LIGHTWEIGHT HIGH-POWER THERMOELECTRIC MODULE DEVELOPMENT.

Abstract

The report describes the technical effort directed toward the development of a lightweight high-power thermoelectric module suitable for use with an isotopic heat source in spacecraft vehicle power systems. The preliminary objective of the program is to design, fabricate, and test a thermoelectric module capable of achieving an efficiency of 10% at a specific power output of 40 watts/lb. A cascaded module design using SiGe and PbTe was selected to meet these objectives. The long-term testing (5000 hr) of PbTe elements and bonds was completed and a post-test evaluation was initiated. A 1387-hr test on a 2-couple PbTe submodule was completed. The initial power output was 90% of design value and the total degradation during the test period was 12%. The first cascaded submodule consisting of two SiGe couples and four PbTe couples was fabricated and is being prepared for test. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 20, 1967
Accession Number
AD0819189

Entities

People

  • D. Leonard
  • S. Block
  • S. Rocklin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Degradation
  • Efficiency
  • Lightweight
  • Spacecraft
  • Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Technology Areas

  • Space