No abstract

The thermal control device using solid-liquid phase change material (PCM) is designed, manufactured, and experimented in thermal environment chamber. The n-Hexadecane is selected as a PCM and its melting point is placed within the component working temperature range. The PCM container is made of Al6061 and has the thermal spreading fins inside. To simulate the working condition for on-orbit satellite the heat pipes are used to connect the heater and radiator and the PCM thermal control device (PCMTD) is installed at the middle portion of heat pipes. The thermal buffer mass (TBM), which is same configuration and volume with PCMTD, is also manufactured to compare the thermal control performance. As a result, the PCMTD is not only more efficient than TBM in their temperature control features but both mass and power of compensation heater are reduced.

The thermal control device for the periodic working component combined solid-liquid phase change material (PCM) with heat pipes is designed and numerically studied. Due to high latent heat and retaining constant temperature during melting process the component peak temperature, not withstanding small radiator size, is reduced. The warm-up heater power consumption to keep the minimum allowed temperature is also cut down since the accumulated thermal energy is released through the solidification. The thermal buffer mass (TBM) made of Al can give the similar effect but the mass and power consumption of warm-up heater should increase compared to PCM. The amount of PCM can be optimized depending on the component heat dissipation and on/off duty time.