Spacecraft radiator cooling system
First Claim
1. A spacecraft having a body, a pair of spaced apart generally parallel radiator panels and a first panel member positioned substantially transversely between said radiator panels, the improvement comprising:
- a first plurality of heat pipe members positioned in one of said pair of radiator panels and generally parallel to said first panel member;
a second pair of heat pipe members in thermal communication with and positioned transverse to said first plurality of heat pipe members;
a third plurality of heat pipe members positioned in the other of said pair of radiator panels and generally parallel to said first panel member;
a fourth plurality of heat pipe members in thermal communication with and positioned transverse to said third plurality of heat pipe members; and
a fifth plurality of heat pipe members positioned transversely between said pair of radiator panels and adjacent to said panel member, said fifth plurality of heat pipe members connected by curved heat pipe members to said second and fourth plurality of heat pipe members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A heat pipe network for a satellite or spacecraft is disclosed. The network is constructed from formed and straight heat pipes securely connected together with a highly conductive material, such as Grafoil, serving as an interface gasket. The heat pipe network is interconnected to the subnadir panel and auxiliary panels, and thermally couples the North and South radiator panels. High thermal dissipating units can be mounted to heat pipes on panels attached to the main spacecraft radiator panels. The heat pipes transfer the thermal energy to the radiator panels where it is radiated to space.
71 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A spacecraft having a body, a pair of spaced apart generally parallel radiator panels and a first panel member positioned substantially transversely between said radiator panels, the improvement comprising:
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a first plurality of heat pipe members positioned in one of said pair of radiator panels and generally parallel to said first panel member; a second pair of heat pipe members in thermal communication with and positioned transverse to said first plurality of heat pipe members; a third plurality of heat pipe members positioned in the other of said pair of radiator panels and generally parallel to said first panel member; a fourth plurality of heat pipe members in thermal communication with and positioned transverse to said third plurality of heat pipe members; and a fifth plurality of heat pipe members positioned transversely between said pair of radiator panels and adjacent to said panel member, said fifth plurality of heat pipe members connected by curved heat pipe members to said second and fourth plurality of heat pipe members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A radiator cooling system for a spacecraft comprising:
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a first radiator panel member and a second radiator panel member positioned substantially parallel to each other in said spacecraft; a first cross-panel member attached to and extending between said first and second radiator panel members; a first plurality of heat pipe members positioned on said first radiator panel member; a second plurality of heat pipe members positioned on said second radiator panel member; a third plurality of heat pipe members positioned on said first cross-panel member and substantially transverse to said first and second plurality of heat pipe members; and a plurality of curved connector heat pipe members connecting together in heat transfer relationship said first, second and third plurality of heat pipe members. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification