A 25 KW SOLAR-STIRLING CONCEPT FOR LUNAR SURFACE EXPLORATION

摘要

In the 1990's, NASA successfully developed and tested a 25 kW free piston Stirling convertor under the SP-100 space nuclear power program. This program demonstrated the feasibility of the free piston Stirling convertor system for space power systems. Mass estimates based on known technology advances at that time projected a convertor specific mass of 4.9 kg/kWe. Since that time, new developments in free piston Stirling converters have produced smaller and lighter versions. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new lightweight solar-powered system concept that uses an updated 25 kW convertor, an inflatable Fresnel lens solar concentrator and a liquid sheet radiator. This liquid sheet radiator is adapted for planetary surfaces and is enclosed in a transparent envelope. The liquid that flows down the inside of this envelope is only 300 urn and has an optical emissivity of 0.85 at a temperature of 373 K. This system is lightweight, efficient, and affordable with a system specific power projected at 100 W/kg. This system can also accept other forms of energy for night time use. With the use of lightweight Fresnel lens concentrators, advanced Stirling convertor technology, and an enclosed liquid sheet radiator, a new lunar power system may emerge.