Built For Space

Overall, OHPs like other fluid-based or heat pipe technologies have heat transfer rates that are 4-400x higher than conventional solid state heat transfer materials. Unlike pumped fluid systems or wick-based heat pipes, OHPs operate passively via unique (and often preferable) pressure-driven fluid flow between heat source(s) and heat sink(s).

For example, our Aluminum heat transporters can move 100s of Watts through <4mm thick cross sections at lengths exceeding 1 meter with thermal conductances of >30 W/K, or effective thermal conductivities of >100,000 W/m-K.

Our OHP radiators can spread 100s or even 1000s of Watts across large surfaces with thermal conductances of >300 W/K.

At the device-level, OHP chip carriers and OHP heat frames can receive heat fluxes from <1 W/cm2 to >300 W/cm2; and these OHPs can spread-and-reject at ultra-high heat transfer coefficients ranging from 5,000 W/m2-K to >50,000 W/m2-K, depending on the size and power of the heat sources and OHPs.

Lastly, OHPs are able to achieve these high performance levels in a range of gravitational orientations (e.g., 0g, -1g and even up to -10g) for reliable opration: on-ground, on-orbit, and during tactical maneuvers.

OHPs are integrated into existing components and do not add additional hardware to the platform. Mechanical components become multi-function thermal-mechanical structures. OHP integration negligibly affects the structural performance of the raw material.

OHPs can be made into customized geometries in ultra-thin, conformal form factors — includes through features & complex 3D integration.

OHPs are technology and manufacturing readiness level 9 (TRL/MRL 9) to exacting standards (AS9100) at volume. ThermAvant is producing 1,000s of OHPs per month in drop-in-replacement, conformal form factors. 

ThermAvant's oscillating heat pipe predictive models have been validated against thousands of empirical data sets. The models include side by side fluid comparison, limits of operation analysis, and predictive performance across wide temperature ranges and power loading conditions. OHPs at ThermAvant are primarily manufactured from aluminum but can be made from ceramics, refractory metals, dielectric materials, and other metallics.

More than 5 million hours of successful on orbit mission time. Ground testing can effectively replicate OHP on-orbit/extra planetary performance. OHPs can operate in adverse gravity orientations to enable simpler ground testing. OHPs do not require startup heaters and are proven reliable and strong in high shock and vibration environments. Cold start conditions have been proven to be well handled by OHPs designed for an application.