Overview of free-piston Stirling engine technology for space power application
An overview is presented of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center (LeRC) free-piston Stirling engine activities directed toward space-power application. One of the major elements of the program is the development of advanced power conversion of which the Stirling cycle is a viable candidate. Under this program the status of the 25 kWe opposed-piston Space Power Demonstrator Engine (SPDE) is presented. Technology work is also conducted on heat-exchanger concepts, both design and fabrication, to minimize the number of joints as well as to enhance the heat transfer in the heater. Design parameters and conceptual design features are also presented for a 25 kWe, single-cylinder free-piston Stirling space-power converter. Projections are made for future space-power requirements over the next few decades along with a recommendation to consider the use of dynamic power-conversion systems - either solar or nuclear. A description of a study to investigate the feasibility of scaling a single-cylinder free-piston Stirling space-power module to the 150 kWe power range is presented.
- Research Organization:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI05-82OR21005
- OSTI ID:
- 6744518
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/NASA/1005-12; NASA-TM-88886; CONF-870307-18; ON: DE87002961
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: ASME/JSME/ISES solar energy conference, Honolulu, HI, USA, 22 Mar 1987; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Overview of the 1986 free-piston Stirling SP-100 activities at the NASA Lewis Research Center
Overview of NASA Lewis Research Center free-piston Stirling engine activities
Related Subjects
SPACE POWER REACTORS
STIRLING ENGINES
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POWER GENERATION
POWER RANGE 10-100 KW
TEST FACILITIES
ENGINES
HEAT ENGINES
MOBILE REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
REACTORS
TESTING
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
210600* - Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable