Start Date
4-1983 8:00 AM
Description
The major requirement for every space system is power. Without portable electrical energy mankind cannot reach into space. Each satellite and space ship launched must have its own internal power supply. The most commonly used energy sources today are small nuclear reactors, panels of photovoltaic cells, and hydrogen/ oxygen electrolysis cells. A system that could combine the best of each of these systems would be extremely useful. Such a system is the solar powered Stirling engine. It has the reliability of a nuclear reactor, an unlimited energy source like photovoltaic cells, and is completely clean like electrolysis cells. Unlike these other systems though, the Stirling engine does not need special material or special packaging and is cheap and simple in construction.
The Beale free-piston Stirling engine has only two moving parts, needs no lubricants, seals easily, and is selfstarting. These attributes combine to make an ideal space engine. The idealic solar energy collector for this space engine is a parabolic mirror. However, alternative systems can be used. The Getaway Special test version of the engine has two energy collection systems that could be used. Design One is a parabolic mirror and Design Two is a f resnel lense.
The Operation of the Solar Powered Stirling Engine in Space
The major requirement for every space system is power. Without portable electrical energy mankind cannot reach into space. Each satellite and space ship launched must have its own internal power supply. The most commonly used energy sources today are small nuclear reactors, panels of photovoltaic cells, and hydrogen/ oxygen electrolysis cells. A system that could combine the best of each of these systems would be extremely useful. Such a system is the solar powered Stirling engine. It has the reliability of a nuclear reactor, an unlimited energy source like photovoltaic cells, and is completely clean like electrolysis cells. Unlike these other systems though, the Stirling engine does not need special material or special packaging and is cheap and simple in construction.
The Beale free-piston Stirling engine has only two moving parts, needs no lubricants, seals easily, and is selfstarting. These attributes combine to make an ideal space engine. The idealic solar energy collector for this space engine is a parabolic mirror. However, alternative systems can be used. The Getaway Special test version of the engine has two energy collection systems that could be used. Design One is a parabolic mirror and Design Two is a f resnel lense.
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