Overview of Advanced Stirling and Gas Turbine Engine Development Programs and Implications for Solar Thermal Electrical Applications

The DOE automotive advanced engine development projects managed by the NASA Lewis Research Center were described. These included one Stirling cycle engine development and two air Brayton cycle development. Other engine research activities included: (1) an air Brayton engine development sponsored by the Gas Research Institute, and (2) plans for development of a Stirling cycle engine for space use. Current and potential use of these various engines with solar parabolic dishes were discussed

Long life neutron generator target using deuterium pass-through structure

Target structure permits all deuterons, except the one-in-a-million that interacts with tritium atom to produce a neutron, to pass completely through target structure and be returned to vacuum system. Since tritium atoms are not displaced as in conventional targets, tritium population will remain unchanged while under deuteron bombardment

Method of measuring the thickness of radioactive thin films

Thickness monitor consists of proportional X-ray counter coupled to pulse counting system, copper filter over face of counter, rotatable collimator containing radioactive source, and rotatable shutter. Monitor can be used as integral part of neutron generator. It has been used to measure titanium tritide film thicknesses from 0.1 to 30 micrometers

An X-ray monitor for measurement of a titanium tritide target thickness

An X-ray device capable of measuring titanium tritide film thickness from 0.1 to 30 micrometers has been built and tested. The monitor was designed for use in a rotating target system which used thick targets and incorporated a sputtering electrode to remove depleted layers from the target surface. The thickness measurement can be done in the presence of an intense background of bremsstrahlung and characteristic titanium X-radiation. A measurement can be accomplished in situ in two hours with reasonable accuracy

A superior process for forming titanium hydrogen isotopic films

Process forms stoichiometric, continuous, strongly bonded titanium hydrogen isotopic films. Films have thermal and electrical conductivities approximately the same as bulk pure titanium, ten times greater than those of usual thin films

A proposed method for regeneration of neutron producing targets, within an accelerator, by ion sputtering techniques

Sputtering electrode system design for regeneration of targets within accelerato

Access to uncombined titanium through an inhibiting film in sublimation pumping of deuterium

It was demonstrated, through a series of experiments, that it is possible (by the addition of a thin layer of titanium to an apparently occluded surface) to gain access to previously deposited sublayers of uncombined titanium in spite of the presence of an inhibiting film (such as an oxide) on the surface

A high yield neutron target

Target, in cylinder form, rotates rapidly in front of beam. Titanium tritide film is much thicker than range of accelerated deutron. Sputtering electrode permits full use of thick film. Stream of high-velocity coolant provides efficient transfer of heat from target

Applicability of advanced automotive heat engines to solar thermal power

The requirements of a solar thermal power system are reviewed and compared with the predicted characteristics of automobile engines under development. A good match is found in terms of power level and efficiency when the automobile engines, designed for maximum powers of 65-100 kW (87 to 133 hp) are operated to the nominal 20-40 kW electric output requirement of the solar thermal application. At these reduced power levels it appears that the automotive gas turbine and Stirling engines have the potential to deliver the 40+ percent efficiency goal of the solar thermal program

Closed loop spray cooling apparatus

A closed loop apparatus for spraying coolant against the back of a radiation target is described. The coolant was circulated through a closed loop with a bubble of inert gas being maintained around the spray. Mesh material was disposed between the bubble and the surface of the liquid coolant which was below the bubble at a predetermined level. In a second embodiment, no inert gas was used, the bubble consisting of a vapor produced when the coolant was sprayed against the target