Air Dry Co. of America

GROUND COOLING

Air Dry Ground Cooling Unit Model: GCU-26A/E

Heat seeking missiles such as the Sidewinder require ultra purified high pressure argon to pressurize and cool its infra-red homing device.  Air Dry Co. of America pioneered the development of the Ground Cooling Unit (Model: GCU-26A/E) to handle that requirement.  It is a recharging unit that compresses commercially available bottled argon up to a pressure of 5100 psig, purifies and filters it, and manifolds it to eight charging stations for portable coolant pressure vessels.

The argon is compressed with an air operated booster pump.  The unit includes an air compressor and an accumulator tank for instant, smooth operation of the booster pump and a steady supply of air to the pump controls.

The argon purifier system consists of three molecular sieve desiccant purifying vessels and one mechanical particle filter.  The molecular sieve purifying elements remove moisture, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbon gasses from the argon stream.  The particle filter is a sintered bronze element with a 3-micron rating.

The purified argon enters a manifold and is distributed to 8 separate filling stations designed for ruptured vessel fragment containment.

 

SIDEWINDER Infra-Red Guided Missile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Item	Specifications
Recharging Unit Assembly
Length	51.5 inches
Width	33.0 inches
Height	58.5 inches
Weight	950 lbs
Air Requirements (For External Supply)
Pressure	90 psig minimum, 150 psig maximum
Volume	18 SCFM minimum at 100 psig nominal pressure
Electrical Power Requirement	115-VAC, 60 Hz single-phase, 15 ampere supply
Consumption	500 watts (maximum)
Electrical Power Requirement	220/230-vac 50/60 Hz, 3-Phase, 21 ampere supply
(For 7.5 HP Air Compressor)
Argon Pressure Requirements	500 psig minimum, 6000 psig maximum
Environmental Requirements
Temperature	Maintain at 65ºF to 90ºF
Humidity	Not to exceed 95%