Progress in Developing a New 5 Kilowatt Free-Piston Stirling Space Convertor

Journal Article · Mon Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2008 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2845020· OSTI ID:21049482

Brandhorst, Jr, Henry W; Kirby, Raymond L ^[1]; Chapman, Peter A ^[2]

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1. Space Research Institute, 231 Leach Center, Auburn University, Auburn University, AL, 36849-5320 (United States)
2. Foster-Miller, Inc., 431 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY, USA 12205 (United States)

The NASA Vision for Exploration of the Moon envisions a nuclear reactor coupled with a free-piston Stirling convertor at a power level of 30-40 kWe. In the 1990s, Mechanical Technology, Inc.'s Stirling Engine Systems Division (now a part of Foster-Miller, Inc.) developed a 25 kWe free piston Stirling Space Power Demonstrator Engine under the SP-100 program. This system consisted of two 12.5 kWe engines connected at their hot ends and mounted in tandem to cancel vibration. Recently, NASA and DoE have been developing dual 55 We and 80 We Stirling convertor systems for use with radioisotope heat sources. Total test times of all convertors in this effort exceed 120,000 hours. Recently, NASA began a new project with Auburn University to develop a 5 kWe, single convertor for use in the Lunar power system. Goals of this development program include a specific power in excess of 140 We/kg at the convertor level, lifetime in excess of five years and a control system that will safely manage the convertors in case of an emergency. Auburn University awarded a subcontract to Foster-Miller, Inc. to undertake development of the 5 kWe Stirling Convertor Assembly. The characteristics of the design along with progress in developing the system will be described.

• OSTI ID: 21049482
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 969, Issue 1; Conference: Space Technology and Applications International Forum-STAIF 2008: 12. conference on thermophysics applications in microgravity; 1. symposium on space resource utilization; 25. symposium on space nuclear power and propulsion; 6. conference on human/robotic technology and the vision for space exploration; 6. symposium on space colonization; 5. symposium on new frontiers and future concept, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 10-14 Feb 2008; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2845020; (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
LIFETIME
MOON
NASA
PISTONS
POWER GENERATION
POWER SYSTEMS
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTORS
SPACE
STIRLING ENGINES
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems