Over the last 4 years, the loop heat pipe (LHP) technology has been under development by this institute, focusing on future applications for this passive thermal control device, specially related to instruments' thermal control in satellites. Such a development has been focused on designing, manufacturing, assembling, charging and testing LHPs for Space applications using acetone as working fluid. Several procedures were specially conceived during the development program, which resulted in reliable apparatuses that have been extensively tested for potential applications. Repeatability on the processes used during the manufacturing of the LHPs was established as the key parameter to qualify this technology, as well as suppliers and techniques for charging and testing procedures. As a result, several LHPs were manufactured and are operational presenting reliable results related to the thermal control, according to the parameters established by the project. In parallel, two mathematical models were developed based on the experimental data gathered in laboratory conditions, which were then validated and have been applied on the design of LHPs for Earth orbit operation.
Loop Heat Pipe Development Overview
SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL FORUM‐STAIF 2008: 12th Conference on Thermophysics Applications in Microgravity; 1st Symposium on Space Resource Utilization; 25th Symposium on Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion; 6th Conference on Human/Robotic Technology and the Vision for Space Exploration; 6th Symposium on Space Colonization; 5th Symposium on New Frontiers and Future Concept ; 2008 ; Albuquerque (New Mexico)
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 969 , 1 ; 29-36
2008-01-21
8 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Loop Heat Pipe Development Overview
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2008
|Development of Loop Heat Pipe with Pressure Regulator
SAE Technical Papers | 2006
|Extensive Development of the Loop Heat Pipe Technology
SAE Technical Papers | 2006
|Fine Pore Loop Heat Pipe Wick Structure Development
SAE Technical Papers | 1996
|