AIP conference proceedings · 1994 · 12 citations · 2 references
MiniaturizationEngineeringVlsi DesignEnergy EfficiencyEnergy ConversionAlkali Metal ThermalPower Electronic SystemsPower ElectronicsPower CellAmtec Mini-cellsHigh Voltage EngineeringCompact Amtec CellsElectric ConverterAdvanced Energy TechnologySpace Flight SystemsPulse PowerElectronic PackagingPower Electronic DevicesElectrical EngineeringAerospace Electric PowerComputer EngineeringEnergy StorageSemiconductor Device FabricationPropulsionElectrical Engineering TechnologyEnergy EngineeringMicroelectronicsCell EngineeringMicrofabricationBioelectronicsThermal Engineering
The Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) technology is under development for both terrestrial and space power applications. System designs for these applications are compact and provide power at efficiencies between 20 and 35 %. Converter systems for space power applications have been designed that incorporate simple, compact AMTEC cells. A series of these cells, leading from the February 1993 state of the art to a flight qualified engineering prototype, are being designed and tested. Mechanical and thermal performance tests have been performed on the first four cells of this series. Testing is planned for another 12 cells. Mechanical testing demonstrated that the cell design is capable of worst case random vibration and shock loads of the launch environment. Measured cell efficiency is currently 10% at 923 K, and the cell mass is 110 g. Only a premature failure of a pressure boundary component prevented measured efficiencies from exceeding 14% in the fourth cell. The target cell efficiency and mass are 21 % at 1025 K and 60 – 80 g, respectively. These goals should be reached by the end of 1994.
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Thermoelectric Energy Conversion with Solid Electrolytes