Satellite
model with dual axis articulating solar arrays orbiting earth
(Click
on the picture for a larger image)
Thermal
Radiation Analysis Software
RadCAD is a
thermal radiation analyzer available for use with Thermal Desktop
or stand alone. RadCAD uses Monte Carlo Ray Tracing to calculate
form factors, radiation conductors, and heating rates for true conic
surface representations for input into SINDA/FLUINT.
RadCAD is the first radiation analyzer to integrate arbitrary CAD
generated surfaces with familiar parameter-based (TRASYS like) surfaces.
Why
use RadCAD
There are many
reasons to use Thermal Desktop/RadCAD and a full report can be found
here. A quick summary of the three major
reasons is listed below.
Thermal
Desktop/RadCAD uses snap on model building.
Thermal Desktop is CAD based. This allows Thermal Desktop to take
full advantage of CAD model building. Whether you are sketching
your Thermal Desktop surfaces over an IGES wireframe or snapping
new surfaces to the referenced points of existing surfaces, you'll
find that you are building your model more accurately and faster
than ever.
Thermal
Desktop/RadCAD runs on a PC.
Finally,
the thermal engineer doesn't need two computers. Thermal Desktop
runs on the same PC under the same OS as your word processing
system (see system requirements
for details). No more transferring your phone and going to a computer
room. You can work right at your desk and easily switch between
developing your model and documenting it.
RadCAD
is fast. RadCAD uses proprietary advances in Monte
Carlo ray tracing to achieve remarkable calculation speed. One
significant advance is the progressive radiosity routine used
to turn view factors into radiation conductors. At C&R, we
are keeping up with the latest technology to provide users with
the fastest most accurate solution possible.
RadCAD
Features
Monte Carlo
Ray Tracing to calculate form factors, radiation conductors, and
environmental heating
Calculations
using Monte Carlo ray tracing or advanced radiosity methods
Proprietary
advances in Oct Cell technology for amazingly fast computations
True curved
geometric surfaces
Specular
and Diffuse surfaces
Angular dependent
surface properties
Variable
model geometry with planet, sun, and star tracking
Full Orbit
plotting package with both basic and Keplerian input
Analysis
groups offer significant speed savings
Optical Property
Aliases help in database management
Refraction
capabilities for transparent specular surfaces
Automatic
Oct Cell optimization for determining best subdivision and surfaces
per cell criteria
Articulators
can now be functional between user specified orbit positions
Vector List
Orbit definition for modeling trajectory orbits
Arbitrary
source input for modeling IR/Sol Lamps
Fast spinning
surfaces
Symmetry/Mirror
planes
Automatic
restart determination
Free Molecular
Heating (FMH) algorithms have been added to allow calculation
of heating loads during ascent of launch vehicles
Quick checks
to allow for finding surfaces that overlap to aid in radiation
model debugging
