FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS Modern Units The Atom Chart of Nuclides MODERN PHYSICS CONCEPTS The Special Theory of Relativity Radiation as Waves and Particles Quantum Mechanics Derivation of Some Special Relativity Results Solutions to Schrodinger's Wave Equation ATOMIC/NUCLEAR MODELS Development of the Modern Atom Model Models of the Nucleus NUCLEAR ENERGETICS Binding Energy Nucleon Separation Energy Nuclear Reactions Examples of Binary Nuclear Reactions Q-Value for a Reaction Conservation of Charge and the Calculation of Q-values Q-Value for reactions Producing Excited Nuclei RADIOACTIVITY Overview Types of Radioactive Decay Radioactive Decay Diagrams Energetics of Radioactive Decay Characteristics of Radioactive Decay Decay Dynamics Naturally Occurring Radionuclides Radiodating Radioactive Decay Data BINARY NUCLEAR REACTIONS Types of Binary Reactions Kinematics of Binary Two-Product Nuclear Reactions Reaction Threshold Energy Applications of Binary Kinematics Reactions Involving Neutrons Characteristics of the Fission Reaction Fusion Reactions RADIATION INTERACTIONS WITH MATTER Attenuation of Neutral Particle Beams Calculation of radiation Interaction Rates Photon Interactions Neutron Interactions Attenuation of Charged Particles DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT OF RADIATION Gas-Filled Detectors Scintillation Detectors Semiconductor Detectors Personal Dosimeters Other Interesting Detectors Measurement Theory Detection Equipment RADIATION DOSES AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT Historical Roots Dosimetric Quantities Natural Exposures for Humans Health Effects from Large Acute Doses Hereditary Effects Cancer Risks from Radiation Exposures Radon and Lung Cancer Risks Radiation Protection Standards PRINCIPLES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS Neutron Moderation Thermal-Neutron Properties of Fuels The Neutron Life Cycle in Thermal Reactor Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Cores Reflectors Reactor Kinetics Reactivity Feedback Fission Product Poisons The Diffusion Equation Kinetic Model with Delayed Neutrons Solution for a Step Reactivity Insertion NUCLEAR POWER Nuclear Electric Power Generation II Pressurized Water Reactors Generation II Boiling Water Reactors Generation III Nuclear Reactor Designs Generation IV Nuclear Reactor Designs The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Nuclear Propulsion FUSION REACTORS AND OTHER CONVERSION DEVICES Fusion Reactors Magnetically Confined Fusion (MCF) Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) Thermoelectric Generators Thermionic Electrical Generators AMTEC Conversion Stirling Convertors Direct Conversion of Nuclear Radiation Radioisotopes for Thermal Power Sources Space Reactors NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRY AND RESEARCH Production of Radioisotopes Industrial and Research Uses of Radioisotopes and Radiation Tracer Applications Materials Affect Radiation Radiation Affects Materials Particle Accelerators MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY Diagnostic Imaging Radioimmunoassay Diagnostic Radiotracers Radioimmunoscintigraphy Radiation Therapy APPENDICES Fundamental Atomic Data Atomic Mass Table Cross Sections and Related Data Decay Characteristics of Selected Radionuclides

/pdf/fundamentals-of-nuclear-science-and-engineering-4vjxcqn49t.pdf

Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering

Numerical study of finned heat pipe-assisted thermal energy storage system with high temperature phase change material

Analytical model for Stirling cycle machine design

Dish systems for CSP

Discharging process of a finned heat pipe–assisted thermal energy storage system with high temperature phase change material

Present implementations provide an approach that allows for a double-acting, multi-cylinder, thermodynamically resonant, alpha configuration free-piston Stirling system. The system includes overstroke preventers that control extent of piston travel to prevent undesirable consequences of piston travel beyond predetermined limits. The overstroke preventers involve controlled work extraction out of the system or controlled work input into the system. Implementations can also include duplex linear alternators, and/or frequency tuning systems, and/or vibration balancing configurations.

Double acting thermodynamically resonant free-piston multicylinder stirling system and method

An active balance system is provided for counterbalancing vibrations of an axially reciprocating machine. The balance system includes a support member, a flexure assembly, a counterbalance mass, and a linear motor or an actuator. The support member is configured for attachment to the machine. The flexure assembly includes at least one flat spring having connections along a central portion and an outer peripheral portion. One of the central portion and the outer peripheral portion is fixedly mounted to the support member. The counterbalance mass is fixedly carried by the flexure assembly along another of the central portion and the outer peripheral portion. The linear motor has one of a stator and a mover fixedly mounted to the support member and another of the stator and the mover fixedly mounted to the counterbalance mass. The linear motor is operative to axially reciprocate the counterbalance mass.

/pdf/active-balance-system-and-vibration-balanced-machine-432zv179bu.pdf

Active balance system and vibration balanced machine

An active balance system is provided for counterbalancing vibrations of an axially reciprocating machine. The balance system includes a support member, a flexure assembly, a counterbalance mass, and a linear motor or an actuator. The support member is configured for attachment to the machine. The flexure assembly includes at least one flat spring having connections along a central portion and an outer peripheral portion. One of the central portion and the outer peripheral portion is fixedly mounted to the support member. The counterbalance mass is fixedly carried by the flexure assembly along another of the central portion and the outer peripheral portion. The linear motor has one of a stator and a mover fixedly mounted to the support member and another of the stator and the mover fixedly mounted to the counterbalance mass. The linear motor is operative to axially reciprocate the counterbalance mass. A method is also provided.

/pdf/active-vibration-and-balance-system-for-closed-cycle-5bqsj9s1gu.pdf

Active vibration and balance system for closed cycle thermodynamic machines

NASA Glenn Research Center and the Department of Energy are developing a Stirling convertor for an advanced radioisotope power system to provide spacecraft on-board electric power for NASA deep space missions NASA Glenn is addressing key technology issues through the use of two NASA Phase II SBIRs with Stirling Technology Company (STC) of Kennewick, WA Under the first SBIR, STC demonstrated a synchronous connection of two thermodynamically independent free-piston Stirling convertors and a 40 to 50 fold reduction in vibrations compared to an unbalanced convertor The second SBIR is for the development of an Adaptive Vibration Reduction System (AVRS) that will essentially eliminate vibrations over the mission lifetime, even in the unlikely event of a failed convertor This paper presents the status and results for these two SBIR projects and also discusses a new NASA Glenn in-house project to provide supporting technology for the overall Stirling radioisotope power system development Tasks for this new effort include convertor performance verification, controls development, heater head structural life assessment, magnet characterization and thermal aging tests, FEA analysis for a lightweight alternator concept, and demonstration of convertor operation under launch and orbit transfer load conditions

/pdf/technology-development-for-a-stirling-radioisotope-power-25bp1telvf.pdf

Technology Development for a Stirling Radioisotope Power System

Free-piston Stirling convertors (Stirling engine with integral linear alternator) are a mature technology with demonstrated long-life, maintenance-free, degradation-free operation exceeding 46,000 hours (5+ years) on one unit Tens of thousands of hours have been accumulated on numerous systems in beta trials, plus more than 8 million flexure-hours (900 flexure-years) on the most critical component (flexure bearings), all with no failures when operated within specifications Vibration is a key concern for Stirling convertors in space Recent tests have demonstrated a factor of 50 reduction in vibration, relative to a single convertor, by coupling two convertors mechanically and electrically Even though the measured vibration level is below Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) specified vibration objectives, demonstration of an additional factor of 10 vibration reduction is pending with an active vibration reduction system Stirling cycle efficiency is well established A four-convertor 150-W(e) end of mission (EOM) power system for deep space missions is projected to require only three general purpose heat source (GPHS) modules with conservative Inconel 718 heater heads, leaving significant efficiency improvement potential when used with higher temperature materials Even in the unlikely scenario of one inoperative convertor, the other three convertors ramp up to provide full output A two-convertor demonstration system, representative of one-half of a 150-W(e) power system, is described in this paper and scheduled to become operational in December 1998

Maurice A. White

Papers

Double acting thermodynamically resonant free-piston multicylinder stirling system and method

Active balance system and vibration balanced machine

Active vibration and balance system for closed cycle thermodynamic machines

Technology Development for a Stirling Radioisotope Power System

Technology demonstration of a free-piston stirling advanced radioisotope space power system