Thermal protection method of the solar array for stratospheric airships

Abstract

Part of the sunlight energy received by the solar array on the stratospheric airship surface is converted to electric energy, and considerable energy is transformed into heat, which is bad for the envelope material and the internal pressure of the airship. It is necessary to develop different methods for the solar array to reduce its thermal effects on the stratospheric airship. Coating film, heat dissipation structure and heat insulation structure are developed to reduce the thermal effects. A series of theoretical studies are carried out to analyze the effects of three layers, especially the heat dissipation structure made up by arrayed fins, which are verified by the experimental test and CFD simulation. As for the solar array system, the mutual coordination among output power, thermal protection effect and the structure weight ought to be considered at the same time in the design of solar array system of the stratospheric airship.