Heat pipes for thermal dissipation in radar devices

A radar device is provided. The radar device includes an antenna and a housing having an exterior wall. The radar device also includes an electronics module having a heat source contained within the housing. Additionally, the radar device includes a heat pipe having a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned proximate to the heat source, and the heat pipe is configured to transfer heat from the first end of the heat pipe to the second end of the heat pipe to reduce an amount of heat at the heat source. The heat pipe may be an evaporator-condenser heat pipe. The second end of the heat pipe may be positioned proximate to a first dissipating feature. The heat source may be a power amplifier, waveguide assembly, printed circuit board, or other electronics, and the first dissipating feature may be the exterior wall of the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 22425012.6, entitled “Heat Pipes for Thermal Dissipation in Radar Devices”, filed on Mar. 18, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to heat pipes for use in radar devices to manage the heat generated in radar devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Within the housing of a radar device, a significant amount of heat is generated. Various components create this heat, including, for example, a waveguide assembly, a power amplifier, printed circuit boards, and other electronics. These heat generating components are often densely packed, so a substantial amount of heat may be generated at specific locations within the housing.

To manage this heat, many attempt to overhaul the design of the housing and its internal components to provide improved heat management. However, such an overhaul is not an option for existing products having heat management issues. Further, due to other possible design constraints, it may be difficult to make significant design changes to address heat management.

Others attempt to use fans or forced airflow to remove heat from hot components by convection, distributing the heat widely within the air within the housing. However, this increase in temperature may generate risks for other sensitive components. Further, fans often possess a short operating life. If a fan were to fail without any backup heat management approaches, the heat generated within the housing may cause premature failure of the radar device or components within the radar device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Heat pipes provide an effective solution for controlling the amount of heat in the housing of a radar device. Heat pipes of various sizes and geometries may be used to accommodate a housing of a radar device. Heat pipes may provide significantly improved heat reduction at a reduced cost compared to other conductive metals such as aluminum, copper, or graphene. Further, heat pipes may be easily installed and removed from a housing of a radar device. Because of the ease of installation for heat pipes, heat pipes may be retrofitted into existing radar devices. While other heat-exchanger approaches could be used to manage the heat levels in a housing, these approaches typically require changes in the geometry and design of the radar device, the housing, and/or the components within the housing. Heat pipes provide a cost-effective solution for managing the amount of heat within a housing without the need for overhauling the geometry or the design of the housing and its internal components.

In some embodiments, a heat pipe may reduce the temperature at a heat source by 10 degrees Celsius or more as compared to systems without a heat pipe. However, the amount of temperature reduction may vary depending on the size of the heat pipe, the size of the radar device, the difference in temperature at the two ends of the heat pipe, and the number of heat pipes utilized.

Additionally, by utilizing heat pipes, the heat level may be better controlled so that radar devices can be scaled to larger sizes. Without heat pipes or another heat management approach, radar devices may operate at their thermal limit, and this means that the size of the radar device cannot be increased without creating an undue risk of product failure due to the amount of heat generated.

In an example embodiment, a radar device is provided. The radar device includes an antenna, a housing having an exterior wall, and an electronics module having a heat source. The electronics module is enclosed within the housing. The radar device also includes a heat pipe having a first end and a second end. The first end of the heat pipe is positioned proximate to the heat source, and the second end is positioned proximate to a first dissipating feature. The heat pipe is configured to transfer heat from the first end of the heat pipe to the second end of the heat pipe to reduce an amount of heat at the heat source, and the second end of the heat pipe is configured to transfer heat to the first dissipating feature.

In some embodiments, the heat pipe may be an evaporator-condenser heat pipe. The first end of the heat pipe may be provided at a lower elevation than the second end of the heat pipe. The heat pipe may be secured through brazing, through soldering, or by using at least one of a clamp or a magnet. Additionally, in some embodiments, the heat source may include at least one of a power amplifier, a waveguide assembly, a printed circuit board, or a motor.

A second heat pipe may also be provided in some embodiments. Further, in some embodiments, a first heat pipe and a second heat pipe may be provided. The first heat pipe and the second heat pipe may both have a first end and a second end. The first end of the second heat pipe may be positioned proximate to the heat source, and the second end of the second heat pipe may be positioned proximate to a second dissipating feature on an opposite side of the housing as the second end of the first heat pipe. Additional heat pipes may be used to provide further heat management.

In some embodiments, the first dissipating feature may be the exterior wall of the housing, and the second end of the heat pipe may be attached to the exterior wall of the housing. A mounting plate may be connected to the exterior wall of the housing in related embodiments, and the mounting plate may be configured to assist in securing the heat pipe. In related embodiments, the electronics module may have a top surface and a tab extending from the top surface, and the tab may be configured to contact the mounting plate to assist in positioning the electronics module relative to the housing. The housing may be configured to permit the electronics module to shift laterally within the housing until the tab contacts the mounting plate.

In some embodiments, the radar device may also include a waveguide assembly. The waveguide assembly may have a first component and a second component, and an air gap may be defined between the first component and the second component. The second component of the waveguide assembly may be attached to the electronics module, and the electronics module and the second component may be configured to move relative to the first component of the waveguide assembly.

In some embodiments, the radar device may be made in a specified process. The process may include providing the housing and providing the electronics module. The process may also include positioning the electronics module at a desired location. The process may also include providing the heat pipe. The process may also include positioning the first end of the heat pipe proximate to the heat source at the electronics module and also restraining movement of the first end. Additionally, the process may include positioning the second end proximate to the first dissipating feature and restraining movement of the second end.

In another example embodiment, a radar device is provided. The radar device includes a heat source. The radar device also includes a heat pipe that is configured to transfer heat from a first end of the heat pipe to a second end of the heat pipe to reduce an amount of heat at the heat source. The radar device also includes a housing having an exterior wall and a plate connected to the exterior wall. The radar device also includes an electronics module having a tab. The housing is configured to permit the electronics module to shift laterally within the housing until the tab contacts the plate, wherein the tab is configured to contact the plate to assist in positioning the electronics module relative to the housing.

In some embodiments, the radar device may comprise a waveguide assembly having a first component and a second component. An air gap may be defined between the first component and the second component. The second component of the waveguide assembly may be attached to the electronics module, and the electronics module and the second component may be configured to move relative to the first component of the waveguide assembly.

In some embodiments, the electronics module may have a top surface, and the tab may extend from the top surface. In related embodiments, the electronics module may include two or more tabs, wherein the housing may be configured to permit the electronics module to shift laterally within the housing until the two or more tabs contact the plate.

In another example embodiment, a radar device is provided. This radar device may be made by a specified process. This process may include providing a housing and providing an electronics module. The process may also include positioning the electronics module at a desired location. Additionally, the process may include providing a heat pipe, and the heat pipe may have a first end and a second end. The process may include positioning the first end proximate to a heat source at the electronics module and also restraining movement of the first end. Furthermore, the process may include positioning the second end proximate to a first dissipating feature and restraining movement of the second end.

In some embodiments, the first dissipating feature may be the exterior wall of the housing. The housing may have an exterior wall and a mounting plate connected to the exterior wall. Additionally, the electronics module may include a tab, and positioning the electronics module at a desired location may be performed by shifting the electronics module relative to the housing until the tab contacts the mounting plate. In some embodiments, the heat source may include at least one of a power amplifier, a waveguide assembly, a printed circuit board, or a motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In various embodiments, a radar device may be utilized that has improved heat dissipation, preventing overheating of features within the radar device.FIG.1Aillustrates a perspective view of an example radar device100, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein. The radar device100may include a housing102and an antenna104. Various features of the radar device100are described in greater detail in reference to subsequent figures. In some embodiments, this antenna104may be configured to rotate relative to other components of the radar device100. For example, the antenna104may be configured to rotate relative to the electronics module108(seeFIG.1B). For example, the antenna104may be connected to a rotary joint in the housing102.

Other components that may be provided inside the housing are illustrated inFIG.1B.FIG.1Billustrates a perspective view of an electronics module108and other components. A secondary module107and a waveguide assembly120may also be provided. The electronics module108may be provided as a metallic case in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the secondary module107and/or the electronics module108may be temporarily laterally displaced (e.g., along an air gap in the waveguide assembly120) to increase ease in maintenance. The direction of lateral displacement is indicated by the arrows at the periphery ofFIG.1B. In some embodiments, a motor may be provided to cause movement of the electronics module108. In some embodiments, one or more tabs (see, e.g.,218,FIG.2C) may be provided in the electronics module108to limit movement of the electronics module108. After the electronics module108has moved a certain amount along the path indicated by the arrows, the tab(s) may engage another component to prevent further movement of the electronics module108. Additionally, in some embodiments, maintenance is easier to perform because features of the radar device100(seeFIG.1) may be removed without having to detach the two components of the waveguide assembly120(as they are already separated by the air gap). Example waveguide assemblies are described in U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 17/537,781, entitled “Radar Waveguide and Choke Assembly”, filed Nov. 30, 2021, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. While some embodiments discussed herein utilize waveguide assemblies having two components separated by an air gap, other embodiments may not include such waveguide assemblies.

FIGS.2A-2Cillustrate the housing and other components within the housing in greater detail.FIG.2Aillustrates a perspective view of an example housing202that may be used with a radar device100(seeFIG.1A). A mount203may be provided, and this mount203may be configured to receive and secure an antenna104(seeFIG.1A). A channel206may extend to the mount203, and this channel206may be configured to transfer radio-frequency power to or from an antenna104(seeFIG.1A) secured to the mount203.

Turning now toFIG.2B, a cross-sectional view may be seen of the example housing202ofFIG.2Aabout the line A′-A′. The housing202may have an exterior wall222as illustrated. This exterior wall222may serve as a dissipating feature, but other possible dissipating features may also be used. An electronics module208, a secondary module207, and a waveguide assembly220may also be provided inside the housing202. As noted herein, various electrical components may be provided on the electronics module208, generating a significant amount of heat in the electronics module208.

Looking now atFIG.2C, an enhanced view is illustrated of the cross-section of the example housing202depicted inFIG.2Bwhere an example heat pipe210may be seen. This heat pipe210may assist in reducing the amount of heat at the electronics module208. The heat pipe210may have a first end250and a second end252. In some embodiments, the heat pipe210may be an evaporator-condenser heat pipe. Further details regarding such an evaporator-condenser heat pipe are provided inFIG.8and the corresponding discussion herein.

In some embodiments, the second end252of the heat pipe210may be positioned adjacent to a first dissipating feature, and heat may transfer from the second end252of the heat pipe210to the first dissipating feature. This first dissipating feature may then further dissipate the heat. In some embodiments, this first dissipating feature may be the exterior wall of the housing, but other first dissipating features may be used. For example, the first dissipating feature may be positioned at a location within the housing202, such as a position at the edge of the electronics module208, at a location outside of the housing202, or at a fan unit located in the housing202.

In some embodiments, a mounting plate216may be connected to the exterior wall222of the housing202. The mounting plate216may serve multiple purposes. First, the mounting plate216may be used to assist in restraining the movement of the heat pipe210. The second end252of the heat pipe210may be positioned adjacent to the mounting plate216as illustrated inFIG.2C, and then a clamp214may be used to restrain the movement of the second end252of the heat pipe210. The clamp214may have horizontally extending holes215, and these horizontally extending holes215may be threaded holes that are configured to receive fasteners, such as screws. The mounting plate216may also assist in the positioning of electronics module208relative to the housing202. In some embodiments, a tab218may extend from the upper surface of the electronics module208, and the tab218may be configured to contact the mounting plate216to assist in positioning the electronics module208relative to the housing202. For example, the electronics module208may be permitted to shift laterally within the housing202until the tab218comes in contact with the mounting plate216.

In some embodiments, the first end250of the heat pipe210may be provided proximate to a heat source, and the second end252of the heat pipe210may be provided adjacent to a first dissipating feature at a distance away from the heat source. For example, the second end252of the heat pipe210may be provided proximate to a first dissipating feature, which may be in the form of the exterior wall222of the housing202. In some embodiments, the second end252of the heat pipe210may be attached to the first dissipating feature. In this way, heat may be transferred from the first end250to the second end252of the heat pipe210, and heat may then be transferred from the second end252of the heat pipe210to the first dissipating feature. Once heat has reached the first dissipating feature (e.g. the exterior wall222), the heat may disperse from the first dissipating feature towards the external environment. Where the first dissipating feature is the exterior wall222, ambient air from the external environment may also cool the exterior wall222. Where the first dissipating feature is provided at a location other than the exterior wall222, heat may transfer from the first dissipating feature towards the external environment, moving through the exterior wall in the process.

The first end250of the heat pipe210may be provided proximate to a wide variety of heat sources. In some instances, it may be beneficial to simply provide the first end250at any location within the housing202in order to manage the amount of heat within the housing202. In other embodiments, the first end250may be provided proximate to at least one of a power amplifier441(seeFIG.4B), a waveguide assembly220, a printed circuit board (PCB), a motor, or another electronic component. The first end250may be placed proximate to multiple heat sources in some embodiments.

Providing the first end250of the heat pipe210at a lower elevation than the second end252of the heat pipe210may be beneficial in some embodiments. The surrounding temperature at the first end250, which may be placed proximate to a heat source, may be higher than the surrounding temperature at the second end252. By placing the second end252at a higher elevation than the first end250, heat may be transferred more efficiently through the heat pipe210from the first end250to the second end252. Doing so may assist in the capillary action within an evaporator-condenser heat pipe where such a heat pipe is used.

As illustrated, the heat pipe210may extend through a cavity246within an attachment member240. The attachment member240may be positioned above a power amplifier441(seeFIG.4B), which may be positioned on the underside of the electronics module208. In some embodiments, the heat source such as the power amplifier441may be coupled directly to the attachment member240instead of being coupled to a PCBA or electronics module208. The attachment member240may comprise a conductive material such as a metal. The power amplifier441may be a radio frequency power amplifier, and the power amplifier441itself may be provided on a radio frequency printed circuit board. The power amplifier441may be a serve as a major heat source, and the use of the heat pipe210may allow for effective heat management, easy installation, and easy maintenance. The power amplifier441may frequently be located adjacent to the waveguide assembly220to optimize the performance of the power amplifier441, and these components will typically be located in a central location within the housing202. At this central location, these heat sources are at a significant distance away from the exterior wall222of the housing202, making it difficult to manage the amount of heat at this location without the assistance of a heat pipe or some other heat management approach.

Without the use of any heat management approaches such as a heat pipe, heat from heat generating components at the electronics module208would move by conduction through the electronics module208towards the exterior wall222of the housing202at a relatively low rate of effectiveness. While heat would slowly transfer to the exterior wall222and to the external environment, a significant amount of heat would remain concentrated proximate to heat sources on the electronics module. Further, poor thermal path routing may occur in the electronics module208, with heat being concentrated at higher levels in some locations on the electronics module208.

The heat pipe210may be provided proximate to heat sources to better control the heat level at these heat sources. The heat pipe210may be easily installed or removed for maintenance using a clamp244. The clamp244may have vertically extending holes217, and these holes217may be threaded holes that are configured to receive fasteners such as screws. However, in other embodiments, a clamp may be provided that is configured to secure the heat pipe210to the side of the attachment member240, and the clamp may have horizontally extending holes or holes extending at other angles.

FIG.3illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example heat pipe310and other components within an example housing302. As illustrated by the arrows at the bottom ofFIG.3, the electronics module308may be shifted laterally so that maintenance may be easily performed on the heat pipe310, electronics at the electronics module308, or other components. With the electronics module308in the position illustrated inFIG.3, a tab318is abutting the mounting plate316, and this restricts the movement of the electronics module308(e.g., further into the housing302). Once in this position, fasteners may be used to secure the electronics module308in place. Notably, the fasteners may be installed horizontally (which is useful for installation in a tight space) as the mounting plate316extends downward vertically.

Heat transfers from the first end350of the heat pipe310to the second end352of the heat pipe310. Then, heat transfers from the second end352of the heat pipe310to the first dissipating feature. Here, the first dissipating feature is the exterior wall322of the housing302. Once heat has transferred to the first dissipating feature, heat may be transferred towards the external environment. Thus, the heat pipe310may effectively reduce the amount of heat located at the heat source(s).

As noted above, the heat pipe310may be placed in the desired position and then secured in place. For example, the first end350is provided proximate to the waveguide assembly320and the power amplifier441(seeFIG.4B) in the embodiment illustrated inFIG.3. The first end350of the heat pipe310may be secured in place using an attachment member340and a clamp344having vertically extending holes317, and the second end352of the heat pipe310may be secured in place using a clamp314having horizontally extending holes315.

In previous embodiments, the illustrated housings possess only one heat pipe, but two or more heat pipes may be used in some embodiments to further manage the heat within the housing.FIG.4Aillustrates a cross-sectional view of an example housing402where multiple heat pipes are utilized. As illustrated, a first heat pipe410A and a second heat pipe410B may be provided.

The first heat pipe410A may be positioned and secured similar to the heat pipe210illustrated inFIG.2C. The first heat pipe410A may be secured adjacent to a first dissipating feature, which may be in the form of a first location on the exterior wall. This may be accomplished by positioning an end of the first heat pipe410A adjacent to a first mounting plate416A and then securing that end of the first heat pipe410A to the first mounting plate416A using a first clamp414A and screws417A. The first heat pipe410A may also be secured proximate to the power amplifier441(seeFIG.4B) or to another heat source, and this first heat pipe410A may be secured to an attachment member440using screws415A. The second heat pipe410B may be positioned and secured in a similar manner. The second heat pipe410B may be secured adjacent to a second dissipating feature, which may be in the form of a second location on the exterior wall. This second location may be located on an opposite side of the exterior wall relative to the first location. The second heat pipe410B may be positioned adjacent to the second mounting plate416B and then secured to the second mounting plate416B using a second clamp414B and screws417A.

Both the first heat pipe410A and the second heat pipe410B may have one end that is positioned proximate to a heat source near the electronics module408. The heat source may be a power amplifier441(seeFIG.4B) or a waveguide assembly420in some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member440is positioned above the power amplifier441, the first heat pipe410A is positioned above the top surface of the attachment member440, and the second heat pipe410B is positioned at a side surface of the attachment member440.

While two heat pipes are illustrated inFIG.4Aextending to a power amplifier, additional heat pipes may be used in other embodiments. Additional heat pipes may extend at various angles to the power amplifier to further manage the amount of heat at the power amplifier. Additionally, the heat pipes may also extend to heat sources at other locations on the electronics module or to other locations within the housing. For example, some heat pipes may extend from the power amplifier to the exterior wall while other heat pipes may extend from the waveguide assembly or other electronic components to the exterior wall. Further, the first dissipating feature and the second dissipating feature may be provided at a variety of locations other than the exterior wall of the housing.

FIG.4Billustrates the underside of an example electronics module408. As illustrated, at least a portion of the power amplifier441may extend to the underside of the electronics module408. The heat pipes described herein may assist in managing the heat at these locations as well by reducing the amount of heat that transfers by conduction through the electronics module408. By doing so, the risk of damage to electrical components on the underside of the electronics module408may be reduced.

FIG.5illustrates a perspective view of another example housing502where multiple heat pipes are utilized. Certain components such as clamps are hidden to allow other components to be seen more easily. As illustrated, a first heat pipe510A and a second heat pipe510B are provided. These heat pipes may transfer heat from heat sources to dissipating features. Here, the dissipating features are locations on the exterior wall. Additionally, the housing502may include an exterior wall522, and a first mounting plate516A and a second mounting plate516B may be connected to the exterior wall522. One end of the first heat pipe510A may extend to a first mounting plate516A where the first heat pipe510A may be secured to the first mounting plate516A, and one end of the second heat pipe510B may extend to a second mounting plate516B where the second heat pipe510B may be secured to the second mounting plate516B. As illustrated inFIG.5, the first heat pipe510A and the second heat pipe510B may be configured to transfer heat to opposite sides of the housing502. The first heat pipe510A and the second heat pipe510B may both extend to a heat source located at the electronics module508. This heat source may, for example, be a waveguide assembly520and/or the power amplifier441(seeFIG.4B), but the heat pipes may be used to manage heat from other heat sources. In some embodiments, an attachment member540may be positioned above the power amplifier441(seeFIG.4B), and the first heat pipe510A and the second heat pipe510B may be secured to the attachment member540. A first tab518A may be used to position the electronics module508relative to the first mounting plate516A, and a second tab518B may be used to position the electronics module508relative to the second mounting plate516B during assembly or maintenance.

FIG.6Aillustrates another cross-sectional view of an example housing602where multiple heat pipes are utilized and where the heat pipes are bent. As illustrated, a first heat pipe610A′ and a second heat pipe610B′ are provided. In this embodiment, the second heat pipe610B′ is bent, with a first section624extending at a different angle compared to a second section626. By providing heat pipes having different shapes, the heat pipes may be used within various types of radar devices. Varying geometries may be beneficial to accommodate radar devices with components that are densely packed or to reach different heat sources such as the power amplifier441(seeFIG.4B). InFIG.6A, the heat pipes extend to an attachment member640positioned above the power amplifier441.

FIG.6Billustrates an enhanced view of an example housing where multiple heat pipes are utilized and where the heat pipes are bent. In this embodiment, the first heat pipe610A′ and the second heat pipe610B′ may both be secured above the attachment member640, and a clamp644may be used to secure an end of the heat pipes in place. This clamp644may have vertically extending holes617that may be threaded, and fasteners such as screws may be used to secure the clamp644in position. The first heat pipe610A′ may extend into a first cavity646of the attachment member640, and the second heat pipe610B′ may extend into a second cavity648of the attachment member640. In some embodiments, the heat pipes may be positioned proximate to other heat sources at the electronics module608such as the waveguide assembly620, PCBs, or other electronics.

FIG.7illustrates a schematic view of one example heat pipe710. This heat pipe710is an evaporator-condenser heat pipe. The heat pipe710may have an impermeable wall728. A porous wick730may be provided inside the impermeable wall728, and a cavity732may be provided inside the porous wick730. Additionally, the heat pipe710may have a first end734, a second end738, and a middle section736between the two ends. The middle section736may be configured so that it is adiabatic, but the first end734may be configured to receive heat from the surrounding environment and the second end738may be configured to release heat into the surrounding environment.

The first end734may be placed proximate to a heat source so that the first end734serves as an evaporator for fluids in the heat pipe710. Liquid material in the porous wick730that is located at the first end734may evaporate and turn into vapor, and this vapor may flow into the cavity732. Once in the cavity, the vapor may flow from left to right, moving from the first end734, through the middle section736, and all the way to the second end738. The second end738may be placed away from the heat source so that the second end738has a lower temperature than the first end734. The second end738may serve as a condenser for vapor located in the cavity732at the second end738of the heat pipe710. Thus, the vapor at this location may be converted to a liquid, and this liquid may move to the porous wick730. Once in the porous wick, the liquid may then move from right to left, moving from the second end738, through the middle section736, all the way to the first end734. This cycle occurs repetitively.

Heat pipes of various sizes may be used. The size of the heat pipe may be selected to accommodate the design of a radar device being used. For example, a wide variety of diameters may be used. In some embodiments, a heat pipe having a diameter ranging from 3 millimeters to 12 millimeters may be used. In some embodiments, a heat pipe having a diameter ranging from 4 millimeters to 10 millimeters may be used. In another embodiment, a heat pipe having a 8 millimeter diameter may be used. Additionally, the length of the heat pipe may be selected to accommodate the geometry of the housing and its internal components. Where a heat pipe having a 8 millimeter diameter is used, the expected heat transfer may range from 25 watts to 45 watts. In some embodiments, heat pipes may reduce the temperature at a heat source by 10 degrees Celsius or more as compared to systems without a heat pipe. However, the amount of temperature reduction may vary depending on the size of the heat pipe, the size of the radar device, and the difference in temperature at the two ends of the heat pipe. Heat pipes having different cross sections may be used as well. For example, non-round heat pipes may be used having a flat-rectangular cross section, or other heat pipes may be used with non-symmetrical cross sections.

Some embodiments allow for easy assembly and disassembly, with parts such as the electronics module and the heat pipe being easily installed or disassembled.FIG.8illustrates an example method800for making a radar device having heat pipes. Various components may be provided. For example, at operation802, a housing may be provided. In some embodiments, the housing may include an antenna. Additionally, an electronics module may be provided at operation804.

At operation806, the electronics module may be positioned at a desired location. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished through the use of a tab on the electronics module as well as a mounting plate attached to the exterior wall of the housing. In some embodiments, a tab extending from the upper surface of an electronics module may be configured to contact a mounting plate to assist in positioning the electronics module relative to the housing. The electronics module may be shifted until the tab comes into contact with the mounting plate, and this contact may restrict any further movement of the electronics module.

In some embodiments, a motor may be provided to cause movement of the electronics module. After the electronics module has moved a certain amount along the path indicated by the arrows, the tab may engage another component to prevent further movement of the electronics module. Maintenance may be made easier to perform by permitting the electronics module to be easily removed. Further, a waveguide assembly may be provided having two components separated by an air gap, and this may allow for easy maintenance of the waveguide assembly and other components on the electronics module without having to detach the components of the waveguide assembly.

At operation808, a heat pipe may be provided, and this heat pipe has a first end and a second end. At operation810, the first end of the heat pipe may be positioned proximate to a heat source. In some embodiments, this heat source may simply be located in the housing or at a position on the electronics module. This heat source may be a power amplifier, a waveguide assembly, a printed circuit board (PCB), a motor, or other electronic components in some embodiments. However, the first end may be placed proximate to other heat sources as well.

The movement of the first end of the heat pipe may be restrained at operation812. This may be done by securing the first end to the electronics module or to another component at operation812. This may be accomplished using a clamp and/or a magnetic member. This securement may also be accomplished through brazing and/or soldering. The use of a clamp may be beneficial to permit easy assembly and disassembly.

At operation814, the second end of the heat pipe is positioned adjacent to a dissipation feature, and this dissipation feature may be located away from the heat source. The second end of the heat pipe will preferably be placed at a location having a substantially lower surrounding temperature than the first end of the heat pipe. In some embodiments, the second end may be positioned proximate to an exterior wall of the housing. As discussed above, the second end of the heat pipe may be provided adjacent to a mounting plate that is connected to an exterior wall of the housing in some embodiments. Additionally, the second end of the heat pipe may be positioned so that it is above the first end of the heat pipe. By elevating the second end of the heat pipe, heat may be transferred more effectively in the heat pipe.

At operation816, the movement of the second end is restrained. This may be accomplished by using a clamp having horizontally extending holes, with the holes being threaded so that fasteners such as screws may secure the clamp and the heat pipe in place.

CONCLUSION