The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 13, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 02, 1998
Walter S Gelon, Redwood City, CA (US);
John C Hall, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
Christian J Goodman, Fremont, CA (US);
Loral Space & Communications, Ltd., Rolling Hills Estates, CA (US);
Abstract
In one embodiment, a thermal radiative system for an earth orbiting satellite including a plurality of faces intermittently exposed to maximum solar illumination comprises a thermal radiator is mounted on a face for discharging heat from a thermal load to deep space. A heat conductor extends between the thermal load and the thermal radiator. Thermal switches are operable for connecting the thermal load to the thermal radiator for cooling when the temperature of the thermal load is above a predetermined level and for disconnecting the thermal load from the thermal radiator when the temperature of the thermal load falls below the predetermined level. A shield including phase change management (PCM) material is thermally connected to the thermal load for drawing heat away therefrom. In another embodiment, first and second thermal radiators are mounted on first and second faces, respectively, of the satellite for discharging heat from the thermal load and the thermal load is sequentially connected to the first and second thermal radiators to achieve optimum discharge of heat from the thermal load. To this end, the thermal load is thermally connected to the first radiator so long as the first radiator is exothermic and thermally disconnected from the first radiator when the first radiator becomes endothermic and is thermally connected to the second radiator so long as the second radiator is exothermic and thermally disconnected from the second radiator when the second radiator becomes endothermic.