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Thermoelectric power conversion in spaceA radiatively-heated multicouple for use in the next generation of radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) will employ 20 individual couples within a single cell, so that 40 n- and p-semiconductor legs will be interconnected in series. At the hot end of the RTG, the legs will be electrically interconnected using silicon molybdenum; on the cold side, the legs are interconnected by tungsten. The entire cell is then mechanically attached to a radiator, which conducts heat away and radiates it into space. Deep-space applications will use RTGs developed for vacuum operation; thermoelectric converter power systems using a unicouple configuration have flown on such missions as Pioneers 10 and 11, which used lead telluride thermoelectric converters, and Voyagers I and II, which used silicon germanium-based thermoelectrics.
Document ID
19900061970
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Awaya, Henry I.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Ewell, Richard
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Nesmith, Bill
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Vandersande, James
(JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Mechanical Engineering
Volume: 112
ISSN: 0025-6501
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Accession Number
90A49025
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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