A two-phase thermodynamic power
system includes a capillary device, vapor accumulator,
superheater, an inline
turbine, a condenser, a liquid pump and a liquid preheater for generating output power as a generator. The capillary device, such as a
loop heat pipe or a capillary pumped loop, is coupled to a vapor accumulator,
superheater, the inline
turbine for generating output power for power generation, liquid pump and liquid preheater. The capillary device receives input heat that is used to change phase of liquid received from the liquid preheater, liquid pump and condenser into vapor for extra heating in the
superheater used to then drive the
turbine. The power
system is well suited for space applications using a radioisotope, active nuclear or
solar heat source. The
system can use
waste heat from various dynamic or static power systems as a heat source and
waste heat from
spacecraft components such as
electronics as a heat source. These heat sources can be used separately or in any combination. The power system can be combined with
thermal energy storage devices when operated with heat sources that are not
steady state. Heat sources are useful for driving the capillary wick, superheater and liquid preheater for increased power efficiency and long lifetime operation. The power system is well suited for space receiving heat from a heat source to produce useful
mechanical energy. A superheater in combination with a liquid pump and preheater are implemented for use with the
evaporator for improved
thermal efficiency while operating at maximum cycle temperatures well below other available power conversion cycles.