High Conductance Loop Heat Pipes for Space Application

摘要: Three high conductance Loop Heat Pipes (LHPs) for the Geostationary Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) were designed, fabricated and thermal vacuum tested. One LHP with ammonia working fluid was designed heat removal from a cryocooler cold head. Two ethane LHPs to reject aft fore optics space. Thermal performance tests performed in chamber attached masses simulating actual components. also conducted on bench an environmental chamber. The following features of GIFTS observed: (a) reliable startup steady state operation as 83W/°C at various temperatures; (b) precision temperature control using compensation heater during cycling. input power condenser temperatures varied periodically, while evaporator maintained constant temperature. Temperature surface fluctuated only by fraction degree; (c) addition there no degradation after 16 month storage. are installed instrument waiting launch platform.