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Spacecraft Radiator Freeze Protection Using a Regenerative Heat ExchangerAn active thermal control system architecture has been modified to include a regenerative heat exchanger (regenerator) inboard of the radiator. Rather than using a radiator bypass valve a regenerative heat exchanger is placed inboard of the radiators. A regenerator cold side bypass valve is used to set the return temperature. During operation, the regenerator bypass flow is varied, mixing cold radiator return fluid and warm regenerator outlet fluid to maintain the system setpoint. At the lowest heat load for stable operation, the bypass flow is closed off, sending all of the flow through the regenerator. This lowers the radiator inlet temperature well below the system set-point while maintaining full flow through the radiators. By using a regenerator bypass flow control to maintain system setpoint, the required minimum heat load to avoid radiator freezing can be reduced by more than half compared to a radiator bypass system.
Document ID
20110012266
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Other - NASA Tech Brief
Authors
Ungar, Eugene K.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Schunk, Richard G.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 2011
Publication Information
Publication: NASA Tech Briefs, March 2011
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
MSC-24423-1
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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