Integrated Detector Cooler Assembly for Fast Cooldown and Long Run Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryocooler technologies face a trade-off between fast cooldown times and long operational run times, with Joule-Thomson coolers providing quick cooldown but short run times due to size, weight, and power constraints, while Stirling and pulse-tube coolers offer long run times but slower cooldowns, making it challenging to meet both requirements in a compact, lightweight, and low-power system.
Innovation Solution
An integrated detector cooler assembly (IDCA) with a planar, disk-shaped Joule-Thomson cryostat featuring two cooling circuits: a high-flow, rapid cooling mode and a low-flow, temperature maintenance mode, utilizing mixed-gas refrigerants and a gas expander to achieve both fast cooldown and extended operation without bulky components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If Joule-Thomson cooling is used for fast cooldown, then cooldown time is reduced, but operational run time becomes short
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate cooling circuits: a first cooling circuit using Joule-Thomson effect for rapid cooldown, and a second cooling circuit using Stirling cycle for extended operational cooling. This segmentation allows each circuit to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between fast cooldown and long run time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different cooling modes based on operational requirements. The control system activates the first cooling circuit during initial cooldown phase and transitions to the second cooling circuit for sustained operation, enabling the system to adapt its cooling strategy to current needs.
2Duration of action of moving object
If Stirling and pulse-tube coolers are used for long run times, then operational run time is extended, but cooldown time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate cooling circuits: a first cooling circuit using Joule-Thomson effect for rapid cooldown, and a second cooling circuit using Stirling cycle for extended operational cooling. This segmentation allows each circuit to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between fast cooldown and long run time.
3Weight of stationary object
If Joule-Thomson coolers are made small and lightweight, then size and weight are reduced, but operational run time becomes short
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate cooling circuits: a first cooling circuit using Joule-Thomson effect for rapid cooldown, and a second cooling circuit using Stirling cycle for extended operational cooling. This segmentation allows each circuit to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between fast cooldown and long run time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different cooling circuits based on the operational phase. During cooldown, high cooling power is used; during sustained operation, the system transitions to the more efficient Stirling circuit, optimizing performance for each phase.
4Duration of action of moving object
If large reservoir volumes or compressors are added to extend run time, then operational run time is increased, but size, weight and power increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate cooling circuits: a first cooling circuit using Joule-Thomson effect for rapid cooldown, and a second cooling circuit using Stirling cycle for extended operational cooling. This segmentation allows each circuit to specialize in one function, resolving the contradiction between fast cooldown and long run time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the need for large compressors and high-pressure gas reservoirs by using a mixed-gas refrigerant system with a small compressor. The refrigerant circulation system substitutes for bulky mechanical components, achieving extended run time without proportional increases in size and weight.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The IDCA design enables rapid cooldown to desired operating temperatures and maintains them for extended periods, reducing size, weight, and power consumption, while allowing for flexible operation and multiple activation cycles, suitable for applications like missile seekers and surveillance sensors.
Implementation Method 1
J-T type coolers suffer from relatively short run times because of the size, weight and power penalty associated with running these coolers for long periods of time. J-T cryostats can be made very small, lightweight and compact but lack operational run time.
Implementation Method 2
a first refrigerant source having a mixed-gas refrigerant to be provided to at least one of said cooling circuits; where a first of said cooling circuits is operable in a high-flow, rapid cooling mode
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for integrated detector cooler assemblies (IDCAs) and multi-circuit cryostats are discussed herein. Solutions include using cryostats with multiple cooling circuits. Some cryostat variations may include a rapid cooldown circuit and a temperature maintenance circuit. In some cases, the temperature maintenance circuit may be a closed-loop circuit run by a compressor instead of an open-loop circuit run on a pressurized gas bottle/cartridge. Variations of a cryostat may also include a gas expander portion that replaces the coldfinger of typical IDCAs. Further variations of cooling circuits may include circuits that perform reverse-flow heat exchange to pre-cool incoming refrigerant and also cooling circuits that have heat bridges disposed thereon to assist in such heat exchange.