Free-piston Stirling engine system considerations for various space power applications
- Mechanical Technology Incorporated, 968 Albany-Shaker Road, Latham, New York 12110 (US)
The U.S. Government is evaluating power requirements for future space applications. As power requirements increase solar or nuclear dynamic systems become increasingly attractive. Free-Piston Stirling Engines (FPSE) have the potential to provide high reliability, long life, and efficient operation. Therefore, they are excellent candidates for the dynamic power conversion module of a space-based, power-generating system. FPSE can be coupled with many potential heat sources (radioisotope, solar, or nuclear reactor), various heat input systems (pumped loop, heat pipe), heat rejection (pumped loop or heat pipe), and various power management and distribution systems (AC, DC, high or low voltage, and fixed or variable load). This paper will review potential space missions that can be met using free-piston Stirling engines and discusses options of various system integration approaches. Currently free-piston Stirling engine technology for space power applications is being developed under contract with NASA-Lewis Research Center. This paper will also briefly outline the program and recent progress.
- OSTI ID:
- 5365829
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-910116-; CODEN: APCPC; TRN: 91-024710
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States), Vol. 217:2; Conference: 8. symposium on space nuclear power systems, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 6-10 Jan 1991; ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Advanced Stirling conversion systems for terrestrial applications
Status of the Advanced Stirling Conversion System Project for 25 kW dish Stirling applications
Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
MARS PLANET
ON-SITE POWER GENERATION
MOON
STIRLING ENGINES
DESIGN
POWER SYSTEMS
STIRLING CYCLE
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENGINES
HEAT ENGINES
PLANETS
POWER GENERATION
SATELLITES
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
330201* - External Combustion Engines- Stirling Cycle
220800 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Propulsion Reactors