An Advanced Thermal Management System for Gimbal-Mounted Sensors

Future missile detection systems will require improved thermal management for cooling gimbal-mounted sensors and optics. Current systems utilize cryocoolers placed on the gimbal, which necessitates the cryocooler heat to be rejected directly from the gimbal. A far superior approach in terms of payload mass would locate the warm elements of the cryocooler on the stationary platform near the spacecraft heat rejection system, and place only the cold elements required to cool the optics and sensors on the gimbal. On the proposed program, we plan to develop an innovative cryocooler for cooling gimbal-mounted sensors and optics. The cryocooler is based on space-proven turbo-Brayton technologies which will be adapted to the unique requirements of this application. The inherent attributes of the turbo-Brayton cycle permit the warm components of the cryocooler to be mounted off gimbal, which will drastically improve thermal management and reduce payload mass. The warm and cold components of the cryocooler will be connected using custom flexible tubing, which has been demonstrated to provide the flexibility and life required for gimbaled systems. In Phase I we will develop a preliminary design of the cryocooler and its components, develop performance curves, and perform trades to establish a packaging and integration concept.