one mini-BRU by adding the required number of heat source, heat exchanger and radiator modules (Fig. 4). BIPS was intended to be a high performance power source for LEO application: a sink temperature of 216°K was assumed. The mini-BRU was unique for its small size (500-2100 watts); although turbomachinery generally does not scale well to low power levels a compressor efficiency of 77% and a turbine efficiency of 83.6% was achieved. In testing BIPS achieved 24.5% efficiency (Fig. 5) at a turbine inlet temperature of 1020°K. Table V presents the performance and mass breakdown of a 500 watt Brayton DIPS, based on BIPS technology, and specifically configured for the MRSR mission: for example, dual PUCs for 100% redundancy. In order to achieve improved performance, a higher turbine inlet temperature (1150°K) than BIPS was required, nevertheless conventional superalloy materials and construction are retained.
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