Patent ID: 6713675
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: G06F,H05K

Abstract:
A spacecraft module, comprising:one or more heat-generating electronics components; a metal box enclosing the electronics components and having one face that forms an opening, to provide access to the box; and a heat radiating assembly, including a heat radiating panel having an inner face and an outer face the outer face functioning to radiate heat directly into space, and further including a heat-conductive backing plate for installation over the opening in the box, with the backing plate being generally co-extensive with and attached to the inner face of the heat radiating panel, the backing plate also being in a direct heat-conductive relationship with the electronics components; wherein the heat radiating assembly is independently removable without removal of the metal box, to facilitate access to the electronics components; whereby thermal resistance between the electronics components and the heat radiating panel is minimized, allowing use of a smaller radiating panel area to emit a given amount of heat energy, total spacecraft mass is reduced, and maintenance access to the electronics components is facilitated.