Thermal Aspects of Future Spacecraft Thermal Management Systems.
Abstract
This report addresses the conceptual design of spacecraft thermal management systems (SCTMS) and their components to provide a basis for the development and implementation of future technologies. In the analysis, components of the SCTMS include: heat pipes, latent thermal energy storage materials, radiators and other thermal structures. The design problem becomes one of selecting a combination of these components subject to both spacecraft mission and launch requirements. To assist in this design process, a knowledge-based softwar has been developed in the artificial intelligence programming language, PROLOG. This software serves as a design assistant for the development of SCTMS. It supports facilities such as database retrieval, numerical computation, and logical decision making. With these features one can automatically consider all relevant combinations of components, technologies, and materials for the design problem. The goal has been to duplicate, wherever possible, the decision processes of an experienced designer by putting significant decision making, search, and retrieval facilities at his or her disposal. Other objectives were to determine the capabilities of the phase change materials (PCMs) selected by the knowledge-based system. Tests were carried to evaluate properties and thermal behavior of a PCM in pellet form. Two types of PCMs demonstrated potential for SCTMS were calcium chloride hexahydrate and the form stable crystalline polymer, high density polyethylene.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA173719
Entities
People
- John W. Sheffield
- Raghav P. Kher