Abstract: Thermal control of powered systems on-board a flight vehicle is achieved by leveraging the latent heat storage capacity of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) to maintain the operating temperature at or slightly above the melting temperature of the PCM. The invention is particularly well suited for use with powered systems such as laser, microwave emitters, RF sensors and high-density power electronics that must operate at a desired operating temperature while generating considerable waste heat in a confined packaging volume of smaller flight vehicles such as missiles, rockets, guided projectiles, drones or other such platforms.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a thermal battery, which includes a housing and one or more battery cells within the housing. Each battery cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte in each battery cell is configured to be in a solid state when the battery cell is inactive. The apparatus also includes a phase change material around at least part of the housing. The phase change material is configured to conduct external heat into the housing in order to melt the electrolyte in each battery cell and activate the battery cell. The phase change material is also configured to change phase in order to reduce conduction of the external heat into the housing.

Abstract: Dry ice cooling systems and methods of making dry ice cooling systems are disclosed. According to embodiments, dry ice cooling systems include a compression container including compressed liquid carbon dioxide. The dry ice cooling systems include a dry ice container coupled to the compression container to receive the liquid carbon dioxide and house dry ice as it forms. The dry ice container includes a liquid coolant. Further, the dry ice cooling system includes a heat exchanger to couple a heat-generating source to the dry ice container.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a thermal battery, which includes a housing and one or more battery cells within the housing. Each battery cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The electrolyte in each battery cell is configured to be in a solid state when the battery cell is inactive. The apparatus also includes a phase change material around at least part of the housing. The phase change material is configured to conduct external heat into the housing in order to melt the electrolyte in each battery cell and activate the battery cell. The phase change material is also configured to change phase in order to reduce conduction of the external heat into the housing.

Abstract: A thermal management system for a heat generating electrical component and a method of making such a thermal management system. Additive manufacturing is used to form at least a portion of the thermal management system as a unitary, monolithic structure. Such a structure maximizes heat transfer by reducing or eliminating thermal interfaces between the components of the thermal management system. The use of additive manufacturing also allows for the production of varying thermal management system geometries that are not possible with conventional methods.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compact active cooling for missile applications generally comprise a circuit card assembly level closed loop fluid filled cooling system for cooling high power components such as microprocessors. The present invention utilizes a cooling system constrained to a single circuit card assembly providing for a drop in replacement for current passively cooled circuit card assemblies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compact active cooling for missile applications generally comprise a circuit card assembly level closed loop fluid filled cooling system for cooling high power components such as microprocessors. The present invention utilizes a cooling system constrained to a single circuit card assembly providing for a drop in replacement for current passively cooled circuit card assemblies.