Chapter 151 The much-anticipated thermal balance experiment
Chen Jianfang just asked this question casually and didn't think Xu Yuan could really provide any good suggestions. After all, thermal control system issues involve the intersection of multiple disciplines.

Even though Xu Yuan had a high level of knowledge in mathematics and even fluid mechanics, he was still confused when he first encountered this problem.

But when he saw that what Xu Yuan was holding was actually the thermal control system design draft, he felt as if an earthquake had occurred in his heart.

However, no matter how surprising it is, having a design draft does not mean that the performance of the solution will be better than the currently selected one.

Maybe it’s just a simple thermal control system, a practice piece.

Thinking this, Chen Jianfang reached out to take the design draft, then lowered his eyes to look at it.

However, when the above content came into his eyes, Chen Jianfang couldn't help but put away his casualness, and his expression looked more serious and thoughtful.

"Multi-layer insulation assembly coverage."

“The layout of the heat pipes allows for large-scale internal thermal coupling.”

“It seems feasible.”

Chen Jianfang muttered quietly as he watched, and his eyes became brighter and brighter as time passed.

I thought Xu Yuan's performance on the thermal control issue was limited, but he turned around and gave him such a big surprise. The smile on his face gradually couldn't be concealed.

Due to various reasons, the performance of existing thermal control solutions can only be said to barely meet the normal operating environment of satellite instruments. However, in the complex and changeable environment of a lunar eclipse, it is uncertain whether the thermal control system can guarantee the operation of the instrument 100%.

There is a possibility of failure.

They also considered optimizing and upgrading the thermal control system, but the time and technical costs were beyond their affordability.

But the design plan that Xu Yuan came up with now was like a timely help and just solved this hidden danger.

Although the solution still has many details that need to be improved, it provides a clear direction for thermal control optimization.

And based on his experience, he believes that as long as this new thermal control solution is manufactured, its performance will definitely be better than the original solution.

that's it.

Another half hour passed.

Chen Jianfang finally raised his eyes and asked Xu Yuan: "Did you complete this thermal control plan?"

"Yes."

Xu Yuan nodded: "But there are still many areas in the plan that need to be improved."

"It's already great."

After hearing Xu Yuan's answer, Chen Jianfang first praised him generously, and then continued.

"Professor Xu is right. Your level in fluid mechanics and other subjects is no lower than his. No wonder he strongly recommended you to come here to help."

"And in fact you really helped us a lot."

"I think your plan can better exert the thermal control performance. I wonder if you are willing to work with me to improve it?"

Since Xu Yuan had specifically studied thermal control systems, he would definitely not refuse Chen Jianfang's invitation at this moment.

Moreover, in the design of thermal control solutions, he also realized his shortcomings in some aspects, and being able to work with Chen Jianfang to study and improve them was of great help in improving his own level.

In addition, if the optimization of the thermal control system is completed earlier, Chang'e-1 can be assembled and launched ahead of schedule.

With this thought in mind, Xu Yuan immediately agreed.

"Of course I do."

Chen Jianfang's face was full of smiles when he heard this.

"Well."

"We will strive to perfect the plan as soon as possible. As long as it passes the thermal balance test, we can officially apply this plan to satellites."

He said this to Xu Yuan again, and the next second he couldn't wait to enter the discussion mode.

"What do you think about the layout of this heat pipe?"

……

……

For the next period of time, Xu Yuan was basically in Chen Jianfang's office, discussing with him the optimization of the thermal control system solution.

Many researchers and associate researchers came to discuss the matter, and after hearing Xu Yuan's explanation, they all praised it highly.

Gao Duo was quite surprised when he first heard the news. He didn't expect Xu Yuan to be so good at thermal control. But when he thought of Xu Yuan's performance in designing the phase adjustment orbit, he suddenly felt that this was a matter of course. After all, it was all for the service of Chang'e-1.

Facts have proved that there is a reason why Chen Jianfang is the chief designer, and he indeed has a deep understanding of lunar exploration satellites.

It took a full half month, with the help of Chen Jianfang and other researchers, to perfect the thermal control direction proposed by Xu Yuan into a design plan.

And immediately start manufacturing according to the plan.

After all, it is impossible to accurately know the thermal control performance by relying on the plan alone, it must be verified through thermal balance tests.

Under normal circumstances, the original thermal control solution has been verified. Logically, if it is suddenly replaced and a new thermal control system is rebuilt for verification, someone in the project should raise objections.

However, the thermal control design direction given by Xu Yuan was so perfect that it was passed unanimously.

With a complete design plan and experience in manufacturing thermal control systems, the thermal control system was announced to be completed in July.

And carry out thermal balance test verification as soon as possible.

Everyone also wants to see how much performance this new solution can bring to thermal control.

Wednesday, July 2006, 7, Space Technology Research Institute.

Just after breakfast, Xu Yuan hurried over to participate in this morning's satellite thermal control system test.

Unlike going upstairs directly to the office area as usual, the thermal control system test is carried out in the test workshop.

This was his first time to go to the test workshop, and he was looking forward to it more than in the past few months. "Junior brother, you are here. I will take you to change clothes first." Xiao Xinbin, who was waiting for Xu Yuan, greeted him immediately after seeing him.

When facing Xu Yuan, his whole body was filled with admiration.

I had just joined the Chang'e-1 project team to help, and in just a few days I had solved the lunar satellite's orbit problem.

Then he optimized the thermal control system solution and got the chief designer's approval and adoption. No matter which one was proposed, it was not something he could do.

How could one not admire such a god-like genius?

When Xu Yuan saw Xiao Xinbin, he still maintained his original attitude and greeted him with a smile.

"Hello, senior brother."

After that, the two of them went to the test workshop together.

The test of satellite thermal control system is to simulate the space environment, so it is necessary to wear professional protective clothing.

Soon after Xu Yuan and Xiao Xinbin changed their clothes and walked inside, they immediately saw that Chen Jianfang was already there.

Although he was also wrapped in protective clothing, he was not difficult to recognize.

"Professor Chen."

"You came so early?"

Xu Yuan took the initiative to walk forward and say hello, and Xiao Xinbin next to him also echoed him.

Chen Jianfang turned around when he heard this, and when he saw Xu Yuan, he immediately smiled and answered:
"It's Xiao Xu. I'm a little worried, so I had to come here early to watch over you."

Xu Yuan knew that the final implementation stage would involve directly dismantling and renovating the original thermal control system. In other words, what seemed to be a thermal control verification today was actually the Chang'e-1 verification target.

This will also allow you to obtain the most accurate values.

However, if the verified performance is not ideal, the original thermal control will become unusable.

The manufacturing must be re-implemented.

It can be said that everyone, including Chen Jianfang, has high hopes for the new thermal control solution.

However, Xu Yuan was not worried about this at all. After all, the growing progress bar on the panel was the best way to judge, and today's test results would definitely not disappoint everyone.

Soon as the project members arrived one after another, Chen Jianfang took the opportunity to introduce the experimental environment to Xu Yuan.

"Our thermal balance test for Chang'e-6 this time mainly uses the external heat flow simulation method, and the entire test process will be carried out in our KM vacuum environment simulator."

"For the external heat flow of the satellite, we rely on a combination of infrared lamp arrays, infrared cages and thin film heaters for simulation."

"It simulates the environment of Chang'e-1 when it orbits the moon to the greatest extent possible."

Chen Jianfang spoke eloquently, not hiding the pride on his face when talking about the vacuum environment simulator developed by the Space Technology Research Institute.

While Xu Yuan was listening to these contents carefully, his eyes were also cast on the huge vacuum environment simulator in the workshop.

A few more minutes passed.

Professor Gao Duo also rushed over and was also looking forward to today's verification.

"Don't be nervous, Xu Yuan. Have confidence in yourself." Gao Duo walked to Xu Yuan and comforted him.

It was obvious that he was worried that Xu Yuan would feel pressured by this.

Of course, he is quite confident in the new thermal control design direction proposed by Xu Yuan.

After all, being recognized by other researchers such as Chen Jianfang is enough to prove one’s level.

When Xu Yuan heard this, he felt a little amused, but he also understood that Gao Duo was thinking about him.

So I just nodded in response.

"I understand, Professor Gao."

After seeing that everyone was in place, Chen Jianfang did not waste any more time.

The trial was immediately announced.

"Prepare for the test. Put the satellite into the vacuum environment simulator and turn on the infrared light matrix."

“Do a good job measuring heat flow.”

As soon as Chen Jianfang finished speaking, the engineering personnel responsible for the execution immediately took action.

At this time, Xu Yuan finally saw the basically complete satellite.

Chang'e-1 is in a vacuum environment simulator with the -y side facing upward.

An infrared lamp matrix was used on the heat dissipation surface to simulate the external heat flow, and a thin film heater was used to simulate the surface of the multi-layer insulation component. At the same time, in order to reduce the measurement error of the absorbed heat flow and improve the effectiveness of the test, five heat flow meters with different sensitive surfaces were used during the test.

During this process, Xu Yuan, Chen Jianfang, Gao Duo and others were all staring at the vacuum environment simulator, and they couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

As the experiment continued, Chen Jianfang continued to give new instructions with full concentration.

"Prepare for transient heat flow test verification."

During Chang'e-1's in-orbit operation, the external heat flow changes dramatically.

Therefore, transient tests are also required during thermal balance tests to verify the functions and performance of the thermal control system.

The entire process was previously carried out when the original thermal control system was verified.

Therefore, the engineering staff are also very skilled in execution.

After an unknown amount of time, the entire thermal balance test verification was finally completed. What everyone was most looking forward to was the result of this test.

(End of this chapter)