Thales Cryogenics has an extensive background in delivering linear and rotary coolers for military, civil and space programs. During the last years several technical improvements have increased the lifetime of all Thales coolers resulting in significantly higher Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) figures. In this paper not only updated MTTF values for most of the products in our portfolio will be presented but also the methodology used to come to these reliability figures will be explained. The differences between rotary and linear coolers will be highlighted including the different failure modes influencing the lifetime under operational conditions. These updated reliability figures are based on extensive test results for both rotary and linear coolers as well as Weibull analysis, failure mode identifications, various types of lifetime testing and field results of operational coolers. The impact of the cooler selection for typical applications will be outlined. This updated reliability approach will enable an improved tradeoff for cooler selection in applications where MTTF and a correct reliability assessment is key. Improbing on cooler selection and an increased insight in cooler reliability will result in a higher uptime and operability of equipment, less risk on unexpected failures and lower costs of ownership.
KEYWORDS: Diagnostics, Data storage, Cryogenics, Digital signal processing, Sensors, Electronics, Data communications, Cameras, Linear filtering, Diagnostic tests
Thales Cryogenics (TCBV) has an extensive background in delivering long-life cryogenic coolers for military, civil and
space programs. During the last years many technical improvements have increased the lifetime of coolers resulting in
significantly higher MTTF's. Lifetime endurance tests are used to validate these performance increases. An update will
be given on lifetime test of a selection of TCBV's coolers.
MTTF figures indicate the statistical average lifetimes for a large population of coolers. However, for the user of IR
camera's and spectrometers a detailed view on the performance of an individual cooler and the possible impact of its
performance degradation during its lifetime is very important. Thales Cryogenics is developing Cooler Diagnostic
Software (CDS), which can be implemented in the firmware of its DSP based cooler drive electronics. With this
implemented software the monitoring of the main cooler parameters during the lifetime in the equipment will be
possible, including the prediction of the expected cooler performance availability. Based on this software it will be
possible to analyze the status of the cooler inside the equipment and, supported by the lifetime knowledge at Thales
Cryogenics, make essential choices on the maintenance of equipment and the replacement of coolers.
In the paper, we will give an overview of potential situations in which such a predictive algorithm can be used. We will
present the required interaction with future users to make an optimal interaction and interpretation of the generated data
possible.
Thales Cryogenics (TCBV) has an extensive background in delivering long life cryogenic coolers for military, civil and
space programs. This cooler range is based on two main compressor concepts: close tolerance contact seals (UP) and
flexure bearing (LSF/LPT) coolers. Main difference between these products is the Mean Time To Failure (MTTF). In
this paper an overview of lifetime parameters will be listed versus the impact in the different cooler types. Also test
results from both the installed base and the Thales Cryogenics test lab will be presented.
New developments at Thales Cryogenics regarding compact long lifetime coolers will be outlined.
In addition new developments for miniature linear cooler drive electronics with high temperature stability and power
density will be described.
KEYWORDS: Electronics, Digital signal processing, Sensors, Cryogenics, Cryocoolers, Temperature metrology, Power supplies, Cooling systems, Diagnostics, Reliability
Thales Cryogenics has a long background in delivering cryogenic coolers with an MTTF far above 20.000 hrs for
military, civil and space programs. Developments in these markets required continuous update of the flexure bearing
cooler portfolio for new and emerging applications. The cooling requirements of new application have not only their
influence on the size of the compressor, cold finger and cooling technology used but also on the integration and control
of the cooler in the application.
Thales Cryogenics developed a compact Cooler Drive Electronics based on DSP technology that could be used for
driving linear flexure bearing coolers with extreme temperature stability and with additional diagnostics inside the CDE.
This CDE has a wide application and can be modified to specific customer requirements.
During the presentation the latest developments in flexure bearing cooler technology will be presented both for Stirling
and Pulse Tube coolers. Also the relation between the most important recent detector requirements and possible
available solutions on cryocooler level will be presented.
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