Pulse Tube Cryocoolers
Advanced active cooling for satellite and deep space missions. We provide highly reliable, zero-maintenance Stirling cycle pulse tube cryocoolers tailored for 15K to 80K thermal control.
High-resolution Earth observation and deep space science missions rely on highly sensitive infrared (IR) detectors that must be kept at strict cryogenic temperatures to function effectively. Air Liquide’s portfolio of Pulse Tube Cryocoolers provides the necessary active cooling to maintain these critical instruments. By utilizing advanced Stirling thermodynamic cycle technology with no moving parts in the cold finger, our systems ensure exceptionally long lifetimes and low-vibration operation, preventing mechanical interference with delicate satellite optics.
Active cooling for critical orbital optics
To meet the diverse requirements of modern space architectures, we offer three distinct pulse tube configurations.
LPTC (Large Pulse Tube Cryocooler)
- Application: Earth observation (military or civil)
- Cooling Power: 3 W @ 50K
- Input Power: Up to 160 W
- Maturity: TRL 9 (Flight proven)
- 15-year lifetime
LPTC-NG (Next Generation)
- Application: Earth observation
- Cooling Power: 6 W @ 50K
- Input Power: Up to 300 W
- Maturity: Engineering Model
HiPTC (Heat Intercepted Pulse Tube Cryocooler)
- Application: Deep space science observation
- Cooling Power: Double stage (480 mW @ 15K and 2 W @ 80K)
- Input Power: Up to 300 W
- Maturity: Engineering Model
TRL 9: Flight Proven Reliability
Our pulse tube technology is deeply integrated into major European space initiatives, currently mounted on the MTG (Meteosat Third Generation) and MetopSG missions. With 24 units delivered, 12 currently operating in orbit, and more in production, the LPTC is a mature, risk-free solution for critical orbital instruments.
Precision manufacturing & assembly
To guarantee a 15-year lifetime without maintenance, the manufacturing process must be flawless.
We develop the critical cold finger component entirely in-house. The complete cryocooler is then assembled and rigorously evaluated using our dedicated test benches within our ultra-clean ISO 5 cleanrooms. While we procure the compressor and electronics from trusted external suppliers, the core thermodynamic integration and final qualification are conducted under our strict quality control.
Zero Maintenance, Low Vibration
The ultimate advantage of pulse tube technology is the absence of moving parts in the cold head. This unique design provides two critical benefits for space optics: it inherently generates extremely low vibrations, preventing any jitter or blurring in the satellite's imagery, and it enables a high-reliability lifespan of 15 years without any maintenance in the harsh environment of space.
Documentation
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