Electric power generation using thermophotovoltaics for space applications

利用热光伏发电进行空间应用

• 批准号: 576861-2022
• 负责人: OBrien, PaulPG
• 金额: $ 2.19万
• 依托单位: York University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=758041
• 关键词: Electric; power; generation; using; thermophotovoltaics

Space missions are costly, limited and often short-lived. The capabilities and value of a space mission depends on the energy and power available on a spacecraft. For many space missions it is not possible to bring an energy source that can supply the required power throughout the entire duration of the mission. Energy can be harvested from the sun using photovoltaic (PV) cells, or from the orbital energy of a spacecraft using electrodynamic tethers. However, these sources of energy are not always available and require additional components, increasing the size and weight of a spacecraft. Another promising energy source is the waste heat generated on the spacecraft itself. Presently, excess heat on spacecraft is largely unused, and is most often concentrated and transported to a radiator and emitted to space to prevent overheating which adds additional weight. Nevertheless, the unwanted heat on a spacecraft has great potential to generate electrical power independently of solar panels. The goal of this research is to develop a spacecraft propulsion system with an integrated thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system. This TPV system will use otherwise wasted thermal energy from a spacecraft propulsion system to generate electric power, which can be used to power other subsystems onboard the spacecraft. This will increase the duration and capabilities of spacecraft missions, thereby providing Columbiad with a competitive advantage on a global scale in the space sector which will ultimately benefit Ontario and Canada.

太空任务是昂贵的，有限的，而且往往是短暂的。太空任务的能力和价值取决于航天器上可用的能量和动力。对于许多太空任务来说，不可能携带一种能在整个任务期间提供所需电力的能源。能量可以利用光伏电池从太阳中获取，也可以利用电动力系绳从航天器的轨道能量中获取。然而，这些能源并不总是可用的，并且需要额外的组件，增加了航天器的尺寸和重量。另一个有希望的能源来源是航天器本身产生的废热。目前，航天器上的多余热量大部分未被利用，通常被集中输送到散热器并排放到太空中，以防止过热，从而增加额外的重量。然而，航天器上不需要的热量有很大的潜力，可以独立于太阳能电池板产生电能。本研究的目标是开发一种集成热光伏（TPV）系统的航天器推进系统。这个TPV系统将使用来自航天器推进系统的热能来产生电能，它可以用来为航天器上的其他子系统提供动力。这将增加航天器任务的持续时间和能力，从而使哥伦比亚在全球范围内在空间部门具有竞争优势，最终将使安大略省和加拿大受益。