Patent · US Active

Electric fission reactor for space applications

US10276271B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
4References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 26, 2014
Grant dateApr 30, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 5, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/30
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a power system utilizing a uranium-based reactor for space missions. For example, the power system may include a reactor configured to generate thermal energy using a uranium core. A plurality of heat pipes may be configured to transfer thermal energy from the reactor core to a plurality of Stirling engines to generate electricity for a spacecraft.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.