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At least 163 records · Page 9

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NASA NTRS1983

A magnetically suspended linearly driven cryogenic refrigerator

This paper described a novel Stirling cycle cryogenic refrigerator which was designed, fabricated and successfully tested at Philips Laboratories. The prominent features of the machine are an electro-magnetic bearing system, a pair of moving magnet linear motors, and clearance seals with a 25 mu m radial gap. The all-metal and ceramic construction eliminates long-term organic contamination of the helium working fluid. The axial positions of the piston and displacer are electronically controlled, permitting independent adjustment of the amplitude of each and their relative phase relationship during operation. A simple passive counterbalance reduces axial vibrations. The design of the refrigerator system components is discussed and a comparison is made between performance estimates and measured results.

Stolfi, F.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Space power technology into the 21st Century

The space power systems of the early 21st century are discussed. The capabilities which are anticipated to evolve from today's state of the art and the technology development programs presently in place or planned for the remainder of the century are emphasized. The power system technologies considered include: solar thermal, nuclear, radioisotope, photovoltaic, thermionic, thermoelectric, and dynamic conversion systems such as the Brayton and Stirling cycles. Energy storage technologies considered include: nickel hydrogen biopolar batteries, advanced high energy rechargeable batteries, regenerative fuel cells, and advanced primary batteries. The present state of the art of these space power and energy technologies is discussed along with their projections, trends and goals. A speculative future mission model is postulated which includes manned orbiting space stations, manned lunar bases, unmanned Earth orbital and interplanetary spacecraft, manned interplanetary missions, military applications, and Earth to space and space to space transportation systems. The various space power/energy system technologies which are anticipated to be operational by the early 21st century are matched to these missions.

Faymon, K. A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Space power technology into the 21st century

This paper discusses the space power systems of the early 21st century. The focus is on those capabilities which are anticipated to evolve from today's state-of-the-art and the technology development programs presently in place or planned for the remainder of the century. The power system technologies considered include solar thermal, nuclear, radioisotope, photovoltaic, thermionic, thermoelectric, and dynamic conversion systems such as the Brayton and Stirling cycles. Energy storage technologies considered include nickel hydrogen biopolar batteries, advanced high energy rechargeable batteries, regenerative fuel cells, and advanced primary batteries. The present state-of-the-art of these space power and energy technologies is discussed along with their projections, trends and goals. A speculative future mission model is postulated which includes manned orbiting space stations, manned lunar bases, unmanned earth orbital and interplanetary spacecraft, manned interplanetary missions, military applications, and earth to space and space to space transportation systems. The various space power/energy system technologies anticipated to be operational by the early 21st century are matched to these missions.

Faymon, K. A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Magnetically suspended Stirling cryogenic space refrigerator Test results

In 1979, a project leading to the development of a Stirling type cryogenic refrigerator for spaceborne application was initiated. The refrigerator is to generate five watts of net cooling at a temperature of 65 K. An operation without maintenance for a period of five years is required. A novel approach was selected for meeting the life requirement, taking into account an electromagnetic suspension of the moving parts. The fabrication of the hardware has now been completed and the performance of the refrigerator has been measured. The present paper provides a short review of the Stirling cycle, a description of the refrigerator design, and a summary of the test results. The new refrigerator configuration contains four major features, including a purely rectilinear drive, magnetic bearings, clearance seals, and all metal/ceramic working space surfaces. The displacer and the piston are supported and guided by magnetic bearings. The magnetic bearing consists of a set of electromagnetic actuators and radial position transducers.

Daniels, A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Applications of fiber optics technology to the Space Station

Attention is given to the EM interference, data bandwidth requirement, zero gravity operation, data security, crew safety, and modular expansion considerations affecting the future design of fiber-optical systems for large manned orbiting stations. Emphasis is given to replacing current, solar cell array electric systems technology for onboard furnace operation, leading to the formulation of a concentrated solar energy (thermal IR) transport system that yields higher efficiency than photovoltaics, despite its lower weight, in conjunction with Brayton, Rankine or Stirling cycle engines. The optical characteristics of the optical fibers employed by this system are discussed.

Erwin, H. O.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Design of a flight qualified long-life cryocooler

A second generation Stirling cycle cryogenic refrigerator with a linear drive, magnetic bearings, and clearance seals; designed to produce 5 watts of cooling at 65 Kelvin and to meet Space Shuttle mission requirements is described. The first generation refrigerator met all performance specifications, and operated with no failure for over 12,030 hours. Meeting launch requirements necessitated improvements in the electromagnetic bearings, the radial position sensors, and in the structural design of the moving elements. Organic contamination was eliminated by the use of all metal and ceramic construction. Reductions in system input power are attained by an integral magnetic spring/motor for the displacer and by more efficient linear motors and drive electronics.

Knox, L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Low frequency split cycle cryocooler

A split cycle Stirling cryocooler with two different drive motors and operating at a low drive frequency can have high thermodynamic efficiency. The temperature of the cold end of the cryocooler varies with drive frequency, voltage of the input electrical power and initial charge pressure values. The cryocooler operating at 8 Hz can provide 7 watts of refrigeration at 77 K for 230 watts of electrical input power.

Bian, S. X.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A nonproprietary, nonsecret program for calculating Stirling cryocoolers

A design program for an integrated Stirling cycle cryocooler was written on an IBM-PC computer. The program is easy to use and shows the trends and itemizes the losses. The calculated results were compared with some measured performance values. The program predicts somewhat optimistic performance and needs to be calibrated more with experimental measurements. Adding a multiplier to the friction factor can bring the calculated rsults in line with the limited test results so far available. The program is offered as a good framework on which to build a truly useful design program for all types of cryocoolers.

Martini, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Advanced latent heat of fusion thermal energy storage for solar power systems

The use of solar thermal power systems coupled with thermal energy storage (TES) is being studied for both terrestrial and space applications. In the case of terrestrial applications, it was found that one or two hours of TES could shift the insolation peak (solar noon) to coincide with user peak loads. The use of a phase change material (PCM) is attractive because of the higher energy storage density which can be achieved. However, the use of PCM has also certain disadvantages which must be addressed. Proof of concept testing was undertaken to evaluate corrosive effects and thermal ratcheting effects in a slurry system. It is concluded that the considered alkali metal/alkali salt slurry approach to TES appears to be very viable, taking into account an elimination of thermal ratcheting in storage systems and the reduction of corrosive effects. The approach appears to be useful for an employment involving temperatures applicable to Brayton or Stirling cycles.

Phillips, W. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Liquid fueled external heating system for STM4-120 Stirling engine

The STM4-120 Stirling engine, currently under development at Stirling Thermal Motors, Inc., is a 40 kW variable stroke engine with indirect heating using a sodium heat pipe. The engine is functionally separated into an application independent Energy Conversion Unit (ECU) consisting of the Stirling cycle and drive heated by condensing sodium and the application dependent External Heating System (EHS), designed to supply the ECU with sodium vapor heated by the particular energy source, connected by tubes with mechanical couplings. This paper describes an External Heating System for the STM4-120 ECU designed for the combustion of liquid fuel, comprised of a recuperative preheater, a combustion chamber, and a heat exchanger/evaporator where heat is transferred from the flue gas to the sodium causing it to evaporate. The design concept and projected performance are described and discussed.

Meijer, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

High-pressure creep tests

The automotive Stirling engine, presently being developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and NASA, uses high-pressure hydrogen as a working fluid; its long-term effects on the properties of alloys are relatively unknown. Hence, creep-rupture testing of wrought and cast high-temperature alloys in high-pressure hydrogen is an essential part of the research supporting the development of the Stirling cycle engine. Attention is given to the design, development, and operation of a 20 MPa hydrogen high-temperature multispecimen creep-rupture possessing high sensitivity. This pressure vessel allows for the simultaneous yet independent testing of six specimens. The results from one alloy, XF-818, are presented to illustrate how reported results are derived from the raw test data.

Bhattacharyya, S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

High-Differential-Pressure Heat Exchanger

Heat exchanger accommodates large pressure difference between heat-transfer fluids. Designed so all welded joints inspected with x rays to ensure leak-free operation over many years. Joints between fluids and between each fluid and environment radiographically inspectable. Used in Stirling-cycle engines, including those in proposed nuclear and solar powerplants.

Hylin, Edward C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Stirling engine external heat system design with heat pipe heater

This final report presents the conceptual design of a liquid fueled external heating system (EHS) and the preliminary design of a heat pipe heater for the STM-4120 Stirling cycle engine, to meet the Air Force mobile electric power (MEP) requirement for units in the range of 20 to 60 kW. The EHS design had the following constraints: (1) Packaging requirements limited the overall system dimensions to about 330 mm x 250 mm x 100 mm; (2) Heat flux to the sodium heat pipe evaporator was limited to an average of 100 kW/m and a maximum of 550 kW/m based on previous experience; and (3) The heat pipe operating temperature was specified to be 800 C based on heat input requirements of the STM4-120. An analysis code was developed to optimize the EHS performance parameters and an analytical development of the sodium heat pipe heater was performed; both are presented and discussed. In addition, construction techniques were evaluated and scale model heat pipe testing performed.

Godett, Ted M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Design and testing of a coaxial linear magnetic spring with integral linear motor

The design of a coaxial linear magnetic spring which incorporates a linear motor to control axial motion and overcome system damping is presented, and the results of static and dynamic tests are reported. The system has nominal stiffness 25,000 N/m and is designed to oscillate a 900-g component over a 4.6-mm stroke in a Stirling-cycle cryogenic refrigerator being developed for long-service (5-10-yr) space applications (Stolfi et al., 1983). Mosaics of 10 radially magnetized high-coercivity SmCO5 segments enclosed in Ti cans are employed, and the device is found to have quality factor 70-100, corresponding to energy-storage efficiency 91-94 percent. Drawings, diagrams, and graphs are provided.

Patt, P. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Evaluation of Stirling engine appendix gap losses

The efficiency of a Stirling engine can be strongly influenced by the heat transfer losses associated with its appendix gap region. The cyclic energy flows in this region are related to the temperature gradient along the piston and cylinder partition walls, the reciprocating motion of the piston, the pressure variation in the Stirling cycle and the leakage flow across the cold-end seal. This paper outlines a numerical model to simulate these cyclic energy flows and the subsequent effort to correlate it with engine test data. The sensitivity of the appendix gap loss to selected parameters and comparisons with test results are presented.

Huang, S. C.↗

NASA NTRS1987

RE-1000 free-piston Stirling engine hydraulic output system description

The NASA Lewis Research Center was involved in free-piston Stirling engine research since 1976. Most of the work performed in-house was related to characterization of the RE-1000 engine. The data collected from the RE-1000 tests were intended to provide a data base for the validation of Stirling cycle simulations. The RE-1000 was originally build with a dashpot load system which did not convert the output of the engine into useful power, but was merely used as a load for the engine to work against during testing. As part of the interagency program between NASA Lewis and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, (ORNL), the RE-1000 was converted into a configuration that produces useable hydraulic power. A goal of the hydraulic output conversion effort was to retain the same thermodynamic cycle that existed with the dashpot loaded engine. It was required that the design must provide a hermetic seal between the hydraulic fluid and the working gas of the engine. The design was completed and the hardware was fabricated. The RE-1000 was modified in 1985 to the hydraulic output configuration. The early part of the RE-1000 hydraulic output program consisted of modifying hardware and software to allow the engine to run at steady-state conditions. A complete description of the engine is presented in sufficient detail so that the device can be simulated on a computer. Tables are presented showing the masses of the oscillating components and key dimensions needed for modeling purposes. Graphs are used to indicate the spring rate of the diaphragms used to separate the helium of the working and bounce space from the hydraulic fluid.

Schreiber, Jeffrey G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Design concepts for the ASTROMAG cryogenic system

Described is a proposed cryogenic system used to cool the superconducting magnet for the Space Station based ASTROMAG Particle Astrophysics Facility. This 2-meter diameter superconducting magnet will be cooled using stored helium II. The paper presents a liquid helium storage concept which would permit cryogenic lifetimes of up to 3 years between refills. It is proposed that the superconducting coil be cooled using superfluid helium pumped by the thermomechanical effect. It is also proposed that the storage tank be resupplied with helium in orbit. A method for charging and discharging the magnet with minimum helium loss using split gas-cooled leads is discussed. A proposal to use a Stirling cycle cryocooler to extend the storage life of the cryostat will also be presented.

Green, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Design concepts for the ASTROMAG cryogenic system

Green, M. A.↗