GLTRS--Glenn
TITLE AND SUBTITLE:
A Design of a Modular GPHS-Stirling Power System for a Lunar Habitation Module

AUTHOR(S):
Paul C. Schmitz, L. Barry Penswick, and Richard K. Shaltens

REPORT DATE:
November 2005

FUNDING NUMBERS:
WBS-22-972-20-01

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Cleveland, Ohio 44135-3191

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER:
E-15315

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC 20546-0001

REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED:
Technical Memorandum

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER:
NASA TM-2005-213991
AIAA-2005-5716

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES:
Prepared for the Third International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference sponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, San Francisco, California, August 15-18, 2005. Paul C. Schmitz, Power Computing Solutions, Inc., 4672 Bellerive Way, Avon, Ohio 44011; L. Barry Penswick, Sest, Inc., 18000 Jefferson Park Road, Suite 104, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130; and Richard K. Shaltens, NASA Glenn Research Center. Responsible person, Paul C. Schmitz, organization code RPC, 216-433-6174.

ABSTRACT:
Lunar habitation modules need electricity and potentially heat to operate. Because of the low amounts of radiation emitted by General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules, power plants incorporating these as heat sources could be placed in close proximity to habitation modules. A design concept is discussed for a high efficiency power plant based on a GPHS assembly integrated with a Stirling convertor. This system could provide both electrical power and heat, if required, for a lunar habitation module. The conceptual GPHS/Stirling system is modular in nature and made up of a basic 5.5 KWe Stirling convertor/GPHS module assembly, convertor controller/PMAD electronics, waste heat radiators, and associated thermal insulation. For the specific lunar application under investigation eight modules are employed to deliver 40 KWe to the habitation module. This design looks at three levels of Stirling convertor technology and addresses the issues of integrating the Stirling convertors with the GPHS heat sources assembly using proven technology whenever possible. In addition, issues related to the high-temperature heat transport system, power management, convertor control, vibration isolation, and potential system packaging configurations to ensure safe operation during all phases of deployment will be discussed.

SUBJECT TERMS:
Isotope; Stirling; Power system; GPHS; General purpose heat source; Lunar base

NUMBER OF PAGES:
19

PDF AVAILABLE FROM URL:
2005/TM-2005-213991.pdf ( 2,585 KB )
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