Abstract: A power conversion system for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity is provided. The system includes a chamber including an inner shroud having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passageway between the inlet and the outlet through which a working fluid passes. The chamber also includes an outer shroud substantially surrounding the inner shroud. The chamber includes a source heat exchanger disposed in the internal passageway, the source heat exchanger being configured to receive a heat transmitting element associated with the heat source external to the chamber, and to transfer heat energy from the heat transmitting element to the working fluid. The system also includes a compressor disposed adjacent the inlet of the inner shroud and configured to transfer energy from the compressor to the working fluid, and an expander disposed adjacent the outlet of the inner shroud.

Abstract: Power conversion systems for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the power conversion system may include a substantially sealed chamber having an inner shroud having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passageway between the inlet and the outlet through which a working fluid passes. The sealed chamber may also include an outer shroud substantially surrounding the inner shroud, such that the working fluid exiting the outlet of the inner shroud returns to the inlet of the inner shroud in a closed-loop via a return passageway formed between an external surface of the inner shroud and an internal surface of the outer shroud. The power conversion system may further include a source heat exchanger disposed in the internal passageway of the inner shroud, the source heat exchanger being configured to at least partially receive a heat transmitting element.

Abstract: The fuel cartridge may include a plurality of fuel channels, a first header disposed on a first side of a fuel matrix, a second header disposed on a second side of the fuel matrix opposite to the first side, and a plurality of cooling tubes through which a working fluid flows. Each of the plurality of cooling tubes may pass through each corresponding cooling channel of the plurality of cooling channels, where each of the plurality of cooling tubes has a first end connected to the first header and a second end connected to the second header. The fuel cartridge may include an interior space for sealingly containing the fuel matrix may include a pressure boundary independent from an interior of the plurality of cooling tubes, such that the interior space is not in fluid communication with the plurality of cooling tubes.

Abstract: A nuclear power reactor may include a plurality of power modules, each including a nuclear fuel and a power conversion system configured to convert heat generated from the nuclear fuel to electricity, where the nuclear fuel of the plurality of power modules collectively forms a reactor core. The nuclear power reactor may also include a sleeve being disposed between the plurality of power modules, where the sleeve has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The nuclear power reactor may further include a reactivity booster having a neutron source and a reactivity quencher having a neutron absorber. The reactivity booster may be movable between a first location adjacent the first end of the sleeve and a second location adjacent the reactor core, and the reactivity quencher may be movable between a third location adjacent the second end and the second location adjacent the reactor core.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a transportable nuclear power generator having a plurality of subcritical power modules are disclosed. Each of the plurality of subcritical power modules includes a fuel cartridge, a power conversion unit, and a housing substantially enclosing the fuel cartridge and the power conversion unit. The fuel cartridge contains a nuclear fuel and has a proximal end and a distal end. The power conversion unit includes a compressor turbine disposed at the proximal end of the fuel cartridge and a power turbine disposed at the distal end of the fuel cartridge. At least one of the plurality of subcritical power modules is movable with respect to the other of the plurality of subcritical power modules between a first position and a second position to control criticality of the nuclear fuel contained in the fuel cartridges of the plurality of subcritical power modules.