Variable Conductance Heat Pipes for Radioisotope Stirling Systems, Phase II

The overall technical objective of the proposed Phase II program is to complete a system-level demonstration to show the capability and benefits of integrating this backup radiator/Variable Conductance Heat Pipe (VCHP) with the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). The Phase I project developed a feasible VCHP radiator design that can be integrated with the ASRG. In Phase II, a trade study will be conducted to optimize the VCHP design. A superalloy heat pipe will be fabricated from Haynes 230, which has good strength at the 850^oC operating temperature and long term life tests with alkali metals. In addition to the VCHP, a General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) simulator and a Heater Head simulator will both be designed and fabricated. Testing of the VCHP with the GPHS and Heater Head simulators will verify the ability of the VCHP to provide backup cooling for the Stirling convertors. The goal at the end of the program would be to bring the concept to Technology Readiness Level 5: Component Validation in a Relevant Environment.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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