Dual Cryocooler Cooling for Focal Plane Array and Cold Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic cooling systems for image sensing devices are large, heavy, and costly due to their need to maintain different operating temperatures for various components, leading to increased complexity and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A dual cryocooler assembly system where separate cryocooler assemblies are thermally coupled to a focal plane array and a cold shield, each configured to maintain different operating temperatures, reducing overall power consumption, weight, and size, and allowing for independent control of cooling power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cryogenic cooling system is used to cool multiple components, then the system structure is simplified, but the weight and size of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent cryocooler assemblies, each dedicated to cooling a specific component (focal plane array, cold shield, etc.). This segmentation allows each cryocooler to be optimized for its specific cooling load, reducing the overall weight and size compared to a single large cooling system that would need to handle all components.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cryocooler assembly is designed with local quality tailored to its specific component's cooling requirements, including customized cold finger configurations and thermal coupling methods. This localized optimization reduces unnecessary weight and complexity that would arise from a universal cooling design.
2Weight of moving object
If separate cryocooler assemblies are used for different components, then weight and size are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the system uses multiple cryocooler assemblies, they share common structural elements, mounting interfaces, and control systems. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve weight reduction through separation while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized components and integrated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control systems for multiple cryocooler assemblies are merged into a unified control architecture that can manage all cryocoolers coordinate. This merging of control functions simplifies the overall system complexity while preserving the weight benefits of separate cooling assemblies.
3Ease of operation
If a single cryocooler maintains uniform temperature, then the control system is simpler, but components with different temperature requirements cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control function is segmented into multiple independent control loops, one for each cryocooler assembly. This allows each component (focal plane array, cold shield) to be controlled at its optimal temperature independently, while the control systems can be managed through a unified interface that simplifies operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic temperature control where each cryocooler assembly can independently adjust its operating parameters to maintain optimal temperatures for its associated components. This dynamic adaptability is coordinated through integrated control that presents a simplified operational interface.
4Productivity
If separate cryocooler assemblies are used for different components, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the number of components and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cryocooler assemblies utilize common components and design principles across the system, such as standardized cold finger attachments, shared vacuum insulation techniques, and unified control electronics. This universality allows the system to achieve high cooling efficiency through multiple specialized units while minimizing the actual quantity of unique components required.
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 dual cryocooler system reduces the overall cost, size, and weight of the image sensing device while improving cooling efficiency and weight distribution, achieving reduced cooldown times and enhanced performance for both the focal plane array and cold shield.
Implementation Method 1
a first cryocooler assembly (130) thermally coupled to a focal plane array (166)
Implementation Method 2
a second cryocooler assembly (140) thermally coupled to a cold shield (164)
Implementation Method 3
a cold shield (164) thermally isolated from the focal plane array (166)
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensing apparatus includes a focal plane array and a cold shield thermally isolated from the focal plane array. The cryogenic cooling apparatus further includes a first cryocooler assembly comprising a first cold finger thermally coupled to the focal plane array. The first cryocooler assembly is configured to maintain a focal plane array operating temperature. The cryogenic cooling apparatus includes a second cryocooler assembly comprising a second cold finger thermally coupled to the cold shield. The second cryocooler assembly is configured to maintain a cold shield operating temperature that is different from the focal plane array operating temperature.