Document Details
PURL
(896 K)
Title:
SNAP-15C Program - Large Milliwatt Radioisotope Power Supply, Progress Letter Number 30
Author(s):
Document Type:
REPORT
Publication Date:
1968 Jan 01
Declassification Date:
2009 Jan 06
Declassification Status:
Declassified
Document Pages:
21 p.
Accession Number:
None
Document Number(s):
MMM-3209-54
Originating Research Org.:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN (United States)
OpenNet Entry Date:
2017 Dec 13
OpenNet Modified Date:
2023 Nov 06
Description/Abstract:
Following assembly of the SNAP-15C power supplies, a testing program was initiated. This included monitoring generator output for a one-year period to evaluate performance with time. To date each of the power supplies has exhibited a similar decline in voltage, resistance, and power output. In order to determine the degradation mechanism(s), one of the power supplies, 3M-31BF2, was disassembled and its components analyzed. Results indicated that copper from the hot junction electrodes migrated into the thermoelectric legs (N in particular) causing the reduction in output performance.