ANNUAL TECHNICAL PROGRESS REPORT OF RADIOISOTOPE POWER SYSTEMS MATERIALS PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM TASKS FOR OCTOBER 1, 2010 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

King, James F¹ 

[1] ORNL

关键词: CARBON FIBERS;    FABRICATION;    HEATERS;    IRIDIUM ALLOYS;    MANUFACTURING;    NASA;    ORNL;    POWER SYSTEMS;    PRODUCTION;    PROGRESS REPORT;    RADIOISOTOPES;    THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS;    SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1039628
RP-ID  :  ORNL/TM-2012/86
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1039628
Others  :  Other: AF0110100
Others  :  NEAF614
Others  :  TRN: US201210%%125

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来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

The Office of Space and Defense Power Systems of the Department of Energy (DOE) provides Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) for applications where conventional power systems are not feasible. For example, radioisotope thermoelectric generators were supplied by the DOE to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for deep space missions including the Cassini Mission launched in October of 1997 to study the planet Saturn. For the Cassini Mission, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) produced carbon-bonded carbon fiber (CBCF) insulator sets, iridium alloy blanks and foil, and clad vent sets (CVS) used in the generators. These components were also produced for the Pluto New Horizons and Mars Science Lab missions launched in January 2006 and November 2011respectively. The ORNL has been involved in developing materials and technology and producing components for the DOE for nearly four decades. This report reflects program guidance from the Office of RPS for fiscal year (FY) 2011. Production activities for prime quality (prime) CBCF insulator sets, iridium alloy blanks and foil, and CVS are summarized in this report. Technology activities are also reported that were conducted to improve the manufacturing processes, characterize materials, or to develop information for new RPS. Work has also been initiated to establish fabrication capabilities for the Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Units.