External Thermal Compensator for Spacecraft Isolators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spacecraft vibration isolation systems with nested thermal compensators face limitations in size and weight due to the nested design, which restricts their ability to effectively regulate damping fluid pressure under high impact and long stroke range conditions, and often require additional launch locks that add complexity and weight.
Innovation Solution
An externally-pressurized damper assembly with a thermal compensator located outside the damper assembly, allowing for increased thermal compensator dimensions without increasing the overall size and weight of the damper assembly, and eliminating the need for launch locks by providing dual-mode operation for low impact and high impact conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If the thermal compensator is nested within the damper assembly housing, then the overall size and weight of the isolator is reduced, but the thermal compensator dimensions and operational capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the thermal compensator into two separate functional parts: a compensator body externally mounted on the damper assembly housing, and a compensator piston internally positioned within the housing. This segmentation allows the compensator body to be sized for optimal thermal compensation performance while the piston remains compact within the housing constraints, resolving the contradiction between overall size reduction and operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a purely nested (3D internal) arrangement to an external mounting configuration with internal piston action. The compensator body is positioned in an external dimension (outside the housing) while the piston operates in the internal dimension (within the housing), allowing the external compensator to achieve larger dimensions for high-impact/long-stroke conditions without increasing the internal housing volume.
2Reliability
If the thermal compensator size is increased to regulate fluid pressure under high impact conditions, then the pressure regulation capability is improved, but the overall volume and weight of the damping fluid increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the compensator body from the compensator piston and housing them in different locations (external vs. internal), the patent enables the compensator body to be sized for adequate pressure regulation under high impact conditions, while the internal piston and housing remain compact, thereby avoiding the need to increase the overall volume of damping fluid.
3Reliability
If additional launch locks are added to protect against high impact conditions, then the protection capability is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the thermal compensator perform multiple functions: it provides thermal compensation for damping fluid pressure under normal operating conditions, and simultaneously provides overpressure protection under high impact/launch conditions. This eliminates the need for separate launch locks, reducing device complexity while maintaining protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensator system is designed to automatically respond to both thermal expansion and impact-induced pressure increases without requiring external control systems or additional protective devices. The compensator piston moves freely to accommodate pressure changes from either cause, providing self-service protection that eliminates complex control logic and additional hardware.
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 maintains damping fluid pressure within acceptable limits across varying temperature conditions, reduces the overall size and weight of the isolator, and eliminates the need for launch locks, enhancing reliability and reducing hardware costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
damping fluid volume fluctuates due to changes in temperature
Implementation Method 2
A first bellows is disposed within the damper assembly housing and bounds an inner circumference of the first hydraulic chamber such that the first bellows is externally pressurized when the first hydraulic chamber is filled with the damping fluid
Implementation Method 3
Vibration isolation systems commonly include a number of individual vibration isolators... The performance of a vibration isolation systems is largely determined by... the vibration attenuation characteristics of each individual isolator
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of an isolator are provided, as are embodiments of a spacecraft isolation system employing a number of three parameter isolators. In one embodiment, the isolator includes an externally-pressurized damper assembly and a thermal compensator, which is located external to the externally-pressurized damper assembly. The damper assembly includes, in turn, a damper assembly housing and a first hydraulic chamber configured to be filled with a damping fluid. The first hydraulic chamber is located within the damper assembly housing and is fluidly coupled to the thermal compensator. A first bellows is disposed within the damper assembly housing and bounds an inner circumference of the first hydraulic chamber such that the first bellows is externally pressurized when the first hydraulic chamber is filled with the damping fluid.