Developing a Free-Piston Stirling Convertor for advanced radioisotope space power systems

Qiu, Songgang; Augenblick, John E.; White, Maurice A.; Peterson, Allen A.; Redinger, Darin L.; Petersen, Stephen L.

doi:10.1063/1.1449819

Cited by 20 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The RG-55 hardware alone has accrued well over 16,500 operating hours at STC. The RG-55 has demonstrated reliability, efficiency, and robustness through testing at both STC and NASA facilities (Qiu, 2002a;Thieme, 2002). Launch-load vibration testing was additionally performed at NASA Glenn Research Center (Hughes, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stirling Convertor Performance Mapping Test Results for Future Radioisotope Power Systems

Qiu¹,

Peterson²,

Faultersack³

et al. 2004

AIP Conference Proceedings

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Long-life radioisotope-fueled generators based on free-piston Stirling convertors are an energy-conversion solution for future space applications. The high efficiency of Stirling machines makes them more attractive than the thermoelectric generators currently used in space. Stirling Technology Company (STC) has been performance-testing its Stirling generators to provide data for potential system integration contractors. This paper describes the most recent test results from the STC RemoteGen™ 55 W-class Stirling generators . Comparisons are made between the new data and previous Stirling thermodynamic simulation models. Performance-mapping tests are presented including variations in: internal charge pressure, cold end temperature, hot end temperature, alternator temperature, input power, and variation of control voltage.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stirling Convertor Performance Mapping Test Results for Future Radioisotope Power Systems

Qiu¹,

Peterson²,

Faultersack³

et al. 2004

AIP Conference Proceedings

Self Cite

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“…2 The specific Stirling convertor being transitioned for potential flight applications is the Technology Demonstration Convertor (TDC) that has been developed by the Stirling Technology Company of Kennewick, WA. 3 The reliability of the TDC that would use the nominal 250 W of heat provided by a GPHS module is being quantified under the GRC technology development efforts (note that all current design and test activities are carried out using nonnuclear, surrogate heat sources). The reliability quantification process envisages the use of test data of at least four TDCs used in a range of tests at GRC, shown on test stands in figure 1, in addition to data from at least 12 other units under test at STC and LM.…”

Section: Stirling Radioisotope Power Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reliability Issues in Stirling Radioisotope Power Systems

Shah¹,

Schreiber²

2004

2nd International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference

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“…The convertors were designed and built by STC under contract to DOE. 3 This design was baselined by DOE for use in the SRG110, which will use two General Purpose Heat Source Modules (GPHS) for heat and produce over 110 W of electric power at the Beginning of Mission (BOM). To date STC has built more than 16 TDC's and two testbed convertors for the SRG110 project.…”

Section: A Technology Demonstration Convertorsmentioning

confidence: 99%