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Design and Flight Qualification of a Paraffin-Actuated Heat Switch for Mars Surface Applications
Technical Paper
2002-01-2275
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
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English
Abstract
The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) flight system uses mechanical, paraffin-actuated heat switches as part of its secondary battery thermal control system. This paper describes the design, flight qualification, and performance of the heat switch. Although based on previous designs by Starsys Research Corporation1,2, the MER mission requirements have necessitated new design features and an extensive qualification program. The design utilizes the work created by the expansion of a paraffin wax by bringing into contact two aluminum surfaces, thereby forming a heat conduction path. As the paraffin freezes and contracts, compression springs separate the surfaces to remove the conduction path. The flight qualification program involved extensive thermal performance, structural, and life testing. Thermal performance testing both at the component level and in a simulated flight configuration3 has shown thermal conductance values greater than 1.2 W/K in the closed position and less than 0.018 W/K in the open position. The dynamics tests included random vibration, hard landing loads, and pyrotechnic shock. The life testing included 20,000 mechanical cycles on the seal boot containing paraffin and 350 temperature induced cycles. The switch has met all performance and qualification requirements and is flight qualified for use on the MER mission.
Authors
- Eric Sunada - Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
- Michael Pauken - Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
- Keith Novak - Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
- Charles Phillips - Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
- Gajanana Birur - Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
- Kurt Lankford
Citation
Sunada, E., Pauken, M., Novak, K., Phillips, C. et al., "Design and Flight Qualification of a Paraffin-Actuated Heat Switch for Mars Surface Applications," SAE Technical Paper 2002-01-2275, 2002, https://doi.org/10.4271/2002-01-2275.Also In
References
- Christiansen S. Wiens M. Tibbits S. Chave R. “Utilization of polymeric smart materials for heterarchical thermal control of spacecraft systems,” Proceedings of the 1st Conference on Next Generation Launch Systems and 2nd Spacecraft Thermal Control Symposium Albuquerque, NM Jan. 7-11, 1996 1996 863 868
- Lankford K. Mehoke D. “New Developments in Heat Switches,” Twelfth Annual Spacecraft Thermal Control Technology Workshop, The Aerospace Corporation El Segundo, California February 28 – March 2, 2001
- Pauken M. Sunada E. Novak K. Phillips C. Birur G. “Development Testing of a Paraffin-Actuated Heat Switch for Mars Rover Applications” 32nd International Conference on Environmental Systems San Antonio, Texas July 15-18, 2002
- Sunada E. Lankford K. Pauken M. Novak K. Birur G. “Paraffin Actuated Heat Switch for Mars Surface Applications,” Space Technology & Applications International Forum Albuquerque, New Mexico February 3-6, 2002
- Novak K. Pauken M. Sunada E. Birur G. “Wax Actuated Heat Switch Development,” Thirteenth Annual Spacecraft Thermal Control Technology Workshop, The Aerospace Corporation El Segundo, California March 6-8, 2002