Stirling cryocooler prognostics and health management (PHM)

Abstract

Tactical Stirling cryocoolers are life-limited components used in many IR sensing systems. Thousands are deployed in commercial and military systems. Using prognostics to predict impending failures will allow cryocooler replacement when it is convenient and cost-effective, rather than during system operation. This both reduces cost and improves mission reliability A long-life test is underway to validate that expectation with operational data. Interim results of that experiment are presented.