article · International Journal of Thermofluids
Small satellite subsystems require effective thermal management as they decrease in size and increase in power density, particularly because heat dissipation in space relies solely on conduction and radiation. A numerical study evaluated an aluminium heat sink incorporating RT 35 phase change material, designed to match the external dimensions of a small satellite subsystem. To address the naturally low thermal conductivity of phase change materials, integrated fins of different configurations were tested, including parallel, cross, and pin fins with square, circular, and triangular profiles. The systems were modelled across a thermal cycle comprising ten minutes of heating followed by eighty minutes of cooling. Pin fins demonstrated superior thermal performance compared to parallel and cross fin arrangements. Triangular pin fins achieved the greatest cooling benefit, keeping peak temperatures at 41.5 degrees Celsius, representing a 10.8 per cent reduction, with additional gains achieved by increasing fin density.
Modern small satellites pack high power densities into compact modules where only conduction and radiation can shed heat. Phase change materials store excess energy passively during active operations. Finding the most effective internal fin designs, such as triangular pin fins, ensures that sensitive onboard electronics remain within safe operating temperatures during cyclic space heating conditions without adding active cooling mechanisms.
The findings are relevant to small satellite designers and aerospace manufacturers seeking passive thermal management solutions for dense electronic subsystems. Because the study is a numerical evaluation of fin geometries and RT 35 phase change material, the technology sits at an early design stage. Transition to use would require physical prototyping, environmental vacuum chamber testing, and qualification for flight conditions.
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Satellite subsystems are becoming smaller and have extra power density. There are only two types of heat transport in space: conduction and radiation, making thermal management more difficult. For the thermal regulation of satellite subsystems, thermal energy storage materials are appropriate. In the present study, small satellite subsystems were controlled using a PCM-based heat sink. The design of the aluminium heat sink was according to the outside dimensions of the subsystem in a small satellite. The PCM material used in the work was RT 35. Integrated fins of various shapes were used to overcome PCM's poor thermal conductivity. Three fin geometries were investigated: parallel fins, cross fins, and pin fins. Three shapes of pin fins were evaluated: square pin, circular pin, and triangular pin fins. The heat sink was exposed to a thermal cycle with 80 min cooling and 10 min heating processes. The results reveal that pin fins have better thermal performance than cross and parallel fins. For pin fins, the triangular pin fin provides the best thermal performance among all cases. Maximum temperatures reported for triangular pin fin were 41.5°C with a 10.8% reduction. The results indicated a considerable development in thermal performance by boosting the number of pin fins.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.ijft.2023.100419
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