Loading...
Please wait, while we are loading the content...
Similar Documents
Capillary limit in a loop heat pipe with dual evaporators
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Birur, Gajanana Ku, Jentung |
| Copyright Year | 2002 |
| Description | This paper describes a study on the capillary limit of a loop heat pipe (LHP) with two evaporators and two condensers. Both theoretical analysis and experimental investigation are conducted. Tests include heat load to one evaporator only, even heat loads to both evaporators and uneven heat load to both evaporators. Results show that after the capillary limit is exceeded, vapor will penetrate through the wick of the weaker evaporator and the compensation chamber (CC) of that evaporator will control the loop operating temperature regardless of which CC has been in control prior to the event Because the evaporator can tolerate vapor bubbles, the loop may continue to work and reach a new steady state at a higher operating temperature. The loop may even function with a modest increase in the heat load past the capillary limit With a heat load to only one evaporator, the capillary limit can be identified by rapid increases in the operating temperature and in the temperature difference between the evaporator and the CC. However, it is more difficult to tell when the capillary limit is exceeded if heat loads are applied to both evaporators. In all cases, the loop can recover by reducing the heat load to the loop. |
| File Size | 918710 |
| Page Count | 17 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_20020060728 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t1wd8t927 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2002-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Fluid Mechanics And Thermodynamics Bubbles Evaporators Penetration Heat Pipes Temperature Gradients Vapors Fuses Ordnance Steady State Loads Forces Operating Temperature Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
