Characterization testing of the Thales LPT9310-HP cryocooler

Abstract

Two Thales LPT9310-HP commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) cryocoolers were parametrically performance tested for cold tip temperatures between 50 K and 250 K and heat rejection temperatures between 0°C and 40°C. Both coolers had identical transfer line configurations. The test results revealed small unit-to-unit thermodynamic performance variation. They are compared to test results of a COTS LPT9310 cooler with the same transfer line configuration. The effect of compressor temperature and pulse tube inclination angle are also discussed. In addition, the off-state heat leak as a function of inclination angle is presented. Finally, the feasibility of using a single LPT9310-HP COTS cooler in a two-stage configuration is discussed.