Future NASA deep‐space missions will require radioisotope‐powered electric generators that are just as reliable as current RTGs, but more efficient and of higher specific power (W/kg). Thermoacoustic engines at the ∼1‐kW scale have converted high‐temperature heat into acoustic, or PV, power without moving parts at 30% efficiency. Consisting of only tubes and a few heat exchangers, thermoacoustic engines are low mass and promise to be highly reliable. Coupling a thermoacoustic engine to a low mass, highly reliable and efficient linear alternator will create a heat‐driven electric generator suitable for deep‐space applications. Conversion efficiency data will be presented on a demonstration thermoacoustic engine designed for the 100‐Watt power range.
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28 January 2003
SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS INT.FORUM-STAIF 2003: Conf.on Thermophysics in Microgravity; Commercial/Civil Next Generation Space Transportation; Human Space Exploration; Symps.on Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion (20th); Space Colonization (1st)
2-5 February 2003
Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA)
Research Article|
January 28 2003
Initial Tests of a Thermoacoustic Space Power Engine
Scott Backhaus
Scott Backhaus
Condensed Matter and Thermal Physics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545
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AIP Conf. Proc. 654, 641–647 (2003)
Citation
Scott Backhaus; Initial Tests of a Thermoacoustic Space Power Engine. AIP Conf. Proc. 28 January 2003; 654 (1): 641–647. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1541350
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