East-West Deployable Radiators for GEO Spacecraft Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) spacecraft deployable radiators face interference issues with solar arrays and communication antennas, requiring clearance cutouts that reduce thermal rejection capacity, complicate design, and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
Deployable radiators are mounted on the east and west panels of the spacecraft, allowing them to rotate into a north or south-facing position without interference, eliminating the need for clearance cutouts and simplifying the internal heat pipe arrangement, resulting in improved thermal rejection and more economical manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If deployable radiators are stowed underneath the stowed solar arrays on north or south panels, then the largest surface area is utilized and interference with communications antennas is minimized, but the radiators must incorporate clearance cutouts that decrease thermal rejection capacity and complicate the design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the deployable radiators from the north/south panel configuration to the east/west panel configuration. This dimensional change in spatial arrangement allows the radiators to be positioned on panels with larger available surface area that does not require clearance cutouts, thereby increasing thermal rejection capacity while simplifying the radiator design and manufacturing.
2Reliability
If deployable radiators are stowed underneath the stowed solar arrays, then the radiators can be deployed without interfering with communications antennas, but the clearance cutouts decrease thermal rejection capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the deployable radiators on the east/west panels rather than north/south panels. This spatial reconfiguration eliminates the need for clearance cutouts while maintaining non-interference with solar array restraint mechanisms and communication antennas, thereby maximizing thermal rejection capacity.
3Ease of manufacture
If deployable radiators are stowed on north or south panels, then the arrangement minimizes interference with communications antennas, but the design and manufacturing become more complicated and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the deployable radiators to the east/west panel configuration, which provides a simpler manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex clearance cutouts and internal heat pipe arrangements around cutouts. This positioning also maintains adequate separation from solar arrays and communication antennas to avoid interference.
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 arrangement enhances thermal rejection capabilities by 50% and simplifies the design and manufacturing of deployable radiators, reducing potential interferences and costs while maintaining high radiator efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second deployable radiators are configured to rotate into a north and south facing position, respectively, when deployed
Implementation Method 2
The first and second deployable radiators are thermally coupled to the first and second fixed radiators, respectively
Implementation Method 3
enhances thermal rejection capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A deployable radiator arrangement for cooling a geostationary earth orbit spacecraft is provided. In some aspects, the geostationary earth orbit spacecraft may comprise first and second deployable radiators mounted on an east or west surface of the spacecraft when stowed. The first and second deployable radiators are configured to rotate into a north and south facing position, respectively, when deployed. The geostationary earth orbit spacecraft may further comprise first and second fixed radiators disposed on a north and south surface of the spacecraft, respectively. The first and second deployable radiators are thermally coupled to the first and second fixed radiators, respectively.