Development of a flexible advanced loop heat pipe for across-gimball cryocooling

Triem T. Hoang; Tamara A. O'Connell; Dmitry K. Khrustalev

doi:10.1117/12.501493

15 October 2003 Development of a flexible advanced loop heat pipe for across-gimball cryocooling

Triem T. Hoang, Tamara A. O'Connell, Dmitry K. Khrustalev

Proceedings Volume 5172, Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments X; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.501493
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

To provide cryocooling across a gimbaled joint still remains a difficult challenge for spacecraft engineers. Gimbaled cryogenic infrared payloads have very difficult-to-meet requirements for 2-axis motion and low torque. Thus the difficulty of making a cryogenic thermal connection across a gimbaled joint cannot be overstated. Because of the cryogenic nature of the connection, thermal joint flexibility, durability, reliability, material compatibility, differential expansion/contraction, and parasitic heat loss, are all complex technical concerns. Thus two primary issues of the proposed across-gimbal passive cryocooling system - management of heat parasitics and flexible/durable thermal connection between heat sources (infrared sensors/detectors) and heat sinks (cryocooler coldfingers) - are the main focus of the current development effort. A cryogenic Advanced Loop Heat Pipe proof-of-concept test loop that was developed in Phase I demonstrated a heat transport capability of 50W-m (20W over a distance of 2.5m) in 3/32"O.D. stainless steel lines. But more importantly, the test loop started up and operated reliably even in a 300K environment. In the follow-on Phase II, the research focus shifted to the development and demonstration of a low-torque durable flexure mechanism for a 2-axis gimbal.

Citation Download Citation

Triem T. Hoang, Tamara A. O'Connell, and Dmitry K. Khrustalev "Development of a flexible advanced loop heat pipe for across-gimball cryocooling", Proc. SPIE 5172, Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments X, (15 October 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.501493

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