Title: A lightweight thermal heat switch for redundant cryocooling on satellites,
Abstract: A previously designed cryogenic thermal heat switch for space applications
has been optimized for low mass, high structural stability, and reliability.
The heat switch makes use of the large linear thermal expansion coefficient
(CTE) of the thermoplastic UHMW-PE for actuation. A structure model, which
includes the temperature dependent properties of the actuator, is derived to be
able to predict the contact pressure between the switch parts. This pressure
was used in a thermal model in order to predict the switch performance under
different heat loads and operating temperatures. The two models were used to
optimize the mass and stability of the switch. Its reliability was proven by
cyclic actuation of the switch and by shaker tests.