ARTICULATING RADIATOR SYSTEM

Abstract

Radiator systems are provided. A radiator system may have a housing having a support structure, one or more stationary panels connected to the support structure and having insulation, and an internal volume at least partially defined by the one or more stationary panels, by a first opening, and by a second opening, a plurality of articulating radiator panels, each articulating radiator panel being movably connected to the support structure, having an inner surface with one or more coolant channels and/or one or more heat pipes, having an exterior surface opposite the inner surface, and having insulation, and a movement mechanism connected to the support structure and the plurality of articulating radiator panels, and configured to move each of the articulating radiator panels with respect to the support structure.

Claims

1. A radiator system, comprising: a housing having a support structure, one or more stationary panels connected to the support structure and having insulation, and an internal volume at least partially defined by the one or more stationary panels, by a first opening, and by a second opening; a plurality of articulating radiator panels, wherein each articulating radiator panel is movably connected to the support structure, has an inner surface with one or more coolant channels and/or one or more heat pipes, has an exterior surface opposite the inner surface, and has insulation; and a movement mechanism connected to the support structure and the plurality of articulating radiator panels, and configured to move each of the articulating radiator panels with respect to the support structure, wherein: a first articulating radiator panel is positioned adjacent to the first opening, the first articulating radiator panel is configured to be positioned in a first open position and a first closed position, in the first closed position, the first articulating radiator panel covers the first opening, faces the interior volume, and is configured to thermally insulate the interior volume at the first opening, in the first open position, the first articulating radiator panel does not cover the first opening, the one or more coolant channels and/or one or more heat pipes of the first articulating radiator panel are configured to radiate heat into the environment outside the housing, and the internal volume is exposed to the environment outside the housing through the first opening, a second articulating radiator panel is positioned adjacent to the second opening, the second articulating radiator panel is configured to be positioned in a second open position and a second closed position, in the second closed position, the second articulating radiator panel covers the second opening, faces the interior volume, and is configured to thermally insulate the interior volume at the second opening, and in the second open position, the second articulating radiator panel does not cover the second opening, the one or more coolant channels and/or one or more heat pipes of the second articulating radiator panel are configured to reject heat into the environment outside the housing, and the internal volume is exposed to the environment outside the housing through the second opening.)

2. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein: in the first closed position, the one or more coolant channels and/or one or more heat pipes of the first articulating radiator panel are configured to radiate heat into the interior volume, and in the second closed position, the one or more coolant channels and/or one or more heat pipes of the second articulating radiator panel are configured to radiate heat into the interior volume.

3. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein: in the first closed position, the first articulating radiator panel is configured to reduce thermal energy in the internal volume from exiting through the first opening, and in the second closed position, the second articulating radiator panel is configured to reduce thermal energy in the internal volume from exiting through the second opening.

4. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein: in the first open position, the housing is configured such that thermal energy is configured to exit through the first opening to the environment outside the housing, and in the second open position, the housing is configured such that thermal energy is configured to exit through the second opening to the environment outside the housing.

5. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism is configured to move the first articulating radiator panel and the second articulating radiator panel at the same time.

6. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism is configured to move the first articulating radiator panel independently of the second articulating radiator panel.

7. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein the first articulating radiator panel is configured to move between the first open position and the first closed position by rotating about a first axis by about 130 degrees.

8. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein the second articulating radiator panel is configured to move between the second open position and the second closed position by rotating about a second axis by about 60 degrees.

9. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein: the first articulating radiator panel is configured to be positioned by the movement mechanism in a plurality of partially open first positions, and the second articulating radiator panel is configured to be positioned by the movement mechanism in a plurality of partially open second positions.

10. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein when the first articulating radiator panel is in the first closed position and the second articulating radiator panel is in the second closed position, the interior volume is insulated such that less than 10% of heat loss occurs between the interior volume and the environment outside housing.

11. The radiator system of claim 1, further comprising one or more second coolant channels and/or one or more second heat pipes positioned in the interior volume, wherein: in the first open position, the one or more second coolant channels and/or one or more second heat pipes are configured to radiate heat into the environment outside the housing through the first opening, and in the second open position, the one or more second coolant channels and/or one or more second heat pipes are configured to radiate heat into the environment outside the housing through the second opening.

12. The radiator system of claim 11, further comprising a module positioned in the interior volume, wherein: the module has a radiative external surface configured to radiate heat into the interior volume, the one or more second coolant channels and/or one or more second heat pipes are in contact with the radiative external surface of the module, in the first open position, the module is configured to radiate heat into the environment outside the housing through the first opening, and in the second open position, the module is configured to radiate heat into the environment outside the housing through the second opening.

13. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein: the first articulating radiator panel is configured to rotate back and forth between a first partially open position and a second partially open position, and the second articulating radiator panel is configured to rotate back and forth between a third partially open position and a fourth partially open position.

14. The radiator system of claim 13, wherein the rotating back and forth by the first articulating radiator panel and the second articulating radiator panel is configured to shake off dust and debris.

15. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein the movement mechanism comprises one or more shape memory alloys.

16. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of each articulating radiator panel has the one or more coolant channels.

17. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of each articulating radiator panel has the one or more heat pipes.

18. The radiator system of claim 1, wherein: in the first closed position, the first articulating radiator panel is configured to cover and seal the first opening and thereby reduce the ingress of dust or debris through the first opening, and in the second closed position, the second articulating radiator panel is configured to cover and seal the second opening and thereby reduce the ingress of dust or debris through the second opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 depicts an off-angle view of a radiator system according to various embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 2 depicts the radiator system of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration according to various embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 3A depicts a side view of the radiator system of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 3B depicts the off-angle view of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIGS. 4A-4C depict side views of the reactor system of FIG. 1 in various configurations, according to disclosed embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 5 depicts the radiator system of FIG. 1 having a payload in the interior volume, according to disclosed embodiments.

[0028] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict side views of a movement mechanism and articulating panels in two configurations.

[0029] FIG. 6C depicts a side view of another radiator system with another movement mechanism.

[0030] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Non-terrestrial planetary and solar system body surfaces pose unique and challenging thermal, debris, and dust environments that make traditional thermal management methods and control systems nonviable. For most equipment used in non-terrestrial environments, it is desirable that the equipment be able to operate for long periods of time (e.g., years) and continuously for long durations (e.g., months or years). To operate properly in non-terrestrial environments, such as space or the Moon, some equipment requires thermal and/or dust management systems that are capable of withstanding thermal ranges of non-terrestrial environments, such as between 18 K and 393 K or higher, as well as surface operations having dust and other debris that can damage or impair functionality of the equipment. It also desirable to provide thermal and/or dust management that allows for the equipment to maintain its desired functional and performance capabilities, including with minimal to no use of consumables or human interaction.

[0032] In some space or lunar operations, some equipment will be positioned in and between shadowed and sunlit areas. For example, some regions of the Moon have permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) which are always in shadow. The temperature within these regions can be as low as 18 K, for example. Whereas in some areas exposed to solar radiation (e.g., sunlit areas), the temperature can be as high as 393 K. In a further example, some lunar missions may begin in a sunlit area, enter a PSR, and then exit the PSR to a sunlit area. Further, some equipment traversing the lunar surface can be exposed to lunar dust which can damage or reduce functionality of the equipment. To withstand operating in such non-terrestrial environments, it is desirable to have heat rejection turndowns that are up to 25:1, 50:1, or 100:1, or that range from 100:1 to 400:1. Provided herein are novel apparatuses and techniques for thermal management and/or dust management in various environments, such as non-terrestrial, lunar, and space.

[0033] A radiator system with articulating radiator panels is provided herein. The movable radiator panels are capable of varying the overall radiation view factor to provide variable heat rejection rates and high thermal turndown rates. In some embodiments, a subset of the movable radiator panels can be selectively adjusted to provide for multiple view factors in order to reject heat in one direction while protecting the internal environment of the system from solar radiation or dust/debris in another direction. The movable radiator panels are also configured to expand the effective radiator surface area beyond a traditional radiator of the same form factor. In other words, the movability of the radiator panels increases or expands the total radiator area. When in a closed position, the movable radiator panels can both thermally insulate hardware and equipment inside the system and protect the system from dust and debris intrusion. In some instances, dust or debris that can accumulate on the surfaces of the radiator system can be shaken off by movement of the radiator panels.

[0034] FIG. 1 depicts an off-angle view of a radiator system according to various embodiments. The radiator system 100 has a housing 102 that has a support structure 104 and two stationary panels 106A and 106B that are connected to the support structure 104. These stationary panels 106A and 106B are configured to remain in position and not move, in contrast to the articulating radiator panels described below. The housing 102 has an interior volume 108 that is at least partially defined by the support structure 104 and two stationary panels 106A and 106B. This interior volume 108 is encompassed by the dashed and lightly shaded shape. The interior volume 108 is configured to receive and hold a payload, such as equipment or modules. For example, a cold trap tank for collecting water can be positioned inside the interior volume 108.

[0035] As provided herein, the radiator system 100 is configured to partially and fully thermally insulate the interior volume 108, as well as reject heat at various form factors, including form factors greater than the surface area of interior volume 108 itself. For example, as provided herein, the movability of the articulating radiator panels increases or expands the total radiator area. The radiator system 100 is configured to provide a turndown of up to 25:1, 50:1, or 100:1, or between 100:1 and 400:1, as provided herein. In some such embodiments, the stationary panels 106A and 106B, and the articulating radiator panels, have insulation that is configured to thermally insulate the interior volume 108, including rejecting heat external to the housing 102 and retaining heat inside the housing 102. The radiator system is also configured to provide very low heat rejection in a closed configuration, such as less than 10%, 5%, or 1% of heat loss to an external environment. This includes maintaining such low heat rejection when exposed to external temperatures ranging from 18 K to over 300 K.

[0036] The radiator system 100 also has a plurality of articulating radiator panels 110A-110D. Each articulating radiator panel 110A-110D has an inner surface having a plurality of coolant channels that are configured to flow a coolant fluid therein and to reject heat. In some embodiments there may be only one coolant channel and in other embodiments there may be other means of delivering heat to each articulating radiator panel for rejection via radiation, such as a thermally conductive pathways via thermal contact with non-fluid materials, or other means. For instance, each articulating radiator panel may have one or more heat pipes that are configured to transfer heat from inside the interior volume 108 to the panel. Some heat pipes are heat transfer devices that use phase transition to transfer heat between two solid surfaces. Each heat pipe may have a hot interface where a volatile liquid is in contact with a thermally conductive surface that is caused to turn into a vapor by absorbing heat from that surface. The vapor may travel along the heat pipe to a cold interface of the heat pipe where the vapor condenses back into a liquid and thereby releasing latent heat. The liquid may return to the hot interface by capillary action, centrifugal force, or gravity. In some instances, the condensed liquid returns to the evaporator by a wick that exerts a capillary action on the liquid phase of the fluid. This cycle may be repeated. In some embodiments, one or more coolant channels and one or more heat pipes may be used.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 1, articulating radiator panel 110A has a first surface 112A, e.g., an inner surface, with a first plurality of coolant channels 114A, and articulating radiator panel 110B has a second surface 112B, e.g., another inner surface, with a second plurality of coolant channels 114B. In some other embodiments, one or more of items 114 may be a heat pipe instead of a coolant channel. Each articulating radiator panel 110A-110D is configured to be moved into a plurality of positions with respect to the housing 102 and/or support structure 104. In some embodiments, these positions include a closed position and various open positions. In some embodiments, when in such open positions, heat can be rejected by the coolant channels of each articulating radiator panel, heat may be rejected from the interior volume 108 to the environment outside the housing 102, heat may be transferred to the coolant channels of an open articulating radiator panel from the environment outside the housing 102, and/or heat may be transferred to the interior volume 108 from the environment outside the housing 102.

[0038] Each articulating radiator panel 110A-110D may also have insulation configured to act as a thermal barrier for the inner surface. In some instances, the insulation is installed on a backside of the articulating radiator panel and serve as the exterior surface of the panel. In some embodiments, the exterior surface or surfaces of the articulating radiator panels may be configured with emissivity properties configured to reflect or reject heat or solar radiation incident of the surfaces. For example, when in a closed position, each articulating panel may provide thermal insulation to a portion of the interior volume 108. In another example, the exterior surface of each articulating panel may reject heat or radiation from a source external to the housing 102, such as the Sun. FIG. 2 depicts the radiator system of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration according to various embodiments. Here, each articulating radiator panel 110A-110D is in a closed position or closed configuration. Each articulating radiator panel has an exterior surface, one of which is visible for articulating radiator panel 110A and labeled as 116A. As noted, the articulating radiator panels may have insulation which may be an external surface of the articulating radiator panel, or the insulation may be arranged such that it provides a thermal barrier or thermal break is provided between the interior and exterior surfaces of each articulating radiator panel.

[0039] This exterior surface 116A may also be configured to have a low emissivity. This low emissivity may an effective emittance (e*) of about 0.05 or 0.02, for example. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the articulating radiator panels may have a high emissivity surface. This may include an emissivity of about 0.9, for example. By having high emissivity, the interior surfaces effectively radiate heat.

[0040] As further seen in FIG. 2, the interior volume 108 is enclosed by at least the articulating radiator panels 110A-110D and the stationary panels 106A and 106B. This enclosure by these components may provide thermal insulation for the interior volume 108 such that less than 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, or 1% of heat loss may occur between the interior volume 108 and the environment outside the housing 102. This thermal insulation of the interior volume 108 may be from the insulation and from the emissivity of the articulating radiator panels 110A-110D and the stationary panels 106A and 106B.

[0041] In some embodiments, the housing 102 may have one or more openings through which thermal heat can enter or exit the interior volume. FIG. 3A depicts a side view of the radiator system of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3B depicts the off-angle view of FIG. 1. Here in FIG. 3A, the housing 102 has a first opening 118A and a second opening 118B adjacent to the first opening 118A. Each boundary of an opening is illustrated with a dash-dot-dot boundary line and the first opening 118A has dark shading while the second opening 118B has light shading. The first opening 118A is also marked in FIG. 3B. In some instances, like in FIGS. 3A and 3B, at least two openings may not be separated by a physical barrier or boundary. Each articulating radiator panel is adjacent to a corresponding opening of the housing 102. In some embodiments, each articulating radiator panel is configured to cover or fill the corresponding opening when in a closed position. In some instances, each articulating radiator panel is configured to partially cover or partially fill the corresponding opening when in a partially open, not fully open, position. When in a closed and some partially open configurations, an articulating radiator panel may face the interior volume 108 and its inner surface, like surface 112A, may reflect heat from the interior volume 108 back into interior volume 108.

[0042] For example, in FIG. 3A, articulating radiator panel 110A is adjacent to the first opening 118A and articulating radiator panel 110B is adjacent to the second opening 118B. When the articulating radiator panel 110A is in the closed position as illustrated in FIG. 2, articulating radiator panel 110A covers and fills the first opening 118A, and thermally insulates the interior volume 108 at this first opening. Further, when the articulating radiator panel 110B is in the closed position as illustrated in FIG. 2, articulating radiator panel 110B covers and fills the second opening 118B, and thermally insulates the interior volume 108 at this second opening.

[0043] When an articulating radiator panel is in a partially open or fully open position, the interior volume is thermally connected to the environment outside the housing such that heat can be exchanged between the interior volume and exterior environment. The more open the articulating radiator panel is with respect to the corresponding opening, the more thermal connection occurs. In these partially open or fully open positions, heat can also be rejected or absorbed by the coolant channels on each articulating radiator panel, in some embodiments. The positioning of the articulating radiator panels is therefore capable of changing the view factor of the radiator system and providing for large turndowns.

[0044] FIGS. 4A-4C depict side views of the reactor system of FIG. 1 in various configurations, according to disclosed embodiments. In FIG. 4A, the four articulating radiator panels 110A-110D are in fully open positions. The first and second openings 118A and 118B are represented by dash-dot-dot lines and as can be seen, they are fully uncovered by the corresponding articulating radiator panels 110A and 110B, respectively. A third opening 118C corresponding to articulating radiator panel 110C and a fourth opening 118D corresponding to articulating radiator panel 110D are also shown as dash-dot-dot lines similar to the other openings. Here, the interior volume (not labeled) is in thermal communication with the environment outside the housing 102 through all four openings 118A-118D such that heat can be exchanged with the external environment through all four openings. Further, heat can also be exchanged between the coolant channels of all four articulating radiator panels 110A-110D and the external environment. As illustrated, the view factor of the radiator system 100 may therefore include the coolant channels of all four articulating radiator panels 110A-110D as well as all four openings 118A-118D of the housing 102. As also illustrated, the view factor of the radiator system 100 in this position of FIG. 4A is greater than the view factor of the radiator system in the closed position.

[0045] In some embodiments, a payload or module positioned inside the internal volume may also have one or more coolant channels. To provide thermal management and control of the payload or module, heat may be exchanged using the coolant channels of the payload/module, using the coolant channels of the articulating radiator panels, or both. Using both the coolant channels of the payload/module and the coolant channels of the articulating radiator panels can provide thermal management of the payload/module and the interior volume with a high turndown, such as up to 25:1, 50:1, or 100:1, or range between 100:1 and 400:1. For example, when the articulating radiator panels are in the fully open positions of FIG. 4A, the form factor of the radiator system is larger than it would be if the articulating radiator panels were stationary in the closed position, e.g., of FIG. 2.

[0046] FIG. 5 depicts the radiator system of FIG. 1 having a payload in the interior volume, according to disclosed embodiments. Here, a payload 120 is positioned inside the interior volume 108 of the housing 102. In some embodiments, additional coolant channels may be positioned inside the internal volume, such as on the payload itself to provide for thermal management of the payload. In this illustration, payload 120 has a plurality of coolant channels 122 as represented by box 122. These coolant channels 122 may be positioned internal to the payload, in the exterior walls of the payload, or on the exterior surface of the payload. These coolant channels 122 are configured to exchange heat with, e.g., reject heat to, the environment external to the housing, depending on the position of the articulating radiator panels.

[0047] In FIG. 4B, the four articulating radiator panels 110A-110D are in a partially open position. Here, the four panels are less open than in FIG. 4A and the interior volume (not labeled) is in thermal communication with the environment outside the housing 102 through all four openings 118A-118D such that heat can be exchanged with the external environment through all four openings, but to a lesser degree or amount than in FIG. 1. Further, heat can also be exchanged between the coolant channels of all four articulating radiator panels 110A-110D and the external environment, but again less so than in FIG. 4A. These partially open positions still provide for thermal exchange with the external environment through the interior volume and coolant channels of the articulating panels, but less so than in a fully open position. These partially open positions also provide for adjusting the amount of heat exchanged with, e.g., rejected to, the external environment. In some instances, in partially open positions some heat from the interior volume or the articulating radiator panels may be exchanged with the external environment and some heat may be reflected back into the interior volume by the articulating radiator panels.

[0048] In FIG. 4C, two articulating radiator panels are fully open while other articulating radiator panels are closed. Here, articulating radiator panels 110A and 110B are in their fully open positions, while articulating radiator panels 110C and 110D are closed. The interior volume is still in thermal communication with the external environment through openings 118A and 118B, but not through openings 118C and 118D. In some embodiments, some such configurations may advantageously insulate the interior volume. For example, if solar radiation is striking the side of the housing 102 with the articulating radiator panels 110C and 110D, this solar radiation can be blocked or reflected by positioning these panels in their closed positions to prevent the solar radiation from heating the interior volume. Concurrently, the opening of the other two articulating radiator panels 110A and 110B allows for thermal exchange, e.g., cooling, of the interior volume to the external environment without the solar radiation via thermal exchange using the articulating radiator panels 110A and 110B, coolant channels in the interior volume, or both.

[0049] The radiator system herein may provide an overall effective view to space (i.e., to the environment outside the housing) for the interior volume. When all articulating radiator panels are in the closed position, like in FIG. 2, the effective view to space is zero. As the articulating radiator panels open from their closed position, the collective view to space increases. For example, in the fully open position of FIGS. 1 and 4A, the collective view to space may be 100%. In the partially open position of FIG. 4B, the collective view to space may be less, such as 40%.

[0050] Some additional or alternative features of the articulating radiator panels will now be discussed. In some implementations, each articulating radiator panel is configured to move or rotate about an axis, such as at a hinge joint. Given this rotational movement, the coolant channels may have various fluidic connections to a reservoir of the system having the coolant fluid. For example, flexible hoses may be used to fluidically connect each articulating radiator panel to the reservoir. These flexible hoses may be made of a stainless-steel braid. In another example, a rotary union may be used in which a stationary inlet permits fluid to flow from a stationary inlet to a rotating output.

[0051] The articulating radiator panels may be rotatable to different degrees. For example, the upper articulating radiator panels 110A and 110C may be configured to rotate about an axis, respectively, by at least 90 degrees, 100 degrees, 115 degrees, 130 degrees, 145 degrees, 165 degrees, 180 degrees, 200 degrees, or 240 degrees, for example. In another example, the lower articulating radiator panels 110B and 110D may be configured to rotate about an axis, respectively, by at least 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees, and 100 degrees, for instance.

[0052] In some embodiments, the movement mechanism may be configured to move two or more articulating radiator panels at the same time using one actuation driver or mechanism. This can advantageously save weight and cost by using only one actuation driver, e.g., a motor or piston, to actuate multiple panels instead of one actuation driver per panel. FIGS. 6A and 6B depict side views of a movement mechanism and articulating panels in two configurations. In FIG. 6A, the radiator system has articulating radiator panels 110A and 110C in the closed position. The movement mechanism 124 includes a single actuator 126, a first link 128 directly connected at its middle to the actuator 126, a second link 130 connected to one end of the first link 128 and to the articulating radiator panel 110A, and a third link 132 connected to the other end of the first link 128 and to the articulating radiator panel 110C. Each articulating radiator panel 110A and 110C has a separate hinge point 134A and 134C, respectively, separate from the connection point to the corresponding link. As the actuator 126 moves upwards, the articulating radiator panels 110A and 110C are simultaneously pushed upwards by the second and third links 130 and 132 and caused to rotate simultaneously about their hinge points 132A and 132C, as shown in FIG. 6B.

[0053] In some embodiments, the movement mechanism may be configured to move four articulating radiator panels at the same time. FIG. 6C depicts a side view of another radiator system with another movement mechanism. This system 600 includes the four articulating radiator panels 610A-610D that can be moved simultaneously using one actuator of the movement mechanism 624. In this embodiment, the movement mechanism has an actuator 628 that moves a first link 650 vertically, or in a direction parallel to axis 651. The first link 650 is slidably connected at a first end 653A to a first slotted link 652A at a first connection point 654A, and connected at a second end 653B to a second slotted link 652B at a second connection point 654B. The first slotted link 652A is rotatably connected to a frame 648 at a rotation point 655A that remains stationary with respect to the links and panels. A second link 656A is slidably and rotatably connected at the first connection point 654A to the first link 650 and to the first slotted link 652A. The second link 656A is also rotatably connected to a first articulating radiator panel 610A at a rotation point 658A, and the first articulating radiator panel 610A is rotatably connected to a rotation point 660A on a frame 648 which may have a payload 620 adjacent to it.

[0054] A third link 656B is slidably and rotatably connected at the second connection point 654B to the first link 650 and to the second slotted link 652B. The second slotted link 652B is rotatably connected to the frame 648 at a rotation point 655B that remains stationary with respect to the links and panels. The third link 656B is also rotatably connected to a third articulating radiator panel 610C at a rotation point 658B, and the third articulating radiator panel 610B is rotatably connected to a rotation point 660B on the frame 648. As the first link 650 moves in the direction parallel to axis 651, the first slotted link 652A rotates about its rotation point 655A and the connection point 653A slides within the slot 657A of the first slotted link 652A which causes the second link 656A to move the first articulating radiator panel 610A about the rotation point 660A. Similarly, as the first link 650 moves in the direction parallel to axis 651, the second slotted link 652B rotates about its rotation point 655B and the connection point 653B slides within the slot 657B of the second slotted link 652B which causes the third link 656B to move the third articulating radiator panel 610B about the rotation point 660B.

[0055] The rotations of the first slotted link 652A and the second slotted link 652B also cause two other articulating radiator panels to rotate. A fourth link 662A is rotatably connected at a rotation point 664A to an end of the first slotted link 652A and connected at a rotation point 666A to a second articulating radiator panel 610B. The second articulating radiator panel 610B is rotatably connected to the frame 648 at a rotation point 668A. A fifth link 662B is rotatably connected at a rotation point 664B to an end of the second slotted link 652B and connected at a rotation point 666B to a fourth articulating radiator panel 610D. The fourth articulating radiator panel 610D is rotatably connected to the frame 648 at a rotation point 668B. As the first link 650 moves in the direction parallel to axis 651, the first slotted link 652A rotates about its rotation point 655A and the connection point 664A with the fourth slotted link 662A causes the fourth link 662A to move the third articulating radiator panel 610C about the rotation point 668A. Similarly, at the same time, as the first link 650 moves in the direction parallel to axis 651, the second slotted link 652B rotates about its rotation point 655B and the connection point 664B with the fifth slotted link 662B causes the fifth link 662B to move the fourth articulating radiator panel 610D about the rotation point 668B. The movement of the first link 650 is configured to cause movement of all four of the articulating radiator panels 610A-D to move with respect to the frame 648.

[0056] In some other embodiments, the movement mechanism may be configured to move at least one articulating radiator panel independently from another articulating radiator panel. This may include different motors or actuators for each panel.

[0057] In some embodiments, the movement mechanism may have one or more actuation mechanisms that are shape memory alloys. The shape memory alloys may be configured to be in one position, e.g., a deformed position, to retain at least one articulating radiator panel in one position, such as a first position or a closed position. When heated to higher temperature, the shape memory alloy is configured to move to another position, e.g., a pre-deformed or remembered position, and thereby move the articulating radiator panel to a second position, such as a partially or fully opened configuration. In some embodiments, the movement mechanism may have multiple shape memory alloys that are configured to move an articulating radiator panel to multiple positions as the shape memory alloys increase in temperature. For example, the movement mechanism may have two different shape memory alloys configured to move one articulating radiator panel. At a first temperature, both shape memory alloys are in their deformed position such that the articulating radiator panel is in a closed position. At a second higher temperature, one shape memory alloy changes to its pre-deformed shape which in turn causes the articulating radiator panel to move to a partially open position while the second shape memory alloy remains deformed. At a third temperature higher than the first and second temperatures, the second shape memory alloy changes to its pre-deformed shape which in turn causes the articulating radiator panel to move to a different partially open, or fully open, position.

[0058] The embodiments provided herein are also configured to prevent or reduce dust or debris from entering the interior volume and affecting the functionality of radiator panels. For example, when one or more of the articulating radiator panels are closed, such as all of them closed in FIG. 2, dust may not be able to enter the interior volume, or its entry may be reduced. In some embodiments, each articulating radiator panel may seal off the corresponding opening. In some embodiments, there may be a soft seal or overlap between adjacent panels, such as the edges where panels meet, like between panels 110A and 110B. This may be advantageous if the radiator system is on a movable vehicle, such as on the lunar surface where it may encounter lunar dust. During transport, the interior volume may be protected from such dust when the articulating radiator panels are in the closed positions. In another example, when in an open position, dust may accumulate on the articulating radiator panels which may reduce the functionality of the coolant channels, e.g., their heat rejection or absorption may be reduced by the collection of dust. This dust may be removed by moving the articulating radiator panels, or by repeatedly moving the panels up and down to effectively shake off the dust. In some embodiments, the dust may also be removed by electrostatic or vibrational forces.

[0059] In some embodiments, the radiator system provided herein may have more or less than four articulating radiator panels. In some instances, the radiator system may have at least one, two, three, five, six, or eight articulating radiator panels, for instance. Each articulating radiator panel can provide various degrees of thermal control and management of the overall system.

[0060] Although the foregoing disclosed systems, methods, apparatuses, processes, and compositions have been described in detail within the context of specific implementations for the purpose of promoting clarity and understanding, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that there are many alternative ways of implementing foregoing implementations which are within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the implementations described herein are to be viewed as illustrative of the disclosed inventive concepts rather than restrictively and are not to be used as an impermissible basis for unduly limiting the scope of any claims eventually directed to the subject matter of this disclosure.