NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Thermal Model Predictions of Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator PerformanceThis paper presents recent thermal model results of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). The three-dimensional (3D) ASRG thermal power model was built using the Thermal Desktop(trademark) thermal analyzer. The model was correlated with ASRG engineering unit test data and ASRG flight unit predictions from Lockheed Martin's (LM's) I-deas(trademark) TMG thermal model. The auxiliary cooling system (ACS) of the ASRG is also included in the ASRG thermal model. The ACS is designed to remove waste heat from the ASRG so that it can be used to heat spacecraft components. The performance of the ACS is reported under nominal conditions and during a Venus flyby scenario. The results for the nominal case are validated with data from Lockheed Martin. Transient thermal analysis results of ASRG for a Venus flyby with a representative trajectory are also presented. In addition, model results of an ASRG mounted on a Cassini-like spacecraft with a sunshade are presented to show a way to mitigate the high temperatures of a Venus flyby. It was predicted that the sunshade can lower the temperature of the ASRG alternator by 20 C for the representative Venus flyby trajectory. The 3D model also was modified to predict generator performance after a single Advanced Stirling Convertor failure. The geometry of the Microtherm HT insulation block on the outboard side was modified to match deformation and shrinkage observed during testing of a prototypic ASRG test fixture by LM. Test conditions and test data were used to correlate the model by adjusting the thermal conductivity of the deformed insulation to match the post-heat-dump steady state temperatures. Results for these conditions showed that the performance of the still-functioning inboard ACS was unaffected.
Document ID
20140017451
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Wang, Xiao-Yen J.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Fabanich, William Anthony
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Schmitz, Paul C.
(Power Computing Solutions, Inc. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
December 17, 2014
Publication Date
July 28, 2014
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Energy Production And Conversion
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN16202
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC) 2014
Location: Cleveland, OH
Country: United States
Start Date: July 28, 2014
End Date: July 30, 2014
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNC12BA01B
WBS: WBS 138494.01.99.02
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
radioisotope power system
thermal modeling
space power system
No Preview Available