Characterization of the thermal performance of high heat flux systems at the Laser Hardened Materials Evaluation Laboratory

Michael L. Lander; John O. Bagford; Mark T. North; Robert J. Hull

doi:10.1117/12.259825

21 November 1996 Characterization of the thermal performance of high heat flux systems at the Laser Hardened Materials Evaluation Laboratory

Michael L. Lander, John O. Bagford, Mark T. North, Robert J. Hull

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2855, High Heat Flux Engineering III; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.259825
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

When developing a high-heat-flux system, it is important to be able to test the system under relevant thermal conditions and environmental surroundings. Thermal characterization testing is best performed in parallel with analysis and design. This permits test results to impact materials selection and systems design decisions. This paper describes the thermal testing and characterization capabilities of the Laser Hardened Materials Evaluation Laboratory located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The facility features high-power carbon dioxide (CO_2$ and neodymium:glass laser systems that can be teamed with vacuum chambers, wind tunnels, mechanical loading machines and/or ambient test sites to create application-specific thermal and environmental conditions local to the material sample or system. Representative results from recently conducted test series are summarized. The test series described demonstrate the successful use of a high power CO₂ laser paired with environment simulation capability to : 1) simulate the expected in-service heat load on a newly developed heat transfer device to ensure its efficient operation prior to design completion, 2) simulate the heat load expected for a laser diode array cooler, 3) produce thermal conditions needed to test a radiator concept designed for space-based operation, and 4) produce thermal conditions experienced by materials use din solid rocket motor nozzles. Test diagnostics systems used to collect thermal and mechanical response data from the test samples are also described.

Citation Download Citation

Michael L. Lander, John O. Bagford, Mark T. North, and Robert J. Hull "Characterization of the thermal performance of high heat flux systems at the Laser Hardened Materials Evaluation Laboratory", Proc. SPIE 2855, High Heat Flux Engineering III, (21 November 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.259825

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