Electric fission reactor for space applications
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a power system utilizing a uranium-based reactor for space missions. For example, the power system may include a reactor configured to generate thermal energy using a uranium core. A plurality of heat pipes may be configured to transfer thermal energy from the reactor core to a plurality of Stirling engines to generate electricity for a spacecraft.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1568278
- Patent Number(s):
- 10276271
- Application Number:
- 14/770,894
- Assignee:
- Triad National Security, LLC (Los Alamos, NM)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-06NA25396
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 03/26/2014
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
Citation Formats
McClure, Patrick Ray, Dixon, David Duff, Poston, David Irvin, Mason, Lee, and Gibson, Marc. Electric fission reactor for space applications. United States: N. p., 2019.
Web.
McClure, Patrick Ray, Dixon, David Duff, Poston, David Irvin, Mason, Lee, & Gibson, Marc. Electric fission reactor for space applications. United States.
McClure, Patrick Ray, Dixon, David Duff, Poston, David Irvin, Mason, Lee, and Gibson, Marc. Tue .
"Electric fission reactor for space applications". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1568278.
@article{osti_1568278,
title = {Electric fission reactor for space applications},
author = {McClure, Patrick Ray and Dixon, David Duff and Poston, David Irvin and Mason, Lee and Gibson, Marc},
abstractNote = {Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a power system utilizing a uranium-based reactor for space missions. For example, the power system may include a reactor configured to generate thermal energy using a uranium core. A plurality of heat pipes may be configured to transfer thermal energy from the reactor core to a plurality of Stirling engines to generate electricity for a spacecraft.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2019},
month = {4}
}
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Nuclear reactor core and fuel element therefor
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"Dual annular rotating ""windowed"" nuclear reflector reactor control system"
patent, March 1994
- Jacox, Michael G.; Drexler, Robert L.; Hunt, Robert M.
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