Overview of NASA Lewis Research Center free-piston Stirling engine activities
An overview of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center (LeRC) free-piston Stirling engine activities is presented. These include (1) a generic free-piston Stirling technology project being conducted to develop technologies generic to both space power and terrestrial heat pump applications in a cooperative, cost-shared effort with the Department of Energy (DOE)/Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); and (2) a free-piston Stirling space power technology feasibility demonstration project being conducted in support of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), DOE, NASA, SP-100 project. The generic technology effort includes extensive parametric testing of a 1 kW free-piston Stirling engine (RE-1000), development of a free-piston Stirling performance computer code, design and fabrication under contract of a hydraulic output modification for RE-1000 engine tests, and a 1000-hour endurance test, under contract, of a 3 kWe free-piston Stirling/alternator engine. The newly initiated space power technology feasibility demonstration effort addresses the capability of scaling a free-piston Stirling/alternator system to about 25 kWe; developing thermodynamic cycle efficiency greater than or equal to 70 percent of Carnot at temperature ratios in the order of 1.5 to 2.0; achieving a power conversion unit specific weight of 6 kg/kWe; operating with noncontacting gas bearings; and dynamically balancing the system. Planned engine and component design and test efforts are described.
- Research Organization:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI05-82OR21005
- OSTI ID:
- 6901254
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/NASA-1005-2; NASA-TM-83649; CONF-840804-3; ON: DE84010761
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, San Francisco, CA, USA, 19 Aug 1984; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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STIRLING ENGINES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
DIAGRAMS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
PISTONS
REVIEWS
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TESTING
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HEAT ENGINES
POWER SUPPLIES
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330201* - External Combustion Engines- Stirling Cycle