Power characteristics of a Stirling radioisotope power system over the life of the mission

Statistics – Applications

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Nuclear Reaction Models And Methods, Theory, Design, And Computerized Simulation, Theory, Design, And Computerized Simulation, Spaceborne And Space Research Instruments, Apparatus, And Components

Scientific paper

Stirling radioisotope power systems are presently being considered for use on long life deep space missions. Some applications that Stirling technology has been developed for in the past could control the heat input to the engine, as was the case in the Automotive Stirling Engine (ASE) program. The combustion system could change the rate at which fuel was burned in response to the Stirling heater head temperature and the desired set point. In other cases, heat input was not controlled. An example is the solar terrestrial Advanced Stirling Conversion System (ASCS), where the heat input was a function of solar intensity and the performance of the solar concentrator and receiver. The control system for this application would measure the Stirling heater head temperature and throttle the Stirling convertor to once again, maintain the Stirling heater head temperature at the desired set point. In both of these examples, the design was driven to be cost effective. In the Stirling radioisotope power system, the heat generated by the decay in plutonium is reduced with the half-life of the isotope, and the control system must be as simple as possible and still meet the mission requirements. The most simple control system would be one that allows the Stirling power convertor to autonomously change its operating conditions in direct response to the reduced heat input, with no intervention from the control system, merely seeking a new equilibrium point as the isotope decays. This paper presents an analysis of power system performance with this simple control system, which has no feedback and does not actively alter the operating point as the isotope decays. .

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Power characteristics of a Stirling radioisotope power system over the life of the mission does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Power characteristics of a Stirling radioisotope power system over the life of the mission, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Power characteristics of a Stirling radioisotope power system over the life of the mission will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1712146

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.