Development of a Joule-Thomson Micro Compressor

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Shanon Dana Wilkinson
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1 Development of a Joule-Thomson Micro Compressor Advanced Technology Center Patrick Champagne J. Olson, T. Nast, E. Roth, A. Collaco, G. Kaldas Missiles and Fire Control Santa Barbara Focalplane Elna Saito, Vince Loung J-T Microcompressor June

2 Motivation Utilize Pulse Tube Micro Compressor technology to develop a J-T compressor Retain: high reliability and low cost Utilize space-quality compressor technology Common parts/processes with existing Micro Compressor Retain: small size and weight Based on mature Pulse Tube Micro Cryocooler CubeSat compatible Add: DC flow rectified output Able to power J-T cold heads Adaptable to pumped cooling loop applications J-T Microcompressor June

Lockheed Martin Microcryocooler Introduced in 2013

configuration Long lifetime / High reliability Low

Diameter = 32 mm Mass = 190 g Motor Module Flexure

3 Lockheed Martin Microcryocooler Introduced in 2013 Microcryocooler Coaxial pulse tube Split cooler configuration Long lifetime / High reliability Low production costs Micro Compressor Length = 90 mm Diameter = 32 mm Mass = 190 g Motor Module Flexure bearing Clearance seal Moving magnet Linear motor J-T Microcompressor June

4 AC Pulse to DC Flow Challenge: Pressure rectification J-T Microcompressor June

Schematic of 2-Stage Pump Compression spaces separated and put in series Each piston is equipped with a set of in/out check valves Design pressure ratio = 3:1 (500 psi output, 167 psi input) Return

5 Schematic of 2-Stage Pump Compression spaces separated and put in series Each piston is equipped with a set of in/out check valves Design pressure ratio = 3:1 (500 psi output, 167 psi input) Return line J-T device Supply line Inlet Reservoir Check Valve Check Valve Internal Reservoir Check Valve Check Valve Outlet Reservoir 167 psi 280 psi 500 psi Compressor Hub Dead Volume 225 psi 390 psi Motor Module One Motor Module Two J-T Microcompressor June

6 Flat Flap Check Valve Simple: One moving part Reliable: Self actuating Low cost: Minimal machining Small: Thin (but long) Flap Port Base Flow Path J-T Microcompressor June

7 Micro Check Valve Three piece assembly Valve assembly Ø 5 mm base J-T Microcompressor June

8 Reverse Bend Flexure Reduces overall length/size flap seat flexure clamp edge (2) effective length J-T Microcompressor June

9 Reverse Bend Flexure Improves open angle straight flexure debris trap reverse bend flexure flap open reverse bend flexing arm level door flap J-T Microcompressor June

10 Flap Analysis Stress: below ultimate fatigue limit Deflection: full flow at port opening Port center Level area Clamped edge boundary J-T Microcompressor June

11 Valve Cross Section Multi function cover cover clamps flexure base cover limits flexure travel cover protects flexing arms Valve open flow path J-T Microcompressor June

12 Check Valve Fabrication Plastic model Completed prototype actual size 10 size J-T Microcompressor June

13 Check Valve Fabrication Carrier strips reduce component handling J-T Microcompressor June

pressure measurable flow starts at less than 1 psi Survival

14 Measured Valve Operation Single valve under static pressure Demonstrated forward to reverse flow ratio of 200 to 1 Crack open pressure measurable flow starts at less than 1 psi Survival pressure valve undamaged by 250 psi back pressure J-T Microcompressor June

15 Check Valve Integration Challenge: 2 pistons + 4 valves 4 (not to scale) J-T Microcompressor June

16 4-Bore Center Hub Center section output port inlet port valve retainer (4) check valve (4) valve seal (4) reservoir plug reservoir plug (temporary) internal reservoir connecting passage J-T Microcompressor June

17 4-Bore Center Hub Offset cross section output port inlet port check valve (4) inlet crossbore (offset from center) bore from piston compression space internal reservoir connecting passage J-T Microcompressor June

18 Single Piece Hub Conventional NC machining Inlet port Check valve bore Motor module mounting ring (both ends) Output port J-T Microcompressor June

19 Compressor Assembly Challenge: Not so difficult J-T Microcompressor June

of J-T systems Characteristic flow output with increasing

20 Measured Compressor Flow Rate Compressor tested using instrumented DC flow loop Argon gas used as representative of J-T systems Characteristic flow output with increasing input power Pressure ratio = 3.1:1 J-T Microcompressor June

21 Summary A Joule-Thomson Micro Compressor was successfully designed, built, and tested Size and weight are the same as our existing Pulse Tube Micro Compressor Space-quality long life and reliability Utilizes standard low-cost motor modules Capable of delivering steady DC flow at 3 to 1 pressure ratio Designed for operation at cryogenic temperature Possible applications: Drive a J-T cold head in a closed loop cryocooler system Fluid pump for remote cooling loop (ambient or cryogenic) Gas circulation applications Other: insert your idea here J-T Microcompressor June

22 Development Project Support Lockheed Martin Internal R&D Joint Effort Missiles and Fire Control Santa Barbara Focalplane Advanced Technology Center LM Missiles & Fire Control Santa Barbara Focalplane and LM Space Systems Company Advanced Technology Center J-T Microcompressor June

Development of a J-T Micro Compressor

IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering PAPER OPEN ACCESS Development of a J-T Micro Compressor To cite this article: P Champagne et al 2015 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 101 012009