US3899674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic radiators for radiometers, and more particularly for satellite-supported radiometers
Assignee: Centre National d'Études Spatiales
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Filing: 1974-03-21
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-03-21
Abstract
Abstract Structure of revolution for protecting and supporting a cryogenic radiator in a satellite. This structure includes two frusto-conical screens arranged practically one above the other and joined by an intermediate flange. The upper screen acts as a sunshade in respect of solar radiation, whereas the lower screen facilitates self-radiation of the cryogenic radiator and protects it from the environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Lionel Decramer
- 👤 Philippe Mauroy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:55
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/46; B64G1/50; B64G1/503; F; F25; F25B; F25B23/00; F25B23/003; G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/06; G01J5/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A structure substantially of revolution about an axis, including upper and lower outwardly open frusto-conical coaxial screens functioning as radiant stages, said screens being thermally insulated toward the exterior, having high reflecting capacity on their interior faces with respect to infrared radiation and arranged to reflect radiation from the sun and other bodies arriving at incidence angles in excess of 65* with respect to said axis, a cryogenic radiator which behaves substantially as a black body with respect to infrared radiation and as a reflector with respect to solar radiation, said radiator including a radiometer platform fitted on board a satellite in space at a cryogenic temperature of approximately 80*K and means for supporting said radiator within said screens, the upper one of said screens being wider than and positioned above the other screen over virtually its entire height in the direction of divergence of the screens, the mutually facing surfaces thereof corresponding to only a small fraction of said height, the upper screen functioning primarily as a sunshade for said radiation with respect to direct solar radiation and reflecting back into space the greater part of the other external fluxes, the lower screen facilitating radiation from the radiator into space and protecting said radiator against infrared radiation from said upper screen and against possible solar radiation diffused thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A structure substantially of revolution about an axis, including upper and lower outwardly open frusto-conical coaxial screens functioning as radiant stages, said screens being thermally insulated toward the exterior, having high reflecting capacity on their interior faces with respect to infrared radiation and arranged to reflect radiation from the sun and other bodies arriving at incidence angles in excess of 65* with respect to said axis, a cryogenic radiator which behaves substantially as a black body with respect to infrared radiation and as a reflector with respect to solar radiation, said radiator including a radiometer platform fitted on board a satellite in space at a cryogenic temperature of approximately 80*K and means for supporting said radiator within said screens, the upper one of said screens being wider than and positioned above the other screen over virtually its entire height in the direction of divergence of the screens, the mutually facing surfaces thereof corresponding to only a small fraction of said height, the upper screen functioning primarily as a sunshade for said radiation with respect to direct solar radiation and reflecting back into space the greater part of the other external fluxes, the lower screen facilitating radiation from the radiator into space and protecting said radiator against infrared radiation from said upper screen and against possible solar radiation diffused thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior face of the upper screen is specularly polished and covered with a deposit of aluminium in vacuo, the external face thereof being covered with a powerfully emissive solar energyreflecting coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior face of the upper screen is specularlypolished and covered with a deposit of aluminium in vacuo, the exterior face thereof being buff-polished for low emissivity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper screen is provided at its upper end with an external circular rim disposed in a plane normal to said axis and having on its upper face a solar energy-reflecting strongly emissive cold coating to form an optical surface reflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper screen includes at its lower end a rim forming an intermediate screen between the lower screen and the upper screen and forming with the lower screen an acute angle and with the upper screen substantially a right angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the internal face of the intermediate screen is buff-polished, the external face thereof having a strongly emissive solar energy-reflecting coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior face of the lower screen is specularly polished and covered with aluminium deposited thereon in vacuo, the exterior face thereof being buff-polished.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A structure as claimed in claim 5, including a poor heat-conducting insulating shell and wherein the assembly formed by the intermediate screen and the lower screen is fixed to the satellite structure through said insulating shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A structure as claimed in claim 5, including a suspension system utilizing insulating tension ties for connecting the assembly formed by the intermediate screen and the lower screen to the radiometer platform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A structure as claimed in claim 5, including means for mechanically connecting the upper screen to the satellite structure while thermally decoupling it with respect to the assembly formed by the intermediate screen and the lower screen connected to the radiometer platform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A structure as calimed in claim 1, wherein the radiometer platform includes a light-alloy disk the upper face of which is formed by a hoNeycomb cellular structure, the interior of the cells thereof being coated with a black paint and the lower face of the platform being polished and aluminized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiometer platform is a light alloy disk the upper face of which is covered with a cold coating of the white paint type and the lower face of which is polished and aluminized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said solar energy-reflecting coating is white paint.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said optical surface reflector is white paint.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein said solar energy-reflecting coating is white paint.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |