primarily limited to refrigerators with capacities from zero up to a watt or two in the temperature range of 2 to 20 K. The meeting was jointly sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONE) and NBS. Key words: Cryo coolers; Refrigeration; Superconducting devices. iii Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 78-606017 National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 508 Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 508. 238 pages (Apr. 1978) CODEN: XNBSAV U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1978 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, B.C. 20434 Stock No 003-003-01910-1 Price $4.25 (Add 25 percent additional for other than U.S. mailing). ABSTRACT This document contains the proceedings of a meeting of specialists in small superconducting devices and in small cryogenic refrigerators. Industry, Government, and academia were represented at the meeting held at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) on October 3 and 4» 1977. The purpose of the meeting was to define the refrigerator requirements for small superconducting devices and to determine if small cryogenic refrigerators that are produced in relatively large quantities can be adapted or developed to replace liquid helium as the cooling medium for the superconducting devices. Because the focus was on small superconducting devices, the discussion was primarily limited to refrigerators with capacities from zero up to a watt or two in the temperature range of 2 to 20 K. The meeting was jointly sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and NBS. Key words: Cryocoolers; Refrigeration; Superconducting devices. iii " TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. "Introductory Remarks and Summary," by R. Brandt, A. Silver and J.E. Zimmerman 1 2. "Refrigeration Fundamentals," by R. Radebaugh 7 3. "Concepts for Cooling Small Superconducting Devices Using Closed- Cycle Regenerative Refrigerators," by R.C. Longsworth 45 4. "Operation of a SQUID in a Very Low-Power Cryocooler," by J.E. Zimmerman and R. Radebaugh 5. "Shuttle Heat Transfer in Plastic Displacers at Low Speeds," by R. Radebaugh and J.E. Zimmerman 67 6. "Scaling of Miniature Cryocoolers to Microminiature Size," by W.A. Little 75 7. "Small Magnetic Refrigerators to Pump Heat from Helium Temperatures to above 10 K," by W.A. Steyert 81 8. "Electrocaloric Refrigeration for the 4-20 K Temperature Range," by R. Radebaugh ^3 9. "One Million Hours at 4.5 Kelvin," by W.H. Higa and E. Wiebe 10. "Design Compromises in the Selection of Closed-Cycle Cryocoolers," by F.F. Chellis ""09 11. "Magnetic and Vibrational Characteristics of a Closed Cycle Refrigerator," by J.E. Cox and S. A. Wolf "1 23 lii '12. "Closed-Cycle Refrigerator for a Superconducting Susceptometer, by D.A. Vincent I^l 13. "Cryogenic Applications of Closed-Cycle Mechanical and Adsorption Refrigeration," by W.H. Hartwig ^35 14. "Cryogenic Cooling Requirements of Photoconductive Infrared Detectors for Orbiting Astronomical Telescopes," by J.W. Vorreiter and C.R. McCreight ''^3 " TABLE OF CONTENTS, continued Page 15. "Cooling of Josephson MM- and SubMM-Wave Systems: Requirements, Results and Applications," by J. Edrich 159 16. "Progress Report on High-T^ Superconducting Devices," by M.R. Beasley 167 17. "Application of SQUID Detectors in Biomagnetism, by S.J. Williamson and L. Kaufman 177 18. "Cryogenic Techniques and Geophysical Measurements," by W.D. Stanley 205 19. "Cryocoolers for Use with Superconducting Instruments: Some Estimates of Requirements," by M.B. Simmonds 207 20. "Refrigerator Requirements for Potential Josephson Data Processing Systems," by B.J.C. van der Hoeven, Jr. and W. Anacker 213 21. "Liters, Kilograms, Watts and Seconds: Design Goals for a Refrigerator for Use with Superconductive Systems," by M. Nisenoff 221 22. "Potential Scientific Uses of Cryogens in Space in the Temperature Range from 1 mK to 10 K," by E. Tward 227 23. "Josephson Voltage Standards - An Application for Cryocoolers?" by L.B. Holdeman and C.C. Chang 243 24. Photograph of Delegates 247 25. Identification Page 248 26. List of Delegates with Addresses 249 DISCLAIMER Papers by non-NBS authors have not been reviewed or edited by NBS. Therefore, the National Bureau of Standards accepts no responsibility for comments or recommendations con- tained therein. vi INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND SUMMARY Richard Brandt Office of Naval Research Pasadena, California 91106 Arnold Silver Aerospace Corporation Los Angeles, California 90009 James Zimmerman National Bureau of Standards Boulder, Colorado 80203 1 1 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND SUMMARY R. Brandt, A. Silver and J. Zimmerman This document contains the proceedings of a meeting of specialists in small supercon- ducting devices and in small cryogenic refrigerators. Industry, Government, and academia were represented at the meeting held at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) on October 3 and 4, 1977. The purpose of the meeting was to define the refrigerator requirements for small superconducting devices and to determine if small cryogenic refrigerators that are produced in relatively large quantities can be adapted or developed to replace liquid helium as the cooling medium for the superconducting devices. Because the focus was on small superconducting devices, the discussion was primarily limited to refrigerators with capacities from zero up to a watt or two in the temperature range of 2 to 20 K. The meeting was jointly sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and NBS, and was organized by Edgar Edelsack of ONR (who for personal reasons was unable to attend), Professor Little of Stanford Univer- sity, and Tom Flynn, Ray Radebaugh and Jim Zimmerman of NBS. Superconducting devices are finding applications in many areas, including biomedical research, geophysical measurements, metrology, electromagnetic radiation detection, digital signal processing and computing. The customary way to provide the required low-temperature environment is to immerse the device in a bath of liquid helium. This procedure has many advantages; in particular, the liquid helium bath is mechanically and magnetically quiet, thermally stable even with large heat loads, and not subject to mechanical breakdown, whereas existing cryogenic refrigerators suffer from many of these problems. Furthermore, liquid helium is readily available commercially and is relatively inexpensive in the present supply/ demand situation. For these reasons, considerable efforts have been made to optimize the design of liquid helium dewars for specific applications. This approach is satisfactory at present while the various application possibilities are being explored. However, if super- conductive instruments are ever to have widespread use, it will be necessary to incorporate cryocoolers which can be operated by ordinary technicians rather than cryogenic specialists. The papers contained herein cover a broad range of technologies, from classical refri- geration techniques at one extreme, to recent exotic applications of superconductivity such as magnetic measurements of earth conductivity and of human brain activity at the other. It was precisely the purpose of the meeting to bring together those of such diverse interests. It is hoped that face-to-face encounters between the users and the producers of low tempera- ture will stimulate thought and development of small superconducting and other cryogenic instrumentation which can be put into operation by the simple expedient of throwing a switch. Since the facilities available for the meeting did not permit an open invitation to everyone who might have wished to attend, it is the purpose of this document to make avail- able to a wider audience most of what was discussed. It contains most of the papers that were presented orally at the meeting, as well as a paper by Holdeman and Chang, not presented at the meeting, describing recent development of a simplified Josephson dc voltage standard. Papers ROt included (no manuscripts having been submitted) are one by Durenec on a miniature ultra-quiet dual-reciprocating compressor for small cryocoolers, one by Goodkind on his notable work with a gravimeter (mentioned briefly by Stanley in his paper), one by Goree on the use of small cryocoolers to extend the operating time of liquid helium dewars, and others.
Recommended publications
  • Stirling Refrigerator
    Stirling Refrigerator Mid-Point Report Luis Gardetto Ahmad Althomali Abdulrahman Alazemi Faiez Alazmi John Wiley 2017-2018 Project Sponsor: Dr. David Trevas Faculty Advisor: Mr. David Willy Instructor: Dr. Sarah Oman DISCLAIMER This report was prepared by students as part of a university course requirement. While considerable effort has been put into the project, it is not the work of licensed engineers and has not undergone the extensive verification that is common in the profession. The information, data, conclusions, and content of this report should not be relied on or utilized without thorough, independent testing and verification. University faculty members may have been associated with this project as advisors, sponsors, or course instructors, but as such they are not responsible for the accuracy of results or conclusions. i Executive Summary Refrigeration is a ubiquitous application of engineering concepts, with implications like food preservation techniques, superconducting-magnet involving techniques and crystal harvesting techniques. The refrigeration process involves the removal of excess heat from specified objects, thereby enhancing the cooling or the chilling effect. Refrigerators come in many sizes and shapes, according to the available expertise, materials, and applications. With the advancement of technology and the emergence of various contemporary issues such as cost, size, and dangerous chemicals among others, researchers are embarking on studies, which can facilitate the design and development of a more efficient refrigerator, capable of performing the desired work as presupposed with minimal problems. The current proposal focuses on Stirling cryocoolers, which have been recognized as one of the most efficient coolers of the current era. The key advantages of these chillers include low power consumption rates as well as the use of non-hazardous refrigerants.
    [Show full text]
  • Mathematical and Optimization Analysis of a Miniature Stirling Cryocooler
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by ethesis@nitr MATHEMATICAL AND OPTIMIZATION ANALYSIS OF A MINIATURE STIRLING CRYOCOOLER Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) In Mechanical Engineering By Yatin Chhabra (107ME025) Devaraj. V (107ME015) Under the guidance of Prof. R.K. Sahoo NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ROURKELA Page | i Certificate of Approval This is to certify that the thesis entitled Mathematical and Optimization Analysis of a Miniature Stirling Cryo-cooler submitted by Mr. Yatin Chhabra and Mr. Devaraj. V has been carried out under my supervision in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelors of Technology (B. Tech) in Mechanical Engineering at National Institute of Technology Rourkela, and this work has not been submitted elsewhere before for any other academic degree/diploma. .................................................. Dr. R. K. Sahoo Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering National Institute of Technology, Rourkela Page | ii Abstract In the given report, a comprehensive analytical model of the working of a miniature Stirling Cyo-cooler is presented. The motivation of the study is to determine the optimum geometrical parameters of a cryo-cooler such as compressor length, regenerator diameter, expander diameter, and expander stroke. In the first part of the study, an ideal analysis is carried out using the Stirling Cycle and basic thermodynamics equations. Using these equations, rough geometrical parameters are found out. In the second part of the study, a more comprehensive Schmidt’s analysis is carried out. In this analysis, pressure and volume variations are considered sinusoidal and based on these, various equations regarding efficiency and COP are derived.
    [Show full text]
  • Cryocooler Fundamentals and Space Applications
    Cryocooler Fundamentals and Space Applications Ray Radebaugh R. G. Ross, Jr. National Institute of Standards and Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory Boulder, Colorado 80305 California Institute of Technology (303) 497-3710; [email protected] Pasadena, California 91109 [email protected] Sponsored by Short Course Lecturers: Cryogenic Engineering Conference Ray Radebaugh, NIST Tucson, Arizona R. G. Ross, Jr., JPL June 28, 2015 CSA-CEC2015.ppt Cryocooler Fundamentals and Space Applications Contents Morning (8:00 – 12:00): One 15 min. break Session 1: Information sources, definitions, history, applications, thermodynamics, cryocooler types, Joule-Thomson (JT) coolers, Brayton cryocoolers, Claude systems, heat exchangers Session 2: Regenerative cycles, Stirling cryocoolers, Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocoolers, 4 K regenerators, pulse tube cryocoolers, types, examples, modeling, cryocooler comparisons, new research Afternoon (1:00 – 5:00): One 15 min. break Session 3: Space cryocoolers, history, applications, long life, Stirling coolers, Ron Ross pulse tube coolers, JT systems, Brayton coolers, system design, qualification, vacuum, conduction and radiation thermal loads Session 4: Performance requirements, thermal measurements, orientation, Ron Ross generated vibration and supression, launch vibration, EMI, AIRS example, sizing, temperature stability, integration 6/28/2015 CSA Short Course, Cryocoolers and Space Applications 2 Course Goals • Provide information to a variety of students • Learn about various types of cryocoolers •
    [Show full text]
  • The Research Commercialisation Office of the University of Oxford, Previously Called Isis Innovation, Has Been Renamed Oxford University Innovation
    The research commercialisation office of the University of Oxford, previously called Isis Innovation, has been renamed Oxford University Innovation All documents and other materials will be updated accordingly. In the meantime the remaining content of this Isis Innovation document is still valid. URLs beginning www.isis-innovation.com/... are automatically redirected to our new domain, www.innovation.ox.ac.uk/... Phone numbers and email addresses for individual members of staff are unchanged Email : [email protected] Isis insights ARE YOU AWAKE? Ii 2 Issue Summer Anaesthetic and vaccine innovations from Isis’ network, odafone dialling recise p elping SEs for consultancy 18 sensing 26 in Australia The latest innovations, collaborations and technology transfer Issue 76 Summer 2 Anaesthetic vaccine focus Ii Contents Vaccine Catalysing Are you renaissance ollaborations awake? rofessor Adrian ill on ohnson and ohnson easuring consciousness 8 new targets 10 Innovation 12 during anaesthesia Information Invention Inspiration 03: News 12: Are you awake Soware as a serice The latest from Isis Safeguarding surgery A fresh model for sharing academic soware 04. Enterprising Consultancy estational Consultancy for odafone and diabetes management 26: Taking Australian niversity of Iceland spin-out A remote monitoring and innoations to the world communication prototype ow Isis Enterprise is helping SEs . The orolio down under ‘ynamic’ tissue donation 16: Improved ltrasond antication Innovation uantifying organ sie 06: Milton Park 18: Precise pH sensing Oxford Innovation Society OIS arnessing an unbreakable electrode member prole: ilton ark 20: Ultra-high bandwidth 08: Vaccine Renaissance Enabling ‘i-fi’ technology OIS speaker rofessor Adrian ill on vaccine technology for new targets Stirling cycle eoltion A package of atalysing ollaborations complementary innovations A write-up of the key note talk from our arch OIS sponsors ohnson ohnson Innovation Ii is produced by Isis Innovation td, the technology transfer company owned by the niversity of Oxford.
    [Show full text]
  • Cryocoolers 3
    Proceedings of the Third Cryocooler Conference National Bureau of Standards Boulder, Colorado September 17-18, 1984 Edited by: Ray Radebaugh, Beverly Louie, and Sandy McCarthy National Bureau of Standards Boulder, Colorado 80303 Sponsored by: Cryogenic Engineering Conference International Institute of Refrigeration-Commission A 1 /2 NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center National Bureau of Standards Naval Research Laboratory Office of Naval Research <.pTOF cO%@ 0 h& 3 0 * * z aV) 7 a "a, *@.$ e*,," OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Malcolm Baldrige, Secreta NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director Issued May 1985 Library of Congress Catalog Sard Number: 85-600544 National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 698 Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 698, 279 pages (May 1985) CODEN: XNBSAV U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1985 - -- -- - For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402 ( u.s. DEPT. OF COMM. 11. PUBLICATION- OR 12. Performing Organ. Report No.\ 3. Publication Date 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Proceedings of the Third Cryocooler Conference 5. AUTHOR(S) Ray Radebaugh, Beverly Louie, and Sandy McCartb 6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (If joint or other than NBS, see instructions) 7. ContracUGrant No. National Bureau of Standards 8. Type of Report & Period Covered I U.5. Department of Commerce ~aithersburg , MD 20899 I Final 9. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street. City, State. ZIP) Same as Item 6. 10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 85-600544 r1Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FlPS Software Summary, is attached. 11. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information.
    [Show full text]
  • Development of the Pulse Tube Refrigerator As an Efficient And
    Proc. Institute of Refrigeration (London) Vol. 96, (1999-2000), pp. 11-29. Development of the Pulse Tube Refrigerator ∗ as an Efficient and Reliable Cryocooler∗ Ray Radebaugh Physical and Chemical Properties Division National Institute of Standards and Technology Boulder, CO 80303, USA Abstract This paper presents a review of the pulse tube refrigerator from its inception in the mid-1960s up to the present. Various factors are discussed which brought it from a laboratory curiosity to the point where it is now the most efficient of all cryocoolers and reliable enough to be used on space missions. Carnot efficiencies as high as about 20% at 80 K and temperatures as low as 2 K have been achieved in pulse tube refrigerators. The operating principles for the different types of pulse tube and thermoacoustic refrigerators are described. Pulse tube refrigerators operate with oscillating pressures and mass flows and have no moving parts in the cold end. For large industrial systems the mechanical compressor can be replaced with one of two types of thermoacoustic drivers to yield a refrigerator with no moving parts. Recent advances in understanding and reducing losses in various components are described that have led to the improved efficiencies. The major problems associated with cryocoolers are listed, and it is shown that pulse tube refrigerators have begun to overcome many of these problems. As a result, they are now being used or considered for many different applications. Some of these applications as well as example pulse tube refrigerators are described. Introduction The vapor-compression refrigerator, first developed in the latter part of the 19th century, has provided most of the world’s refrigeration needs during the 20th century.
    [Show full text]
  • Stirling Refrigerator
    Stirling Refrigerator Preliminary Report Luis Gardetto Ahmad Althomali Abdulrahman Alazemi Faiez Alazmi John Wiley 2017-2018 Project Sponsor: Dr. David Trevas Faculty Advisor: Mr. David Willie Instructor: Dr. David Trevas DISCLAIMER This report was prepared by students as part of a university course requirement. While considerable effort has been put into the project, it is not the work of licensed engineers and has not undergone the extensive verification that is common in the profession. The information, data, conclusions, and content of this report should not be relied on or utilized without thorough, independent testing and verification. University faculty members may have been associated with this project as advisors, sponsors, or course instructors, but as such they are not responsible for the accuracy of results or conclusions. i TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents DISCLAIMER ........................................................................................................................................ 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................... 2 1 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Description .............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Refrigeration for Superconductors
    Refrigeration for Superconductors RAY RADEBAUGH Invited Paper Temperatures in the range of 0.05 to 80 K are required for most One of the earliest applications appeared about 50 years ago applications of superconductors. Refrigeration powers range from for cooling infrared sensors to about 80 K to enhance the ca- fractions of a watt for many electronic applications to kilowatts for pability of night vision for the military. To date, over 140 000 some large magnet and power applications. This paper reviews the various types of refrigeration methods currently available to meet Stirling cryocoolers have been produced for tactical mili- the needs of various applications of superconductors. The methods tary applications [1]. Refrigeration powers vary from about covered include mainly the gas cycles, which are divided into 0.15 to 1.75 W, which are appropriate for many high-tem- the recuperative types (steady flow), such as the Joule–Thomson, perature superconductor (HTS) electronic applications. The Brayton, and Claude cycles, and the regenerative types (oscillating use of HTS microwave filters for cellular phone base sta- flow), such as Stirling, Gifford–McMahon, and pulse tube cycles. Methods for reaching millikelvin temperatures are briefly men- tions has become the largest application of HTS, with more tioned as well. The operating principles of the various methods are than 4000 systems now in the field. Refrigeration powers described, and the advantages and disadvantages of each are given are around 6 W at 77 K. In the last decade or so, the de- to help the user understand which approach may work best for a sire for night-vision surveillance and missile detection from particular application.
    [Show full text]
  • Cryocoolers Part 1: Fundamentals the INTERNATIONAL CRYOGENICS MONOGRAPH SERIES
    Cryocoolers Part 1: Fundamentals THE INTERNATIONAL CRYOGENICS MONOGRAPH SERIES General Editors K. D. Timmerhaus, Engineering Research Center University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado Alan F. Clark, National Bureau of Standards U.S. Department of Commerce, Boulder, Colorado J. L. Olsen, Laboratorium fiir Festkorperphysik Eidgendssische Technische Hochschule, Zurich, Switzerland Founding Editor K. Mendelssohn, F.R.S. (deceased) H. J. Goldsmid Thermoelectric Refrigeration G. T. Meaden Electrical Resistance of Metals E. S. R. Gopal Specific Heats at Low Temperatures M.G. Zabetakis Safety with Cryogenic Fluids D. H. Parkinson and B. E. Mulhall The Generation of High Magnetic Fields W. E. Keller Helium-3 and Helium-4 A. J. Croft Cryogenic Laboratory Equipment A. U. Smith Current Trends in Cryobiology C. A. Bailey Advanced Cryogenics D. A. Wigley Mechanical Properties of Materials at Low Temperatures C. M. Hurd The Hall Effect in Metals and Alloys E. M. Savitskii, V. V. Baron, Yu. V. Efimov, M. I. Bychkova, and L. F. Myzenkova Superconducting Materials W. Frost Heat Transfer at Low Temperature I. Dietrich Superconducting Electron-Optic Devices V. A. Al'tov, V. B. Zenkevich, M. G. Kremlev, and V. V. Sychev Stabilization of Superconducting Magnetic Systems G. Walker Cryocoolers, Part 1: Fundamentals Cryocoolers, Part 2: Applications Cryocoolers Part 1: Fundamentals Graham Walker The University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta, Canada Springer Science+Business Media, LLC Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Walker, G. (Graham), 1930- Cryocoolers.
    [Show full text]
  • Aerospace Coolers: a 50-Year Quest for Long-Life Cryogenic Cooling in Space
    Aerospace Coolers: a 50-Year Quest for Long-life Cryogenic Cooling in Space R.G. Ross, Jr. Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA 91109 ABSTRACT Cryogenic temperatures are critical to allow infrared, gamma-ray and x-ray detectors to operate with low background noise and high sensitivity. As a result, the world’s aerospace industry has long dreamed of having the means for multi-year cryogenic cooling in space to enable long-life sensors of various forms for scientific, missile defense, and reconnaissance observations. Not long after the first Sputnik was launched into space in October 1957, engi- neers and scientists were actively seeking means of providing cryogenic cooling for ever more sophisticated and sensitive detectors in a variety of spectral regions. Although both passive cryoradiators, as well as stored cryogens, have provided a source of cryogenic cooling for many missions, the consistent dream of scientists and mission planners was always for a mechanical refrigerator that could achieve the temperatures of the coldest cryogens—vastly colder than possible with passive radiators—and have multi-year life without the finite-life limitations of stored cryogens. The first cryocoolers in space were short-life J-T and Stirling cryocoolers flown on both US and USSR missions around 1970. Since that time, extensive research and development of ever more sophisticated cryocoolers¶—¶Stirling, Vuilleumier, Brayton, mag- netic, sorption, and pulse tube¶—¶has taken place in the world’s aerospace industry. This paper examines the enormous progress made by the aerospace industry over the past 50 years in developing both cryostats and cryocoolers to enable the widespread use of cryogenic tempera- tures in space.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Refrigeration Methods
    Submitted to: Handbook of Superconducting Materials, D. A. Cardwell and D. Larbelestier, eds., Taylor and Francis Books, 2020 F1. Review of Refrigeration Methods Ray Radebaugh Applied Chemicals and Materials Division National Institute of Standards and Technology Boulder, Colorado 80305 USA F1.1 INTRODUCTION Superconductors require cooling to cryogenic temperatures (T < 120 K) for all practical applications. Cryogenic fluids (cryogens) are commonly used for cooling superconductors in laboratory environments, but most practical applications require the use of closed-cycle refrigerators, of which smaller units are commonly referred to as cryocoolers. Cryogens may be used along with cryocoolers in some large-scale applications of superconductors to provide for the heat transfer between the superconductor and the cold tip of the cryocooler. Such hybrid systems also provide redundancy for higher reliability. Cryocoolers are required for a wide variety of applications, and the number of applications keeps expanding as improvements to cryocoolers are made. One of the earliest applications, and one that appeared about 60 years ago, was for cooling infrared sensors to about 80 K for night vision capability of the military. By 1998 over 125,000 Stirling cryocoolers for this tactical military application had been produced (Dunmire, 1998). Today the total number probably exceeds 200,000. Refrigeration powers vary from about 0.15 W to 1.75 W at 80 K. Recently, advances in infrared sensors designed for operation at higher temperatures have led to a surge of research and development efforts on miniature 150 K cryocoolers. Such Contribution of NIST, not subject to copyright in the U.S. temperatures are too high for current superconductors, but some of the miniature technology can be adapted for lower temperature applications.
    [Show full text]
  • Cryocoolers 5
    INTERNATIONAL CRYOCOOLER PROCEEDINGS CONFERENCE August 18 - 19, 1988 Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, California CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE I am pleased to enclose your copy of the proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Cryocoolers. I was honored and happy to have been chairman of this event for 1988. We had a very interesting and rewarding group of sessions covering many familiar projects as well as new emerging technologies. Papers on pulse tubes, magnetic re- frigeration and long life space components were presented to the attendees. Our setting at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California turned out to be an excellent choice. We had cool but beautiful weather with a location by the sea. Our social highlight was our banquet at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Our Naval hosts provided all that we needed as far as on- site support. The world of cryogenics is a growing technology with a rapidly expanding future in applications. Along with our previous research pr0jects.h sensors, we had a paper on medical applications and we look forward to being an integ- ral partner in applications of superconductivity. I wish to thank all the people who helped make the conference the success that it was. The authors submitted more papers than in any previous conference. Special thanks go to my co-chairman Dr. Alfred Johnson, the program com- mittee chaired by Ron White, my secretary Carol Clark, the moral support of my co-workers, the administrative support of personnel of the Universal Technology Corporation especially Faye Geidner and Jill Jennewine, and Howard Wolf of the Air Force acoustic fatigue group for his support in publishing these proceedings.
    [Show full text]