Passively Deployable Thermal Radiators Using Strain Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal management technologies face challenges in providing efficient, compact, and cost-effective solutions for thermal conduction and deployment in applications such as space satellites and aerial vehicles, particularly in terms of scalability and volume constraints.
Innovation Solution
The development of passively deployable thermal management devices that incorporate thermally conductive layers, such as graphite and graphene sheets, coupled with high-strain composite components and tape springs, which deploy through strain energy to form efficient radiators with large surface areas without the need for mechanical hinges or actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional thermal management devices are used, then thermal dissipation function is provided, but device volume and mass are large
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator panels are nested within a compact cylindrical housing in a stowed configuration, allowing the device to fit within minimal volume constraints while maintaining the ability to deploy large surface area radiators when needed for thermal dissipation
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static compact form to a dynamic deployed state through passive deployment mechanisms, allowing the radiator surface area to expand dynamically based on thermal management requirements without permanently occupying large volume
2Ease of operation
If mechanically deployed thermal management devices are used, then deployment control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs passive deployment mechanisms that automatically unfold the radiator panels using pre-stored elastic energy in spring elements and shape memory alloy actuators, eliminating the need for complex external mechanical deployment systems while achieving reliable deployment control
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical hinge and actuator systems are replaced with smart material-based deployment mechanisms including shape memory alloys and elastic energy storage elements, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining deployment functionality
3Device complexity
If passive deployment is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but deployment reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates pre-charged elastic energy in spring elements and pre-programmed shape memory alloy structures that are prepared in advance to ensure reliable passive deployment, providing a cushion of stored energy that guarantees deployment even in the absence of active control systems
4Loss of energy
If large surface area radiators are deployed, then thermal dissipation efficiency is improved, but volume constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple radiator panels are nested concentrically within the cylindrical housing in a compact stowed configuration, enabling the system to achieve large deployed surface area for thermal dissipation while occupying minimal volume during storage and transit
Solution Approach 2:
The radiator panels are arranged in a three-dimensional nested configuration that allows compact stowing along the radial dimension while enabling planar expansion when deployed, effectively decoupling the stowed volume from the deployed surface area
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
These devices achieve efficient thermal dissipation with minimal volume and mass, capable of dissipating significant thermal energy while maintaining structural integrity and environmental durability, making them suitable for compact satellite systems like CubeSat and SmallSat.
Implementation Method 1
one or more strain energy components configured to deploy passively the one or more thermally conductive layers
Implementation Method 2
one or more thermally conductive layers; The multiple thermally conductive layers may include a first stack of pyrolytic graphite sheets
Implementation Method 3
The one or more high strain composite components include an asymmetric composite laminate configured to change shape when a change in temperature occurs
Data Source
AI summary
Passively deployable thermal management devices, systems, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a passively deployable radiator device that may include: one or more thermally conductive layers; and/or one or more strain energy components configured to deploy passively the one or more thermally conductive layers. The one or more thermally conductive layers may include one or more carbon layers. The one or more carbon layers may include at least one or more graphite layers or one or more graphene layers. At least the one or more graphite layers or the one or more graphene layers include at least one or more pyrolytic graphite sheets or one or more pyrolytic graphene sheets.