Reduced Shielding, Rugged, Scalable-Electrical Power Converter for Fission-Power Systems

After a very successful Phase I program, where QorTek has been investigating and developing the design of a ‘KILOPOWER’ relevant AC-DC converter that is highly compact (extremely power dense), lightweight, reliable, and designed to rapidly move onto an environmentally robust and HiRel version in Phase II. Our primary focus has been NASA Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) R&D efforts led at NASA by Glenn (GRC) in support of Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) goals. Specifically, this project aims to provide a radiation hardened, scalable, modular AC-DC micro-grid power converter system scalable to 10-40kW for a space power dc bus applications. To ensure excellent high efficiency energy transfer, this advanced Kilopower AC-DC converter is a 2-stage design comprised of a (NASA-developed energy balancing) innovation in Power Factor Correction (PFC) front-end stage feeding a Very High Power Density (VHPD) converter based on QorTek recent patent awarded ultra-dense switchmode Phase Shift Resonant (PSR) and have been proven to meet the ASRG concept needs. The program focus is to mesh with advanced fission-based Stirling converter unit technology being developed by NASA/DOE

This new intelligent AC-DC converter technology would act as backbone to any Kilopower management scheme; as such, the technology here being pursued slots into meeting a wide range of existing, and expanding, key NASA missions, meeting the need for compactly stowed, high power capable, power supplies as to large surface or in-flight electrical demands. It would also directly support integrating Kilopower technology into power ion propulsion systems or be included on the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway.

These technology advances will directly benefit our underwater markets, offering a more integrated, smart DC-DC converter. Our advanced VHPD converter technology along with NASA PFC advances will open up new markets with our many 1st tier existing Navy customers. The advanced AC-DC being developed under this program would have very wide applications across both the underwater and surface ships.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.