Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

Bae Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.

David M Waller

Kevin Eugene Weed

William D Tandy

Lawrence J Campbell

Dustin S Putnam

Aaron J Seltzer

Ryan T Thompson

Radiator structures and methods are provided. The radiator includes conductor bar and radiating surface portions that are integral to one another. An interior surface of the conductor bar and an interior surface of the radiating surface form a continuous internal surface, and an exterior surface of the conductor bar and an exterior surface of the radiating surface form a continuous external surface. The overall form of the radiating surface can be similar to that of a flared bell, such that an interior surface of the conductor bar is exposed at a base of the flared radiating surface. Surface features can be formed on one for both of the exterior and interior surfaces of the radiator. The radiating surface can also include voids. Aspects of surface features and voids can vary with distance from a thermal interface with a heat source. The radiator structures can be formed using additive manufacturing processes.

Thermal radiator for heat rejection

A deployable structure having a plurality of panel elements is provided. Adjacent panel elements are connected to one another by hinges. The hinges allow the panel elements to be placed in a stowed or folded configuration, in which adjacent pairs of panel elements are folded against one another to provide a relatively compact assembly. Biasing members can be provided to transition the deployable structure from the stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. When in the deployed configuration, the relative positions of the panel elements of the deployable structure are maintained, at least in part, by locating interface assemblies. The deployable structure may have a generally annular configuration when deployed.

Deployable structure

Growing community of inventors

Westminster, CO, United States of America

David M Waller