Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a structurally integrated thermal management system that uses the structure of an aerospace vehicle as part of the heat dissipation system. In this system, structural elements of the aerospace vehicle function as a thermal bus, and are thermally connected with heat-generating electrical components, so that heat from those components is directed away from the component by the structure of the vehicle itself, into lower temperature surfaces of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sensor system for a laminated structure may include a sensor assembly disposed between a first layer and a second layer of the laminated structure. The sensor assembly may include a first anchor member and a second anchor member spaced at a predetermined distance from one another. A sensor chamber is formed between the first and second anchor members. The sensor assembly may also include a sensing line extending through the anchor members and the sensor chamber. The sensing line may include a configuration within the sensor chamber for sensing one of stress forces within the laminated structure, temperature or temperature changes within the laminated structure. A first transport tube may extend from the first anchor member opposite the sensor chamber and a second transport tube may extend from the second anchor member opposite the sensor chamber. The sensing line extends through the first and second transport tubes.

Abstract: A condenser having passages of varying geometry for cooling of fluid. The condenser apparatus includes substantially parallel tubes each defining a channel and having an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, the first end having a greater hydraulic diameter than the second end. Inlet and outlet manifolds are provided. The tubes may be oriented substantially vertically with the inlets above the respective outlets. A heat exchanger core comprises the tubes and substantially horizontally oriented fin material connecting the tubes. The tubes may receive a relatively higher temperature vapor or vapor and liquid mixture into the inlets of the tubes, around the tubes coolant flows substantially horizontally to remove heat from the tubes, and relatively cooler saturated liquid is discharged from the outlets. In one embodiment, the tube's channel splits into multiple channels to reduce the hydraulic diameter and increase the surface area ratio.

Abstract: An aircraft micro-lattice cross-flow heat exchanger and methods are presented. A first aircraft fluid source inlet provides a first fluid from a first aircraft system, and a second aircraft fluid source inlet provides a second fluid from a second aircraft system. A structural body supports aviation induced structural loads and exchanges heat between the first fluid and the second fluid. The structural body comprises hollow channels forming two interpenetrating fluidically isolated volumes that flow the first fluid within the hollow channels and flow the second fluid external to the hollow channels isolated from the first fluid. The hollow channels comprise a hollow three-dimensional micro-truss comprising hollow truss elements extending along at least three directions, and hollow nodes interpenetrated by the hollow truss elements.

Abstract: A heat exchanger fin capable of increasing convective heat transfer by reducing internal conduction along an undesirable direction within the heat exchanger fin itself is disclosed. More specifically, the current invention reduces conduction within the heat exchanger fin along an undesirable direction along the direction of fluid flow because such conduction decreases the performance of the heat exchanger fin. A heat exchanger fin in accordance with the present invention utilizes a plurality of notches within the heat exchanger fin that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow to increase the resistance of conduction within the heat exchanger fin itself. By increasing the resistance of conduction in an undesired direction, the heat exchanger fin is capable of more uniform temperature to along the entire surface area to facilitate increase convective heat transfer in the desired direction.

Abstract: A heat exchanger fin capable of increasing convective heat transfer by reducing internal conduction along an undesirable direction within the heat exchanger fin itself is disclosed. More specifically, the current invention reduces conduction within the heat exchanger fin along an undesirable direction along the direction of fluid flow because such conduction decreases the performance of the heat exchanger fin. A heat exchanger fin in accordance with the present invention utilizes a plurality of notches within the heat exchanger fin that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow to increase the resistance of conduction within the heat exchanger fin itself. By increasing the resistance of conduction in an undesired direction, the heat exchanger fin is capable of more uniform temperature to along the entire surface area to facilitate increase convective heat transfer in the desired direction.