초록 ▼

A thermal control system adapted for test in a 1G gravity environment and for operation as a microgravity environment includes a capillary pumped loop with a wicked evaporator which produces a coolant vapor head of about ½PSI upon absorbing heat from a heat source. A heat pipe includes a cylindrical

A thermal control system adapted for test in a 1G gravity environment and for operation as a microgravity environment includes a capillary pumped loop with a wicked evaporator which produces a coolant vapor head of about ½PSI upon absorbing heat from a heat source. A heat pipe includes a cylindrical portion adapted for absorbing heat, and also includes a radiator panel which rejects absorbed heat. A heat exchanger coupled to receive coolant vapor from the wicked evaporator includes a manifold which directs the vapor to a plurality of parallel fluid channels helically wound about and thermally coupled with the heat absorbing portion of the heat pipe. A liquid manifold is coupled to the liquid side of the fluid channels for receiving cooled liquid, which is returned to the wicked evaporator. The helically disposed fluid channels are dimensioned so that the surface tension forces of the coolant liquid are at least large compared with gravitational forces, and so that the centrifugal forces due to the helical disposition of the fluid channel at least aid in making the flow regimes similar in both microgravity and 1-G testing conditions.

대표청구항 ▼

A heat exchanger for a spacecraft having a source of heat, a heat source tube passing through said source of heat, a coolant, and a radiator, comprising in combination: a heat pipe having one end coupled to said radiator; a plurality of passages helically wound about said heat pipe, said passages be

A heat exchanger for a spacecraft having a source of heat, a heat source tube passing through said source of heat, a coolant, and a radiator, comprising in combination: a heat pipe having one end coupled to said radiator; a plurality of passages helically wound about said heat pipe, said passages being connected to common first and second junctions at opposite first and second ends of said plurality of passages, said first and second junctions being coupled to respective first and second opposite ends on said heat source tube, said coolant being of a material that tends to be vaporized by said source of heat at said first end of said plurality of passages and tends to liquify at said second end of said plurality of passages, each of said plurality of passages being of a sufficiently small diameter that helical circulation along the walls is primarily due to surface tension and secondary flow effects.