Support spring for a cryocooler

Abstract

This invention is a support spring made of a material, such as aluminum, that is damped by friction forces to directly support a sapphire dielectric resonator operating from a cold finger at cryogenic temperatures in a spring-mounted enclosure to reduce a phase-noise vibration sensitivity of the sapphire dielectric resonator. The support spring provides vibration isolation in al three directions, along with good thermal conductivity to aid in resonator cool-down. A damper clamp and damper clips provide the friction forces necessary for damping which prevents large vibration transmission peaks in a hostile, low-temperature, high-vacuum environment.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A spring to support sapphire dielectric resonator operating from a cold finger at cryogenic temperatures comprising: a support spring mounted between the cold finger and resonator;   a damper clamp mounted adjacent to said support spring not touching either the cold finger or the resonator;   a plurality of damper clips affixed around the support spring and said damper clamp pinching the support spring and damper clamp together; and   said damper clips and said damper clamp cooperating so as to provide friction damping thereby preventing large vibration transmission peaks, hence reducing phase-noise vibration between the cold finger and resonator.   
     
     
       2. A method for reducing phase-noise vibration between a cold finger and a sapphire dielectric resonator operating at cryogenic temperatures comprising the steps of: mounting a support spring between the cold finger and resonator;   mounting a damper clamp adjacent to said support spring not touching either the cold finger or the resonator;   affixing a plurality of damper clips around the support spring and said damper clamp pinching the support spring and damper clamp together; and   said damper clips and said damper clamp cooperating so as to provide friction damping thereby preventing large vibration transmission peaks, hence reducing phase-noise vibration between the cold finger and resonator.