Refractory-composite/heat-pipe-cooled leading edge and method for fabrication

A strain isolation system comprising:

• a first object, wherein the first object is a material selected from the group consisting of metals, glasses, composites, polymers, or ceramics;
• a second object embedded within the first object, such that expansion or contraction of one object is restricted by the other object, wherein the second object is amaterial selected from the group consisting of metals, glasses, composites, polymers, or ceramics:
• a gap forming means interposed between the first object and the second object such that the gap forming means is not located at not located at a heat transfer interface, said gap forming means comprising a shrinking layer such that the shrinking layer reduces in volume upon heating to form a gap between the first object and the second object.

A thermal protection system comprising:

• a matrix, wherein the matrix is a material selected from the group consisting of metals, glasses, composites, polymers, or ceramics;
• at least one heat pipe, wherein the heat pipe is embedded in the matrix and the heat pipe is a material selected from the group consisting of metals, glasses, composites, polymers, or ceramics;
• a strain isolation means interposed between the heat pipe and the matrix such that the strain isolation means is not located at a heat transfer interface, wherein the strain isolation means further comprises a compliant layer.

A thermal protection system comprising:

• a matrix, wherein the matrix is a material selected from the group consisting of metals, glasses, composites, polymers, or ceramics;
• at least one heat pipe, wherein the heat pipe is D-shaped and the flat part of the D-shaped heat pipe is convex, the heat pipe is embedded in the matrix, and the heat pipe is a material selected from the group consisting of metals, glasses, composites, polymers, or ceramics;
• a strain isolation means interposed between the heat pipe and the matrix.

A thermal protection system comprising:

• a matrix, wherein the matrix is a material selected from the group consisting of metals, glasses, composites, polymers, or ceramics;
• at least two heat pipes, wherein the heat pipes are embedded in the matrix and the heat pipes are arranged in a partially interdigitated array and the heat pipes are materials selected from the group consisting of metals, glasses, composites, polymers, or ceramics;
• a strain isolation means interposed between the heat pipe and the matrix such that the strain isolation means is not located at a heat transfer interface.