An edge cooled graphite core aluminum cold plate for use in phased array radar
systems, the cold plate including opposing aluminum skins, and a core layer sandwiched
between the opposing aluminum skins. The core layer includes graphite surrounded
by an aluminum body. The aluminum body includes inwardly directed tabs extending
from opposing cooled edges of the cold plate, the inwardly directed aluminum tabs
having orifices therethrough. The opposing aluminum skins also includes orifices
therethrough aligned with the orifices in the tabs of the aluminum body to reduce
the conductivity of the cooled edges of the cold plate thus reducing the temperature
gradient between edge mounted heat sources and inwardly mounted heat sources without
adversely affecting the structural integrity of the graphite core layer.
