Importance

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Abstract

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 1/2 PSI 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.

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First Claim