Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator thermal power model in Thermal Desktop SINDA/FLUINT analyzer

Abstract

This paper presents a three-dimensional Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) thermal power model that was built using the Thermal Desktop SINDA/FLUINT thermal analyzer. The model was correlated with ASRG engineering unit (EU) test data and ASRG flight unit predictions from Lockheed Martin's Ideas TMG thermal model. ASRG performance under (1) ASC hot-end temperatures, (2) ambient temperatures, and (3) years of mission for the general purpose heat source fuel decay was predicted using this model for the flight unit. The results were compared with those reported by Lockheed Martin and showed good agreement. In addition, the model was used to study the performance of the ASRG flight unit for operations on the ground and on the surface of Titan, and the concept of using gold film to reduce thermal loss through insulation was investigated.

Thermal Model Predictions of Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator Performance

“…This work presents some of the new features and capabilities that were added to the thermal model described in Ref. 3. The main areas of focus are the performance of the auxiliary cooling system (ACS) [4], which is designed to remove the ASRG waste heat and deliver it to the SC for other uses; the transient analysis of a Venus flyby case; and the simulation of an ASRG with one failed ASC.…”

“…The changes in the pressures and volumes of the convertor working spaces drive a power piston that reciprocates and, when attached to the permanent-magnet linear alternator, produces single-phase AC electrical power. Thermal Desktop (TD) was used to build a 3D steady-state thermal power model to predict the ASRG AC power output under different operating conditions [3]. The model was validated with Lockheed Martin (LM) model-predicted results for flight unit and testing data for the engineering unit (EU).…”