Thermoacoustic power systems for space applications

Conference · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1449822· OSTI ID:975824

Backhaus, S N ^[1]; Tward, E ^[2]; Pedach, M ^[3]

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1. Scott N.
2. Emanual
3. Michael

Future NASA deep-space missions will require radioisotope-powered electric generators that are just as reliable as current RTGs, but more efficient and of higher specific power (W/kg). Thermoacoustic engines can convert high-temperature heat into acoustic, or PV, power without moving parts at 30% efficiency. Consisting of only tubes and a few heat exchangers, these engines are low mass and promise to be highly reliable. Coupling a thermoacoustic engine to a low-mass, highly reliable and efficient linear alternator will create a heat-driven electric generator suitable for deep-space applications. Data will be presented on the first tests of a demonstration thermoacoustic engine designed for the 100-Watt power range.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 975824
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-01-5811; TRN: US1006793
• Resource Relation: Journal Volume: 608; Conference: Submitted to: Space Technology and Applications International Forum - STAIF 2002, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 3-6 Feb 2002; Final version published in: AIP conference proceedings ; 2002; no.608, p.939-44
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
ALTERNATORS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ENGINES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
NASA
POWER RANGE
POWER SYSTEMS
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems