Modeling and simulation of the thermal network in a space gear-bearing system

A thermal network model of the gear-bearing system used in a certain type of space robot was built, for investigating the temperature field distribution of the system in the space environment. Based on the Fourier´s law of heat conduction, the thermal impedances of the components were computed by taking the vacuum and the grease lubricant conditions into account. The temperature of the key points of the system was obtained. The finite element simulation was performed to verify the validity of the model by using a finite element sub-modeling technique. The results show that the thermal resistances computed by the heat network model meet well with those by the finite element method. It shows that the thermal network model and the finite element simulation for the gear-bearing system are feasible. The present work provides a crucial support for the research methodology of the executive components of the space robot.