Development of a Passive Check Valve for Cryogenic Cooling Applications
This thesis explores the design, fabrication, and testing of a passive check valve specifically for use in Cold Cycle Dilution Refrigerators (CCDR) aimed at sub-Kelvin cooling in astrophysics missions. Existing cooling methods involve complicated and active systems, whereas the CCDR offers a simpler alternative through the endothermic mixing of Helium isotopes. The check valve is engineered to operate efficiently at low temperatures (~1.8 K) and low back pressures (~3 psi) with minimal cracking pressure, ensuring reliable flow rectification in cryogenic environments.
Development of a Passive Check Valve for Cryogenic Cooling Applications
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Presentation Transcript
Brad Moore M.S. Student Room: 1337 507 884 9258 Hometown: Rochester, MN • Thesis:Development of a Passive Check Valve for Cryogenic Applications
Background • Astrophysics missions employing Microcalorimetry and Transition edge sensors have a need for sub-Kelvin (<1K) cooling. • A Cold Cycle Dilution Refrigerator (CCDR) provides an alternative to the current space based sub-kelvin cooling - Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators or LHe3 Cryostats. • The CCDR provides cooling through the endothermic mixing of He3-He4 isotopes at low temperatures. • A reversible paramagnetic pump drives the flow through the cycle, however the flow provided is oscillating and must be rectified through the use of check valves.
Objectives • Development, fabrication and testing of a check valve for use in the CCDR. • Requirements: • Passive – no electric or mechanical actuation • Operate at low temperatures (~1.8 K) with a mixture of He3-He4. • Seal at low back pressures (~3psi) • Negligible cracking pressure required to open
Check Valve Teflon seat reed check valve currently being refined and tested.
