Project Title:

Low-Temperature, Stirling Cycle Refrigerator for Spacecraft Refrigeration Systems

92-1-09.09-4000                                                   NAS08-39808
Low-Temperature, Stirling Cycle Refrigerator for
     Spacecraft Refrigeration Systems
Stirling Technology Company
2952 George Washington Way
Richland, WA  99352
Carl D. Beckett                                      (509-375-4000)

Abstract:

     A proof-of-principle design of an electrically driven
Stirling cycle refrigerator will be developed to assist in
refrigeration for manned spacecraft. The major advantages of this
refrigeration system include modular capability, efficient
operation over many heat rejection temperatures to minimize heat
rejection requirements, elimination of fluid property temperature
limits and zero-G fluid management problems present in
conventional vapor compression systems, and flexible response to
unexpected environmental conditions or spacecraft refrigeration
system partial failures. The Stirling cycle refrigerator will also
have low system-specific weight, simplified integration with
spacecraft heat transport systems, and maintenance-free operation.
The objectives of Phase I are to evaluate the concept's perform-
ance over a range of operating conditions, identify critical
technology issues, select a target size and operating conditions,
develop and optimize a conceptual design with an associated design
layout making maximum use of existing technology, and project the
device performance over the specified range of operating
conditions. The design will be attractive for spacecraft
refrigeration applications because of its effectiveness in a
variety of operating conditions, and its high reliability, long
life, and modular capability.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  The free-piston, Stirling
cycle refrigerator technology has clear applications for other
spacecraft applications such as cryogenic cooling of specialized
sensors and instruments. Terrestrial application include freon-
free refrigeration systems for conventional temperatures and
biological, superconductive, and electronic cooling functions at
lower temperatures.

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