THERMAL STRAPS FOR SPACECRAFT

摘要

Negative-stiffness-producing mechanisms can be incorporated with structural devices that are used on spacecraft that provide thermal coupling between a vibrating source and a vibration-sensitive object. Negative-stiffness-producing mechanisms can be associated with a flexible conductive link (FCL) or “thermal strap” or “cold strap” to reduce the positive stiffness of the FCL. The negative-stiffness-producing mechanisms can be loaded so as to create negative stiffness that will reduce or negate the natural positive stiffness inherent with the FCL. The FCL will still be able to provide maximum thermal conductance while achieving low or near-zero stiffness to maximize structural decoupling.

主权项

1. A negative-stiffness thermal strap comprising:
a thermal strap which provides thermal coupling and structural decoupling between a vibration-sensitive object and a vibrating cooling source, the thermal strap having positive axial stiffness and positive tilt stiffness; and an axial-tilt negative-stiffness-producing mechanism which is connected to the thermal strap and acts on the thermal strap to reduce some of its positive axial stiffness and positive tilt stiffness.