Thermal Doubler / Heat Spreader
Aluminum / Copper Thermal Doubler Heat Spreader
A thermal doubler is a 6061-T6 aluminum or copper plate bolted or epoxied to high-power electronics, such as FPGAs and MOSFETs, to conductively spread concentrated heat across a larger area for radiator or phase-change material contact. In the lunar vacuum, the absence of atmospheric convection requires all waste heat to be dispersed purely via conduction and radiation across extreme temperature swings. Operating passively with zero power consumption, a thermal conductivity of 200 W/(m·K), and a mass of 5 kg, the plate reduces localized hot spots over a 100-year operational lifetime.
Aluminum or copper thermal doubler plates spreading concentrated heat sources (FPGAs, MOSFETs) across a larger area for radiator or PCM contact.
Purpose
Aluminum or copper thermal doubler plates spreading concentrated heat sources (FPGAs, MOSFETs) across a larger area for radiator or PCM contact.
Context
Child of L2-PTC-STRUC within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸High-conductivity Al/Cu plate spreads heat 2D
- ▸Reduces local hot spots
- ▸Mass-efficient for moderate concentrations
- ▸Bolted or epoxied to component
- ▸Compatible with TIM stack
Typical implementations
- ▸Spacecraft thermal control standard practice
- ▸Industrial heat-spreader designs
- ▸ISS rack-level thermal management
Lunar considerations
- ▸Long-life solid aluminum
- ▸Robotic-attachable for L1-MNT
- ▸Combined with L3-PTC-HPIPE for spread-then-transport
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Aluminum or copper thermal doubler plates spreading concentrated heat sources (FPGAs, MOSFETs) across a larger area for radiator or PCM contact. |
| thermal conductivity w per mk | 200 |
Physical
| mass kg | 5 |
| materials | 6061-T6 Al plate, Cu alternative for high-conductivity |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 0 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 100 |
| mtbf hours | 1000000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Heat spreading to radiator interface
Requires
- Doubler fabrication
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Thermal Doubler / Heat Spreader" (L3-PTC-STRUC-DOUBL). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-PTC-STRUC-DOUBL
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.