Advanced Stirling Convertor Dual Convertor Controller Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center in the Radioisotope Power System Systems Integration Laboratory

Dugala, Gina M.; Taylor, Linda; Bell, Mark; Dolce, James L.; Fraeman, Martin E.; Frankford, David P.

doi:10.2514/6.2015-3807

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…Other tasks in process under the low TRL research effort include dynamic balancers to allow single converters to operate with low vibration, and an alternative electrical controller, developed by APL, with improved fault management. The APL controller was coupled with a pair of early model ASCs at GRC's RPS System Integration Lab in September 2014 to demonstrate stable operation with a spacecraft bus and representative electrical loads [9].…”

Section: Figure 5 Tdc Test Stands At Grcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stirling to flight initiative

Hibbard

Mason

Ndu

et al. 2016

2016 IEEE Aerospace Conference

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NASA has a consistent need for radioisotope power systems (RPS) to enable robotic scientific missions for planetary exploration that has been present for over four decades and will continue into the foreseeable future, as documented in the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Study Report. As RPS have evolved throughout the years, there has also grown a desire for more efficient power systems, allowing NASA to serve as good stewards of the limited plutonium-238 ( 238 Pu), while also supporting the ever-present need to minimize mass and potential impacts to the desired science measurements. In fact, the recent Nuclear Power Assessment Study (NPAS) released in April 2015 resulted in several key conclusion regarding RPS, including affirmation that RPS will be necessary well into the 2030s (at least) and that 238 Pu is indeed a precious resource requiring efficient utilization and preservation. Stirling Radioisotope Generators (SRGs) combine a Stirling cycle engine powered by a radioisotope heater unit into a single generator system. Stirling engine technology has been under development at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) since the 1970's. The most recent design, the 238 Pu-fueled Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG), was offered as part of the NASA Discovery 2010 Announcement of Opportunity (AO). The Step-2 selections for this AO included two ASRGenabled concepts, the Titan Mare Explorer (TiME) and the Comet Hopper (CHopper), although the only non-nuclear concept, InSight, was ultimately chosen. The DOE's ASRG contract was terminated in 2013. Given that SRGs utilize significantly less 238 Pu than traditional Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) -approximately one quarter of the nuclear fuel, to produce similar electrical power output -they provide a technology worthy of consideration for meeting the aforementioned NASA objectives. NASA's RPS Program Office has recently investigated a new Stirling to Flight (S2F) initiative with the objective of developing a 100-500 W e Stirling generator system. Additionally, a different approach is being devised for this initiative to avoid pitfalls of the past, and apply lessons learned from the recent ASRG experience. Two key aspects of this initiative are a Stirling System Technology Maturation Effort, and a Surrogate Mission Team (SMT) intended to provide clear mission pull and requirements context. The S2F project seeks to lead directly into a DOE flight system development of a new SRG. This paper will detail the proposed S2F initiative, and provide specifics on the key efforts designed to pave a forward path for bringing Stirling technology to flight.

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Section: Figure 5 Tdc Test Stands At Grcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stirling to flight initiative

Hibbard

Mason

Ndu

et al. 2016

2016 IEEE Aerospace Conference

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“…The test effort demonstrated control authority and fault tolerance while controlling ASC on a spacecraft bus. 10 As part of the maturation process, technologies are assessed for readiness in higher-level subsystems. To assess the readiness level of the Dual Convertor Controller (DCC), a Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) was performed and is described in a later section.…”

Section: F Dual Convertor Controller (Dcc)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Maturing Technologies for Stirling Space Power Generation

Wilson

Nowlin²,

Dobbs³

et al. 2016

14th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference

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Stirling Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) are being developed as an option to provide power on future space science missions where robotic spacecraft will orbit, flyby, land or rove. A Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG) could offer space missions a more efficient power system that uses one fourth of the nuclear fuel and decreases the thermal footprint of the current state of the art. The RPS Program Office, working in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), manages projects to develop thermoelectric and dynamic power systems, including Stirling Radioisotope Generators (SRGs). The Stirling Cycle Technology Development (SCTD) Project, located at Glenn Research Center (GRC), is developing Stirling-based subsystems, including convertors and controllers. The SCTD Project also performs research that focuses on a wide variety of objectives, including increasing convertor temperature capability to enable new environments, improving system reliability or fault tolerance, reducing mass or size, and developing advanced concepts that are mission enabling. Research activity includes maturing subsystems, assemblies, and components to prepare them for infusion into future convertor and generator designs. The status of several technology development efforts are described here. As part of the maturation process, technologies are assessed for readiness in higher-level subsystems. To assess the readiness level of the Dual Convertor Controller (DCC), a Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) was performed and the process and results are shown. Stirling technology research is being performed by the SCTD Project for NASA's RPS Program Office, where tasks focus on maturation of Stirling-based systems and subsystems for future space science missions.

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Overview of Stirling Technology Research at NASA Glenn Research Center

Wilson

Schifer²,

Williams³

et al. 2015

13th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference

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Stirling Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) are under development to provide power on future space science missions where robotic spacecraft will orbit, flyby, land or rove using less than a quarter of the plutonium the currently available RPS uses to produce about the same power. Glenn Research Center's (GRC's) newly formulated Stirling Cycle Technology Development Project (SCTDP) continues development of Stirling-based systems and subsystems, which include a flight-like generator and related housing assembly, controller, and convertors. The project also develops less mature technologies under Stirling Technology Research, with a focus on demonstration in representative environments to increase the technology readiness level (TRL). Matured technologies are evaluated for selection in future generator designs. Stirling Technology Research tasks focus on a wide variety of objectives, including increasing temperature capability to enable new environments, reducing generator mass and/or size, improving reliability or system fault tolerance, and developing alternative designs. The task objectives and status are summarized.

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Advanced Stirling Convertor Dual Convertor Controller Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center in the Radioisotope Power System Systems Integration Laboratory

Cited by 4 publications

References 1 publication

Stirling to flight initiative

Stirling to flight initiative

Maturing Technologies for Stirling Space Power Generation

Overview of Stirling Technology Research at NASA Glenn Research Center

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