Experimental characterization of a high efficiency AMTEC cell Conference Paper

abstract

• The Phillips Laboratory Power and Thermal Management Division (PL/VTP), in conjunction with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and supported by ORION International Technologies, is investigating the use of high efficiency Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Conversion (AMTEC) systems for space flight applications. Advanced Modular Power Systems (AMPS) has fabricated six cells for the program so far. The first four cells went to JPL for testing. Phillips Laboratory (PL) has received two cells. The first Phillips Laboratory cell, known as Pluto 5, is being performance tested in vacuum. We expect to demonstrate 10% efficiency with this cell. Key issues we are investigating include thermal coupling of the heater to the cell, performance of the high temperature feedthrough, and thermal coupling of the cell to the heat sink.

authors

• Schuller, Michael

published proceedings

• Proceedings of the Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference

author list (cited authors)

• Schuller, M., Reiners, E., & LeMire, R.

complete list of authors

• Schuller, M||Reiners, E||LeMire, R

publication date

• December 1994

published in

• Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference  Journal

start page

• 505

end page

• 509

volume

• 1