Integrated Heat Pipe Panel Rail for Faster Equipment Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of inserts for securing electronic equipment to heat-dissipating sandwich panels in spacecraft is cumbersome, requiring precise location and alignment, leading to assembly constraints, delays, and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece profile section with a heat pipe tube and a groove for securing equipment, allowing flexible positioning and eliminating the need for inserts, while optimizing panel assembly and reducing manufacturing times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If inserts are used to secure equipment to sandwich panels, then mechanical strength and structural integrity are improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat pipe structure with the panel skin into a single integrated component. The heat pipe is formed as an integral part of the skin through processes like extrusion or molding, eliminating the need for separate inserts. This integration maintains mechanical strength while significantly reducing assembly complexity and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated heat pipe structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal management by conducting heat away from electronic components, maintains structural integrity as part of the skin, and eliminates the need for separate fastening inserts. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by combining strength-providing and heat-dissipating roles in one component.
2Strength
If inserts are used for equipment securing, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing time and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is manufactured as an integral part of the skin in a single production process, such as extrusion or injection molding. This eliminates separate manufacturing steps for producing and installing inserts, thereby maintaining structural integrity while significantly improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe structure is pre-formed as part of the skin during the skin manufacturing process itself. The thermal management functionality and structural support features are built into the skin before assembly, eliminating the need for subsequent insert installation steps and accelerating overall production.
3Temperature
If heat pipe is introduced perpendicular to panel, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the heat pipe directly into the skin structure, the perpendicular orientation for optimal heat dissipation is built into the design from the outset. The heat pipe extends perpendicularly from the skin surface where it contacts electronic components, maintaining thermal efficiency without requiring separate alignment steps that would increase precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The optimal perpendicular orientation of the heat pipe is predetermined and built into the skin structure during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning ensures maximum heat dissipation efficiency is achieved automatically during assembly, eliminating the need for precise real-time alignment operations.
4Strength
If inserts are used for equipment mounting, then mechanical holding strength is improved, but assembly time and operational constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe structure is combined with the skin to provide both thermal management and mechanical support functions. The integrated structure inherently provides holding strength for equipment mounting while eliminating the time-consuming insert installation process, thereby reducing assembly time without sacrificing mechanical holding capability.
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 solution provides interchangeable and efficient heat dissipation with reduced manufacturing times and costs, while maintaining structural integrity and thermal performance.
Implementation Method 1
The heat pipe, marked by 1 in FIG. 1, is conventionally in the shape of a bar which is introduced into the centre of a panel 2, perpendicularly to the equipment 3 and in direct thermal contact with the two skins 4, 5... The heat-transfer fluid vaporizes near the equipment 3 by absorbing the heat stored by the skin 4 (hot source)... The fluid subsequently condenses at a distance from the equipment 3 to return to the liquid state by transferring thermal energy by diffusion to the external skin 5 (cold source)
Implementation Method 2
The fluid subsequently condenses at a distance from the equipment 3 to return to the liquid state by transferring thermal energy by diffusion to the external skin 5 (cold source)
Implementation Method 3
given that gravity is essentially non-existent during the operating life of the spacecraft, longitudinal splines 8 are provided to protrude from the internal surface of the tube 7 radially inwards, and thus allow the circulation of the liquid and gas phases in either direction by capillarity
Data Source
AI summary
A profile section for an equipment support panel. The profile section is formed in one piece, comprising a tube suitable for forming a heat pipe by introducing and confining a heat-transfer fluid inside of same, and a groove provided to form a rail along its length for securing at least one piece of equipment supported by the panel, this groove being shaped to form-fittingly engage with an attachment member rigidly connected to the at least one piece of equipment.