Structural analyses of a PX-type, Nb-1Zr/C-103 vapor-anode AMTEC cell

Nb-1Zr/C-103 PX-type AMTEC cells were proposed for future space power applications and shown to have a specific mass of 19.7 g/We. In this paper, linear stress and buckling analyses of these cells, while mounted in the radioisotope generator configuration proposed by AMPS, are performed. The stress and buckling analyses are performed using the Algor finite element analysis software. The stress analyses results indicated that the total induced Von Mises stresses in the structural support members of the cells will not exceed 86% of the temperature dependent yield stresses, suggesting that no permanent deformation should be expected during launch. The buckling analysis indicated the need to use reinforcing ribs on the cell wall and to decrease the pressure of the inert cover gas in the generator to 125 kPa. The total mass of the ribbed Nb-1Zr/C-103 cell increased by 5.0% from 163.4 g to 171.5 g, while its specific mass at the predicted maximum electric power of 8.0 W_e is 21.3 g/W_e