The loop heat pipe (LHP) was invented in Russia in the early 1980’s. It is a two-phase heat transfer device that utilizes the evaporation and condensation of a working fluid to transfer heat, and the capillary forces developed in fine porous wicks to circulate the fluid. The LHP is known for its high pumping capability and robust operation because it uses fine-pored metal wicks and the integral evaporator/hydro-accumulator design. It has gained rapid acceptance in recent years as a thermal control device in space applications. This paper presents an overview of the LHP operation. The physical processes and the thermal-hydraulic behaviors of the LHP are first described. Operating characteristics as functions of various parameters including the heat load, sink temperature, ambient temperature, and elevation are presented. Peculiar behaviors in LHP operation such as temperature hysteresis and temperature overshoot during start-up are explained. Issues related to multiple-evaporator LHP’s are also addressed.
Operating Characteristics of Loop Heat Pipes
Sae Technical Papers
International Conference On Environmental Systems ; 1999
1999-07-12
Conference paper
English
Metals , Heat transfer , Technical review , Humidity , Pumps
Operating Characteristics of Loop Heat Pipes
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999
|Steady state modeling of loop heat pipes and operating characteristics analysis
British Library Online Contents | 2006
|Loop Heat Pipes Heat Transfer Characteristics Analysis by Using Nomograms
SAE Technical Papers | 1996
|Evaluating Loop Heat Pipes Performances Regarding Their Geometric Characteristics
SAE Technical Papers | 2005
|Investigation of Temperature Control Characteristics of Loop Heat Pipes
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994
|