Patent — available for licensing
Passive PCB-Mounted Thermal Switch
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Effective heat dissipation and thermal protection are critical for printed circuit boards (PCBs) used in spaceflight applications, where the boards must withstand extreme temperature fluctuations, especially during deep space or lunar surface operations. PCBs generate heat while functioning. In a vacuum, this heat can only dissipate through conduction and radiation. Ensuring efficient heat rejection requires strong thermal conductivity between the PCB and its enclosure. However, if the enclosure's temperature drops too low – due to environmental conditions, idle processors, or other factors – excessive heat rejection can cause the PCB to fail. Currently, maintaining PCBs above their minimum operating temperature of around -20C demands significant energy and mass (e.g., batteries). In response to this challenge, engineers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) have developed a PCB-mounted thermal switch that allows the PCB to toggle between being “thermally mounted” (heat-dissipating) and “thermally unmounted” (heat-conserving) to the electronics enclosure, depending on temperature conditions. This switch fits easily onto a PCB and is completely passive, eliminating the need for battery power to maintain the PCB within its operating temperature range.