초록 ▼

In a space shuttle, payloads are individually temperature controlled by means of a liquid control loop in heat exchange relationship with both the payload and a radiator or shuttle cold plate. The liquid pump is driven at a variable speed to control the heat transferred between the load and the radi

In a space shuttle, payloads are individually temperature controlled by means of a liquid control loop in heat exchange relationship with both the payload and a radiator or shuttle cold plate. The liquid pump is driven at a variable speed to control the heat transferred between the load and the radiator or cold plate, and the motor may be reversed to by-pass the radiator through check valves. The radiator includes heat pipes seated in elongated, high thermal conductivity extrusions and retained therein by elongated springs. The motor is a brushless DC motor isolated from the pump by a magnetic clutch and thermal isolator. The motor is driven by a digital circuit which provides a single pulse to each set of windings during each energizing time frame. The width of that pulse is modulated to provide for speed control. Pulse width modulation is by means of a one-shot, the pulse duration of which is controlled by a speed control signal.

대표청구항 ▼

A thermal control system associated with a payload in a space shuttle including a liquid flowing in a liquid loop and in heat exchange relationship with the payload and with a heat sink or source, the system comprising: a variable speed pump for driving the liquid through the loop, the pump being en

A thermal control system associated with a payload in a space shuttle including a liquid flowing in a liquid loop and in heat exchange relationship with the payload and with a heat sink or source, the system comprising: a variable speed pump for driving the liquid through the loop, the pump being energized in response to the temperature of the load and increased pump speed providing for increased heat transfer between the payload and the heat source or sink, the heat sink or source being a payload-mounted or pallet-mounted radiator or being thermally connected to a shuttle thermal control loop.