Cryocooler for New Focal Plane Arrays

ABSTRACT: The proposed low-temperature, low-cost cryocooler meets a need for lower temperatures required by emerging airborne applications. Airborne platforms are adding infrared and hyperspectral sensors, which require cryogenic cooling to less than 77 K, in some cases as low as 25 K. The current state-of-the-art commercial/military cooler is designed to work at around 80 K and can operate without heat load at temperatures of 45-60 K. Other options for 25 K cooling include cryogenic dewars requiring cryogen availability and handling scenarios that tend to limit CONOPS flexibility. Besides meeting these airborne requirements, the low-cost cryocooler developed in this SBIR can be used for shorter (2 year) space missions in which high performance, provided at reduced cost, are essential. With cryocooler life testing, it is likely that the design developed in this SBIR will be capable of longer life (5-7 years). The Phase I SBIR will focus on cryocooler architecture trades and cryocooler systems requirements definition followed by verification testing of several key design elements. BENEFIT: A successful Phase 2 effort could lead to a large number of applications. Ball intends to market this cooler together with their cryogenic system expertise to sensor providers within Ball and other external providers. Such a cooler could eliminate the need for cryogens on airborne missions providing a significant CONOPS advantage. These sensors can be marketed to both Air Force, other military, NASA and commercial companies.