Deployable radiators for spacecraft
First Claim
1. A deployable radiator adapted to be mounted on a radiating surface of a spacecraft, which radiator comprises a linking panel structure.at least ten springy closed loops of pipe each containing a working fluid and each at least partially extending across the linking structure panel and being attached thereto, and a plurality of capillary evaporators connected, one in each closed loop of pipe, each of which evaporators is adapted to be secured to the radiating surface of a spacecraft, said closed pipe loops and linking panel being sufficiently flexible to be rolled-up, whereby the linking panel structure and the springy closed loops of pipe secured thereto can be rolled up and secured for launch, and deployed by unrolling under influence of the spring force of the rolled up loops.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A limiting feature in spacecraft such as communication satellites is becoming the amount of surface such as 5, 6 available for dissipating waste heat from the electrical equipment in the satellite. The invention provides a deployable radiator 11 which carries a number of capillary pumped loops consisting of an evaporator, an outward limb and a return limb. The panel 11 is rolled up to coil the elements prior to launch, and unrolled when in orbit. The outward and return lengths of tube act as condenser for the capillary pumped loop, transport the heat over the radiating panel 11 and also provide the spring force for the panel to unroll.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A deployable radiator adapted to be mounted on a radiating surface of a spacecraft, which radiator comprises a linking panel structure.
at least ten springy closed loops of pipe each containing a working fluid and each at least partially extending across the linking structure panel and being attached thereto, and a plurality of capillary evaporators connected, one in each closed loop of pipe, each of which evaporators is adapted to be secured to the radiating surface of a spacecraft, said closed pipe loops and linking panel being sufficiently flexible to be rolled-up, whereby the linking panel structure and the springy closed loops of pipe secured thereto can be rolled up and secured for launch, and deployed by unrolling under influence of the spring force of the rolled up loops.
Specification