Considerations Concerning a Thermal Joint for a Deployable or Steerable Battery Radiator for the Columbus Polar Platform

摘要

Different concepts for a moveable thermal joint are described and discussed with respect to the applicability in a dedicated deployable or steerable heat pipe radiator system to handle the waste heat of the NiH batteries of the Polar Platform. Concepts which are identified as possible candidates for near-term deployable radiator development are: the flexible heat pipe; the low-melting-point alloy filled, grease filled or low pressure helium gas filled (finned) heat exchanger; the braided conductor (having high mass and retraction torque) and the clamped contact. The flexible heat pipe can be considered to be less attractive for steerable radiator applications. For such radiators the braided conductor and the clamped contact are inadequate. Consequently the non-solid material filled heat exchanger is the preferable joint if steerability is required.