Document Type
Conference Paper
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Thermal & Fluids Analysis Workshop
Publisher
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Publication Date
2023
Journal Article Version
Accepted Manuscript
First Page
1
Last Page
11
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Abstract
Pyrolytic Graphite Sheets (PGS) have increased the achievable mass specific conductance of many critical, passive thermal technologies over the last several years. From thermal straps and cryocooler brackets to PGS-embedded conductor bars and honeycomb radiators, PGS is the answer to dissipating the ever-increasing heat loads in today’s cutting-edge spacecraft. This work outlines the advances in PGS thermal straps, PGS-embedded cryocooler brackets, PGS-embedded conductor bars, and PGS-embedded radiators (both machined and honeycomb) at Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL). The capabilities of each PGS technology are compared to traditional thermal solutions (e.g., metallic thermal straps, conductor bars, and cryocooler brackets and heat pipe embedded radiators) to highlight the best applications in which to implement PGS in a thermal design. Test data is presented – including thermal conductance, thermal cycling, vibration testing, and stiffness – and is supplemented by thermal analysis where appropriate.
Recommended Citation
Ralphs, Matt; Sinfield, Matt; Mortensen, Holly; and Felt, Matt, "Advances in Thermal Technologies Using Pyrolytic Graphite Sheet" (2023). Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications. Paper 324.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/sdl_pubs/324