Survivable pulse power space radiator

• US 4,832,113 A
• Filed: 03/11/1988
• Issued: 05/23/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Department of Energy
• Original Assignee: United States Department of Energy
• Inventors: Williams, Kenneth, Buden, David, Mims, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Jr., Albert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ford, John K.
• Application Number:
  US07/167,203
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 244/158 R, 244/163, 244/173, 165/41, 165/86, 165/1
• US Class Current: 165/41
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/222 for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/42 Arrangements or adaptations of power supply systems
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/503 Radiator panels
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/506 Heat pipes

Abstract

A thermal radiator system is described for use on an outer space vehicle, which must survive a long period of nonuse and then radiate large amounts of heat for a limited period of time. The radiator includes groups of radiator panels that are pivotally connected in tandem, so that they can be moved to deployed configuration wherein the panels lie largely coplanar, and to a stowed configuration wherein the panels lie in a stack to resist micrometeorite damage. The panels are mounted on a boom which separates a hot power source from a payload. While the panels are stowed, warm fluid passes through their arteries to keep them warm enough to maintain the coolant in a liquid state and avoid embrittlement of material. The panels can be stored in a largely cylindrical shell, with panels progressively further from the boom being of progressively shorter length.

Claims

1. A method for radiating heat from a heat-generating power source on an orbiting outer space vehicle, wherein the power source is established in a very active state to generate considerable heat only a fraction of the time the vehicle is in orbit, and a minimally active state to generate much less heat part of the time the vehicle is in orbit, comprising:

maintaining said vehicle in orbit with said power source in said minimally active state, and then establishing said power source in said very active state;

establishing a plurality of radiator panels that are each coupled to said power source to receive heat therefrom and that each has a length and ends spaced by said length, with pairs of said panels being pivotally connected at their ends;

maintaining said plurality of panels in a stowed configuration when said power source is in said minimally active state, wherein in said stowed configuration said panels are angled about 0°

at said joints and said panels lie in substantially parallel planes and adjacent to one another in a stack, and establishing said plurality of panels in a deployed configuration substantially only when said power source is in said very active state, wherein in said deployed configuration said panels are angled at least about 90°

at said joints.

2. A pulse power space radiator system for use on an outer space vehicle to radiate heat, comprising:

a plurality of radiator panels, each having arteries for carrying a hot fluid and means forming a radiator surface thermally coupled to said arteries for receiving heat therefrom and radiating it;

means for moving said panels between a deployed configuration wherein they lie substantially coplanar to radiate heat, and a stowed configuration wherein they lie in a stack;

a power generator which creates heat, and a payload which can operate reliably only if heating thereof is avoided; and

a boom connecting said power generator and payload, said plurality of panels including at least one panel mounted on said boom and occupying a space lying substantially between said generator and payload.

3. A thermal space radiator for use on an outer space vehicle to radiate heat, comprising:

a largely cylindrical transport shell having an axis;

first and second groups of radiator panels lying in said shell, each panel including arteries for carrying a hot fluid and means forming a radiator surface thermally coupled to said arteries for receiving heat therefrom and radiating it, each panel having a length and first and second ends spaced by its length, and each group including at least first, second and third panels;

means for pivotally connecting the ends of pairs of said panels to connect the panels in each group in tandem, said means for pivotally connecting forming fluid joints connecting the arteries of pairs of connected panels;

said panels lying in said shell in a stowed configuration wherein each of said panels of a group lies in substantially parallel planes, with said first panel of each group lying nearest said axis and subsequent panels of the group lying progressively further from said axis, and each group lies primarily on a different side of said axis;

each of said groups of panels includes panels of different lengths, with the panel furthest from said axis being of smaller length than the panel closest to said axis; and

means for moving said shell relative to said group of panels to enable said panels to be moved to their deployed position.

4. A method for radiating heat from a heat-generating power source on an outer space vehicle, wherein the power source is very active to generate considerable heat only a fraction of the time, and minimally active to generate much less heat part of the time, comprising:

establishing a plurality of radiator panels that are each coupled to said power source to receive heat therefrom and that each has a length and ends spaced by said length, with pairs of said panels being pivotally connected at their ends;

maintaining said plurality of panels in a stowed configuration when said power source is minimally active, wherein in said stowed configuration said panels are angled about 0°

at said joints and said panels lie in substantially parallel planes and adjacent to one another in a stack, and establishing said plurality of panels in a deployed configuration when said power source is very active, wherein in said deployed configuration said panels are angled at least about 90°

at said joints;

passing a working fluid from said power source and through said panels, and cooling said fluid by radiation from said panels;

operating said power source when it is minimally active and said panels are in a stowed configuration, at a level to generate sufficient heat to maintain said working fluid above its solidifying temperature in said stowed panels.