Stirling radioisotope generator and thermal management system
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsJaime M. Reyes, Meghan Britton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A Stirling radioisotope generator is provided. The generator includes a first and second heat source assembly, each heat source assembly comprising two General Purpose Heat Source modules, each General Purpose Heat Source module configured to generate thermal energy. The generator also includes a first and second Stirling convertor in thermal communication with the first and second heat source assembly, respectively, each Stirling convertor configured to convert the thermal energy into electrical power. The generator has a housing enclosing the first and second heat source assembly and the first and second Stirling convertor, the housing configured to dissipate excess thermal energy.
Claims29
A Stirling radioisotope generator comprising:
- a first and second heat source assembly, each heat source assembly comprising two General Purpose Heat Source modules, each General Purpose Heat Source module configured to generate thermal energy;
- a first and second Stirling convertor in thermal communication with the first and second heat source assembly, respectively, each Stirling convertor configured to convert the thermal energy into electrical power;
- a housing enclosing the first and second heat source assembly and the first and second Stirling convertor, the housing configured to dissipate excess thermal energy;
- and
- a plurality of thermal straps configured to transfer excess thermal energy from the first Stirling convertor to the housing, wherein, for at least one thermal strap of the plurality of thermal straps, a first end of the at least one thermal strap is coupled to an inside surface of the housing and a second end of the at least one thermal strap is coupled to an outer surface of the first Stirling convertor.
A Stirling radioisotope generator comprising:
- a first and second heat source assembly, each heat source assembly comprising three General Purpose Heat Source modules, each General Purpose Heat Source module configured to generate thermal energy;
- a first and second Stirling convertor in thermal communication with the first and second heat source assembly, respectively, each Stirling convertor configured to convert the thermal energy into electrical power;
- a housing enclosing the first and second heat source assembly and the first and second Stirling convertor;
- the housing configured to dissipate excess thermal energy;
- and
- a plurality of thermal straps configured to transfer excess thermal energy from the first Stirling convertor to the housing, wherein, for at least one thermal strap of the plurality of thermal straps, a first end of the at least one thermal strap is coupled to an inside surface of the housing and a second end of the at least one thermal strap is coupled to an outer surface of the first Stirling convertor.
A Stirling radioisotope generator comprising:
- a first and second heat source assembly, each heat source assembly comprising four General Purpose Heat Source modules, each General Purpose Heat Source module configured to generate thermal energy;
- a first and second Stirling convertor in thermal communication with the first and second heat source assembly, respectively, each Stirling convertor configured to convert the thermal energy into electrical power;
- a housing enclosing the first and second heat source assembly and the first and second Stirling convertor;
- the housing configured to dissipate excess thermal energy;
- and
- a plurality of thermal straps configured to transfer excess thermal energy from the first Stirling convertor to the housing, wherein, for at least one thermal strap of the plurality of thermal straps, a first end of the at least one thermal strap is coupled to an inside surface of the housing and a second end of the at least one thermal strap is coupled to an outer surface of the first Stirling convertor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.