Heat pipe with printed heater and associated methods for manufacturing
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJeffrey L. Duce, Christopher D. Courter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described herein is a heater for space equipment that includes a heat pipe. The heater also includes a first layer applied to the heat pipe. The first layer may be made from an electrically non-conductive material. The heater additionally includes a resistance heater printed onto the first layer after the first layer is applied to the heat pipe. The heater includes a second layer adjacent the resistance heater. The resistance heater may be positioned between the first layer and the second layer, and the second layer may be made from an electrically non-conductive material.
Claims20
A heater for space equipment, comprising:
- a heat pipe;
- a first layer applied to the heat pipe, the first layer made from an electrically non-conductive material;
- a resistance heater printed onto the first layer after the first layer is applied to the heat pipe;
- and
- a second layer adjacent the resistance heater, the resistance heater being positioned between the first layer and the second layer, and the second layer being made from an electrically non-conductive material.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a heat pipe;
- a plurality of plies printed on the heat pipe, wherein the plurality of plies comprises a first ply made from an electrically non-conductive material, a second ply applied onto the first ply and made from a first electrically conductive metal, and a third ply applied onto the second ply and made from a second electrically conductive metal;
- at least two electrically conductive contacts coupled to the second ply;
- and
- an electrical power source coupled to the at least two electrically conductive contacts, the electrical power source supplying power to the second ply via the at least two electrically conductive contacts.
A method of making a heater for heating equipment in space, comprising:
- providing a heat pipe, wherein the heat pipe is configured to contain a fluid that flows through the heat pipe to facilitate heat transfer;
- applying a first electrically non-conductive layer onto the heat pipe;
- printing a resistance heater onto the first electrically non-conductive layer after applying the first electrically non-conductive layer onto the heat pipe;
- and
- applying a second electrically non-conductive layer onto the resistance heater to form the heater.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.