Thermal control system
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorByron W. Tietjen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermal control system for directing fluids between a reservoir and a rotatable platform. The system comprises a rotatable platform having an inlet port for receiving a cooling fluid; a reservoir adjacent the platform houses the cooling fluid for transport to the rotatable platform; and a non rotary jointed conduit having a first end immersed in the cooling fluid of the reservoir provides a fluid path for the cooling fluid to the rotatable platform.
Claims36
A thermal control system comprising:
- a rotatable platform having an inlet port for receiving a cooling fluid;
- a reservoir for housing said cooling fluid for transport to said rotatable platform;
- and
- a non rotary jointed conduit having a first end immersed in said cooling fluid of said reservoir for providing a fluid path for said cooling fluid to said rotatable platform, said reservoir aligned with said platform whereby said non rotary jointed conduit moves through said fluid during operation of said rotatable platform.
A method for cooling a rotatable platform having an inlet port for receiving a cooling fluid, said method comprising:
- providing a reservoir for housing cooling fluid;
- aligning said reservoir with said inlet port of said platform;
- and
- providing said cooling fluid housed in said reservoir via a non rotary jointed conduit into said inlet port of said rotatable platform, whereby said non rotary jointed conduit moves through said fluid during operation of said rotatable platform.
A thermal control system for exchanging fluids between a rotatable platform and a reservoir, said system comprising:
- a rotatable platform having an inlet port for receiving a cooled fluid and an outlet port for providing a heated fluid;
- a reservoir comprising a first vessel for receiving the heated fluid from the outlet port of the rotatable platform, and a second vessel for housing cooled fluid for transport to the inlet port of the rotatable platform via a non rotary jointed conduit, said conduit having an end immersed in said cooled fluid in said second vessel;
- and
- a heat exchanger coupled to the first and second vessels, said heat exchanger operative for receiving the heated fluid from the first vessel, and for providing cooled fluid to the second vessel for transport via said non rotary jointed conduit to the rotatable platform.
An antenna system comprising:
- an antenna array mounted on a first wheel, the first wheel having a circumferential portion adapted to engage at least one path disposed on a platform for revolving the radar array about the platform;
- an axle coupled to the first wheel;
- and
- a thermal control system for providing cooling fluid to the antenna array, said thermal control system comprising:
- a first vessel for housing said cooling fluid for transport to said antenna array;
- and
- a non rotary jointed conduit having a first end immersed in said cooling fluid of said first vessel and a second end coupled to said antenna array for providing a fluid path to said array for said cooling fluid.
An antenna system comprising:
- an antenna array mounted on a first wheel, the first wheel having a circumferential portion adapted to engage at least one path disposed on a platform for revolving the radar array about the platform;
- an axle coupled to the first wheel;
- and
- a first vessel for housing cooling fluid for transport to said antenna array;
- a non rotary jointed conduit having a first end immersed in said cooling fluid of said first vessel and a second end coupled to said antenna array, said conduit carried by said axle for providing a fluid path to said array for circulating the cooling fluid, and
- a return fluid path carried by said axle for transporting the circulated fluid from the array to the first vessel.
A method for cooling a radar antenna system comprising an antenna array mounted on a first wheel, the first wheel having a circumferential portion adapted to engage at least one path disposed on a platform for revolving the radar array about the platform, and an axle coupled to the first wheel, said method comprising:
- providing a vessel for housing cooling fluid;
- and
- providing said cooling fluid housed in said vessel via a non rotary jointed conduit carried by said axle to said array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.