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EXTRATERRESTRIAL Segri-COOL

We have engineered cutting-edge cooling solutions for incredibly challenging environments, the most notable being cooling systems for electronics equipment deployed to the moon's south pole. For this project, it was essential for us to fully understand the lunar environment in which the equipment would operate. We developed sophisticated environment models to allow us to predict thermal behaviour from 384,000 km away, more about this can be found here.

We designed and developed the Segri-COOL ‘blade’ radiator to guarantee that electronic systems function predictably in the lunar south pole region. This solution is not only lighter but also enhances thermal performance and reduces production costs relative to traditional thermal solutions. The Segri-COOL radiator showcases our dedication to innovation and efficiency, ensuring peak performance under the extreme conditions of the moon's south pole.

Segri-COOL Blade -Vs- Traditional Thermal Solutions:

Weight: 60% lighter

Area exposed to solar loading: 60% smaller

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ALGORITHMIC GROWTH

Our solution's lightweight nature is the result of an innovative design process aimed at minimising material usage without sacrificing thermal performance. By shaping the blade to reduce weight wherever possible, we implemented biomimetic inspired algorithms to identify areas where material could be removed without affecting cooling efficiency. These algorithms are grounded in Adrian Bejan's constructal theory, which provides the mathematical foundation for optimising flow systems, in this case the flow of heat. Consequently, our approach yields a more efficient, smaller, and lighter radiator than traditional methods.

The inspiration for our design originated from the unique way elephants regulate their body temperature using their ears. Elephants utilise a network of bifurcating arteries and veins in their ears to cool warm blood by the movement of their ears and the application of water. This cooling mechanism, refined over thousands of years of evolution, effectively disperses heat across the ear's surface. By closely studying this natural system, we were able to mimic its architecture and develop a radiator that removes significant amounts of material without compromising thermal performance.

The illustration shows algorithmic growth of a Segri-COOL radiator design depending on the applied thermal power levels.

Segri-COOL BLADE PERFORMANCE

Our innovative Segri-COOL design sets our solution apart from others in several ways. By positioning the blade in the middle of the electronics box, we ensure that both sides of the blade benefit from excellent visibility to the ultimate radiative heat sink, deep space. This strategic placement is crucial for maximising the efficiency of the system and enhancing overall performance.

One of the most critical challenges at the Moon's South Pole is the sun's low position in the sky, which poses a risk of excessive solar heating of traditional large flat plate radiator designs. Our 3D blade design addresses this concern by minimising the visible area of the radiator to the sun throughout the whole lunar day. This careful consideration of the lunar environment ensures that the system remains cool and functional throughout the whole lunar day.

Furthermore, our solution offers significant cost savings by positioning the blade directly over the components. This close proximity reduces the conductive distance between the heat sink and heat source, eliminating the need for embedded heat pipes. By streamlining the design in this way, we achieve substantial cost reductions without compromising on efficiency or effectiveness of the radiator.

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Segri-COOL EVOLUTION THROUGH INNOVATION

 

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TWO-PHASE SHEET METAL Segri-COOL

Beyond our solid-state conduction Segri-COOL blade designs, we have developed multi-phase Segri-COOL sheet metal solutions. These sheet metal Segri-COOL systems are efficient, compact, and lightweight thermal spreaders. While sheet metal is known for its excellent properties in terms of weight, strength, and cost, it typically falls short in cooling efficiency. Enovus Labs has invented and patented a manufacturing technology that integrates two-phase heat pipe cooling channels directly into the sheet metal. This innovation significantly enhances the cooling performance of sheet metal, making it suitable for efficient, lightweight cooling applications.

This technology is particularly advantageous for space-deployed electronic systems, where optimising Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) is critical. We have designed it to be integrated into a CubeSat chassis, but it can also be easily incorporated into a honeycomb panel for larger satellites or landers. Segri-COOL sheet metal solutions are highly adaptable and can be utilised in a variety of applications. By minimising the size and weight of thermomechanical solutions, Segri-COOL is ideal for space-deployed electronics.

 

 

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