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US 5,428,653 AGranted
Apparatus and method for nuclear power and propulsion
AssigneeUniversity of New Mexico
InventorMohamed El-Genk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bimodal nuclear power and propulsion system for space is disclosed. Closed cycle heat engines are in operative association with each sector of a sectored reactor core. Heat exchangers employing waste heat, electric power and reactor heat are used to heat propellant to increase Isp. Non-nuclear ground testing of the system is also disclosed.
Claims35
A bimodal nuclear power and propulsion system comprising:
- means comprising a sectored reactor core;
- means comprising a plurality of closed cycle gas turbine engines in operative association with said sectored reactor core;
- and,
- means comprising a plurality of heat exchangers heated by said means comprising a plurality of closed cycle gas turbine engines and said means comprising a sectored reactor core wherein the operating parameters of the reactor core are maintained the same during both the power and propulsion modes.
1 more element
A method of bimodally operating a nuclear power and propulsion system comprising the steps of:
- a) sectoring a reactor core;
- b) operatively associating a plurality of closed cycle gas turbine engines with the sectored reactor core;
- c) heating a plurality of heat exchangers by the plurality of closed cycle gas turbine engines and the sectored reactor core;
- and
- d) maintaining the operating parameters of the reactor core the same during both power and propulsion modes.
2 more elements
A method of testing a bimodal space nuclear power and propulsion system comprising the steps of:
- a) providing electric heaters for the system;
- b) providing non-nuclear fuel pellets for the system;
- c) testing the system with the electric heaters and non-nuclear fuel pellets;
- and
- d) thereafter benchmarking reactor thermal hydraulics models and examining operation of energy conversion and propulsion systems.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.