Deployable Satellite Antenna Panels With Two-Phase Thermal Loop
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite systems with large surface area radiant antennas and numerous elements face challenges in maintaining homogeneous temperature across their surface, especially when emitting high powers, which complicates thermal management and radiofrequency performance.
Innovation Solution
The satellite design incorporates a radiant antenna with a fixed panel and at least one deployable panel, along with a diphasic loop featuring flexible connections and a heat transfer fluid that circulates to recover heat emitted by the radiating elements and amplifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the radiating antenna surface area is increased to ensure high throughput and ultra-high throughput, then the power consumption and power dissipation increase, but maintaining temperature homogeneity becomes more difficult and thermal management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna surface is divided into multiple independent radiating elements distributed across the panels. Each element can be individually managed thermally through the two-phase loop network, allowing localized heat removal while maintaining overall temperature homogeneity across the large surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
A two-phase loop fluid system acts as an intermediary between the radiating elements and the heat dissipation path. The fluid circulates through channels behind the panels, absorbing heat from multiple radiating elements and transporting it to dedicated heat dissipation zones, thereby decoupling the radiating surface from the heat generation sources.
2Productivity
If the radiating antenna surface area is increased to ensure high throughput and ultra-high throughput, then the power consumption and power dissipation increase, but the complexity of thermal control systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structural panels and thermal management system are merged into a single integrated structure. The panels serve both as mechanical support for the radiating elements and as thermal pathways through embedded two-phase loop channels, eliminating the need for separate thermal control hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-phase loop system provides self-regulating thermal management through phase change physics. As heat is absorbed from radiating elements, the fluid automatically transitions between liquid and vapor phases, absorbing large amounts of heat without temperature increase, then condenses at heat dissipation zones, providing passive thermal control without complex active management.
3Ease of operation
If deployable panels are used to enable transport and deployment of large surface area antennas, then the ability to maintain temperature homogeneity across the antenna surface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The two-phase loop channels are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide thermal pathways during deployed operation and maintain structural integrity during transport. The flexible connections allow the thermal network to adapt to both deployed and stowed configurations while maintaining thermal connectivity across all panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management system is designed to be dynamic, with flexible two-phase loop connections that can accommodate the mechanical movements of deployable panels. The system adapts its geometry from a compact folded state during transport to an extended deployed state during operation, maintaining thermal homogeneity in both configurations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for efficient heat recovery and temperature homogeneity across the antenna surface, even with high power dissipation, thereby ensuring reliable radiofrequency performance and facilitating transport and assembly of the satellite.
Implementation Method 1
a two-phase loop in which a fluid circulates and configured to recover the heat and transmitted to the base
Implementation Method 2
flexible connections comprising at least one flexible thermal channel and connecting the portions of the two-phase loop, the fluid circulating in the at least one flexible thermal channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a satellite comprising: a chassis (102), a radiating antenna (120) comprising: radiating elements (110); amplifiers (103) associated with the radiating elements (110); a base (104) on which the radiating elements (110) and the amplifiers (103) are mounted, the base (104) being configured to carry the radiating elements and the amplifiers and to dissipate heat emitted by the radiating elements and/or the amplifiers when they are in operation, the base comprising at least one fixed panel (104a) attached to the chassis and at least one deployable panel (104b, 104c) hinged to the first panel (104a), each of the panels carrying at least one of the radiating elements and an amplifier; and a two-phase loop (106) in which a fluid circulates and configured to recover heat and transmit it to the base, the two-phase loop comprising: two portions, each fixed to one of the two panels of the base;and flexible connections (108) comprising at least one flexible thermal channel and connecting the portions of the two-phase loop, the fluid circulating in the at least one flexible thermal channel.