Amiram Katz, Zvi Bar Haim, Sergey Riabzev, Victor Segal, Avishai Filis, Dan Gover

RICOR Cryogenic & Vacuum Systems, En Harod Ihud 1896000, Israel

ABSTRACT

The world growth in research and development of High Operating Temperature (HOT) IR detectors impels the development and optimization of suitable cryocoolers. The current developments at RICOR, which include three different cryocooler models and two new controllers, are focused on the – oriented design process, meaning small Size, low Weight, low Power consumption, improved performance and lower production cost, providing proper cryocoolers for future hand held thermal imagers.

This paper shows the progress made during development of “HOT” cryocooler prototypes, engineering pre-production series and qualified production series cryocoolers working at the FPA temperature range of 130 – 200K. The progress with development of electronic control modules providing minimized regulated power consumption is also shown. The progress in development of cryocoolers reliability is also reported in the paper.

Keywords: cryogenic cooler, HOT application, Stirling cycle, linear cryocooler, rotary cryocooler

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