HEAT SWITCH RADIATORS FOR VARIABLE RATE HEAT REJECTION

• US 20150211814A1
• Filed: 01/24/2014
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International Inc (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International Inc (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Zaffetti, Mark A., O' Coin, James R., Quinn, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 9,879,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0021 for aircrafts or cosmonautics air-treatment for aircraft B64D13/00, temperature control of cosmonautic vehicles B64G1/50
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 21/00 Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/00 Arrangements for modifying heat-transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing F28F1/00 - F28F11/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 13/06 by affecting the pattern of flow of the heat-exchange media F28F13/003 takes precedence; static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2013/005 Thermal joints
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2013/008 Variable conductance materials; Thermal switches

Abstract

A heat switch includes a heat sink, a coolant tube, and an actuator. The coolant tube is movable with respect to the heat sink. The actuator couples between the heat sink and the coolant tube and configured to move the coolant tube between a first position and a second position. Heat flow from the coolant tube into the heat sink is greater in the second position than in the first position for enhanced heat transfer from the coolant tube.

Claims

1. A heat switch radiator, comprising:

a heat sink;

a coolant tube movable with respect to the heat sink; and

an actuator coupled between the heat sink and coolant tube, wherein the actuator is configured to move the coolant tube between first and second positions such that heat flows between the coolant tube and the heat sink at a first rate in the first position and at a second rate in the second position, wherein the second rate is greater than the first rate.

2. A radiator as recited in claim 1, wherein heat flow between the heat sink and the coolant tube is at an angle with respect to a direction coolant tube movement.

3. A radiator as recited in claim 2, wherein heat flow between the heat sink and the coolant tube is orthogonal with respect to a direction coolant tube movement.

4. A radiator as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move the coolant tube between the first and second positions over a predetermined temperature range.

5. A radiator as recited in claim 1, wherein the heat sink has a first tooth and a second tooth laterally offset from the first tooth, the first and second teeth defining a groove therebetween, wherein the coolant tube has a coolant tube tooth disposed within the groove, wherein movement of the coolant tube between the first and second positions displaces the coolant tube tooth longitudinally within the groove.

6. A radiator as recited in claim 5, wherein each tooth includes a thermal gasket in thermal contact with each tooth, each gasket disposed within the groove.

7. A radiator as recited in claim 6, wherein each coolant tube tooth contacts a respective gasket and the second thermal gasket when the coolant tube is in the second position.

8. A radiator as recited in claim 6, wherein each coolant tube tooth is out of contact with a respective gasket when the coolant tube is in the first position.

9. A radiator as recited in claim 7, wherein the tube, teeth, and gasket define a closed thermal circuit for conveying heat between the coolant tube and the heat sink when the coolant tube is in the second position.

10. A radiator as recited in claim 1, wherein the coolant tube defines a guide support, and further including a tube guide slidably received within the guide support.

11. A radiator as recited in claim 10, further including an enclosure enclosing the tube and teeth.

12. A radiator as recited in claim 10, wherein the enclosure couples the coolant tube to the radiator through a tube guide.

13. A high turn-down radiator, comprising:

a heat sink with a first row of teeth laterally offset from a second row of teeth, the rows of teeth having facing surfaces;

a movable coolant tube with a row of teeth and a guide support, the teeth being disposed between first and second rows of teeth of the heat sink;

thermal gaskets arranged between the teeth of coolant tube and the teeth of the heat sink;

a tube guide slidably received within the guide support;

an enclosure coupling the heat sink to the tube guide; and

an actuator coupled to the enclosure and the coolant tube, wherein the actuator is configured to move the coolant tube between first and second positions such that heat flow between the heat sink and the coolant tube in the second position is greater than the heat flow between the heat sink to the coolant tube in the first position.

14. A radiator as recited in claim 13, wherein heat flow is orthogonal with respect to the direction of coolant tube movement between the first and second positions.

15. A radiator as recited in claim 13, wherein the thermal gaskets are attached to the facing surfaces of the first and second rows of heat sink teeth.