Dual-cool cryo-adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for infrared detectors in missile guidance systems require excessive start-up time due to reliance on external cryo-systems, which are inadequate for onboard cooling during launch.
Innovation Solution
A dual-cool cryo-adapter utilizing a Stirling cryo-engine and Joule-Thomson cryostat with internal liquefied cryogen supply and heat transfer through an endcap, enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing thermal noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external cryo-systems are used for cooling infrared detectors, then cooling capability is achieved, but start-up time becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent parts: an external cryo-system for pre-cooling and an internal cryo-adapter for rapid onboard cooling. This segmentation allows each system to operate independently, enabling the internal adapter to provide immediate cooling without waiting for the external system to fully initialize, thus reducing start-up time while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The external cryo-system performs preliminary cooling action before launch, bringing the infrared detector to a pre-cooled state. The internal cryo-adapter is pre-filled with liquefied cryogen and ready to provide immediate additional cooling upon deployment, eliminating the need to wait for the full external system to initialize during critical launch windows.
2Temperature
If external cryo-systems are used for cooling, then cooling function is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the cooling system into external and internal segments, the complexity of the full cryo-system is distributed. The internal cryo-adapter is a simple, self-contained unit with minimal components (endcap, tubing, cryogen reservoir), while the external system handles the complex pre-cooling function. This segmentation reduces the complexity burden on the onboard missile system.
Solution Approach 2:
The critical rapid-cooling function is extracted from the complex external cryo-system and placed into the simple internal cryo-adapter. This extraction allows the internal adapter to provide immediate cooling capability without incorporating the complex initialization and control mechanisms of the external system, thereby reducing onboard device complexity.
3Productivity
If onboard cooling is implemented, then launch readiness is improved, but cooling efficiency must be enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The internal cryo-adapter utilizes phase transition of liquefied cryogen (from liquid to gas) to provide rapid cooling. As the cryogen evaporates, it absorbs significant latent heat from the infrared detector, achieving efficient temperature reduction and thermal noise suppression in a short time period, thus improving both cooling speed and cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal cryo-adapter acts as an intermediary cooling device between the external cryo-system and the infrared detector. It receives pre-cooled conditions from the external system and provides the final rapid cooling to the detector, mediating the temperature control process to achieve both fast response and effective thermal noise reduction.
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
Enables rapid cryogenic cooling of infrared detectors onboard missiles, ensuring launch readiness with reduced thermal noise and improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
A dual-cool cryo-adapter utilizing a Stirling cryo-engine and Joule-Thomson cryostat
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer through an endcap
Data Source
AI summary
A seeker includes a housing, a digital focal plane array (DFPA), and a cryo-adapter. The DFPA is positioned in the housing. The cryo-adapter is positioned in the housing adjacent to the DFPA. The cryo-adapter is configured to remove heat from the DFPA. The cryo-adapter includes an end cap and tubing. The endcap forms an interior for the cryo-adapter, and the tubing is configured to supply liquefied cryogen to the interior of the cryo-adapter.