Modular Double Brazed PCM Heat Exchanger for Spacecraft Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchangers for spacecraft, such as water spray boilers, face challenges like coolant freezing in cold temperatures and high mass, which are undesirable for spaceflight due to mass efficiency concerns and complexity in control systems.
Innovation Solution
A phase change material (PCM) heat exchanger system with a modular, integrated double brazed layout and lanced offset fin configuration that uses a non-flow phase change material for heat storage, reducing the need for complex control systems and minimizing weight, and includes a working fluid supply system to manage temperature based on location and phase of the PCM.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a water spray boiler is used for cooling in spaceflight, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but mass increases and complexity of control systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition between solid and liquid states to absorb and store thermal energy. The PCM absorbs heat during phase change from solid to liquid, providing efficient heat transfer without requiring continuous coolant flow or complex control systems, thereby reducing mass while maintaining heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM heat exchanger operates passively using the phase change properties of the material itself to store and release thermal energy. The system does not require external control mechanisms or continuous energy input, as the PCM automatically absorbs heat when transitioning phases and releases it when reversing the transition, eliminating the need for complex control systems
2Use of energy by moving object
If a water spray boiler is used for cooling in spaceflight, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCM heat exchanger operates passively using the phase change properties of the material itself to absorb and release thermal energy. The system does not require external control mechanisms or continuous energy input, as the PCM automatically absorbs heat when transitioning phases and releases it when reversing the transition, eliminating the need for complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition between solid and liquid states to absorb and store thermal energy. The PCM absorbs heat during phase change from solid to liquid, providing efficient heat transfer without requiring continuous coolant flow or complex control systems, thereby reducing mass while maintaining heat transfer efficiency
3Device complexity
If conventional heat exchangers are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but mass efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is designed as a modular assembly with separate components including a first heat exchanger unit, a second heat exchanger unit, and a PCM storage unit. These segmented modules can be independently configured and assembled, maintaining structural simplicity while optimizing mass efficiency through targeted placement of PCM in high-heat-transfer areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition between solid and liquid states to absorb and store thermal energy. The PCM absorbs heat during phase change from solid to liquid, providing efficient heat transfer without requiring continuous coolant flow or complex control systems, thereby reducing mass while maintaining heat transfer efficiency
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 PCM heat exchanger system provides efficient heat transfer with a compact design, reduces weight and complexity, and allows for scalability, improving reliability and reusability by eliminating the need for complex control systems and minimizing mass, while effectively managing heat absorption and release.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material (PCM) heat exchanger system for a rocket or other spacecraft... utilizes phase-change material to store heat absorbed from a hot working fluid
Implementation Method 2
Heat exchangers, such as those used for cooling hydraulic fluids, generally have a monolithic design that integrates multiple tubes to exchange heat between different working fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A phase change material (PCM) heat exchanger system for a rocket or other spacecraft is described. The PCM heat exchanger utilizes phase-change material to store heat absorbed from a hot working fluid. The PCM heat exchanger may be configured as an integrated modular double brazed layout that includes folded fins to distribute heat from a working fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid) to PCM. A modular configuration may enable a heat exchanger system to be scaled up or down by adding or removing modules to meet cooling requirements for particular rockets and their flights.