Vertical Microwave Multiplexer Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microwave channel multiplexing devices face challenges with high thermal flux densities and large installation footprints in satellite applications, particularly when operating in off-band modes, leading to significant thermal gradients and increased mass due to material additions for thermal management.
Innovation Solution
A thermally optimized microwave channel multiplexing device with a conducto-radiative device comprising a thermally conducting plate coupled to the external peripheral walls of filters, enhancing radiative exchanges and reducing thermal gradients by diffusing heat fluxes through a conducto-radiative plate with recesses and mini-heat pipes, allowing for improved thermal management without increasing mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a horizontal architecture of the OMUX is used, then thermal gradients of the channels are well controlled, but thermal flux densities at the heat pipes interfaces become significant and the installation footprint is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal architecture to a vertical architecture, reorienting the filters and heat pipes from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. This dimensional change reduces the installation footprint while managing thermal flux through vertical heat pipe interfaces, directly addressing the contradiction between footprint reduction and thermal management.
2Power
If the power dissipation in off-band mode is three times higher than in nominal mode, then the filter absorbs and dissipates large energy, but this generates strong temperature gradients that penalize the flexible membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal compensation device as an intermediary element between the filter cavity and the flexible membrane. This device includes a thermal mass and thermal conductors that act as mediators to absorb and distribute the thermal energy generated during off-band operation, preventing direct heat transfer to the membrane and reducing temperature gradients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thermal compensation by changing the thermal parameters of the system - specifically by introducing elements with high thermal mass and high thermal conductivity to modify the thermal response characteristics. This allows the system to withstand higher power dissipation during off-band mode without creating damaging temperature gradients in the membrane.
3Temperature
If thermally conducting material is added to reduce thermal gradients, then thermal management improves, but the mass of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal management materials locally rather than throughout the entire device. The thermal compensation device is positioned specifically where thermal gradients are most problematic - between the cavity and the flexible membrane - using high thermal conductivity materials only in the critical thermal path while keeping other parts of the device lightweight.
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 effectively decreases thermal flux density and reduces thermal gradients, making the device more compact and efficient in managing heat dissipation, especially in high-power applications, while minimizing mass and footprint constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a conducto-radiative device coupled mechanically and thermally to at least two filters, the conducto-radiative device comprising at least one thermally conducting plate
Implementation Method 2
enhancing radiative exchanges and reducing thermal gradients by diffusing heat fluxes through a conducto-radiative plate
Implementation Method 3
the plate being fixed at the level of the upper end of the filters
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave channel multiplexing device comprises several elementary filters connected in parallel with a common output port by way of a transverse waveguide, each filter comprising a lower end fixed to a support common to all the filters and an upper end away from the support, an external peripheral wall, at least one internal cavity defining an internal channel, a signal input connected to the internal cavity and a signal output connected to the transverse waveguide. The multiplexing device furthermore comprises a conducto-radiative device coupled mechanically and thermally to at least two filters, the conducto-radiative device comprising at least one thermally conducting plate, and linked to the external peripheral walls of each of said at least two filters, the plate being fixed at the level of the upper end of the filters. The invention applies to the field of satellite telecommunications and more particularly to signals repetition devices aboard satellites.