Micrometeoroid and debris protection system for a thermal control system on a spacecraft
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorAnthony Pang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a micrometeoroid and debris protection system (MDPS) for a thermal control system on a spacecraft. The MDPS comprises a radiator face-sheet, a truss attached to the radiator face-sheet, and a thermally transparent bumper disposed on the truss. The thermally transparent bumper shields the radiator face-sheet from micrometeoroids and debris and enables thermal transfer from the radiator face-sheet through the thermally transparent bumper.
Claims20
A micrometeoroid and debris protection system for a thermal control system on a spacecraft, the system comprising:
- a radiator face-sheet;
- a truss attached to the radiator face-sheet;
- and
- a thermally transparent bumper disposed on the truss, such that the thermally transparent bumper shields the radiator face-sheet from micrometeoroids and debris and enables thermal transfer from the radiator face-sheet through the thermally transparent bumper.
A method for manufacturing a micrometeoroid and debris protection system for thermal control systems on a spacecraft, the method comprising:
- attaching a truss to an outer surface of a radiator face-sheet, wherein the radiator face-sheet includes an inner surface attached to the thermal control system and the truss is positioned opposite a location of the thermal control system;
- and
- attaching a thermally transparent bumper on to the truss.
A micrometeoroid and debris protection system for a thermal control system on a spacecraft, the thermal control system having a first heat-pipe and a second heat-pipe, the system comprising:
- a radiator face-sheet having an inner surface, wherein the first heat-pipe and the second heat-pipe are attached to the inner surface of the radiator face-sheet;
- a first truss and a second truss attached to an outer surface of the radiator face-sheet;
- and
- a first thermally transparent bumper disposed on the first truss and a second thermally transparent bumper disposed on the second truss,
- wherein the first thermally transparent bumper and second thermally transparent bumper shield the radiator face-sheet from micrometeoroids and debris and enable thermal transfer from the radiator face-sheet through the first thermally transparent bumper and second thermally transparent bumper.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.