NASA LogoNTRSNTRS - NASA Technical Reports ServerSearchmore_vertCollectionsAboutNewsHelpLogin Back to ResultsMaturing Technologies for Stirling Space Power GenerationStirling 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.Document ID20160014703Acquisition SourceGlenn Research CenterDocument TypeTechnical Memorandum (TM)AuthorsWilson, Scott D.*(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)*Nowlin, Brentley C.*(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)*Dobbs, Michael W.*(Vantage Partners, LLC Brook Park, OH, United States)*Schmitz, Paul C.*(Power Computing Solutions, Inc. Avon, OH, United States)*Huth, James*(Converter Source, LLC Athens, OH, United States)*Date AcquiredDecember 19, 2016Publication DateDecember 1, 2016Subject CategoryEnergy Production And ConversionReport/Patent NumberNASA/TM-2016-219415GRC-E-DAA-TN35186AIAA Paper 2016-5017E-19312Meeting InformationMeeting: International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC)Location: Salt Lake City, UTCountry: United StatesStart Date: July 25, 2016End Date: July 27, 2016Sponsors:American Inst. of Aeronautics and AstronauticsFunding Number(s)CONTRACT_GRANT: NNC12BA01BWBS: WBS 138494.04.18.01.01.011Distribution LimitsPublicCopyrightPublic Use Permitted.KeywordsAdvanced Stirling Radioisotope GeneratorHigh-Temperature Linear AlternatorAdvanced Stirling ConvertorGenerator Housing AssemblyDual Convertor ControllerAvailable DownloadsNameType20160014703.pdfSTIcloud_downloadcontent_copyvisibilityRelated RecordsIDRelationTitle20170000879See AlsoMaturing Technologies for Stirling Space Power Generationvisibility_offNo Preview Available
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