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US 11,539,109 B2Granted
Heat exchanger rib for multi-function aperture
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsWilliam E. Rhoden, Anders Walker, David Cripe, Ross Keith Wilcoxon, Jeremiah Wolf
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Abstract
Phased array antennas, such as a multi-function aperture, are limited in performance and reliability by traditional air-cooled thermal management systems. A fuel-cooled multi-function aperture passes engine fuel through channels within the ribs of the multi-function aperture to provide better heat transfer than can be achieved through air cooled systems. The increased heat transfer and thermal management results in a multi-function aperture with improved performance and reliability.
Claims16
A fuel-cooled multi-function aperture comprising:
- a multi-function aperture comprising a plurality of circuit card modules, wherein each of the plurality of circuit card modules comprises:
- a first circuit card;
- a second circuit card;
- and
- a rib positioned between the first circuit card and the second circuit card, wherein each rib includes a first channel and a second channel;
- and
- a first manifold including a first inlet and a second manifold including a second inlet,
- wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are configured to receive fuel and are in fluid communication with the first channel and the second channel of each rib, and wherein
- the first channel of each rib extends from a first side of the multi-function aperture into a center portion of the respective rib and exits through a third side of the multi-function aperture, wherein the first channel is configured to receive fuel through the first side of the multi-function aperture and dispense heated fuel through the third side of the multi-function aperture;
- and
- the second channel of each rib extends from a second side of the multi-function aperture into the center portion of the respective rib and exits through the third side of the multi-function aperture, wherein the second channel is configured to receive fuel through the second side of the rib and dispense heated fuel through the third side of the multi-function aperture.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.