NASA thermal control technologies for robotic spacecraft

Swanson, Theodore D.; Birur, Gajanana C.

doi:10.1016/s1359-4311(03)00036-x

Cited by 261 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In 2003, a review of thermal control solutions for contemporary space applications was published by Swanson and Birur [56]. In this paper a number of systems are reviewed, and PCM is identified as the solution of choice for several systems including the Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, which were launched in 2003.…”

Section: Space Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Storage Applications

Fleischer

2015

Thermal Energy Storage Using Phase Change Materials

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As discussed in Chap. 1, energy storage through solid-liquid phase change is inherently a transient process and is best suited for systems that experience repeated transients, such as on-off or periodic peaking cycles, or for those systems which require thermal energy storage for later use. PCMs are commonly used in applications for both thermal management and for thermal energy storage.Interest in PCMs for thermal management of systems can be traced back at least through the 1970s. NASA in particular was interested in the use of PCMs as what were then referred to as "thermal capacitors" and PCMs were implemented in several moon vehicles and in Skylab [1]. The 1977 NASA tech brief "A Design Handbook for Phase Change Thermal Control and Energy Storage Devices" [2] was one of the first comprehensive PCM references, and is still widely cited and used today.During the 1970s and 1980s, interest was also building in the application of PCMs in solar systems [3-5] for thermal energy storage in both large solar plants, and in smaller domestic applications such as domestic hot water systems. The concept of embedding PCMs in various types of building materials, such as wallboard and floorboards, in order to create houses and offices with lower heating and cooling loads for greater energy efficiency, also began in the 1970s/80s [6,7]. Simultaneously, a significant amount of fundamental research was being completed on PCMs, considering in-depth the melting and solidification processes, and the roles of conduction and natural convection on the phase change processes [8][9][10][11].With the growth of computing power through the 1980s and 1990s, integrated circuits began dissipating significant amounts of heat and PCM applications in the thermal management of high performance, military and consumer electronics came on the scene in the late 1990s [12][13][14]. More recently, PCMs have seen application in textile design for energy absorbing clothing for military and consumer products [15].

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Section: Space Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Storage Applications

Fleischer

2015

Thermal Energy Storage Using Phase Change Materials

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“…The wicked heat pipe, which was developed in the 1960's by NASA for their aerospace and satellite needs has subsequently been universally adopted by the electronics industry [23]. These small-scale heat pipes, which work in any orientation or gravitational conditions to cater for the mobile nature of their usage, are massproduced globally and have become a highly commoditised manufacturing industry in their own right.…”

Section: Heat Pipesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heat pipe based thermal management systems for energy-efficient data centres

Jouhara

Meskimmon²

2014

Energy

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This paper investigates the potential applications for heat-pipe based heat exchangers in enhancing the efficiency of data centres' cooling. The paper starts by assessing current industry practise and highlighting the challenges facing the data-storage industry; illustrating the legislative, technical and commercial constraints that are now, or will be prevalent in the industry as the sector continues to grow to cater for the ever increasing appetite for public sector, commercial and consumer remote data storage. The concept of free cooling and its potential application in data-centres is then introduced and analysed. A theoretical model is then constructed based on the established, proven performance characteristics of heat-pipe technologies and the weather data for a typical region in the UK. A case study has been conducted thereon and the results indicate potential energy savings of up to 75% are achievable when utilising heat pipe based free cooling systems.

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“…These include bolometers with enhanced dynamic ranges [1], pulsed thermoelectric cooling with increased maximum temperature lifts [2], low-power precision temperature control of chip scale atomic clocks [3], solid-state thermal energy harvesting [4], and thermally reconfigurable networks for satellite thermal management [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal conductance switching based on the actuation of liquid droplets through the electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) phenomenon

Cha¹,

Kim²,

Ju³

2016

Applied Thermal Engineering

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Thermal conductance switches enable active and reconfigurable thermal control and management for a wide variety of applications. We demonstrate a thermal conductance switch based on the actuation of liquid droplets in a co-planar electro-wetting-ondielectric (EWOD) configuration. By eliminating the need for relative motions of two heat transfer surfaces, the device provides a significant advantage in the mechanical design of adaptive thermal control systems. Proof-of-concept devices are constructed and characterized to confirm the mechanism of droplet detachment and attachment for thermal switching. Numerical simulation is performed to elucidate the experimentally measured thermal performance and identify thermocapillary flows as an important contributor to heat transfer for certain dielectric liquids. The present work provides a proofof-concept demonstration of novel thermal conductance switches and offers physical insights to help systematically design the switches for practical applications.

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NASA thermal control technologies for robotic spacecraft

Cited by 261 publications

References 6 publications

Energy Storage Applications

Energy Storage Applications

Heat pipe based thermal management systems for energy-efficient data centres

Thermal conductance switching based on the actuation of liquid droplets through the electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) phenomenon

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