Performance Testing of a High Temperature Linear Alternator for Stirling Convertors

Metscher, Jonathan F.; Geng, Steven M.

The NASA Glenn Research Center has conducted performance testing of a high temperature linear alternator (HTLA) in support of Stirling power convertor development for potential future Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS). The high temperature linear alternator is a modified version of that used in Sunpower's Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC), and is capable of operation at temperatures up to 200 deg. Increasing the temperature capability of the linear alternator could expand the mission set of future Stirling RPS designs. High temperature Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets were selected for the HTLA application, and were fully characterized and tested prior to use. Higher temperature epoxy for alternator assembly was also selected and tested for thermal stability and strength. A characterization test was performed on the HTLA to measure its performance at various amplitudes, loads, and temperatures. HTLA endurance testing at 200 deg is currently underway.

Document ID

20160012348

Acquisition Source

Glenn Research Center

Document Type

Technical Memorandum (TM)

Authors

Date Acquired

October 17, 2016

Publication Date

October 1, 2016

Subject Category

Report/Patent Number

Meeting Information

Meeting: International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC)

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Country: United States

Start Date: July 25, 2016

End Date: July 27, 2016

Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Funding Number(s)

Distribution Limits

Public

Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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