Abstract: A thermal management system and method for active cooling of high speed seeker missile domes or radomes comprising bonding to an IR dome or RF radome a heat pipe system having effective thermal conductivity of 10-20,000 W/m*K and comprising one or more mechanically controlled oscillating heat pipes, employing supporting integrating structure including a surface bonded to the IR dome or RF radome that matches the coefficient of thermal expansion the dome or radome material and that of said one or more mechanically controlled oscillating heat pipes, and operating the heat pipe system to cool the IR dome or RF radome while the missile is in flight.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 2013
Date of Patent:
January 13, 2015
Assignees:
Integral Laser Solutions, Inc., The Curators of the University of Missouri