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Test Hardware Design for Flightlike Operation of Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASC-E3)NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been supporting development of the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) since 2006. A key element of the ASRG project is providing life, reliability, and performance testing of the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC). For this purpose, the Thermal Energy Conversion branch at GRC has been conducting extended operation of a multitude of free-piston Stirling convertors. The goal of this effort is to generate long-term performance data (tens of thousands of hours) simultaneously on multiple units to build a life and reliability database. The test hardware for operation of these convertors was designed to permit in-air investigative testing, such as performance mapping over a range of environmental conditions. With this, there was no requirement to accurately emulate the flight hardware. For the upcoming ASC-E3 units, the decision has been made to assemble the convertors into a flight-like configuration. This means the convertors will be arranged in the dual-opposed configuration in a housing that represents the fit, form, and thermal function of the ASRG. The goal of this effort is to enable system level tests that could not be performed with the traditional test hardware at GRC. This offers the opportunity to perform these system-level tests much earlier in the ASRG flight development, as they would normally not be performed until fabrication of the qualification unit. This paper discusses the requirements, process, and results of this flight-like hardware design activity.
Document ID
20120016508
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Oriti, Salvatore M.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 26, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2012
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Report/Patent Number
AIAA Paper 2012-4254
NASA/TM-2012-217726
E-18224
Meeting Information
Meeting: 10th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference
Location: Atlanta, GA
Country: United States
Start Date: July 30, 2012
End Date: August 1, 2012
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 138494.01.99.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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