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A Thermoacoustic Engine Refrigerator System for Space Exploration Mission

Sastry, Sudeep
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1301588899

Abstract Details

2011, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, EMC - Mechanical Engineering.
Unique cooling systems have to be designed to cool the electronic components of space exploration rover, especially in places like Venus, which has harsh surface conditions. The atmospheric pressure and temperature on the surface of Venus are 92 bars and 450 0C respectively, which make operation of electronic devices and sensors very difficult. An exploration rover sent to operate at an altitude of 40 km above Venus’ surface will also need active refrigeration of its electronic components as the temperature can be around 145 0C. Conventional cooling methods are currently deemed unfeasible due to the short life span of moving parts of the refrigerator systems at high temperatures. Furthermore, alternate energy sources such as solar power are not an option on Venus, since the cloud layer consisting of concentrated sulfuric acid droplets is thick and the cloud layer reduces the solar intensity at the surface to about 2% of the intensity above the atmosphere. Therefore, developing alternate method of power and cooling systems are essential for Venus surface operation of any robotic rover. The advantages of using thermoacoustic systems are that there are no moving parts, and they have efficiencies comparable to conventional systems. This work discusses the development and optimization of a standing wave thermoacoustic engine refrigerator system to be used as a cooling device for the electronic components. The effects of various parameters such as gas mixture ratio, pressure, stack material, etc. is discussed. The system designed provides 150 W of cooling power while operating between 170 0C and 50 0C. The surface cooling temperature drop of 4000C is too large to be achieved by a single unit. Hence, multiple units are staged in series to obtain the required cooling temperature on the surface.
Jaikrishnan R. Kadambi, PhD (Advisor)
Yasuhiro Kamotani, PhD (Committee Member)
Alexis Abramson, PhD (Committee Member)
Sree N. Sreenath, PhD (Committee Member)
146 p.
Acoustics; Mechanical Engineering
Thermoacoustics; Venus; Cooling system

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sastry, S. (2011). A Thermoacoustic Engine Refrigerator System for Space Exploration Mission [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1301588899

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sastry, Sudeep. A Thermoacoustic Engine Refrigerator System for Space Exploration Mission. 2011. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1301588899.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sastry, Sudeep. "A Thermoacoustic Engine Refrigerator System for Space Exploration Mission." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1301588899

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1301588899
4,234
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.