Weight Study of Partially Segmented Direct-Condensing Radiators for Large Space Power Systems
Abstract
An analytical investigation has been performed to provide an insight into the weight increase of a direct-condensing radiator for a potassium Rankine cycle space power system as the system size was increased from 1 to 10 megawatts electric while holding constant the component efficiencies and all cycle temperatures and pressures. The largest single contributor to the radiator weight is the armor necessary to protect fluid passages from meteoroid puncture. The two most important factors affecting armor thickness are the meteoroid population estimate and the radiator design survival probability. Design survival probabilities of 0. 9, 0. 95, and 0. 99 were used with a high meteoroid population estimate, Whipple's (1961), and a low estimate, Watson's (1956), for 1, 10, 20, and 100 radiator segments. The radiator weight is sharply influenced by the meteoroid flux estimate and the design survival probability. For the unsegmented case, using Watson's (1956) flux estimate, the radiator weight ranged from 1. 5 to 3 pounds per kilowatt electric for the 1-to 10-megawatt power range for a 0. 9 radiator design survival probability, and 2. 5 to 6 pounds per kilowatt for a 0. 99 design survival probability. When Whipple's (1961) flux estimate was used, the radiator weight ranged from 7 to 17 pounds per kilowatt for a 0. 9 design survival probability and from 16 to 42 pounds per kilowatt for a 0. 99 design survival probability. Segmentation of the radiator provided significant weight savings over the unsegmented radiator, especially when high survival probabilities were demanded. Generally the weight advantages of segmentation increased with increases in system power level, design survival probability, number of segments, and severity of the meteoroid flux estimate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- ADA399898
Entities
People
- Roy L. Johnsen
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration