ES2809801A1 - ALTERNATIVE POWER SYSTEM FOR DEEP SPACE MISSIONS (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Alternative power system for deep space missions. For a deep space mission or an external interplanetary mission, nanosatellites or CubeSat are too small to carry the size of solar panels that would be necessary to supply enough energy to function. Additionally, solar panels would not survive the aggressive environment on Jupiter. The invention consists of taking advantage of the heat emitted by the planets and converting it into the energy supply of the CubeSat, using thermal engines, specifically Stirling engines (1) that convert their energy into electricity through the use of piezoelectric generators (6) that are powered by strikers (5) associated with a striker (4) that is linked to a crank (2) that is connected to the output of the heat engine. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Alternative power system for deep space missions

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention refers to an alternative power system for missions in deep space, specially conceived for its implantation in nanosatellites or "CubeSats", in which minimizing the dimensions of the set is decisive, so that for certain missions the use of panels solar systems require an excessively high dimensioning of these.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an alternative power system that makes it possible to take advantage of the heat emitted by certain planets and convert it into an energy supply for this type of nanosatellites.

Although the main application envisaged for the system of the invention is that of nanosatellites, its application in other areas where it is available is not ruled out. from a heat source, such as aircraft engines, among others.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jupiter is a planet that emits a lot of radiation, creating a very aggressive environment for any mission. The Galilean moons of Jupiter are the subject of continuous research for their curious characteristics and especially for the possibility of developing life on their surfaces. Europa, the smallest of these moons, could have an ocean below its surface where life could harbor. Large missions will be sent to Jupiter and its Galilean moons in the coming years for study, the problem is that these missions cannot carry large radiation shields due to the large increase in weight that would result. An alternative is to send nanosatellites or CubeSats for these investigations as they can carry larger radiation shields.

The problem with small missions to Jupiter and also to other planets, is that the solar panels are not enough for the energy supply; unless you put huge solar panels for very small missions.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The alternative power system for deep space missions that is advocated fully satisfactorily solves the aforementioned problems, based on a simple but highly efficient solution.

For this, the invention consists of taking advantage of the heat emitted by the planets and converting it into the energy supply of the CubeSat, using thermal engines that convert their energy into electricity through piezoelectricity that can be used as a source of electrical power.

More specifically, the alternative power system of the invention is made up of a heat engine, which is embodied in a Stirling engine, preferably of the beta type, due to its dimensions and performance.

This type of engines transform thermal energy (for example from Jupiter), into a circular motion, so that a single cylinder with two cylinder heads, one subjected to heat and the other cooled, a cylinder in which a free piston participates that moves a working fluid between the hot and cold space, so that said alternative displacement is used to move a flywheel through the corresponding transmission, obtaining, through said steering wheel, the corresponding mechanical power take-off.

Well, based on this known structuring, the invention focuses its characteristics on the fact that the said Stirling engine output flywheel is associated with a crank that transforms the circular motion into an alternative linear movement, a crank that at its free end through of a striking device, it activates a series of piezoelectric generators, which are responsible for generating electrical energy, which through an AC / DC converter is stored in the corresponding electrical batteries, to be able to electrically feed the nanosatellite through the corresponding distribution module.

In this way, it is possible to provide an alternative power system for missions in deep space of reduced dimensions and cost, capable of generating enough power to be able to carry out this type of mission by means of nanosatellites or CubeSats.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is going to be made below and with the aim of helping a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of a practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. where, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, the following has been represented:

Figure 1.- Shows a schematic block diagram of an alternative power system for deep space missions carried out in accordance with the object of the present invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a side perspective view of a prototype of the device.

Figure 3.- Shows a top perspective view of the assembly of figure 2.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the figures outlined, and especially in figure 1, it can be seen how the alternative power system for missions in deep space is constituted from a heat engine, materialized in a Stirling engine (1) at whose output is links a crank (2) duly guided to transform the rotary movement at the output of said motor into a reciprocating linear movement on the free end (3) of said crank (2) which ends in a striking element (4) on the which establishes a series of strikers (5) that in the movement of said crank hit on piezoelectric generators (6) that generate an electric current that, through an AC / DC converter (7) feed an electric battery (8) associated with an electrical distribution module (9) that feeds the different systems (10) of the nanosatellite.

More specifically, the heat in the form of radiation (11) (for example from Jupiter), is used to heat the hot zone (12) of the engine, materialized in a cylinder in which a displacer or plunger (13) plays that displaces a working fluid between the hot zone (12) and the cold zone (14), plunger (13) that is linked through a rod (15) and by means of a connecting rod (17) to a flywheel (18), to which a piston (16) is linked 90 ° out of phase by means of a second connecting rod (19) and which works in the cooling zone (20) of the engine.

The Stirling engine can be materialized in many different ways, so that the version that has been represented in Figures 2 and 3 corresponds to a version in which the cooling zone (20) constitutes an element attached to the main body of the engine itself. , not ruling out other known configurations.

In any case, this type of engine has an efficiency close to 90%, being the best option for thermal engines.

As for piezoelectric generators (6), they are also known and well-tested elements in isolation, which to date had not been used in conjunction with Stirling engines, whose operation is based on the inclusion of crystals and other elements such as Niobate lithium, synthetic quartz and other materials with the capacity to generate energy when subjected to mechanical forces. This occurs in these crystals because when they receive mechanical energy, they become polarized due to the voltage generated by compression and expansion.

These devices have stability against temperature, so they can be used in this type of mission to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy.

This form of power generation is very economical.

More specifically, and in a merely exemplary way, the nanosatellites for which the alternative power system of the invention has been designed require a power of 32 W for the operation of their systems, having been able to verify how from 20 piezoelectric generators (6) with a 0.5 centimeter radius it is possible to supply 40 W of power that is needed to power the battery (8).

Finally, it only remains to point out that, by being able to use CubeSats for this type of mission, which until now was impossible, due to the dimensions of the solar panels that would be necessary, as well as because said panels would not survive the aggressive environment existing in Jupiter, the The device of the invention makes it possible to use wider radiation shields to survive the environment of Europe.

Using a harmonic orbit the mission can be running for about 300 days.

The system of the invention can generate power at low cost for deep space missions and thus extend the use of CubeSat; It can also be useful in low Earth orbits, and be an alternative to solar panels, which are one of the most expensive systems for CubeSat missions.

In addition, outside of space this form of energy can be put to other uses, such as using it near aircraft engines to get its heat and then using the idea to convert it into energy and operate screens, or less important systems in the plane. Additionally, heat is being removed from the aircraft's engines, thereby achieving a beneficial cooling effect.

Claims (3)

1a.- Alternative power system for missions in deep space, characterized in that it is constituted from a heat engine, materialized in a Stirling engine (1) to whose output a properly guided crank (2) is linked to transform the rotary movement into the output of said motor in an alternative linear movement on the free end (3) of said crank (2), a crank that ends in a striking element (4) on which a series of strikers (5) are established that in the displacement of said crank hit on piezoelectric generators (6) that generate an electric current that, through an AC / DC converter (7) feed one or more electric batteries (8). 2. Alternative power system for deep space missions, according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery (8) is associated with an electrical distribution module (9) that powers different systems (10) of a nanosatellite. 3. Alternative power system for deep space missions, according to claim 1, characterized in that the Stirling engine (1) is of the beta type.