Transient shutdown of an axial-groove liquid trap heat pipe thermal diode
Abstract
Experimental results for determination of the shutdown characteristics of a straight axial-groove aluminum liquid trap heat pipe diode are reported. The shutdown was effected by applying a constant heat flux to the condenser while leaving the evaporator and trap thermally free floating. A theoretical model was developed for the various heat flows and the transient diode shutdown, and the maximum heat transport of an aluminum axial-groove diode was calculated with respect to an ammonia fill charge at 20 C. The condenser temperature was found to rise faster than predicted, while the model and data agreed better toward the end of shutdown. A need for a better estimate of the thermal losses to the environment is indicated. The model is regarded as useful for spacecraft thermal control systems.
- Publication:
-
Heat Transfer Soviet Research
- Pub Date:
- December 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981HTSR...13...26G
- Keywords:
-
- Diodes;
- Electronic Control;
- Heat Pipes;
- Satellite Temperature;
- Temperature Control;
- Ammonia;
- Grooves;
- Heat Transmission;
- Liquid Metals;
- Spacecraft Environments;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer