Abstract: A compact cryocooler includes a gas compression piston (304) supported for reciprocal linear translation along a first longitudinal axis (308) and a gas displacing piston (362) supported for reciprocal linear translation along a second longitudinal axis (366). The first longitudinal axis (308) and second longitudinal axis (366) are substantially orthogonal. A rotary motor (302) rotates a rotor (324) and associated motor shaft (320) about a motor rotation axis (328) disposed substantially parallel with the second longitudinal axis (366). Motor shaft (320) first and second mounting features (336, 340) traverse first and second eccentric paths around the motor rotation axis. A first drive coupling couples the first mounting feature (336) with the gas compression piston (304) and delivers a reciprocal linear translation along the first longitudinal axis (308) thereto.

Abstract: A miniature cooling device includes numerous improvements capable of increasing the reliability and useful lifetime of the device, as well as improving electrical power to cooling power conversion efficiency. The improvements include a unitary DC motor shaft design that incorporates a unitary mass flywheel into the shaft element and provides a solid shaft cross-section for increasing magnetic flux density in the DC motor. Additional improvements include a bend resistant flexible vane in the DC motor to compression piston drive coupler, reduced dead space volume within the compression cylinder, improved heat dissipation by a cylinder head cover and an athermalized compressor design that provides uniformly efficient operation over a wide range of operating temperatures. Further improvements include fabrication and coating improvements that increase the life of compression piston and compression cylinder wear surfaces.

Abstract: A porous solid substrate suitable for forming heat exchange elements and method for fabricating the substrate are provided. The porous solid substrate is usable in a regenerator or heat exchanger for exchanging thermal energy with a fluid flowing through elements formed from the substrate. Elements formed from the substrate are especially suitable for use in a regenerator matrix used in deep refrigeration cryocoolers based on the Stirling refrigeration cycle. The porous solid element substrate is formed from a plurality of thin screen sheets of interwoven stands of fine wire with each sheet having a thickness of substantially three times the diameter of the wire stands. Sheets are arraigned one above another with surfaces of adjacent sheets in mechanical contact. The sheets sintered in a high temperature high-pressure environment to form a composite element having sintered contact points between adjacent sheets.

Abstract: A method for forming a mating piston and cylinder sleeve wherein the piston includes an outer diameter and a cylinder sleeve includes a bore for receiving the piston therein and wherein the piston outer diameter and the bore each form bearing surfaces having a gas film maintained in a gap therebetween. The method includes the steps of coating the piston outer diameter with a layer of PTFE based composite material and then diamond turning the piston outer diameter to a final piston diameter. The cylinder wall is also coated with a PTFE based composite layer which may be deposited by an electroless nickel plating process. The cylinder longitudinal bore is then diamond turned to a cylinder final diameter for mating with the piston final diameter.

Abstract: An infrared video camera system comprises an uncooled infrared sensor mounted and a thermally conductive thin walled radiation shield for shielding radiation from reaching an active surface of the uncooled infrared sensor. A TEC maintains the sensor active surface and the radiation shield at a substantially constant temperature. The uncooled infrared sensor and radiation shield are further housed in a hollow thermally conductive vacuum cover which is vacuum sealed with a base assembly and includes a vacuum sealed infrared transparent window in an aperture at a top end of the vacuum cover for allowing infrared radiation to reach the active surface and for forming a vacuum chamber enclosing the infrared sensor and radiation shield. A relay optical cell mounted to a camera body comprises at least one optical element for relaying an image formed at its entrance onto the active surface.

Abstract: An improved integral cryogenic refrigerator, or cryocooler, for cooling an electronic device to cryogenic temperature includes a regenerator sleeve having a cylindrical base portion and an integrally formed cold well tube. The cold well tube includes a thin outer wall and a longitudinal bore passing therethrough for providing an expansion cylinder for receiving a pressurized refrigeration gas therein. An outer surface of the thin outer wall of the cold well tube has an outer diameter substantially centered with respect to the longitudinal bore thereby providing a circular cross-section to the thin outer wall. At least one facet is formed onto the outer diameter by removing material from the outer diameter to reduce the thickness of the thin outer wall in the region of the facet thereby reducing the cross-sectional area of the outer wall.

Abstract: A magnetically preloaded air bearing motion system for an imaging system motion system includes a carriage for moving a scanning means along a rigid spar for reflecting an optical feed beam onto media. The carriage includes a pair of orthogonal walls for engaging the orthogonal walls of the spar and an air bearing system disposed therein. The air bearing includes a plurality of permanent magnets secured in a prearranged pattern to the orthogonal walls of the carriage for providing an attractive force to couple the carriage to the spar. The carriage further includes a series of passageways terminating at a plurality of output orifices arranged in a predetermined pattern on the orthogonal walls of the carriage. Compressed air is system is electrically connected to the linear motor for controlling the movement of the carriage along the spar.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a media handler which is capable of processing a supply of media sheets which can take the form of plates, aluminum or plastic used in lithographic printing presses or the like, or can be film which is advanced to a drum and scanned by a scanning process and thereafter removed from the drum surface by appropriate handling means.