Grumman Aerospace Corporation

Martin Solon

Robert L Kosson

Robert A Haslett

A heat pipe radiator system is rendered more survivable against laser attack while providing higher thermal performance with significantly lower weight. In order to achieve these advantages, the radiator fin is fabricated from carbon-carbon material which is quite resistant to laser destruction as well as exhibiting twice the thermal conductivity of ordinary metals, such as aluminum. An integral clamp secures the fin to each heat pipe, thereby thermally decoupling the fin from the heat pipe when layer heating occurs. A mesh heat pipe wick creates a vapor barrier in the interior of the heat pipes so that continuous operation of the heat pipe is ensured, even when the pipes are subjected to localized laser heating. The heat pipes are wrapped in multi-layer metal foil insulation to greatly reduce direct laser heating of the heat pipes.

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Plainview, NY, United States of America

Martin Solon