Analytical and experimental investigation of a dual passage, monogrove heat pipe

Abstract

A parametric study of the forces governing the liquid vapor interface was performed for the purpose of determining the capillary priming characteristics of Grumman's dual passage, monogroove heat pipe when subjected to microgravitational conditions. The static liquid-vapor interface configuration was determined through the minimization of the free surface energies and two different mathematical models which described the time to prime were developed. In addition to the priming time modeling, a parametric study of the defining equations which govern the steady state operational characteristics of the heat pipe was completed. These defining equations were combined to form the basis of a model which described the operational and performance characteristics. Two experiments were designed, one testing the priming time when subjected to a microgravity field and one to determine the operational and transport characteristics as a function of the adverse tilt. Data from these experiments were correlated with the modeling predictions in an effort to verify the modeling techniques. Information from these two models, when combined, can be used to predict the maximum heat transport of the heat pipe while experiencing external accelerations.