Daesung Hwang

Reliability test results of LGE pulse tube cryocooler

A low-cost and highly reliable cryocooler is strongly required for several applications. In this circumstance, LG Electronics has developed a 5 W at 65 K pulse tube cryocooler with high potential for low-cost manufacturing based on linear motor and compressor technology. Recently dozens of coolers have been fabricated and tested for the verification of performance stability with ambient temperature variation. From tests at high ambient temperature like 60°C, an average performance degradation of 45% is found and good performance stability of coolers is shown. Continuous operation at 40°C is ongoing for the verification of their reliability. To date no failure has been found. This paper discusses the test process, results and MTBF calculation.