Search Results

The approarch to utilization of software HEAT'90 to thermal simulation of heat pipes and units of their connections with elements of thermal control systems is presented. The application of finite elements method for solution of problems, interective regime of functioning “software-user” allow to simulate enough complicated 2-D constructions and transfer processes by user without special programme languaege knowledge and trainig. The examples of software employment are discussed like next: efficiecy of flange unit in heat pipe input/output zones; influence of dried grooves presence on temperature field in cross-section; distribution along pipe length; efficiency of unit “heat pipe-honeycomb radiator” and other. The main development of software for elements of thermal control systems design application are shown.

The substantiation of heat pipe usage in passive radiative cooling systems on temperature level (190…240) K for space optical sensors is presented. Heat pipes can be sound practice like heat conducting lines between sensor and radiator particularly at distances more 0.2 m and irreplaceable at distances (0.5…2) m. Embedding heat pipe with radiator allows to create the uniform temperature basis in case of several sensors connection to single radiator and to improve radiator efficiency. It is analyzed approach to design of thermocontrol and cooling radiative systems with heat pipes to reduce sensitiveness to external light disturbances and to enlarge area of radiative system application. The results of design, thermovacuum test and flight operation of thermocontrol radiative system samples are under discussion as well.

Microsatellite BIRD (Bispectral InfraRed Detection), mass 92 kg, sizes 550×610×620 mm was put on October 22, 2001 in a sun-synchronous orbit. The passive thermal control system (TCS) provided a temperature range of −10…+30 °C for a payload. It is assembled from precision optical instruments and housekeeping equipment with average power about 35 W. In the observation mode a power consumption peak of 200 W is occurred during 10-20 min. The TCS ensured a thermal stable design of the payload structure and is realised by heat transfer elements (conductors and grooved heat pipes), which thermally connected the satellite segments, two radiators, multilayer insulation and low-conductive stand-offs. Three years in space have brought an enormous volume of telemetric data about thermal performance of the TCS, based on information from temperature sensors, power consumption, attitude relative to Sun and Earth.