Overview of NASA Magnet and Linear Alternator Research Efforts

The Department of Energy, Lockheed Martin, Stirling Technology Company, and NASA Glenn Research Center are developing a high‐efficiency, 110 watt Stirling Radioisotope Generator (SRG110) for NASA Space Science missions. NASA Glenn is conducting in‐house research on rare earth permanent magnets and on linear alternators to assist in developing a free‐piston Stirling convertor for the SRG110 and for developing advanced technology. The permanent magnet research efforts include magnet characterization, short‐term magnet aging tests, and long‐term magnet aging tests. Linear alternator research efforts have begun just recently at GRC with the characterization of a moving iron type linear alternator using GRC’s alternator test rig. This paper reports on the progress and future plans of GRC’s magnet and linear alternator research efforts.