Tactical 4 K Cryocooler: Study and Architecture Definition

Iris Technology, in collaboration with Georgia Tech and Raytheon, proposes to perform advanced 3D CFD modeling to guide the architecture selection for a tactical 4K Cryocooler. Iris will lead the System Design and Program Management efforts. Georgia Tech is the lead organization on the Analysis. Raytheon is providing the underlying mechanical cryocooler technology. The preliminary technical baseline is a three stage Raytheon hybrid Stirling / pulse tube cryocooler. The first stage is a Stirling stage, which provides gravitational insensitivity, high efficiency, and operational adjustability. The second and third stages are pulse tubes to avoid the cost and complexity of moving cryogenic seals that additional Stirling stages would require. CFD and other modeling techniques will be pursued to either show that the baseline provides the best technical solution or to select an alternative, probably all pulse tube, design.