THERMAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR DOCKING MODULE OF ORBITAL STATION Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC B64G1/50 

FIELD: heating.

SUBSTANCE: invention is intended for thermal control of long-term orbital station modules. Thermal control system includes heat transfer means, electric heaters with control devices, and sensor devices on internal surface of module body surface. Heat transfer means are represented by thermal pipes running along external surface of docking module body symmetrically to each docking aggregate. Thermal pipe strings divide module body into two zones containing at least two docking aggregates each. Each zone includes two circular strings formed by two groups of thermal pipes duplicating each other, and two pairs of S-shaped strings with their heads and ends oriented in the same direction with respective circular string and lying at most two thermal piper diameters apart from the circular string. S-shaped string is formed by a pair of thermal pipes duplicating each other. Electric heaters are installed opposite to each thermal pipe pair in condensation zone.

EFFECT: prolonged operation life and reduced power consumption, weight and dimensions of system.

1 dwg