Abstract
An experimental apparatus was designed and fabricated to test a Loop Heat Pipe under varied acceleration. The experiment consisted of both flight and ground testing as well as comparisons to a model developed from models found in literature. The purpose of the work is to obtain data and compare to thermophysical model. The thermophysical model better explains the conditions of the fluid as it moves through the wick and through the interface. The model is used to evaluate approximate acceleration induced effects and startup temperature profiles in the LHP. Variable acceleration testing was done aboard NASA's KC-1 3 5 with ground testing being performed at Texas A&M's Interphase Transport Phenomena Laboratory. Results indicate that simple correlation's and models may be used to predict steady state and some transient performance of the LHP. The model is adapted from the LHP working cycle found in the patent and other literature describing the device. The predictions closely match test data for steady state operation in both the gravity assisted and gravity opposed orientations. Transient performance predictions also gave good results, but need further evaluation to validate the assumptions. Successful operation of the LHP under high gravitational acceleration and microgravity was completed with satisfactory prediction. The use of experimentally validated predictions will allow designers to use LHP's in space systems with higher confidence in expected performance.
Kurwitz, Richard Cable (1997). Testing of a loop heat pipe experimental apparatus under varied acceleration. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1997 -THESIS -K836.