
Isothermal Satellite Panels and Inter-Panel ConnectionsAward last edited on: 12/16/2009
Sponsored Program
SBIRAwarding Agency
DOD : AFTotal Award Amount
$810,841Award Phase
2Solicitation Topic Code
AF083-217Principal Investigator
J Clair BattyCompany Information
Phase I
Contract Number: ----------Start Date: ---- Completed: ----
Phase I year
2009Phase I Amount
$99,954Benefit:
Development of modular structural panels that accept component heat, convey that heat to energy rejection surfaces, and remain essentially isothermal will provide the Air Force with low-cost, low-risk, plug and play thermal management solution. If the connections between modular panels can be shown to exhibit low thermal impedance and change-out of modular panels can be quickly and efficiently accomplished, the rapid response objectives can be realized. Any aerospace firm competing for contracts to build rapid response spacecraft will also have serious interest in demonstrable and feasible technologies capable of meeting deployment time constraints. These companies will provide a very substantial commercial market for the use of this technology.
Keywords:
Rapid Response, Spacecraft, Six-Day-Satellite, Multifunctional Panels, Isothermal Panels, Low-Thermal Impedance Connections, Channel Panels, Operationally Responsive Spacecraf
Phase II
Contract Number: ----------Start Date: ---- Completed: ----
Phase II year
2010Phase II Amount
$710,887Benefit:
This project is focused directly on military applications including rapid response spacecraft that may be quickly configured from modular isothermal structural panels. The engineering prototype resulting from the proposed effort will help enable the very aggressive six day satellite concept. In addition, the proposed technology will have application in commercial space where small satellites with inherently low thermal mass typically expose sensitive payload components to broad temperature swings. Because the proposed approach greatly simplifies the thermal analysis and thermal control measures required, very sizable markets are anticipated in commercial space. In addition, the proposed effort is complementary to a parallel TMT programs focused on terrestrial applications of the Channel Panel heat spreader technology including cooling of: data/server centers, Li-Ion batteries, printed circuit boards, and LED arrays. Another potential military application, for which a white paper has been submitted to the Office of Naval Research, is the cooling of amphibious ships decks heated by exhaust plumes of short take-off vertical landing aircraft.
Keywords:
Isothermal , Heat Spreader, Flat Plate Heat Pipe, Channel Panel, Isothermal Radiators, Modular Spacecraft, Operationally Responsive Space, Thermal Management Technologies