Title :
MULTI-FOIL thermal insulation for the Dynamic Isotope Power System
Author :
Determan, W.R. ; Emmons, J. ; Huffman, F.N. ; Dunlay, J. ; Wortham, D. ; Field, G.
Author_Institution :
Rockwell Int., Canoga Park, CA, USA
Abstract :
A study is presented of the Dynamic Isotope Power System (DIPS), which utilizes MULTI-FOIL insulation around its heat sources in order to minimize thermal losses, reduce weight, and provide emergency cooling in the event of a power conversion subsystem malfunction. DIPS uses a closed Brayton power conversion cycle to convert the isotope decay heat to electrical power. Temperatures within the heat source assembly are maintained at 760-815°C (1400-1500°F) throughout the system lifetime by the MULTI-FOIL insulation. Melting of the MULTI-FOIL insulation provides a passive means of reducing the thermal insulation effectiveness and limiting the heat source temperature rise following a power conversion subsystem malfunction. This work reviews the DIPS MULTI-FOIL insulation design and the testing being conducted to demonstrate feasibility of the design approach are reviewed
Keywords :
space vehicle power plants; thermal insulation; 700 to 815 degC; DIPS; Dynamic Isotope Power System; MULTI-FOIL thermal insulation; closed Brayton power conversion cycle; emergency cooling; heat source assembly; power conversion subsystem malfunction; space vehicle power plants; thermal losses; Cooling; Electronics packaging; Insulation; Isotopes; Power conversion; Power system dynamics; Power systems; Temperature; Thermal conductivity; Thermal resistance;
Conference_Titel :
Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 1989. IECEC-89., Proceedings of the 24th Intersociety
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC
DOI :
10.1109/IECEC.1989.74607
