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Low Weight Cryocooler For High Temperature Superconductor Antenna Cooling

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 31917
Amount: $69,672.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 1996
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
Etna Rd. P.O. Box 71
Hanover, NH 03755
United States
DUNS: 072021041
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Ms. Christine M. Martin
 (603) 643-3800
Business Contact
Phone: () -
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Advanced anti-radiation missiles using large, high temperature superconducting antennas will require cryocoolers that can cool the antenna quickly with a minimum mass and volume penalty. We will develop a mixed gas Joule-Thomson (J-T) cryocooler with the load heat exchanger integral to the antenna substrate. The mixed gas J-T thermodynamic cycle is significantly more efficient than current single gas cycles, while retaining the simplicity of the J-T cycle. The integral load heat exchanger minimizes thermal distortion in the antenna, reduces thermal resistance to the antenna, and maximizes the cooling delivery to the antenna. We will prove the feasibility of the concept by (1) developing fabrication techniques for the integral load heat exchanger, (2) defining an optimized thermodynamic cycle design, (3) designing the components of the system to predict performance, mass, and volume, and (4) testing a scaled integral load heat exchanger (in the Option Phase). In Phase II we will fabricate and test a prototype of the cryocooler system, including the mixed gas J-T refrigerator and the integral load heat exchanger.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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