A Design Procedure for the Weight Optimization of Straight Finned Radiators
Abstract
Radiators for rejecting waste heat from power generators in space can be an important weight contributor to the total weight of space power systems. For the rejection of from a few hundred watts up to perhaps a few kilowatts of waste heat straight fin radiators are the most practical. In a recent study program of weight optimization of thermoelectric power generators, a technique was established which permits the rapid determination of the geometry of a minimum weight finned radiator system. From data presented in the literature, three design equations were derived which relate twelve geometric, thermal, environmental and material parameters of an idealized fin system with no base cylinder interaction. A fourth equation was derived to take into account the base cylinder interaction and to reduce the idealized design to the realistic case. Three families of curves and auxiliary tables were prepared to assist in the rapid reduction of the idealized design equations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- ADA400424
Entities
People
- Dale W. Harris
- J. J. Ketchman
- R. J. Burian
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration