A piezoelectric cryogenic heat switch
Amir E Jahromi1, Dan F Sullivan1
1NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Cryogenics and Fluids branch code 552, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|July 3, 2014
Abstract:
We have measured the thermal conductance of a mechanical heat switch actuated by a piezoelectric positioner, the PZHS (PieZo electric Heat Switch), at cryogenic temperatures. The thermal conductance of the PZHS was measured between 4 K and 10 K, and on/off conductance ratios of about 100-200 at lowest and highest measures temperature were achieved when the positioner applied its maximum force of 8 N, respectively. We discuss the advantages of using this system in cryogenic applications, and estimate the ultimate performance of an ideal PZHS.
