초록 ▼

A variable, thermal control system (10) for regulating the temperature of an exothermic process plant carried aboard an earth orbiting spacecraft is made with a plurality of curved radiator panels (14) arcuately positioned in a circular arrangement to form an open receptacle. A module (12) containin

A variable, thermal control system (10) for regulating the temperature of an exothermic process plant carried aboard an earth orbiting spacecraft is made with a plurality of curved radiator panels (14) arcuately positioned in a circular arrangement to form an open receptacle. A module (12) containing the process is insertable into the receptacle. Heat exchangers (42) having broad exterior surfaces (43) extending axially above the circumference of the module (12) fit within arcuate spacings (18) between adjacent radiator panels (14). Banks of variable conductance heat pipes (24) partially embedded within and thermally coupled to the radiator panels (14) extend across the arcuate spacings (18) and are thermally coupled to broad exterior surfaces (43) of the heat exchangers by flanges (26). Temperature sensors (86) monitor the temperature of process fluid flowing from the module through the heat exchanges. Thermal conduction between the heat exchangers (42) and the radiator panels is regulated by heating a control fluid within the heat pipes to vary the effective thermal length of the heat pipes (24) in inverse proportion to changes in the temperature of the process fluid.

대표청구항 ▼

A thermal control system, comprising: means (13) having a plurality of exposed surfaces (14) forming an open receptacle wherein adjacent ones of said exposed surfaces are spaced apart by intermediate separations (18) for radiating heat from said exposed surface; means (42) having channels (67) adjoi

A thermal control system, comprising: means (13) having a plurality of exposed surfaces (14) forming an open receptacle wherein adjacent ones of said exposed surfaces are spaced apart by intermediate separations (18) for radiating heat from said exposed surface; means (42) having channels (67) adjoining corresponding thermally conductive members (64) insertable within said intermediate separations (18) in spaced separation from said exposed surfaces (14) for distributing a stream of a material whose temperature is to be controlled; means (24) contiguous to said exposed surfaces and connectable to said thermally conductive members for transmitting thermal energy between said thermally conductive members and said exposed surfaces; and means (54, 56, 86, 90) responsive to the temperature of said material for regulating the effectiveness of said transmitting means inversely to the temperature of said material within said distributing means.