Spacecraft Radiator Panel Insert for Creep-Resistant Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spacecraft radiator panels face inefficiencies in heat transfer due to mechanical creep and relaxation in joints, requiring modifications to face-sheets and cores, and inefficient heat pipe penetration methods.

Innovation Solution

The use of inserts positioned between face-sheets adjacent to heat pipes, which are in mechanical and thermal communication, allowing secure packaging without penetrating the face-sheets, and utilizing off-the-shelf heat pipes that do not require customization, maintaining efficient heat transfer and structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If heat pipe flange penetrates the inside face-sheet to secure the electronics package, then the package can be securely mounted, but the face-sheet requires machining modifications and the assembly process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidface-sheet modification

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mounting plate as an intermediary component between the heat pipe flange and the inside face-sheet. The mounting plate receives the protruding flange portion and provides mounting surfaces for electronic packages, eliminating the need to machine openings in the face-sheet while maintaining secure mounting capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting function is segmented into separate components: the heat pipe flange, the mounting plate, and the electronic packages. This allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled without modifying the face-sheet structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If heat pipe flange extends through the inside face-sheet, then the heat pipe can be positioned and secured, but the honeycomb core must be modified to extend around the heat pipe and flange

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat pipe positioningVSAvoidcore modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate serves as an intermediary that accommodates the heat pipe flange and provides structural support, eliminating the need to modify the honeycomb core to extend around the flange. The core maintains its standard configuration while the mounting plate handles the positioning and securing functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If non-penetrating fasteners are used with epoxy-potted joints, then the face-sheet remains intact, but the joints are subject to mechanical creep and relaxation over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveface-sheet integrityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the natural curvature and geometry of the heat pipe flange in combination with the mounting plate to create a mechanically robust joint that resists creep and relaxation, maintaining reliable thermal contact over time without compromising face-sheet integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the mechanical parameters of the joint by using the protruding flange geometry combined with the mounting plate structure, creating a joint that maintains stable thermal and mechanical contact without relying on epoxy-potted fasteners that are susceptible to creep

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by moving object

If custom-modified heat pipes are used to accommodate package dimensions, then the heat transfer can be optimized, but the heat pipes require customization and cannot use off-the-shelf components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer optimizationVSAvoidheat pipe customization

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate provides a universal mounting interface that can accommodate different electronic package configurations without requiring custom-modified heat pipes. Standard off-the-shelf heat pipes with flanges can be used in conjunction with the mounting plate to achieve optimized heat transfer for various package arrangements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution enhances heat transfer efficiency by reducing mechanical creep and eliminating the need for face-sheet penetration, maintaining long-term thermal performance and simplifying the design and assembly process of radiator panels.

Implementation Method 1

Heat pipes are heat transfer devices that rely on phase transition of a working fluid to transfer heat from one location to another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

heat from the electronics package 20 conducts through the flange to the body of the heat pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9238513B2Spacecraft radiator panels

Publication Date: 2016.01.19 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Spacecraft, radiator panels for spacecraft, kits for radiator panels, inserts associated with radiator panels, heat pipes associated with radiator panels, and methods of assembling radiator panels are disclosed herein. Radiator panels according to the present disclosure include at least one insert that is positioned adjacent to a heat pipe between two spaced-apart face-sheets, with the insert being configured to secure a package to the inside face-sheet opposite of the heat pipe.