AN ADVANCED THERMOELECTRIC LIFE TEST AND EVALUATION STUDY

摘要

A test apparatus has been designed and fabricated for the performance of thermoelectric couple life tests and efficiency measure¬ments at constant thermal input power. Particular emphasis was placed on the development of the thermal insulation system in order to limit parasitic heat losses from the heat source to less than ~15 percent, hence, simulating operating conditions typical of radioisotope-fueled thermoelectric generators.