Development of the LPT6510 pulse-tube cooler for 60–150 K applications

• Published in: Cryogenics (Guildford) 2020-01, Vol.105, p.102993, Article 102993
• Main Authors: Arts, Roel, Mullié, Jeroen, Tanchon, Julien, Trollier, Thierry
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Manufacturability; Pulse tubes
• ISSN: 0011-2275; 1879-2235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cryogenics.2019.102993

•Development of a cost-effective high-efficiency small-scale pulse-tube cooler for 60–150 K space applications.•Set-based concurrent engineering approach.•Performed and planned work for reaching Technology Readiness Level 6. The LPT6510 is a cost effective compact integral pulse-tube cryocooler targeting a wide application area for 60–150 K applications with one design. The product was previously shown as an engineering demonstrator model based on the Thales MPTC compressor and the Absolut System SSC80 pulse-tube. In this paper, an update will be presented regarding the continued development of this cooler. The design will be presented, including the required design and process validations to ensure series production manufacturability, and initial build- and test results will be shown, with an analysis of projected performances. The remainder of planned tests will be presented, and an overview will be given of process and qualification aspects relevant to future production of flight model cryocoolers. Finally, the roadmap for the product will be presented, including the potential future spin-off from the ESA Next-Generation Compressor development under ESA contract 4000124040/18/NL/KML.