Vibration isolation strategies using magneto-rheological elastomer for a miniature cryogenic cooler in space application

Miniature cryogenic coolers are widely used to cool down sensitive image sensors in observation and surveillance satellites. The linear actuator in the cooler compressor operates at a relatively constant rate and this is the main source of vibration disturbance transmitted to the imaging sensor. Passive vibration isolation with and without an absorber, and a semi-active tuned vibration absorber are studied and compared to make a guidance of choosing the appropriate isolation system. This paper newly proposes the use of magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE) for vibration isolation of a cryogenic cooler. MRE is a smart material that changes its stiffness and damping rapidly and reversely under magnetic field. This tunable property is investigated and experimented to determine the feasibility of MRE application for vibration mitigation of a cryogenic cooler.