Radioisotope power system for vehicle
Radioisotope power system and propulsion system technologies to increase the energy efficiency, mass efficiency, and duration capability of a vehicle during operation. A radioisotope power system includes a radioisotope power unit that emits a plurality of radiation particles and is configured to directly or indirectly provide power, propulsion, or both power and propulsion of a vehicle. The radioisotope power system can further include a thermoelectric generator coupled to the radioisotope power unit and configured for coupling to at least one thruster. The radioisotope power system can further include an optional radiation shield configured to block a first radiation particle of the plurality of radiation particles. The radioisotope power unit can include one or more radioisotopes. The one or more radioisotopes can include an alpha emitting isotope, a beta emitting isotope, a gamma emitting isotope, or a combination thereof.
1 . A radioisotope power system, comprising:
a radioisotope power unit that emits a plurality of radiation particles and is configured to directly or indirectly provide power, propulsion, or both power and propulsion of a vehicle; and
a radiation shield configured to block a first radiation particle of the plurality of radiation particles, wherein the radiation shield comprises an ejectable shield, the ejectable shield being selectively removable;
an extendable boom configured to be stored in a collapsed state and configured to increase a first distance between radiation-sensitive components and the radioisotope power unit when extended, wherein the radioisotope power unit includes a radioisotope battery and the radioisotope battery is located on an opposing end of the extendable boom from the radiation-sensitive components; and
a shadow shield positioned between the radioisotope battery and the extendable boom,
wherein the ejectable shield surrounds at least a portion of the shadow shield, and
wherein the shadow shield is configured to remain coupled to the radioisotope power system when the ejectable shield is removed.
2 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , wherein:
the radioisotope battery includes one or more radioisotopes.
3 . The radioisotope power system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more radioisotopes include an alpha emitting isotope, a beta emitting isotope, a gamma emitting isotope, or a combination thereof.
4 . The radioisotope power system of claim 3 , wherein the radioisotope power unit is configured to provide propulsion to the vehicle by heating a propellant.
5 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a solid-state heat transfer component configured to move heat.
6 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , wherein the radioisotope power unit is configured to provide propulsion to the vehicle by electrically or magnetically accelerating a propellant.
7 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , wherein:
the radioisotope battery includes Cobalt, Europium, Neptunium, Plutonium, or Thulium.
8 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , wherein the radioisotope battery includes a nuclear chargeable ceramic.
9 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , wherein the radioisotope power system further includes:
a radioisotope electricity generator;
a radioisotope power generator;
a radioisotope thermoelectric generator;
a thermal interface; or
a combination thereof.
10 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , further comprising a solid-state power conversion technology system, wherein:
the plurality of radiation particles include electromagnetic radiation; and
the solid-state power conversion technology system is configured for tolerance to the electromagnetic radiation.
11 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , further comprising a solid-state power conversion technology system, wherein:
the plurality of radiation particles include x-ray or gamma radiation; and
the solid-state power conversion technology system is configured for tolerance to the x-ray or gamma radiation.
12 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , wherein:
the ejectable shield includes an element identified in a periodic table as a sixth period or greater element and comprises a plurality of sub-shields;
a first sub-shield of the plurality of sub-shields is selectively removable; and
when the first sub-shield is coupled to the radioisotope power system, the first sub-shield is configured to block the first radiation particle from striking ground personnel.
13 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , further comprising a propellant tank; and
the propellant tank is configured to cause an attenuation effect of a propellant stored within the propellant tank on the plurality of radiation particles.
14 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , wherein the shadow shield is configured to block a second radiation particle of the plurality of radiation particles.
15 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , further comprising a decoupling device configured to decouple the ejectable shield.
16 . The radioisotope power system of claim 15 , wherein:
the decoupling device includes an ejector to decouple the ejectable shield.
17 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , wherein the extendable boom is configured to increase a second distance between the radiation-sensitive components and the shadow shield when extended.
18 . The radioisotope power system of claim 1 , further comprising a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, wherein when the extendable boom is extended, the radioisotope thermoelectric generator is located on the opposing end of the extendable boom from the radiation-sensitive components.