Experimental equipment research for cryogenic joule-thompson cryocoolers comparison in IR technology sensors

Abstract

This paper shows experimental setup for research of Joule-Thompson cryocoolers performances integrated in Dewar vessels with temperature detector simulator of IR sensor. Experimental solutions of transient temperature regimes of detector cooling on cryogenic cooldown temperature by using nitrogen as the coolant have been analyzed. In experiments of transient temperature influences, three principal methods of the fluid flow regulation, were compared. Results of experiments have shown important differences in quality and rate of cooling for IR detector integrated in cooling system with or without coolant flow regulation. The chosen thermodynamic regime parameters in experiments were suitable for the real necessities of detector cooling in IR sensor application. Scheme of the experimental equipment, its components, method of research and monitoring of desired transient function of temperature versus time in cooling (cooldown regime) of detector, and thermodynamic performances of the overall micro-cryogenic cooler are shown in this paper. © 2011 Journal of Mechanical Engineering.