Integrated phased array (IPA) thermal subsystem fluid loop simulator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12253439-B2
Application number	US-202218063011-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 7, 2022
Priority date	Dec 7, 2022
Publication date	Mar 18, 2025
Grant date	Mar 18, 2025

Abstract

The present application relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating the testing of a payload. An exemplary apparatus may include a fluid inlet port configured to receive fluid from a thermal subsystem of the payload. The apparatus may also include an actuating device configure to supply the fluid to a heat exchanger. A valve may be configured to receive the fluid from the heat exchanger and separate the fluid into a first fluid line and a second fluid line. A first fluid outlet port may be configured to supply the fluid to the thermal subsystem of the payload and a second fluid outlet port may be configured to supply the fluid to the thermal subsystem of payload.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus configured to test a payload, wherein the apparatus comprises:
a fluid inlet port configured to receive fluid from a thermal subsystem of the payload, the fluid inlet port configured to be detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload;
an actuating device in fluid communication with the fluid inlet port, the actuating device configured to provide fluid to a heat exchanger;
a valve configured to receive the fluid from the heat exchanger, the valve configured to separate the fluid into a first fluid line and a second fluid line;
a first filter configured to filter the fluid in the first fluid line;
a second filter configured to filter the fluid in the second fluid line;
an accumulator configured to receive and store fluid, wherein the accumulator is in fluid communication with the actuating device, and wherein the actuating device comprises a pump;
a first fluid outlet port configured to supply the fluid from the first fluid line to the thermal subsystem of the payload, the first fluid outlet port configured to be detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload; and
a second fluid outlet port configured to supply the fluid from the second fluid line to the payload, the second fluid outlet port configured to be detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is portable, and further comprising a second heat exchanger configured to receive fluid from the heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger configured to change a temperature of the fluid.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a first fluid regulation device configured to control a flow of the fluid to the heat exchanger.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a gas sensor to measure a gas pressure of the accumulator.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the fluid at an inlet of the actuating device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the fluid at an output of the actuating device.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the fluid at an input of the valve.

8. The apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a second fluid regulation device configured to control a flow of the fluid to the heat exchanger.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising:
a third fluid regulation device configured to control a flow of the fluid in the second fluid line.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a first pressure sensor to measure a difference in pressure between an inlet and an outlet of the first filter; and
a second pressure sensor to measure a difference in pressure between an inlet and an outlet of the second filter.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet port is detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload by a first quick disconnect coupling, wherein the first fluid outlet port is detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload by a second quick disconnect coupling, and wherein the second fluid outlet port is detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload by a third quick disconnect coupling.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to simulate conditions of an environment for testing the payload, and wherein the payload comprises at least one antenna array, a subsystem of an vehicle, or a payload of a spacecraft.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising one or more wheels to enable the apparatus to be moved from a first location to a second location.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a second apparatus comprising:
a fluid inlet port configured to receive fluid from the payload, the fluid inlet port configured to be detachably connected to the thermal subsystem of the payload; and
an accumulator configured to receive and store fluid from the payload, the accumulator in fluid communication with the thermal subsystem of the second apparatus, wherein the second apparatus is portable.

15. A method for facilitating testing of a payload, the method comprising:
receiving, at a fluid inlet port of a portable apparatus, fluid from the payload, wherein the fluid inlet port is configured to be detachably coupled to a thermal subsystem of the payload;
activating an actuating device to circulate fluid in one or more fluid lines of the portable apparatus;
changing, at one or more heat exchangers of the portable apparatus, a temperature of the fluid;
separating the fluid into a first fluid line and a second fluid line;
supplying, via a first fluid outlet port of the portable apparatus, fluid to the thermal subsystem of the payload, wherein the first fluid outlet port is configured to be detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload;
receiving, at a fluid inlet port of a second portable apparatus, the fluid from the thermal subsystem of the payload, wherein the fluid inlet port of the second portable apparatus is configured to be detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload;
storing a portion of the fluid in an accumulator of the second portable apparatus; and
supplying, via a second fluid outlet port of the portable apparatus, fluid to the thermal subsystem of the payload, wherein the second fluid outlet port is configured to be detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload.

16. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising controlling a rate of fluid flow through the first fluid line.

17. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising controlling a rate of fluid flow through the second fluid line.

18. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising measuring a fluid pressure of the accumulator.

19. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising measuring a pressure of the fluid at an inlet of the actuating device.

20. An apparatus configured to test a payload, wherein the apparatus comprises:
a first portable apparatus comprising at least a fluid inlet port, one or more heat exchangers, a first fluid outlet port, and a second fluid outlet port, wherein the fluid inlet port is configured to be detachably coupled to a thermal subsystem of the payload, wherein the first fluid outlet port is configured to be detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload, and wherein the second fluid outlet port is configured to be detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload; and
a second portable apparatus having an inlet port and an accumulator, wherein the inlet port of the second portable apparatus is configured to be detachably coupled to the thermal subsystem of the payload.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Reilly Creed
• Kim Gregory
• Huynh Jimmy
• Nemeth Kevin

Classifications

• F28F2280/10

  Movable elements, e.g. being pivotable · CPC title

• F28F19/01

  by using means for separating solid materials from heat-exchange fluids, e.g. filters · CPC title

• F28F9/0258

  of quick acting type, e.g. with snap action · CPC title

• F28D15/00

  Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls {; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies (F28D17/00, F28D19/00, F28D20/00 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B64G7/00

  Simulating cosmonautic conditions, e.g. for conditioning crews · CPC title