Prognostic Models for Cryo Cooling (Heat Transfer and Heat Dissipation) Systems

Assuring success in all aspects of critical DoD missions is becoming dominated by the availability of high performance sensors. There is a family of sensors that operate with very improved sensitivities if cooled to very low (cryogenic) temperatures. For such sensors a mechanical refrigeration system (cryocooler) is required for successful sensor operation. Sest, Inc. proposes to advance it’s Phase I effort, which has demonstrated significant progress in all aspects of the feasibility and conceptual development of the Cryocooler Prognostic Health Management System (CPHMS), into an integrated functional prototype package. Developed CPHMS during Phase II effort will be fully capable in determining the reliable remaining useful life (RRUL) of cryocooler systems. The CPHMS system functionality will be fully demonstrated and documented during the Phase II via comparative testing with actual Stirling cycle cryocooler systems. The proposed CPHMS will be adaptable to any type of cryocooler configuration and as such be able to support DoD aerospace requirements along with those of other US Government and commercial end users.