ARCTIC COMMUNICATIONS TECHNIQUES: REMOTE UNATTENDED POPOWER SYSTEMS

DEVELOPMENT IS PROPOSED OF A SMALL, SELF-CONTAINED POWER UNIT CAPABLE OF OPERATING UNATTENDED FOR LONG PERIODS WITH GREAT RELIABILITY. THE UNIT IS INTENDED FOR INCORPORATED AS THE STORAGE BATTERY TRICKLE CHARGER IN A DATA GATHERING AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR THE ARCTIC AND OTHER REMOTE ISOLATED AREAS. THE ENERGY SOURCES ANTICIPATED FOR THE POWERUNIT INCLUDE NUCLEAR (RADIOISOTOPE) AND CHEMICAL (LIQUID METHANE COMBUSTION). THE HEART OF THE POWER UNIT IS A ROSS- STIRLING ENGINE OF 60 CUBIC CENTIMETER ENGINE DISPLACEMENT PRODUCTING 100 WATT SHAFT OUTPUT. THE ENGINE OPERATES ON A CLOSED THERMODYNAMIC REGENERATIVE CYCLE WITH COMPRESSION ANDEXPANSION OF THE SAME WORKING FLUID (AIR) AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE LEVELS. THE ENGINE IS HEATED EXTERNALLY AND IS WATER COOLED. IT HAS SEALED BEARINGS THROUGHOUT THE NOVEL ROSS LINKAGE AND USES DRY RUBBING SEALS ON THE PISTON AND POWER OUTPUT SHAFT.