In future space applications, widely distributed sensors, as well as, large deployable structures, such as mirrors and sunshades, will require active thermal control. However, thermal integration by conductive coupling with regenerative cryocoolers is not feasible for such distributed loads, as it requires massive copper straps and provides only limited means of thermal control. To address these issues, we are developing a continuous-flow rectified cooling loop (RCL) for use with pulse tube refrigerators. The RCL consists of a rectifier, integrated into the cold heat exchanger of the pulse tube refrigerator, and a flow loop with a MEMS-based, micro-scale, control valve. The RCL allows simple mechanical integration and has the benefit of load temperature regulation using the actively controlled valve to regulate the gas flow. The MEMS valve may also serve as the basis for a system of distributed Joule-Thomson (JT) coolers. In this paper, we summarize the work that has been done to date by Atlas Scientific, in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Cryogenic Engineering Group (UWCEG) and the University of Michigan Solid State Electronics Lab (UMSSEL), in developing the RCL and the MEMS-based micro-scale control valve.

Date Published: 26 September 2007
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 6678, Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV, 667804 (26 September 2007); doi: 10.1117/12.734351

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6678:
Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing and Instrumentation XV
Marija Strojnik-Scholl, Editor(s)