Source impedance, transient response, and noise characterization of the TOPAZ 2 reactors

Journal Article · Fri Jan 20 04:00:00 EST 1995 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.47136· OSTI ID:166026

Kusnierkiewicz, D Y ^[1]

---

1. The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland 20723-6099 (United States)

Electrical measurements have been performed on the TOPAZ 2 V-71 and Ya-21 Reactors, in order to characterize the source impedance as a function of DC operating point and frequency. The response of the reactor to step changes in load current, as well as the frequency content of the electrical noise generated by the reactor have also been measured. These parameters are important to know in order to design power regulation circuitry which maintains a constant load on the reactor during spacecraft operations for any flight application of the TOPAZ 2 reactors. Voltage spikes at the reactor interface induced by load transients must be limited; the power regulation circuitry must have adequate bandwidth to compensate for spacecraft load dynamics. The methods used to make these measurements will be discussed. Results of the measurements on the Ya-21 reactor indicate the source impedance is dominated by a series resistance and inductance. The equivalent DC leakage resistance from the reactor output to structure was also measured. The self generated noise of the reactor is benign; load induced transients will be sufficiently controlled with capacitive filtering and active regulation circuitry external to the reactor/power distribution system. {copyright} 1995 {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 166026
• Report Number(s): CONF-950110--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 324; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC IMPEDANCE
ELECTRICAL TRANSIENTS
FREQUENCY DEPENDENCE
INDUCTANCE
NOISE
POWER CONDITIONING CIRCUITS
REACTORS
SPACE FLIGHT
THERMIONIC FUEL ELEMENTS