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Marshall
Space Flight Center
1991 Phase II
Improved Stirling Cycle
Technology for Zero-G Spacecraft Refrigeration Systems
Dean Applied
Technology Company, Inc.
Huntsville, AL
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INNOVATION
This innovation
improved the Stirling refrigeration technology using a simple pulse
tube, and optimized the new configuration for operation at food refrigerator/freezer
operating temperatures
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Pulse tube refrigeration unit under
test at DATCO
Optional Powerpoint
file
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Operational unit designed, fabricated
and tested
- This concept offers a higher
system efficiency than achieved by the currently used vapor-compression
cycle in zero-g. It also eliminates the lubrication problems normally
associated with zero-g refrigeration
- The improved Stirling Cycle
technology does not require ozone-depleting Chloro-Fluoro-Carbons
- Since it has no moving parts
at the cold end, vibrations are significantly reduced
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COMMERCIALIZATION
- NASA Space Act Cooperative Agreement
between NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center and Dean Applied Technology
- Dean Applied Technology has
applied for a patent
- Discussion with manufacturer
of superconducting telecommunications equipment
- Inquiry from a major manufacturer
of detector instrumentation equipment
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GOVERNMENT/SCIENCE
APPLICATIONS
- Home refrigerator/freezers
- Medical imaging (e.g.,
MRI)
- Medical freezers
- Cooling of electronics
and detectors
- Cooling of superconductors
- Spacecraft freezer/refrigerators
for Space Shuttle, Space Lab, ISSA, and Mars Missions
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| For more
information about this firm, please send e-mail to company
representative
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