Heat transport across structural boundaries

A description of a program which uses heat-pipe principles in the design of prototype rotating thermal joints for the NASA centralized thermal control system, as well as of the first six months of work, during which the contract goals were met, is given. The design requirements include operating in a temperature range from 0 to 40 C, transferring 10 kilowatts with an overall temperature drop of 5 C, and rotating a total of 60,000 revolutions at 2 rpm with a 1700 inch pound moment loading. The predicted and required performance for the rotating joint are compared and the results are presented in a table. Consideration is also given to Phase II of the program.