High-Level Project Summary
We developed an energy generation and storage system suitable for a surface lander in Venus. The energy is generated by a wind turbine which powers a thermoelectric cooler and creates a temperature difference between two separate chambers. The difference in temperature will be used to employ another thermoelectric converter to turn the the temperature difference into voltage this time. The latter will be used to power the sensors and the measurement equipment. While the efficiency of the system as a whole it will be low, a sustained time of operation for the system will be possible because the wind will maintain the chamber cold and the electronics running.
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
The energy generation and storage system that we designed uses the difference in temperature to produce electricity needed for the electronics to operate while keeping them stable by placing them in a cold chamber. We extract the heat from the cold chamber through a thermoelectric cooler which is powered by a wind turbine. In Venus, there are constant low-speed winds but with the high density of the medium, the wind turbine with a cross sectional are of 1m^2 can produce up to 40 W of power.
The heat extracted from the cold chamber will be transmitted to the hot chamber where there is a piston. In the hot chamber the temperature will increase and so will pressure which will move the piston upwards and compresses the medium further for when we need more power, a valve will open at the top of the hot chamber and assist the wind turbine to spin faster. The valve at the bottom of the hot chamber will also open, thus balancing the pressure with the outer medium, turning back the system at the initial point.
The difference in temperature created between the two chambers lets us use a thermoelectric converter which gives enough power(thought small) for the sensors to function without interruptions.
Space Agency Data
LONG-LIVED IN-SITU SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORER (LLISSE), Tibor Kremic, Gary W. Hunter, Linda Nero ,
We were inspired to incorporate a wind turbine for our concept. And we took some data on environmental conditions of Venus
Advanced Stirling Duplex Materials Assessment for Potential Venus Mission Heater Head Application, Frank Ritzert1 , Michael V. Nathal2 , Jonathan Salem3 , Nathan Jacobson4 , James Nesbitt4
The choice of materials, and insights on using a refrigerating system to keep the electronics functioning.
THE ALKALI METAL THERMAL-TO-ELECTRIC CONVERTER FOR SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION, M. A. Ryan
The possibility to use AMTEC technologies as a direct conversion from heat to electricity and operating in high temperatures.
Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) Technology Development for Potential Deep Space Scientific Missions Jack F. Mond, Robert K. Sievers
Fast progress in improving the power output of the AMTEC.
Hackathon Journey
The last 40 hours have been hectic. It was interesting, and quite the challenge itself, working in a fast paced environment. We were able to get enormous amount of information about Venus, past, present and future missions.
References
https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/1.41886?journalCode=jpp
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576507001208?via%3Dihub
https://dataverse.jpl.nasa.gov/file.xhtml?fileId=25413&version=1.0
https://dataverse.jpl.nasa.gov/file.xhtml?fileId=25843&version=1.0
https://rps.nasa.gov/news/39/high-efficiency-stirling-convertor-demonstrates-long-term-performance/
LONG-LIVED IN-SITU SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORER (LLISSE) Tibor Kremic1 , Gary W. Hunter1 , , Linda Nero2 , 1 NASA Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland, OH 44135, USA, 2 Alcyon Technical Services, 21000 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland, OH 44135, USA
Notes App in Ipad
Screen Recorder App: Record it!
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/549/energy-storage-technologies-for-future-planetary-science-missions/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmWQiq-tAy4
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/automaton-rover-for-extreme-environments-aree/
Tags
#Venus