ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9506
Open Date: 04/10/2018
Closing Date: 15/11/2018 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 18.127.03
Prog. Ref.: Technology Developme
Budget Ref.: E/0901-01 – Technology Developme
Special Prov.: BE+DK+FR+DE+IT+NL+ES+SE+CH+GB+IE+AT+NO+FI+PT+GR+LU+CZ+RO+PL+EE+HU
Tender Type: C
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / Thermal Control / Cryogenic and Refrigeration / Peltiers
Techology Domains: Thermal / Cryogenics and Refrigeration / Cryo-Coolers
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Mechanical Engineering Department
Division: Thermal Division
Contract Officer: Magne-Lie, Karine
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 04/10/2018
Update Reason: Tender issue

Pulse Tubes (+phase shifting) or Stirling Cold Fingers directly affect the final performances of Cryocoolers: variation in the regenerator packing, problem with the heat exchange at the cold tip, inertance temperature condition or geometry, can drastically affectthe cryogenic performances of coolers. In recent developments, those parameters were proven not to be only critical, but also not fully predictable due to the current manufacturing methods employed. During this study, two new types of Pulse Tube (+phase shifting)or Stirling Cold fingers optimized for 2 different temperature ranges (around 50K and around 120K) shall be designed with the following specific needs: – To be Compatible with Current Long Life Space Linear Compressors (PV, Frequency, pressure conditions). – Toprovide >+15% extra cooling power compared to standard Cold Fingers (through advanced phase shifting, optimized regenerator choices, careful thermal and fluidic design). – To have Lower parasitics in OFF state. – To display highly reproducible performances fromone specimen manufactured to the other. – To reduce as much as possible the manufacturing price. This Cold Finger should make the maximum use of the latest manufacturing techniques (e.g. Additive Manufacturing, advanced metrology), lessons learnt from past projects, and innovative ideas that would permit to improve the performances, reduce the manufacturing uncertainties and the price of this critical element of Mechanical Cryocoolers. Breadboards shall be manufactured and submitted to relevant testing.

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