Space Thermo Acoustic Radio-Isotopic Power System: Space TRIPS

A. Brēķis^{1, 2} - J. E. Freibergs¹ - A. Alemany³

¹ Institute of Physics, University of Latvia, 32 Miera str., LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
² Faculty of Power and Electrical Engineering, Riga Technical University, 21/1 Azenes str., LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
³ SIMAP/Domaine Universitaire, BP 75--38402 Saint Martin d’Heres, Grenoble, France

Abstract
The paper presents experimental results on testing a travelling wave thermoacoustic (TAc) engine using argon gas coupled with a 200 W, low-power, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator using liquid sodium. The project is a terrestrial test and simulation of a radio isotopic-fed electrical power supply system for deep space applications. A large range of parameters were analyzed, such as TAc generated pressure oscillation amplitude as a function of the mean pressure and temperature of the heater. Tables 1, Figs 10, Refs 15.