Flexible Heat Pipe East-West Radiator Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spacecraft radiator panels in geosynchronous earth orbit face challenges with high average temperatures and large temperature fluctuations, limited heat rejection capability, and difficult access to internal equipment, especially for east and west panels exposed to direct sun exposure.
Innovation Solution
An east-west heat transfer assembly using flexible heat pipes that couple east and west radiator panels with an equipment panel, allowing heat transfer between them to stabilize temperature fluctuations and enable equipment mounting away from the panels, improving access during integration and test.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If east and west radiator panels are used to provide additional heat rejection capability, then heat rejection capability is improved, but average temperature increases and temperature fluctuations become large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the thermal management system into separate north-south and east-west heat transfer assemblies. Each assembly independently manages heat from specific equipment, allowing optimized thermal pathways that prevent excessive temperature rise and fluctuations in equipment coupled to east-west radiators.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary thermal management structure where heat from equipment can be transferred to either north-south or east-west radiator assemblies depending on thermal requirements. This intermediary approach allows equipment to access cooling capacity from the more effective north-south radiators while still utilizing east-west radiators when needed, thereby reducing average temperatures and fluctuations.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional east and west radiator panels are installed, then heat rejection capability is improved, but access to internal equipment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the thermal management system into modular heat transfer assemblies that can be independently accessed and serviced. The equipment panels are designed to be removable or accessible without dismantling the entire radiator structure, allowing maintenance personnel to reach internal equipment while preserving the integrated thermal management functionality.
3Quantity of substance
If equipment is thermally coupled to east and west radiator panels, then heat rejection is improved, but significant heater power is required to limit temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the heat transfer paths into north-south and east-west assemblies, the invention allows equipment to be coupled to the more thermally stable north-south radiators for critical components, reducing or eliminating the need for heater power to compensate for temperature fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary thermal management architecture where heat from equipment can be routed to the thermally stable north-south radiator assembly through intermediate heat transfer components. This intermediary pathway provides more stable thermal conditions for equipment, reducing the energy required for active temperature control.
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
The flexible heat pipe system reduces temperature fluctuations and eliminates the need for additional heater power, providing a more stable thermal environment for spacecraft equipment and simplifying access to internal components.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexible heat pipes each having a first rigid tube thermally coupled to the east radiator panel, a second rigid tube coupled to the equipment panel, a third rigid tube thermally coupled to the west radiator panel
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat transfer assembly for a spacecraft is disclosed. The assembly includes an equipment panel having an east end and a west end. East and west radiator panels are coupled to the east and west ends, respectively, of the equipment panel. The assembly also includes a plurality of flexible heat pipes each having a first rigid tube thermally coupled to the east radiator panel, a second rigid tube coupled to the equipment panel, a third rigid tube thermally coupled to the west radiator panel, a first flexible tube sealingly coupled between the first and second rigid tubes, and a second flexible tube sealingly coupled between the second and third rigid tubes. The equipment panel is configured to retain one or more equipment modules in thermal contact with the second rigid tube of at least one of the plurality of flexible heat pipes.