William Paul Braun

US Patent:

54678145, Nov 21, 1995

Filed:

Feb 24, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/393799

Inventors:

Nelson L. Hyman - Randallstown MD
William R. Braun - Seabrook MD
James C. Garner - Bowie MD
Lawrence R. Larson - Kitty Hawk NC
Sheleen M. Tuner - North Beach MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F28F 700

US Classification:

165 41

Abstract:

The graphite-epoxy heat sink and mounting structure is comprised of a mounting structure constructed of a graphite-epoxy material that is mounted around a heat generating pressure vessel located inside a spacecraft. The mounting structure is a graphite-epoxy structure having three segments. The first and third segments are a graphite-epoxy material with a high thermal conductivity but not necessarily capable of withstanding structural stresses. Between these thermal conductive segments is a segment of graphite-epoxy material capable of withstanding structural stresses to provide a structural integrity for the mounting structure. The thermal energy flows from the pressure vessel, through the thermal conductive layer to a shear panel of the spacecraft that radiates the thermal energy.