SBIR-STTR Award

Innovative designs for hermetically sealed closed cycle refrigerators capable of achieving cryogenic temperatures are required. The machines should reduce cost and simplify procedures associated with repair and modification. This project will develop a novel design for a regenerative cryocooler. The unit is a two stage system capable of achieving refrigeration at 60/80 K and at liquid helium temperatures and below. The proposed unit combines multiple low temperature stages for use with different multiple sensors. The project will produce an engineering design including computer simulation of a prototype hydra cryogenic refrigerator. The work will include completion of the engineering design, materials selection and specification, vendor identification, definition of the prototype fabrication procedures and a comprehensive final report.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
A small cryogenic refrigerator that is reliable, cheap to make and operate, and free from vibration and electromagnetic induction is required for cryogenic sensors and cold electronics for a variety of military, civil, scientific, medical and educational purposes.

Hermetically sealed closed cycle refrigerators capable of achieving cryogenic temperatures are required for superconductivity applications in nuclear physics accelerators. For commercial application, the machines must be low cost ($1000 approximately) and with a long maintenance- free life (2 years min.). They should have no deleterious impact on the environment, and be free of electromagnetic induction effects and mechanical vibration. This project will develop a regenerative cryocooler capable of achieving refrigeration at 60 to 80 K and at liquid helium temperatures and below. In Phase I, a refrigerator was designed as a novel configuration which combines a pulse tube refrigerator with an innovative diaphragm compressor. The design was based on market needs as determined by surveying users of the proposed refrigerator. Several prototype refrigerators will be fabricated in Phase II. These prototype units will be tested to establish performance characteristics and to establish life and fatigue characteristics. Then the final design of a commercial cryocooler will be completed and a pre-production prototype will be fabricated.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
A small, reliable and cost efficient cryogenic refrigerator, free from vibration and electromagnetic induction, is required for cryogenic sensors and cold electronics for a variety of military, civil, scientific, medical and educational purposes.