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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Thermodynamic and turbomachinery concepts for low power radioisotope and intermediate power reactor Brayton cycle systems - examination of intercooling and reheating effects
NASA radial flow turbine research related to Brayton cycle power generator, investigating size, Reynolds number and speed effects on efficiency and flow
Isotope reentry vehicle/Brayton cycle space power system design, noting blunt conical aeroshell housing of heat source capsule
In accordance with the present invention, an integrated micro steam turbine power plant on-a-chip has been provided. The integrated micro steam turbine power plant on-a-chip of the present invention comprises a miniature electric power generation system fabricated using silicon microfabrication technology and lithographic patterning. The present invention converts heat to electricity by implementing a thermodynamic power cycle on a chip. The steam turbine power plant on-a-chip generally comprises a turbine, a pump, an electric generator, an evaporator, and a condenser. The turbine is formed by a rotatable, disk-shaped rotor having a plurality of rotor blades disposed thereon and a plurality of stator blades. The plurality of stator blades are interdigitated with the plurality of rotor blades to form the turbine. The generator is driven by the turbine and converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Comparison of liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic power conversion cycles
NASA test program to evaluate performance and design point characteristics of 3-kw closed recuperated Brayton cycle power conversion system
Cold performance characteristics of small radial inflow turbine designed for Brayton cycle power system
Aerodynamic characteristics of a stator modified gas turbine for single shaft Brayton cycle power system
Half-sine shock and sinusoidal vibration tests of gas bearing supported rotor assembly and effects on mechanical performance of Brayton cycle space-power turbomachinery
Brayton cycle power system gas loop operating with krypton over turbine inlet temperature of 1200 F to 1600 F
The power system described is intended for applications in a manned space mission. The Isotope Reentry Vehicle (IRV) developed is considered together with the Heat Source (HS), the Heat Source Heat Exchanger and the Brayton Cycle Power Conversion Module. Other subjects discussed include the IRV/Brayton cycle spacecraft integration concept, abort and deorbit mechanization, emergency cooling methods, and crew shielding requirements. Mounting and integration for the IRV is to a large degree controlled by nuclear safety requirements. Another major factor in the installation concept is the type of emergency cooling or passive heat dump mode used in rejection of HS energy.
The MHD channel in the NASA Lewis Research Center was redesigned and used in closed cycle power generation experiments with a helium-cesium working fluid. The cross sectional dimensions of the channel were reduced to 5 by 16.5 cm to allow operation over a variety of conditions. Experiments have been run at temperatures of 1900-2100 K and Mach numbers from 0.3 to 0.55 in argon and 0.2 in helium. Improvements in Hall voltage isolation and seed vaporization techniques have resulted in significant improvements in performance. Typical values obtained with helium are Faraday open circuit voltage 141 V (92% of uBh) at a magnetic field strength of 1.7 T, power outputs of 2.2 kw for tests with 28 electrodes and 2.1 kw for tests with 17 electrodes. Power densities of 0.6 MW/cu m and Hall fields of about 1100 V/m were obtained in the tests with 17 electrodes, representing a factor of 18 improvement over previously reported results. The V-I curves and current distribution data indicate that while near ideal equilibrium performance is obtained under some conditions, no nonequilibrium power has been generated to date.
Radial flow turbines as related to Brayton cycle space power systems
Vapor chamber fin-tube radiator geometries for high power Rankine cycle system on spacecraft
Cesium and potassium as working fluids in Rankine cycle space power plants
An experimental investigation of the heating characteristics of an internal resistance heating element was conducted in the driver of the Langley 6-inch expansion tube to obtain actual operating conditions, to compare these results to theory, and to determine whether any modification need be made to the heater element. The heater was operated in pressurized helium from 138. MN/sq m to 62.1 MN/sq m. This investigation revealed large temperature variations within the heater element caused primarily by area reductions at insulator locations. These large temperature variations were reduced by welding small tabs over all grooves. Previous predictions of heater element and driver gas temperature were unacceptable so new equations were derived. These equations predict element and gas temperature within 10 percent of the test data when either the constant power cycle or the interrupted power cycle is used. Visual observation of the heater element, when exposed to the atmosphere with power on, resulted in a decision to limit the heater element to 815 K. Experimental shock Mach numbers are in good agreement with theory.
Reactor powered Brayton cycle power conversion system, evaluating performance at different turbine inlet temperatures and power levels by computer simulation
Program computes specific power output, specific fuel consumption, and cycle efficiency for power systems having any number os shafts up to maximum of five. Maximum temperatures should be no higher than about 2000 K (3140 F) because molecular dissociation is not included in stoichiometry.