Abstract
Prior effort on the U.S. Department of Energy‐sponsored Special Applications Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Technology Program and Two‐Watt RTG Program has focused on terrestrial applications where the RTG will be exposed to relatively low temperature thermal environments (subsea). Thus, effort has been oriented towards design optimization at cold junction temperatures in the 10 to 93 °C (50 to 200 °F) range. However, for other more severe design environments (such as space applications where a high heat rejection radiator temperature in the 177 to 204 °C (350 to 400 °F) range is required to minimize RTG size and weight, and high g shock/vibration capability is necessary) a modified thermoelectric module design is dictated. In order to minimize the RTG system size and weight, and to increase the mechanical strength of the thermoelectric module to withstand increased dynamic loads, a close‐packed‐array (CPA) module configuration is desirable. The monolithic nature of such a module generally results in greater shear and compression load capability than free‐standing individual couples. A CPA module is especially attractive for terrestrial and space applications where severe structural loads will be imposed such as airborne deployment or planetary landers and penetrators.An additional benefit of the CPA module is the potential for obtaining higher output voltage and increased circuit redundancy. The CPA module construction will permit fabrication and installation of smaller cross section thermoelectric minicouples due to the enhanced structural configuration. This is an important factor for small size, low power, high voltage terrestrial and space RTSs as well as modularity considerations in higher power space RTGs where circuit redundancy as well as high voltage are desirable.
Published Version
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