Air Force Research Laboratory Cryocooler Technology Development

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the cryogenic refrigerator and cryogenic integration programs in development and characterization under the Cryogenic Technology Group, Space Vehicles Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The vision statement for the group is to support the space community as the center of excellence for developing and transitioning space cryogenic thermal management technologies. The primary customers for the AFRL cryogenic technology development programs are Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO), the Air Force Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Low program office, and other DoD space surveillance programs.

This paper will describe the range of Stirling, pulse tube, reverse Brayton, Joule-Thomson cycle cryocoolers, and sorption cryocoolers currently under development to meet current and future Air Force and DoD requirements. The AFRL customer single stage cooling requirements at 10 K, 35 K, 60 K, 150 K, and multi-stage cooling requirements at 35/60 K are addressed. In order to meet these various requirements, the AFRL Cryogenic Technology Group is pursuing various strategic cryocooler and cryogenic integration options.

The Air Force Research Laboratory is also developing several advanced cryogenic integration technologies that will result in the reduction in current cryogenic system integration penalties and design time. These technologies include the continued development of the Cryogenic Systems Integration Model (CSIM), 60 K and 100 K thermal storage units and heat pipes, cryogenic straps, thermal switches, and development of an Integrated Lightweight Cryogenic Bus (CRYOBUS).