阅读说明：本技术 高传导性热连结件 (High conductivity heat connector ) 是由 费莉佩·卡塞雷斯德尔维索 马克·佩雷利翁马尔萨 玛丽亚·乔斯·阿帕里西奥欧尔多巴斯 卡洛斯·罗 于 2017-12-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种高传导性热连结件(1),该高传导性热连结件(1)包括：导热带(2),该导热带(2)包括布置成呈堆叠件(5)的热解石墨层,每个堆叠件(5)被聚酰亚胺层(6)至少部分地覆盖,粘合材料布置在热解石墨层之间,并且导热带(2)具有两个相反的端部(4)；以及两个端部端子(3、3’),导热带(2)的对应的端部(4)接纳在两个端部端子(3、3’)中,在导热带(2)的端部(4)处布置有粘合材料,粘合材料在热解石墨层之间以及在热解石墨层的堆叠件(5)之间,并且导热带(2)的端部(4)中的至少一个端部包括下述几何形状：该几何形状具有由中间间隙(8)分开的多个突出部(7)。(A high conductivity heat link (1), the high conductivity heat link (1) comprising: -a thermally conductive strip (2), the strip (2) comprising layers of pyrolytic graphite arranged in stacks (5), each stack (5) being at least partially covered by layers of polyimide (6), an adhesive material being arranged between the layers of pyrolytic graphite, and the strip (2) having two opposite ends (4); and two end terminals (3, 3'), in which corresponding ends (4) of the thermally conductive tape (2) are received, an adhesive material being arranged at the ends (4) of the thermally conductive tape (2), the adhesive material being between the layers of pyrolytic graphite and between the stacks (5) of layers of pyrolytic graphite, and at least one of the ends (4) of the thermally conductive tape (2) comprising the following geometry: the geometry has a plurality of projections (7) separated by intermediate gaps (8).)

1. A highly conductive heat link (1), comprising:

-a thermally conductive strip (2), the thermally conductive strip (2) comprising layers of pyrolytic graphite arranged in stacks (5) with an adhesive material therebetween, and a polyimide film (6) at least partially covering each stack (5), the thermally conductive strip (2) having two opposite ends (4), and

-two end fittings (3, 3 '), said two end fittings (3, 3') housing the respective ends (4) of the heat-conducting strip (2),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

in the ends (4) of the thermally conductive strip (2), there is an adhesive material between the layers of pyrolytic graphite and between the stacks (5) of pyrolytic graphite layers, and at least one of the ends (4) of the thermally conductive strip (2) has the following geometry: the geometry comprises several protrusions (7) separated by intermediate gaps (8).

2. The highly conductive heat link (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pyrolytic graphite layers are arranged as sheets.

3. The highly conductive heat link (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stack (5) of pyrolytic graphite in the end (4) of the heat conducting strip (2) housed inside the end fitting (3, 3') is not covered by a polyimide film (6).

4. The high conductivity heat exchanger (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end fitting (3, 3') comprises two symmetrical halves (9).

5. The highly conductive heat link (1) according to claim 4, wherein the two symmetrical halves (9) of the end fitting (3, 3') are attached by a connecting means (10).

6. The highly conductive heat link (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end fitting (3, 3') is made of metal or an organic material.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to highly conductive heat links that are particularly useful for managing thermal management of equipment and avionics on a spacecraft in a space environment.

Background

Thermal control of the equipment used in space research is critical to achieving perfect performance of these complex tools with high demands.

The thermal control system is responsible for maintaining the temperature range of the components throughout the mission of the spacecraft or satellite. The heat tape is a thermal pathway for heat transfer that serves as a means of controlling these temperatures inside the spacecraft structure. A thermal pathway is the locus of heat flow from the point where the heat flow enters the system to the surface or point where the heat flow exits the system.

A common portion of these thermal control components is a flexible thermal band that links the cooling instrument or cooling device to a heat sink. The usual part of the thermal control component must transfer heat (i.e. must have high conductive properties) and also be flexible, which allows it to be placed at any precise location on the spacecraft structure without degrading its performance. Mechanical and/or geometric constraints are very important in designing thermal control systems for flight hardware.

Thermal tapes are used in various industries as a system to control temperature variations on electrical and optical devices. Heat tapes are typically commercialized as tapes with connectors at the ends, and are typically made of copper, aluminum, or organic materials.

The thermal link is a passive system for thermal control on the spacecraft. The thermal link has no mechanically moving parts or moving fluid. The heat connecting member has no power consumption, light weight and high reliability.

Heat can be transferred over the satellite by conduction or radiation. The heat tape conducts heat from the device to the heat sink through a conduction process.

The heat links may be classified according to the materials used in the metal links and graphite links; both types of couplings may be made internally of foil or sheet or may be a thread coupling. Metal heat tapes are the most widely used. The metal heat band is made of aluminum alloy or copper. The flexibility of the metal strip depends on the diameter of the individual wires. The high robustness and reliability of these metals makes them useful tools in space applications. However, the quality of the metal strip may be a disadvantage in the case of predominantly copper.

The development of graphite-based thermal links has opened up a wide opportunity for weight savings. For example, the graphite-based thermal link may be made of pyrolytic graphite or highly conductive carbon fiber.

An example of a construction using pyrolytic graphite for Thermal Management may be found in US 5296310A entitled "High conductivity hybrid Material for Thermal Management" (High conductivity hybrid Material for Thermal Management), sold by ThermalProducts of (d).

EP 1025586B 1 relates to "Flexible Heat Transfer Device and Method" (Flexible Heat Transfer Device and Method). The heat transfer means for transferring heat from the heat source to the heat sink comprises a high thermal conductivity pyrolytic graphite core material or a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite core material.

EP 2597041B relates to a heat strip formed of a fibre or foil, which heat strip comprises a flexible middle portion and two rigid end portions. The fibers or foils are embedded in a rigid matrix material, thereby forming a rigid end portion.

Laminar graphite is a material that has good thermal conductivity in its plane but poor conductivity in the normal direction.

Therefore, there is a need to obtain a graphite-based thermal coupling member having enhanced conductivity also in the normal direction.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal coupling having enhanced conductivity also in the normal direction.

The present invention provides a high conductivity heat link, comprising:

-a thermally conductive tape comprising pyrolytic graphite layers arranged in a stack with an adhesive material between the pyrolytic graphite layers and a polyimide film at least partially covering each stack, the thermally conductive tape having two opposite ends, and

two end fittings housing respective ends of a thermally conductive strip,

wherein in the ends of the thermally conductive tape there is an adhesive material between the layers of pyrolytic graphite and between the stack of layers of pyrolytic graphite, and at least one of the ends of the thermally conductive tape has the following geometry: the geometry includes a number of projections separated by intervening gaps.

The present invention allows for better conductivity relative to prior art thermal links that include metal thermal links. The invention thus makes it possible to dissipate in a better way the heat generated in electronic and optical devices, thus avoiding overheating of the spacecraft or the satellite.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention reduces the necessary mass relative to prior art thermal links.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention is not limited in length or width, and thus can be used in different geometries according to different needs.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description of several embodiments, related to the attached drawings, illustrating the object of the invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the highly conductive heat transfer member of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the highly conductive heat link of fig. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of one of the end fittings of the high conductivity heat transfer member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the other end fitting of the high conductivity heat link of FIG. 1.

Fig. 5 shows the cross-section a-a of fig. 3.

Fig. 6 shows a cross section C-C of fig. 4.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-section D-D of fig. 4.

Fig. 8 and 9 show a cross-section B-B of fig. 2 corresponding to the end fitting.

Fig. 10 illustrates a perspective view of another complex embodiment of the highly conductive heat transfer member of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a view of the highly conductive heat transfer member of fig. 10, showing the configuration of one of the ends of the heat conductive tape.

Fig. 12 shows a configuration of the other end portion of the heat conductive tape.

Fig. 13 is another view of the highly conductive heat link of fig. 10.

Figure 14 shows a cross section of a stack of pyrolytic graphite layers covered by a polyimide film.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a highly conductive heat exchanger 1, which heat exchanger 1 comprises two end fittings 3, 3' and a heat conducting strip 2.

The thermally conductive tape 2 comprises layers of pyrolytic graphite arranged in stacks 5 with an adhesive material between the layers of pyrolytic graphite, and a polyimide film 6 at least partially covering each stack 5 of pyrolytic graphite layers. The heat conduction strip 2 has two opposite ends 4, each of the two opposite ends 4 being arranged within a corresponding end fitting 3, 3 '(see fig. 5 to 9), which corresponding end fitting 3, 3' accommodates the corresponding end 4 of the heat conduction strip 2.

As can be observed in fig. 8 and 9, the end portion 4 of the heat-conducting strip 2 has the following geometry: the geometry has two protrusions 7 separated by a middle gap 8.

In the end 4 of the thermally conductive strip 2, there is an adhesive material between the layers of pyrolytic graphite and between the stacks 5 of pyrolytic graphite layers.

This configuration of the highly conductive heat transfer member 1 allows for better heat transfer between the pyrolytic graphite layers and the end fittings 3, 3'.

The pyrolytic graphite layers may be arranged in sheets (i.e., having a planar or flat shape).

In one embodiment, the stack 5 of pyrolytic graphite contained in the end portions 4 of the thermally conductive strip 4 inside the end fittings 3, 3' is not covered by the polyimide film 6 (i.e. the stack 5 is covered by the polyimide film 6 only in the middle portion of the thermally conductive strip 2 between the two end portions 4).

The end fittings 3, 3' may consist of two symmetrical halves 9, which two symmetrical halves 9 may be attached by connecting means 10 (see fig. 5 and 6) and receive the corresponding ends 4 of the heat conducting strip 2.

The end fittings 3, 3' may be made of metal (e.g. aluminium) or an organic material.

Fig. 10-13 illustrate another complex embodiment of the highly conductive heat transfer member 1 of the present invention. As can be observed, the heat tie 1 of the present invention is sufficiently flexible to be able to adapt to different needs and geometries.

Fig. 11 and 12 show the configuration of the end portion 4 of the heat conduction band 2. It can be observed that the end 4 of the heat-conducting strip 2 has the following geometry: the geometry has several protrusions 7 (in this case, more than two protrusions 7) separated by intermediate gaps 8.

In order to be able to obtain enhanced performance, the heat coupling 1 has an optimized design at its ends, wherein the pyrolytic graphite layers are arranged in a highly conductive adhesive to ensure good thermal conductivity between the thermally conductive strip 2 and the corresponding end fitting 3, 3'.

The internal design of the end of the heat connecting piece 1 is a key factor for generating conductivity in the normal direction of the heat conducting strip 2, since pyrolytic graphite has good conductivity only in the plane.

According to one embodiment, the stack 5 of pyrolytic graphite contained in the end 4 of the thermally conductive strip 2 inside the end fitting 3, 3' is not covered by a polyimide film 6.

Fig. 14 shows a cross section of a stack 5 of pyrolytic graphite layers covered by a polyimide film 6.

The symmetrical configuration of the end fittings 3, 3 ', together with the arrangement of the stack 5 of pyrolytic graphite housed in the ends 4 of the thermally conductive strip 2 inside the end fittings 3, 3 ', allows heat to flow through the faces of the end fittings 3, 3 ' (i.e. allows for several thermal pathways to be present).

The heat strip 2 is not limited in length or width, and thus the heat strip 2 may take on different geometries as desired (i.e., the heat strip 2 may be rectangular in shape, square in shape, or any desired shape having the desired dimensions).

Another advantage is that the heat link 1 of the present invention does not transmit mechanical loads between the end fittings 3, 3' due to the high flexibility of the heat link 1 mechanically decoupling one end of the heat belt 2 from the other.

While the invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be considered limited by these embodiments, but by the contents of the appended claims.

The claims (modification according to treaty clause 19)

1. A highly conductive heat link (1), comprising:

-a thermally conductive strip (2), the thermally conductive strip (2) comprising layers of pyrolytic graphite arranged in stacks (5) with an adhesive material therebetween, and a polyimide film (6) at least partially covering each stack (5), the thermally conductive strip (2) having two opposite ends (4), and

-two end fittings (3, 3 '), said two end fittings (3, 3') housing the corresponding ends (4) of the heat-conducting strip (2), at least one of the ends (4) of the heat-conducting strip (2) having the geometry: said geometry comprising several protrusions (7) separated by intermediate gaps (8),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

in the end portion (4) of the thermally conductive strip (2), there is an adhesive material between the layers of pyrolytic graphite and between the stack (5) of pyrolytic graphite layers, and the end fitting (3, 3') comprises two symmetrical halves (9) attached by connecting means (10).

2. The highly conductive heat link (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pyrolytic graphite layers are arranged as sheets.

3. The highly conductive heat link (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stack (5) of pyrolytic graphite in the end (4) of the heat conducting strip (2) housed inside the end fitting (3, 3') is not covered by a polyimide film (6).

4. The highly conductive heat link (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end fitting (3, 3') is made of metal or an organic material.