FIELD: nuclear power and space engineering; space power and motive installations.
SUBSTANCE: proposed double-mode nuclear power unit designed to solve two problems of delivering spacecraft to orbit followed by power supply to spacecraft equipment has thermionic converter reactor incorporating core and side reflector that accommodates operating elements of protection and control system. Thermionic converter reactor functions to supply with power transport-mode loads at rated power level and continuously running loads at reduced power level. Reactor core has two groups of fuel assemblies built of power-generating elements and rated at different service periods. First group incorporates assemblies of power-generating elements whose service period is equal to or longer than operating time of transport-mode loads and second group, of those whose service period is equal to or longer than total operating time of transport- and continuous-power-mode loads. Power-generating elements of second-group assemblies have reduced amount of fissionable material compared with those of first group. Assemblies of first group are disposed in peripheral part of core at side reflector and those of second group, in central part of core.
EFFECT: enhanced operating reliability and service period of nuclear power unit in both modes due to effective operation of protection and control system components.
1 cl, 5 dwg
