First Successful Space Demonstration of a Thermal Accumulator for Microsatellites
Research Press Release | December 01, 2014
Press Release | ||
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Key Points | ・Performance of a thermal storage medium storing heat through changes in crystal structure successfully demonstrated in space. | |
Overview |
A group led by Associate Professor Tsuyoshi Totani of the Division of Mechanical and Space Engineering at the Hokkaido University’s Faculty of Engineering, and funded under last year’s Cabinet Office Advanced Research Support Program, is working on the development of a thermal accumulator for microsatellite applications. The thermal accumulator employs trans-1,4-polybutadiene, a compound characterized by accumulation of a large amount of heat upon changes in its crystal structure within the solid phase, rather than accumulation of heat upon change from the solid to liquid phase. Using it within the temperature range in which the crystal structure changes has the advantage of eliminating any requirement for a container for the accumulator. The accumulator was launched on the microsatellite Hodoyoshi 4 on June 20th, and tested to verify performance in space environment. Analysis of the data received from Hodoyoshi 4 confirms that the accumulator stored and released heat in space at the predetermined temperature. These results are a world-first in the successful demonstration of a thermal accumulator using trans-1,4-polybutadiene. The accumulation of heat at the predetermined temperature absorbs heat produced by on-board equipment with the microsatellite, preventing overheating of on-board equipment. The ability of the accumulator to release heat at the predetermined temperature allows it to warm on-board equipment, thus maintaining it at predetermined temperature. This success is expected to accelerate the use of the accumulator in microsatellites with their severe weight restrictions. |
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Inquiries |
Tsuyoshi Totani, Associate Professor, Laboratory of Space Systems, Division of Mechanical and Space Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University TEL & FAX: +81-11-706-7192 E-mail: tota@eng.hokudai.ac.jp |
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Japanese Link |
超小型人工衛星用蓄熱器の宇宙実証にはじめて成功 | |
Publications | 日本機械学会 熱工学コンファレンス 2014 講演論文集 (2014.11.8) |