Use of heterogeneous regenerators in sub-20K pulse tube applications Project

Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)

Description

Pulse tube refrigerators are typically built with homogeneous regenerators. At higher temperatures (T = 35 K), heat capacity variations of the regenerator with temperature do not limit performance. At lower temperatures (T < 20K), regenerator materials are strongly peaked and limit performance over the range of the regenerator. We propose to develop regenerators that have the heat capacity of each region tailored for the temperature distribution. Pulse tube coolers at high temperature have offered increased efficiency and reliability over older cooler technology.

Benefits

Many missions that are planned or currently in development require cooling below 35 K, and some to temperatures below 100 mK. Refrigerators (primarily pulse tube and Stirling) to ~35 K are readily available in the aerospace industry, but lower temperature stages are not. This technology will improve the performance of pulse tube cryocoolers operating at 10-20K. This a base temperature for some missions, and is a required intermediate temperature for lower temperature refrigerators.

Details

Technology area	Thermal Management Systems > Cryogenic Systems > Thermal Conditioning for Sensors, Instruments, Samples, and High-Efficiency Electric Motors
Program	Center Innovation Fund: JPL CIF (JPL CIF)
Lead organization	Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Start date	2012-04-01
End date	2012-09-01

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Mark Lysek — mjl@jpl.nasa.gov
Christian A Lindensmith — christian.a.lindensmith@jpl.nasa.gov

How to get involved

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