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Fabrication and Testing of a Thin-Film Heat Flux Sensor for a Stirling ConvertorThe NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been testing high efficiency free-piston Stirling convertors for potential use in radioisotope power systems since 1999. Stirling convertors are being operated for many years to demonstrate a radioisotope power system capable of providing reliable power for potential multi-year missions. Techniques used to monitor the convertors for change in performance include measurements of temperature, pressure, energy addition, and energy rejection. Micro-porous bulk insulation is used in the Stirling convertor test set up to minimize the loss of thermal energy from the electric heat source to the environment. The insulation is characterized before extended operation, enabling correlation of the net thermal energy addition to the convertor. Aging microporous bulk insulation changes insulation efficiency, introducing errors in the correlation for net thermal energy addition. A thin-mm heat flux sensor was designed and fabricated to directly measure the net thermal energy addition to the Stirling convertor. The fabrication techniques include slip casting and using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). One micron thick noble metal thermocouples measure temperature on the surface of an Alumina ceramic disc and heat flux is calculated. Fabrication, integration, and test results of a thin film heat flux sensor are presented.
Document ID
20120016444
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Wilson, Scott D.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Fralick, Gustave
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Wrbanek, John
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Sayir, Ali
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 26, 2013
Publication Date
August 2, 2009
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Report/Patent Number
AIAA Paper-173859
Meeting Information
Meeting: 7th International Energy Conversion and Engineering Conference (IECEC 2009)
Location: Denver, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: August 2, 2009
End Date: August 5, 2009
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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