摘要:
The present disclosure is directed to a system including a nuclear thermal rocket or a nuclear reactor, at least one nuclear electric thruster coupled to the nuclear thermal rocket or the nuclear reactor, and a Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell (NTAC) configured to generate electrical power. The NTAC cell may be positioned around a nuclear reactor core of the nuclear thermal rocket or the nuclear reactor, and the nuclear electric thruster may be powered by the NTAC generated electrical power.
摘要:
A method for generating electricity includes generating electricity at a first reactor with a nuclear fuel element and removing the nuclear fuel element from the first reactor. The method also includes providing the nuclear fuel element at a second reactor and generating electricity at the second reactor with the nuclear fuel element.
摘要:
A thermal power reactor (100) includes a reactor core (102) that generates thermal energy and a solid state thermal conductor (106) extending into and thermally integrated with the reactor core (102). The solid state thermal conductor (106) transfers thermal energy generated by the reactor core (102) away from the reactor core (102).
摘要:
An energy production device may include a core configured to heat a heat transmission fluid, an energy harnessing device configured to convert heat into electrical energy and a heat transfer device positioned over the core configured to receive the heat transmission fluid and transfer the heat to the energy harnessing device. The energy production device may further include a vibration isolator positioned between the energy harnessing device and the heat transfer device. The vibration isolator may be configured to secure the energy harnessing device to the heat transfer device and substantially prevent the transmission of motion from the energy harnessing device to the heat transfer device.
摘要:
A method, system, and apparatus for the selective transfer of thermoelectrically generated electric power to operation systems of a nuclear reactor system including thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy and selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.
摘要:
A method and system for the thermoelectric conversion of nuclear reactor generated heat including upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy and supplying the electrical energy to a mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system.
摘要:
A method and system for the thermoelectric conversion of nuclear reactor generated heat including upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy and supplying the electrical energy to a mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system.
摘要:
Systems and methods are presented for regulating electrical power generated from a decay of radiation-emitting isotopes. The systems include a diode formed of a semiconductor material capable of mitigating radiation damage by operating at temperatures greater than 300° C. In some embodiments, the semiconductor material includes uranium oxide, UO2±x, where 0≦x≦0.5. The systems also include a fluid comprising an isotope emitting alpha particles. The systems additionally include a closed circuit having the fluid disposed therein and configured to bring the fluid in contact with the diode. The methods involve flowing a fluid across a surface of a diode and generating electrical power from the diode in response to radiation absorbed therein. The fluid includes an isotope that emits alpha particles. The surface of the diode defines a portion of a closed circuit in which the fluid flows. The methods additionally involve extracting, from the fluid, decay products of the isotope. Other systems and methods are presented.
摘要:
A support is provided for use in a thermionic converter to support an end of an emitter to keep it out of contact with a surrounding collector while allowing the emitter end to move axially as its temperature changes. The emitter end (34) is supported by a spring structure (44) that includes a pair of Belleville springs, and the spring structure is supported by a support structure (42) fixed to the housing that includes the collector. The support structure is in the form of a sandwich with a small metal spring-engaging element (74) at the front end, a larger metal main support (76) at the rear end that is attached to the housing, and with a ceramic layer (80) between them that is bonded by hot isostatic pressing to the metal element and metal main support. The spring structure can include a loose wafer (120) captured between the Belleville springs.
摘要:
The present invention pertains to a stacked AMTEC module. The invention includes a tubular member which has an interior. The member is comprised of a ion conductor that substantially conducts ions relative to electrons, preferably a beta"-alumina solid electrolyte, positioned about the interior. A porous electrode for conducting electrons and allowing sodium ions to pass therethrough, and wherein electrons and sodium ions recombine to form sodium is positioned about the beta"-alumina solid electrolyte. The electrode is operated at a temperature and a pressure that allows the recombined sodium to vaporize. Additionally, an outer current collector grid for distributing electrons throughout the porous electrode is positioned about and contacts the porous electrode. Also included in the invention is transporting means for transporting liquid sodium to the beta"-alumina solid electrolyte of the tubular member. A transition piece is positioned about the interior of the member and contacts the transporting means. The transition piece divides the member into a first cell and a second cell such that each first and second cell has a beta"-alumina solid electrolyte, a first and second porous electrode and a grid. The transition piece conducts electrons from the interior of the tubular member. There is supply means for supplying sodium to the transporting means. Preferably the supply means is a shell which surrounds the tubular member and is operated at a temperature such that the vaporized sodium condenses thereon. Returning means for returning the condensed sodium from the shell to the transporting means provides a continuous supply of liquid sodium to the transporting means. Also, there are first conducting means for conducting electric current from the transition piece which extends through the shell, and second conducting means for conducting electric current to the grid of the first cell which extends through the shell.