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At least 289 records · Page 16

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Thermoradiative Conversion for Space Power Systems

The thermoradiative cell is a new method for converting heat energy to electrical power, first detailed by Strandberg in 2015. The cell is structurally similar to a photovoltaic cell, in that it is a p-n junction semiconductor device, but thermodynamically operates in the reverse direction, converting the thermal dark current into electrical power by utilizing the recombination radiation from thermally-generated electron hole pairs to radiate waste heat to space. This technology may have application for space missions in converting thermal energy produced by a radioisotope source or from a nuclear reactor into power. The power and efficiency can be calculated as a function of bandgap in the detailed-balance case (the Shockley-Queisser limit), in which all of the thermal emissivity of the cell is due to the recombination of thermally generated electron-hole pairs, and all other recombination losses are ignored. The current produced is directly proportional to the recombination radiation, and thus the more thermally generated pairs, the higher the current. The voltage is proportional to the external bias. These two constraints allow optimization of the optimum bias point for maximum power, and allow calculation of the efficiency at maximum power point. Unlike photovoltaic cells, the maximum power operating point is not the same as the maximum efficiency point, and higher efficiency can be achieved at a higher (negative) bias in the ideal case. Incorporating non-ideal losses, however, shifts the maximum efficiency point toward lower bias. Since a thermoradiative cell operates by radiating directly to space, the current produced by a themoradiative cells will increase with the Stefan-Boltzman radiative efficiency; roughly the fourth power of the temperature. Thus, in contrast to a photovoltaic converter, the power produced is highest at high operating temperatures. Likewise, in contrast to conventional thermal conversion, high radiator temperature increases, rather than decreases the efficiency. Thus, the thermoradiative conversion may fill a mission niche in which small radiator size is required. The basic operation will be summarized, applications to space power discussed, and the requirements for further research outlined.

Photovoltaic Cell↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Radiation and Nuclear Technology in Planetary Cave Environments

Many technological and environmental challenges must be resolved to enable successful lunar habitation and exploration, and to maximize scientific return. This presentation is intended as a preliminary discussion on three such areas of interest with the intent to identify likely areas of mutual benefit for collaboration and data sharing between the space nuclear and radiological disciplines with the planetary cave community. First is the previously identified and studied possible application of lunar lava tubes or pits to reduce the solar and cosmic radiation environment burden on crew health and hardware reliability. This is an area of continued interest, and should be kept in the forefront of discussion during the selection of sites for potential exploration or long-term habitation. In theory, the prospect of using existing morphology presents an enticing opportunity to reduce the requirements on landed mass or construction while also reducing dose or fluence of harmful natural radiation. However, such discussions should also include the practical implications of relocating habitation hardware and personnel from a landing site to a subsurface location. Inherent risks associated with landing in proximity to the relevant terrain must also be considered and weighed against those imposed by the natural radiation environment. Second is a discussion on the means by which a long-term habitation module or base of operations may be powered throughout the lunar day-night cycle. Fission surface power presents an opportunity to establish round-the-clock power in any lunar surface environment, including permanently shadowed regions where solar panels cannot operate, or in any other non-polar region where solar radiation is available for no more than two weeks per four-week cycle. Among the drawbacks of fission surface power is the need to either land and co-locate a heavy shield to minimize radiological consequences to personnel or equipment, land and operate construction equipment capable of restructuring the in-situ regolith to provide appropriate shielding, or to make use of existing topology features (e.g. craters or pits) to serve as pre-formed radiation barriers. A realistic assessment of the practicality of this third option should involve the selection of candidate features from existing surveys, and assess the effectiveness of the approach using modern radiation transport methodologies. Consideration must be made for the needs to reject waste heat in the thermal power conversion process, which typically requires the use of large area radiators. Energy must be exchanged from the reactor and power conversion system to such radiators, and the impacts on thermal efficiency and secondary scatter of nuclear radiation must be considered. Further consideration should be made for the implications of placement of a power source such that it does not sacrifice valuable scientific opportunity. Placement of a reactor is likely to thereafter prevent personnel access within that feature. Third is a discussion on the use of portable radioisotope power systems (RPS) within confined spaces, both with respect to the dose effects of emitted nuclear radiation and also performance associated with emitted thermal radiation. Radioisotope power systems provide a unique capability to power objects with no reliance upon solar radiance. However, their useable power production relies upon the flow of heat from ‘hot side’ (decaying radioisotope) to ‘cold side’ (radiators emitting heat to space). In the case of a confined volume in vacuum such as a lunar lava tube, that radiated energy will absorb into the wall, which is already above the ‘cold background’ temperature of dark space, and then gradually rises in temperature. That temperature rise, and its implications on availability of useable electrical power, will depend upon factors such as enclosure volume, thermal emissivity/absorptivity, and thermal conductivity through the depth of absorbing media. The advantages of nuclear technology may prove to enable unique scientific exploration opportunities, both above the lunar surface and below. In turn, the unique advantages of lunar lava tubes or pits may present unique opportunities to enhance the application of these technologies and to mitigate the effects of radiation from both natural and technological sources. A discussion on these pairings may prove to be valuable to all, in our endeavor to explore our neighboring worlds.

Radiation↗

NASA NTRS1985

High speed reaction wheels for satellite attitude control and energy storage

The combination of spacecraft attitude control and energy storage (ACES) functions in common hardware, to synergistically maintain three-axis attitude control while supplying electrical power during earth orbital eclipses, allows the generation of control torques by high rotating speed wheels that react against the spacecraft structure via a high efficiency bidirectional energy conversion motor/generator. An ACES system encompasses a minimum of four wheels, controlling power and the three torque vectors. Attention is given to the realization of such a system with composite flywheel rotors that yield high energy density, magnetic suspension technology yielding low losses at high rotational speeds, and an ironless armature permanent magnet motor/generator yielding high energy conversion efficiency.

Studer, P.↗

NASA NTRS2013

A Comparison Of A Solar Power Satellite Concept To A Concentrating Solar Power System

A comparison is made of a Solar Power Satellite concept in geostationary Earth orbit to a Concentrating Solar Power system on the ground to analyze overall efficiencies of each infrastructure from solar radiance at 1 AU to conversion and transmission of electrical energy into the power grid on the Earth's surface. Each system is sized for a 1-gigawatt output to the power grid and then further analyzed to determine primary collector infrastructure areas. Findings indicate that even though the Solar Power Satellite concept has a higher end-to-end efficiency, that the combined space and ground collector infrastructure is still about the same size as a comparable Concentrating Solar Power system on the ground.

Smitherman, David V.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Performance characteristics of the 12 GHz, 200 watt transmitter experiment package for CTS

The experiment package consists of a 200 W output stage tube (OST) powered by a power processing system (PPS). Descriptions of both the PPS and OST are given. The PPS provides the necessary voltages with a measured dc/dc conversion efficiency of 89 percent. The OST, a traveling wave tube with multiple collectors, has a saturated rf output power of 224 W and operates at an overall efficiency exceeding 40 percent over an 85 MHz bandwidth at 12 GHz. OST performance given includes frequency response, saturation characteristics, group delay, AM to PM conversion, inter-modulation distortion, and two channel gain suppression. Single and dual channel FM video performance is presented. It was determined that for 12 MHz peak to peak frequency deviation on each channel, dual channel FM television signals can be transmitted through the TEP at 60 W, each channel, with 40 MHz channel spacing (center to center).

Miller, E. F.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Solar power satellite rectenna design study: Directional receiving elements and parallel-series combining analysis

Rectenna conversion efficiencies (RF to dc) approximating 85 percent were demonstrated on a small scale, clearly indicating the feasibility and potential of efficiency of microwave power to dc. The overall cost estimates of the solar power satellite indicate that the baseline rectenna subsystem will be between 25 to 40 percent of the system cost. The directional receiving elements and element extensions were studied, along with power combining evaluation and evaluation extensions.

Gutmann, R. J.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Design and Optimization of a 3-Stage Axial Supercritical CO2 Compressor

This paper presents the detailed design and optimization of a three-stage axial supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) compressor to support the advancement of sCO 2 power cycles, recognized for their efficiency and compactness in energy conversion. The three-stage design is a scaled model of the original nine-stage 100 MW design. The aerodynamic design and structural analysis were performed at the University of Cincinnati, and the results are presented. The first stage of the design has been meticulously manufactured and experimentally tested at University of Notre Dame Turbomachinery Laboratory. The design process starts with the preliminary design process, considering the required operating boundary conditions and geometrical constraints for full stage design. The design is then scaled down to 3-stage based on the power limitation. The definition for design parameters has been inspired from the EEE HPC design and tweaked to fit the sCO 2 operation. Axisymmetric analysis is performed next and the parametric geometry modeler -Tblade3 has been used to create 3D blade geometry from the results which can then be exported for the 3D CFD analysis and optimization. An efficiency of 89.85% is predicted for the final design at the design point.

Compressor↗

NASA NTRS2013

A Comparison of a Solar Power Satellite Concept to a Concentrating Solar Power System

A comparison is made of a solar power satellite (SPS) concept in geostationary Earth orbit to a concentrating solar power (CSP) system on the ground to analyze overall efficiencies of each infrastructure from solar radiance at 1 AU to conversion and transmission of electrical energy into the power grid on the Earth's surface. Each system is sized for a 1-gigawatt output to the power grid and then further analyzed to determine primary collector infrastructure areas. Findings indicate that even though the SPS concept has a higher end-to-end efficiency, the combined space and ground collector infrastructure is still about the same size as a comparable CSP system on the ground.

Smitherman, David V.↗

NASA NTRS2018

Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems: Convertor Development at NASA GRC

NASA's dynamic power convertor development in support of high-efficiency RPS is progressing as planned, and shows promise. This presentation gives dynamic conversion power system background, development path, and key convertor performance goals. It also gives information on the Flexure Isotope Stirling Convertor, Turbo-Brayton Convertor, Thermo-Acoustic Power Convertor, Sunpower Robust Stirling Convertor, Stirling Convertor Extended Operation, TDC #14 Disassembly and Inspection, and Launch Vibration Exposure on SES #2.

Oriti, Sal↗

NASA NTRS1983

High-temperature optically activated GaAs power switching for aircraft digital electronic control

Gallium arsenide high-temperature devices were fabricated and assembled into an optically activated pulse-width-modulated power control for a torque motor typical of the kinds used in jet engine actuators. A bipolar heterojunction phototransistor with gallium aluminum arsenide emitter/window, a gallium arsenide junction field-effect power transistor and a gallium arsenide transient protection diode were designed and fabricated. A high-temperature fiber optic/phototransistor coupling scheme was implemented. The devices assembled into the demonstrator were successfully tested at 250 C, proving the feasibility of actuator-located switching of control power using optical signals transmitted by fibers. Assessments of the efficiency and technical merits were made for extension of this high-temperature technology to local conversion of optical power to electrical power and its control at levels useful for driving actuators. Optical power sources included in the comparisons were an infrared light-emitting diode, an injection laser diode, tungsten-halogen lamps and arc lamps. Optical-to-electrical power conversion was limited to photovoltaics located at the actuator. Impedance matching of the photovoltaic array to the load was considered over the full temperature range, -55 C to 260 C. Loss of photovoltaic efficiency at higher temperatures was taken into account. Serious losses in efficiency are: (1) in the optical source and the cooling which they may require in the assumed 125 C ambient, (2) in the decreased conversion efficiency of the gallium arsenide photovoltaic at 260 C, and (3) in impedance matching. Practical systems require improvements in these areas.

Berak, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Performance characteristics of the 12 GHz, 200 watt Transmitter Experiment Package for CTS

Measured performance characteristics from ground test of the Transmitter Experiment Package (TEP) for the Communications Technology Satellite are presented. The experiment package consists of a 200 W Output Stage Tube (OST) powered by a Power Processing System (PPS). Descriptions of both the PPS and OST are given. The PPS provides the necessary voltages with a measured dc/dc conversion efficiency of 89 per cent. The OST, a traveling wave tube with multiple collectors, has a saturated rf output power of 224 W and operates at an overall efficiency exceeding 40 per cent over an 85 MHz bandwidth at 12 GHz. OST performance given includes frequency response, saturation characteristics, group delay, AM to PM conversion, intermodulation distortion, and two channel gain suppression. Single and dual channel FM video performance is presented. It was determined that for 12 MHz peak to peak frequency deviation on each channel, dual channel FM television signals can be transmitted through the TEP at 60 W, each channel, with 40 MHz channel spacing (center to center).

Miller, E. F.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Goals of thermionic program for space power

The thermionic and Brayton reactor concepts were compared for application to space power. For a turbine inlet temperature of 15000 K the Brayton powerplant weighted 5 to 40% less than the thermionic concept. The out of core concept separates the thermionic converters from their reactor. Technical risks are diminished by: (1) moving the insolator out of the reactor; (2) allowing a higher thermal flux for the thermionic converters than is required of the reactor fuel; and (3) eliminating fuel swelling's threat against lifetime of the thermionic converters. Overall performance can be improved by including power processing in system optimization for design and technology on more efficient, higher temperature power processors. The thermionic reactors will be larger than those for competitive systems with higher conversion efficiency and lower reactor operating temperatures. It is concluded that although the effect of reactor size on shield weight will be modest for unmanned spacecraft, the penalty in shield weight will be large for manned or man-tended spacecraft.

English, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Efficiency and weight of voltage multiplier type ultra lightweight d.c.-d.c. converters

This paper presents an analytical and experimental study of a capacitor-diode voltage multiplier without a transformer which offers the possibility of high efficiency with light weight. Dc-dc conversion efficiencies of about 94% were achieved at output powers of 150 watts at 1000 volts using 8x multiplication. A detailed identification of losses was made, including forward drop losses in component, switching losses, reverse junction capacitance charging losses, and charging losses in the main ladder capacitors.

Harrigill, W. T., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Solar sustained plasma/absorber conceptual design

A space power system concept was evaluated which uses concentrated solar energy to heat a working fluid to temperatures as high as 4000 K. The high temperature working fluid could be used for efficient electric power production in advanced thermal or magnetohydrodynamic conversion cycles. Energy absorber configurations utilizing particles or cesium vapor absorber material were investigaed. Results of detailed radiant heat transfer calculations indicated approximately 86 percent of the incident solar energy could be absorbed within a 12-cm-dia flowing stream of gas borne carbon particles. Calculated total energy absorption in the cesium vapor seeded absorber configuration ranged from 34 percent to 64 percent of the incident solar energy. Solar flux concentration ratios of between approximately 3000 and 10,000 will be required to sustain absorber temperatures in the range from 3000 K to 4000 K.

Rodgers, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Multibandgap photovoltaic receiver using back surface reflectors

Requirements for prime power generation from solar arrays are expected to increase for the next generation of spacecraft power systems. An enhancement of the efficiency of the conversion of incident sunlight to electricity would have a number of advantages, provided the cost involved in achieving this enhancement would not be too great. Solar input response can be improved by splitting the solar spectrum into component wavelength bands and directing these bands to solar cells of different bandgaps. Two approaches have been proposed for achieving spectrum splitting photovoltaics. One approach involves multiple-cell systems using dichroic mirrors, while the other employs monolithic multibandgap solar cells. The present investigation is concerned with a procedure which has the advantages of both approaches, while avoiding many of the drawbacks of each.

Stern, T. G.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Visible BaB2O4 optical parametric oscillator pumped at 355 nm by a single-axial-mode pulsed source

A visible BaB2O4 optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a single-axial-mode 355-nm source has been demonstrated. An average output power of 140 mW with a signal wave conversion efficiency of 13 percent and an idler conversion efficiency of 11 percent for a total conversion efficiency of 24 percent has been achieved. The oscillator has continuously tuned from 412 nm to 2.55 microns limited by the infrared transmission range of the crystal. Through injection seeding, single-axial-mode OPO operation with a corresponding OPO linewidth of less than 3 GHz was obtained.

Fan, Y. X.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Alkali metal pool boiler life tests for a 25 kWe advanced Stirling conversion system

The overall operating temperature and efficiency of solar-powered Stirling engines can be improved by adding an alkali metal pool boiler heat transport system to supply heat more uniformly to the heater head tubes. One issue with liquid metal pool boilers is unstable boiling. Stable boiling is obtained with an enhanced boiling surface containing nucleation sites that promote continuous boiling. Over longer time periods, it is possible that the boiling behavior of the system will change. An 800-h life test was conducted to verify that pool boiling with the chosen fluid/surface combination remains stable as the system ages. The apparatus uses NaK boiling on a - 100 + 140 stainless steel sintered porous layer, with the addition of a small amount of xenon. Pool boiling remained stable to the end of life test. The pool boiler life test included a total of 82 cold starts, to simulate startup each morning, and 60 warm restarts, to simulate cloud cover transients. The behavior of the cold and warm starts showed no significant changes during the life test. In the experiments, the fluid/surface combination provided stable, high-performance boiling at the operating temperature of 700 C. Based on these experiments, a pool boiler was designed for a full-scale 25-kWe Stirling system.

Anderson, W. G.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Laser welding in space

Autogenous welds in 304 stainless steel were performed by Nd-YAG laser heating in a simulated space environment. Simulation consists of welding on the NASA KC-135 aircraft to produce the microgravity and by containing the specimen in a vacuum chamber. Experimental results show that the microgravity welds are stronger, harder in the fusion zone, have deeper penetration and have a rougher surface rippling of the weld pool than one-g welds. To perform laser welding in space, a solar-pumped laser concept that significantly increases the laser conversion efficiency and makes welding viable despite the limited power availability of spacecraft is proposed.

Kaukler, W. F.↗