Bae Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc.

Kevin Eugene Weed

Derek Chan

David M Waller

Kevin Hoopes

Bryce Moore

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

Systems and methods for providing thermal systems having one or more radiators that each incorporate one or more heat pipe matrices are provided. Each heat pipe matrix includes at least one spreader heat pipe element and a plurality of lateral heat pipe elements. The lateral heat pipe elements can extend in a direction that is generally transverse to a direction in which the spreader heat pipe element extends. Each lateral heat pipe element includes a portion that is thermally coupled and parallel to a portion of at least one spreader heat pipe element. Multiple heat pipe matrices can be thermally coupled to one another by jumper heat pipes to form heat pipe networks.

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

Kevin Eugene Weed