Study on Thermal Performances of a Small Loop Heat Pipe

Abstract

This paper describes thermal performance of a small loop heat pipe device in an atmospheric condition. A comprehensive test program including start-up, power step up, power cycle and low power tests was performed. The effects of gravity on start-up and heat transport capability were also evaluated. An analytical model for the loop was developed to predict and evaluate the steady state operating performance. The test results demonstrated the robustness of the LHP. The analytical results showed good agreement with the test results except at the low power region. The feasibility of loop temperature control through compensation chamber temperature control was also experimentally demonstrated.

Keywords

• loop heat pipe
• self regulating
• spacecraft thermal control
• thermal management
• and two-phase heat transfer