A miniature Rotary Compressor with a 1:10 compression ratio

Abstract

Micro compressors have applications in medical devices, robotics and "nanosatellites". The problem of active cooling for photo detectors in "nano-satellites" becomes more important because the majority of space missions target Earth observation, and passive cooling does not provide the required temperatures to achieve the desired SNR levels. Reciprocating compressors used in cryocoolers cause vibrations. VERT Rotors has built an ultralow-vibration rotary compressor with 40mm-long screws, and our prototype delivered 1:10 compression ratio. This "nano" compressor is a non-conventional conical type consisting of an Inner conical screw rotor revolving inside an Outer screw rotor.