A hinge includes internal on-axis stopping mechanisms that cause the hinge to shear and break at an on-axis weakened region of the hinge when rotation of the hinge reaches a predetermined angle with a specified torsional load. The on-axis configuration is compact, has minimal impact on the outer mold line (OML) of the object to which it is mounted both pre and post detachment and allows for accurate tailoring of the torsional load that will detach the hinge.

A guidance system for a missile performs a method for guiding the missile. The guidance system includes a target detector and a window between a target and the target detector. The window including a first pane, a second pane and a channel between the first pane from the second pane. Radiation from the target passes through the window including the first pane, the second pane and the channel to be detected at the target detector. A gas is transported through the channel between the first pane and the second pane to control a temperature of the window.

A window assembly heat transfer system is disclosed in which a window member has a selected transparency to monitored or sensed electromagnetic wavelengths. One or more passages are provided in the window member for flowing a single-phase or two-phase heat transfer fluid. A mechanism allows either evaporation or condensation of the fluid and/or balancing of a flow of the fluid within the passages. In one embodiment, the window assembly can be made by producing passages in a top surface of a first single plate, optionally producing passages in a bottom surface of a second single plate and bonding the top surface of the first plate to a bottom surface of a second single plate to form the window member with the passage or passages. In another embodiment, the window assembly can be made by providing a core around which the window member material is grown and thereafter removing the core to produce the passage or passages.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an actuation system for a guided munition, includes a reservoir disposed in a guided munition body housing a compressible fluid in a compressed state, a fluid path connecting the reservoir in fluid communication with a heat exchange volume, a throttling orifice disposed in the fluid path configured to expand the compressible fluid, and an actuation path connecting the heat exchange volume in fluid communication with a moveable component. The actuation path can be configured to supply pneumatic pressure to the moveable components.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an actuation system for a guided munition, includes a reservoir disposed in a guided munition body housing a compressible fluid in a compressed state, a fluid path connecting the reservoir in fluid communication with a heat exchange volume, a throttling orifice disposed in the fluid path configured to expand the compressible fluid, and an actuation path connecting the heat exchange volume in fluid communication with a moveable component. The actuation path can be configured to supply pneumatic pressure to the moveable components.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a thermal management system for an electronics assembly includes, a reservoir housing a compressible fluid in a compressed state, a throttling orifice disposed in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to expand the compressible fluid, cooling the compressible fluid, and a heat exchange volume in fluid communication with the throttling orifice to receive cooled compressible fluid from the throttling orifice.

A cooling device uses an endothermic chemical reaction for cooling. The cooling device includes a sealed casing with at least two reagents that generate an endothermic chemical reaction when they come into contact. The cooling device further includes a separating membrane separating the reagents in a storage position; a contact-making system which can be activated and configured to bring the reagents into contact with one another when activated, an interface element for activating the contact-making system; and a thermal interface with a thermally conductive metal base plate. One of the surfaces of the base plate is subjected to the endothermic chemical reaction, and the other surface of the base plate is accessible from outside the cooling device.

A cooling device uses an endothermic chemical reaction for cooling. The cooling device includes a sealed casing with at least two reagents that generate an endothermic chemical reaction when they come into contact. The cooling device further includes a separating membrane separating the reagents in a storage position; a contact-making system which can be activated and configured to bring the reagents into contact with one another when activated, an interface element for activating the contact-making system; and a thermal interface with a thermally conductive metal base plate. One of the surfaces of the base plate is subjected to the endothermic chemical reaction, and the other surface of the base plate is accessible from outside the cooling device.

A heat sensing system and method for dynamic heat sensing may be implemented in a flight vehicle having a main antenna configured for sending and/or receipt of signals. The system includes an auxiliary antenna system that is arranged within a radome of the flight vehicle for detecting temperatures around the exterior surface of the radome. The auxiliary antenna is configured for receiving and measuring infrared or optical energy. Using the measured energy, the system is configured to determine whether the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and rotating the vehicle to equalize heat around the vehicle when the current temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature.

A method of improving optical characteristics of an optical window operating in a flow of fluid and having first and second panes of optically transmissive material—each having an edge adjacent to, parallel with, and at least partially coextensive with each other—is described herein. The method includes inserting a thermally conductive blade between two adjacent edges of the first and second panes of optically transmissive material; and lifting an adverse flow stagnation zone forward of the optical window by protruding the thermally conductive blade into the flow of fluid from an outer surface of the panes of the optical window.