Thermally Insulating Mechanical Support for Space Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoregulated space equipment support structures face challenges in achieving both high mechanical stiffness and thermal insulation, as they are often complex and costly to manufacture, such as in the case of optical instruments where temperature increases can disrupt image quality.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical support structure comprising a metallic mesh with a block of thermally insulating material, where the mesh forms a mechanical connection between the equipment and the platform, and the insulating material fills the interstices, made from materials with matching thermal expansion coefficients, allowing for additive manufacturing and reduced assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a complex structure with ceramic plates and adjustment shims is used, then thermal insulation and mechanical stiffness are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining metal mesh (for mechanical strength and stiffness) with ceramic foam material (for thermal insulation). This composite approach achieves both mechanical support and thermal insulation functions in a single integrated component, avoiding the need for complex assemblies of multiple ceramic parts while maintaining performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ceramic foam material, a porous material, as the core component of the support structure. The porous structure provides effective thermal insulation while maintaining mechanical integrity. The metal mesh is positioned within the pores of the ceramic foam, creating an integrated composite structure that simplifies manufacturing compared to traditional solid ceramic assemblies.
2Temperature
If traditional ceramic support structures are used, then thermal insulation is improved, but mechanical stiffness and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines metal mesh with ceramic foam material to create a composite support structure. The metal mesh provides mechanical reinforcement and can be easily formed into desired geometries, while the ceramic foam provides thermal insulation. This composite structure is easier to manufacture than traditional solid ceramic supports because the foam material can be produced through straightforward foam-making processes followed by metal mesh integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and structure of the ceramic material from solid dense form to foam form. This parameter change dramatically improves thermal insulation properties while maintaining adequate mechanical strength when combined with the metal mesh framework, and simplifies the manufacturing process compared to traditional ceramic machining and assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If metal support structures are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but thermal insulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where metal mesh (easy to manufacture) is integrated within ceramic foam material (good thermal insulation). The metal mesh provides structural framework and ease of fabrication, while the surrounding ceramic foam material provides the necessary thermal insulation barrier, achieving both goals simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different materials with different properties to different regions of the support structure: metal mesh is used where mechanical strength and ease of manufacture are critical, while ceramic foam material is used where thermal insulation is most needed. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both manufacturability and thermal performance.
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 a cost-effective, mechanically stiff, and thermally insulating support structure that maintains equipment stability and reduces thermal interference, enabling efficient operation of thermoregulated space equipment like optical instruments and cryostats.
Implementation Method 1
at least one block of mechanically rigid and thermally insulating material continuously and rigidly connecting said first and second interface portions
Implementation Method 2
the metal or metallic alloy forming said mesh and said first and second interface portions on the one hand, and the thermally insulating material block on the other hand, have respective coefficients of thermal expansion equal to at most 20%
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to thermoregulated space equipment (10) which comprises at least one mechanical support structure (1) comprising a first metal portion (2) for interfacing with the equipment, which first metal portion is rigidly connected to at least one second metal portion (3) for interfacing with a space platform (20), characterised in that the mechanical support structure further comprises at least one metal mesh (4) which forms a mechanical connection between the first and second interface portions, the mechanical support structure also comprising at least one mechanically rigid and thermally insulating block of material (5) which continuously and rigidly connects the first and second interface portions and fills the metal mesh.