Accomplishments of the NASA GRC Stirling Technology Development Project

Schreiber, Jeffrey G.; Thieme, Lanny G.

doi:10.2514/6.2004-5517

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Based on (Schreiber, 2004 andWood, 2004) effective operating lives on the order of 5 to 20 years are expected for fully developed, small radioisotope power systems employing the FPSC concept. The first is related to the potential of the concept to meet the life requirements of the class of systems under consideration.…”

Section: Gas Cycle Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In some larger, low temperature ratio, systems (Schreiber, 2004;Dahr, 1999) this issue has been partly overcome via the use of high performance heat transport systems based on phase change of the heat transport working fluid, for example heat pipes and thermosyphons. In some larger, low temperature ratio, systems (Schreiber, 2004;Dahr, 1999) this issue has been partly overcome via the use of high performance heat transport systems based on phase change of the heat transport working fluid, for example heat pipes and thermosyphons.…”

Section: Thermal Interfacementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The FPSC and related devices have been demonstrated at power levels ranging from 10's of watts to multiple kilowatts for applications including long life space missions (Schreiber, 2004). Because of a number of factors power convertor concepts based on the free-piston Stirling power was selected for this study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Small Stirling Cycle Convertors

Penswick¹,

Schreiber²

2005

AIP Conference Proceedings

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The Stirling convertor concept continues to be a viable potential candidate for various space power applications at electrical power levels ranging from greater than 100 KW to on the order of 10+watts. Various development efforts, both in the past and currently underway, have clearly demonstrated the potential for long operating life of this concept, its high efficiency in comparison to alternative power systems (>50% of Carnot based on electric power out to heat in), and its excellent specific power characteristics. A truly unique attribute of the Stirling convertor is the ability to maintain many of these same advantages at significantly lower electrical power levels (on the order of 1 watt and below). This provides the opportunity for a wider range of potential space power applications and the use of alternative heat sources operating at dramatically lower hot-end temperatures (about 250 o C vs. current values of about 650 o C). An overview of low-power Stirling convertors and related Stirling cooler technology is provided with an emphasis on assessing the technical maturity of this concept's key components at the low power level of interest. A conceptual design of a small, 1-watt (electrical output) Stirling convertor utilizing multiple Low Weight Radioisotope Heater Unit heat sources will be described. Key technical issues in the development of this power level Stirling convertor are discussed.

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Section: Gas Cycle Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Thermal Interfacementioning

confidence: 99%

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Small Stirling Cycle Convertors

Penswick¹,

Schreiber²

2005

AIP Conference Proceedings

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“…In recent years there has been significant development of free-piston Stirling convertors for potential use on NASA exploration missions (Schreiber and Thieme, 2004). In support of this development effort, a detailed nonlinear system-level dynamic model has been created, referred to as the Glenn Research Center (GRC) Stirling Convertor System Dynamic Model (SDM) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%