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ICE-Box

Integrated Cryogenically-Cooled Experiment Box

The Integrated Cryogenically-Cooled Experiment Box (ICE-Box) is a unique cryogenic testing rig at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland that enables quick, low-cost methods for conducting low-temperature tests on aircraft components. 

Quick Facts

The ICE-Box is a thermal vacuum chamber that can simulate temperatures of liquid hydrogen, liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, and liquid methane.

The ICE-Box is a thermal vacuum chamber that can simulate temperatures of liquid hydrogen, liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, and liquid methane.

Reconfigurability of the ICE-Box system allows researchers to perform cryogenic testing more effectively.

Reconfigurability of the ICE-Box system allows researchers to perform cryogenic testing more effectively.
Two men wearing hard hats help hoist a piece of hardware above a circular cryogenic testing rig.
Testing of a superconducting rotor inside the ICE-Box, a cryogenic vacuum chamber.
NASA

Overview

Unlike larger, traditional cryogenic testing facilities, the ICE-Box is a simple, transportable system that operates without the use of hazardous cryogenic fluids and allows non-cryogenic experts to easily perform rapid component testing. 

The ICE-Box uses electrical cryocoolers and trim heaters to easily adjust testing temperatures anywhere from 12 degrees Kelvin (K) to 130 K, eliminating the need to constantly switch between multiple working fluids. 

This reconfigurable system is primarily electrical and uses gaseous helium as the sole circulating fluid to maintain cryogenic temperatures. 

The ICE-Box rig is currently being used for testing performance of superconducting wires and coils and will play a critical role in making cryogenic testing more efficient for future electrified aircraft system testing. 

A cylinder-shaped vessel on a black stand covered in various wires, pipes, and machinery with the top raised exposing internal hardware and wiring.
ICE-Box vessel with its lid raised showcasing the internal system and test hardware set up.
NASA

System Capabilities 

Dimensions

0.864-meter (m) diameter, 1.22 m tall 

Temperature Range 

12 K to 130 K (capable of simulating temperatures of liquid hydrogen, liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, and liquid methane) 

A graphic of an electric motor with the internal hardware exposed. The words “housing,” “copper stator (>100 °C),” “superconducting rotor coils & core (~60 K),” “slip ring,” and “rotating shaft with integrated cryocooler” are displayed around the graphic.
NASA’s High-Efficiency Megawatt Motor (HEMM) designed for future electrified aircraft propulsion systems was tested inside the ICE-Box. Data gathered helped demonstrate performance of the machine’s superconducting rotor at specific currents and temperatures.
NASA

Subsystems 

Cryogenic Vessel: The primary component of the system that houses the test subject. 

Vacuum System: Helps create a high vacuum within the cryogenic vessel and establishes the pressure conditions required for testing. 

Cryocooler and Compressor Systems: Used to cool down the system and maintain temperatures required for testing. The cryocooler system contains compressor packages that compress helium gas under high pressure and cold heads that expand the compressed helium to help remove heat and maintain cryogenic temperatures. The design features a single-wall vessel using a single-stage system that removes 100 watts (W) at 25 K, and/or a second stage system that removes 40 K at 80 K. 

Chiller System: Provides temperature-controlled water to absorb waste heat from the cryocooler compressor. 

Data Acquisition (DAQ) and Heater Controller System: Configurable and capable of low- and high-speed acquisition rates for pressure, temperature, flow, current, voltage, torque, and magnetic/electric fields data. Temperature sensors and readers are used to monitor and maintain temperatures of the cold head and cold plate, and heater jacks help adjust temperatures up to 500 W, achieving as high as liquid methane temperatures. 

Contacts

Jason Hartwig: jason.w.hartwig@nasa.gov

Justin Scheidler: justin.j.scheidler@nasa.gov 

Resources

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Publications

Explore and download a collection of publications to learn more about testing inside the ICE-Box.

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