Solid state heat pipe heat rejection system for space power systems

US8859882B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AEROJET ROCKETDYNE OF DE, INC. · US

Inventors

• Cheng-Yi Lu · Calabasas, US
• James A. McClanahan · Calabasas, US
• Joseph P. Carroll · Moorpark, US
• William Determan · San Fernando, US
• Patrick E. Frye · Simi Valley, US
• Charles T. Kudija, Jr. · Santa Clarita, US
• Rick L. Howerton · Simi Valley, US
• Kenneth John Metcalf · Simi Valley, US
• Andrew J. Zillmer · Burbank, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 30, 2008
• Grant date: Oct 14, 2014
• Expiry date: Jul 1, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/50
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A heat rejection system includes a plurality of panel subassemblies and a solid state heat pipe flex joint. Each panel subassembly includes a fin, a solid state heat pipe manifold, a first solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold and secured to the fin, a second solid state heat pipe tube operatively connected to the solid state heat pipe manifold adjacent to the first solid state heat pipe and secured to the fin. The solid state heat pipe flex joint operably connects the solid state heat pipe manifolds of two of the plurality of panel subassemblies in a hermetically sealed configuration, and is configured to permit repositioning of the two panel subassemblies relative to each other.