System and method to improve the power output and longetivity of a radioisotope thermoelectric generator
Abstract
By using the helium generated by the alpha emissions of a thermoelectric generator during space travel for cooling, the thermal degradation of the thermoelectric generator can be slowed. Slowing degradation allows missions to be longer with little additional expense or payload.
- Inventors:
-
- (Potomac, MD)
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 868929
- Patent Number(s):
- 5246505
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21D - NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
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
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- method; improve; power; output; longetivity; radioisotope; thermoelectric; generator; helium; generated; alpha; emissions; space; travel; cooling; thermal; degradation; slowed; slowing; allows; missions; additional; expense; payload; electric generator; power output; thermoelectric generator; thermal degradation; /136/376/
Citation Formats
Mowery, Jr., Alfred L. System and method to improve the power output and longetivity of a radioisotope thermoelectric generator. United States: N. p., 1993.
Web.
Mowery, Jr., Alfred L. System and method to improve the power output and longetivity of a radioisotope thermoelectric generator. United States.
Mowery, Jr., Alfred L. Fri .
"System and method to improve the power output and longetivity of a radioisotope thermoelectric generator". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/868929.
@article{osti_868929,
title = {System and method to improve the power output and longetivity of a radioisotope thermoelectric generator},
author = {Mowery, Jr., Alfred L.},
abstractNote = {By using the helium generated by the alpha emissions of a thermoelectric generator during space travel for cooling, the thermal degradation of the thermoelectric generator can be slowed. Slowing degradation allows missions to be longer with little additional expense or payload.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993},
month = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993}
}
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Works referenced in this record:
Fuel Capsule Vent System Development for the Viking Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator
journal, September 1973
- Schumann, Frederick A.
- Nuclear Technology, Vol. 19, Issue 3