Integrated cryogenic receiver front-end

Abstract

A cryogenic receiver front-end includes a heat sink having a mounting surface and a plurality of fins, a cryocooler mounted to the mounting surface of the heat sink, a heat rejector surrounding the cryocooler, the heat rejector including a plurality of pliable c-shaped recesses therein, and a plurality of heat pipes. Each heat pipe has first and second ends, the first ends of the plurality of heat pipes are disposed in respective c-shaped recesses of the heat rejector. A working fluid is contained inside the heat pipes. The second ends of the plurality of heat pipes are thermally coupled to the heat sink. A weather resistant enclosure unit is mounted to the heat sink and encloses the components of the cryogenic receiver front-end.

1 . A cryogenic receiver front-end comprising 
 a heat sink, the heat sink comprising a mounting surface and a plurality of fins;    a cryocooler mounted to the mounting surface of the heat sink;    a heat rejector surrounding the cryocooler, the heat rejector including a plurality of c-shaped recesses therein;    a plurality of heat pipes, each heat pipe having first and second ends, the first ends of the plurality of heat pipes disposed in respective c-shaped recesses of the heat rejector, the second ends of the plurality of heat pipes being thermally coupled to the heat sink, the plurality of heat pipes having a working fluid disposed therein; and    an enclosure unit mounted to the heat sink.    
   
   
       2 . The thermally conductive interface of  claim 1 , wherein the heat rejector is made of a metal.  
   
   
       3 . The cryogenic receiver front-end of  claim 2 , the heat rejector being formed from annealed copper.  
   
   
       4 . The cryogenic receiver front-end of  claim 1 , the plurality of heat pipes being formed from OFHC copper.  
   
   
       5 . The cryogenic receiver front-end of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure unit satisfies the NEMA-4X standard.  
   
   
       6 . The cryogenic receiver front-end of  claim 1 , wherein the cryogenic receiver front-end is disposed inside a structure.  
   
   
       7 . The cryogenic receiver front-end of  claim 1 , wherein the cryogenic receiver front-end is disposed in an outside environment.  
   
   
       8 . The cryogenic receiver front-end of  claim 1 , wherein the cryogenic receiver front-end is disposed in or adjacent to a base station.  
   
   
       9 . The cryogenic receiver front-end of  claim 1 , wherein the cryogenic receiver front-end is mounted to a pad.  
   
   
       10 . The cryogenic receiver front-end of  claim 1 , wherein the cryogenic receiver front-end is mounted to a wall.  
   
   
       11 . The cryogenic receiver front-end of  claim 1 , wherein the cryogenic receiver front-end is mounted to a pole.  
   
   
       12 . The cryogenic receiver front-end of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ammonia, water, nitrogen, neon, and ethane.  
   
   
       13 . A method of dissipating heat from a heat generating component located in or adjacent to a base station, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a heat sink, the heat sink being located in or adjacent to a base station;    providing at least one heat generating component;    providing a heat pipe for the at least one heat generating component, the heat pipe having a first and a second end and a working fluid contained therein, the first end of the heat pipe being thermally coupled to the at least one heat generating component, the second end of the heat pipe being thermally coupled to the heat sink.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the heat sink comprises a plate having a plurality of fins located thereon.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the heat generating component is selected from the group consisting of amplifier, multiplexer, power supply, power converter, and control circuitry.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the heat pipe is thermally coupled to the at least one heat generating component using a heat rejector including a c-shaped recesses therein, the first end of the heat pipe being disposed within the c-shaped recess.  
   
   
       17 . The method  claim 13 , wherein the working fluid is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ammonia, water, nitrogen, neon, and ethane.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the heat pipe is fully enclosed within an enclosure surrounding the at least one heat generating component.  
   
   
       19 . A thermally conductive interface between a heat source and a heat sink comprising: 
 a heat rejector being thermally coupled with a heat source, the heat rejector including a c-shaped recess therein for receiving one end of a heat pipe having a working fluid therein, the heat sink being thermally coupled to an opposing end of the heat pipe.    
   
   
       20 . The thermally conductive interface of  claim 19 , wherein the heat rejector is made of a metal.  
   
   
       21 . The thermally conductive interface of  claim 20 , wherein the heat rejector is made of annealed copper.  
   
   
       22 . The thermally conductive interface of  claim 19 , wherein the heat source is a cryocooler.  
   
   
       23 . The thermally conductive interface of  claim 19 , wherein the heat source is selected from the group consisting of amplifier, multiplexer, power supply, power converter, and control circuitry.  
   
   
       24 . The thermally conductive interface of  claim 19 , further comprising means for clamping the c-shaped recess.