High-power space systems reject a large amounts of waste heat via medium- or high-temperature radiators. For this application, the heat pipe radiator is desired for its simplicity, efficiency, and reliability. It is commonly composed of cylindrical heat pipes and planar fins. Although typically made of advanced materials with low density and high thermal conductivity, the pipe–fin combination suffers from a series of drawbacks, such as large thermal resistance in component joints, thermal expansion rate incompatibility, and high acquisition cost. This study innovates the heat pipe radiator configuration by developing an all-metal loop heat pipe (LHP) radiator. The evaporator and compensation chamber are formed in a cylindrical container with traditional sintered wick layers and a plug. The LHP applies dozens of parallel capillaries arranged in two planar arrays as condensers to spread heat to radiating panels, realizing lightweightness and efficient heat transfer. A theoretical study was performed to analyze the nonuniform liquid–vapor distribution in multicondenser lines. Experimental studies were carried out to investigate startup performance, quasi-steady-state operation, and temperature hysteresis. The proposed design is proven to be capable of fulfilling the heat rejection requirement of space systems and exhibits technical benefits over existing ones.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Novel Lightweight Loop Heat Pipe Radiator for High-Power Space Systems


    Contributors:
    Li, Zhisong (author)

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2024-10-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Liquid Metal Loop and Heat Pipe Radiator for Space Reactor Power Systems

    Jean-Michel Tournier / Mohamed El-Genk | AIAA | 2006




    Heat pipe radiator technology for space power systems

    CARLSON, A. / GUSTAFSON, E. / ERCEGOVIC, B. | AIAA | 1986


    Unfurlable Space Based Heat Pipe Radiator

    Fale, John E. / Gernert, Nelson J. | SAE Technical Papers | 1996