Pulse tube cryocoolers – 10 K – 80 K [ Return towards Flight equipment for refrigeration ]
A technological alternative to Stirling cryo-coolers
These coolers operate with no cold moving parts, and, compared with Stirling coolers, afford an increased operating lifetime and very low levels of vibration at reduced cost.
These Pulse tube coolers have been developed in partnership with the CEA/SBT and Thales Cryogenics BV, and operate on the reverse cycle from Stirling in which the expansion (or displacement) piston is here replaced by a gas piston.
The system comprises a naturally balanced pressure oscillator (2 pistons in opposition) and a cold finger with a coaxial pulse tube.
The compressor uses 2 mobile magnet linear electric motors held on flexible bearings. The removal of moving parts from the cold finger, the fixed coils placed outside the cycle gas volume and the flexible bearings which prevent all contact between compressor casing and piston are proof of very great reliability.
Cooler drive electronics (CDE) are proposed to drive the system, control the temperature, and deal with micro-vibrations and safety considerations.
Range
- 0-80 K LPTC Cooler (Large Pulse Tube Cooler)
- 50-80 K MPTC Cooler (Mini Pulse Tube Cooler)
- 20-50 K HiPTC Cooler (Heat intercepted Pulse Tube Cooler)
Key benefits
- Easy to integrate: the reduced levels of vibration and the sturdiness of the cold finger make it easier to integrate the system as closely as possible with the application to be cooled.
- Great reliability and operating lifetime: on the one hand this equipment uses a completely passive cold finger and, on the other hand, the compressor pistons are held on flexible bearings that eliminate all contact with the casings
- Reduced cost: The simplicity of the cold finger as evidenced in the lack of moving parts and therefore the lack of hydraulic actuators, considerably reduces the complexity of the cooler drive electronics (CDE). The advantages inherent in reduced vibration and in the sturdiness of the cold finger help to reduce the system impact and therefore the costs.
- Levels of vibration compatible with space applications: the remarkably low levels of vibration (a few mN) ensure that these machines are compatible with the very stringent specifications on micro-gravity in space.
Key technical characteristics
|
LPTC Cooler |
MPTC Cooler |
HiPTC Cooler |
|
|
Mass |
5,1 kg |
2,8 kg |
< 7 kg |
|
Cryogenic capacity |
2,3 W at 50 K, for an environment at 10°C |
1,5 W at 80 K, for an environment at 15°C |
300 mW at 20 K, for an environment at 20°C |
|
No-load temperature |
39 K |
47 K |
12 K |
|
Maximum electrical feed capacity |
200 W on the dc bus |
50 W on the dc bus |
200 W on the dc bus |
|
Heat intercept |
- |
- |
> 5 W at 80 K |
Standard
- ECSS ESA space standard
Contacts
For further information, contact us:
Julien Bouzinac
Sales - Space market
Tel: +33 (0)4 76 43 60 74
Nathalie Ray
Sales department
Tel: +33 (0) 4 76 43 62 11
By e-mail :
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